Whether you need some back to school lunches that you can pack away in a lunchbox for the kids or need something they can quickly put together while they’re home for lunch, these ideas will help get their stomachs full and ready for the second part of the day.
Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
If you love the Panera chicken salad, you can easily replicate the flavors at home with a combination of chicken, toasted almonds, and grapes.
Get the Recipe: Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
Copycat Kmart Submarine Sandwiches
With layers of sliced meats and vegetables, this copycat submarine sandwich is perfect for packing away in the lunch box with some fruit, chips, or crackers.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Kmart Submarine Sandwiches
Chick Fil A Chicken Noodle Soup (Copycat Recipe)
Nothing beats a cozy bowl of chicken noodle soup, especially during the cold winter months. Filling and loaded with chicken and veggies, this soup is cozy and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Chick Fil A Chicken Noodle Soup (Copycat Recipe)
Copycat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich Recipe
A tasty tuna salad salad sandwich is a quick and easy back to school lunch. This copycat version tastes just like the one you’d get from Panera.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich Recipe
Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas
Simple and easy to make, prep all the ingredients before hand so that kids can make their own chicken bacon and ranch quesadillas while they’re home for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Chili’s Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas
Ninja Foodi Grill Grilled Cheese
A fun take on the traditional grilled cheese, this Ninja Foodi grilled cheese is loaded with cheesy goodness and lots of meat.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Foodi Grill Grilled Cheese
Crockpot Southwest Chicken Chili
An easy southwest chicken chili that’s loaded with flavor, you can make this in the crockpot ahead of time so the kids can reheat it for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Southwest Chicken Chili
Air Fryer Muffaletta Sandwich
A flavor packed sandwich that’s made with marinated olive salad, layers of cured meats, and melty cheese in between sesame seed bread slices. It’s a unique and fun back to school lunch idea for the kids.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Muffaletta Sandwich
Air Fryer Spinach Strawberry Salad
Go light and healthy with tis spinach strawberry salad. It’s made in the air fryer with a combination of spinach, juicy strawberries, and crunchy walnuts.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spinach Strawberry Salad
Easy Air Fryer French Dip Wrap
Use thinly sliced roast beef, melted provolone cheese, and caramelized onions to make these filling French dip wraps. It’s a simple lunch idea that’s bursting with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer French Dip Wraps
Air Fryer Pizza Roll Ups
Use the air fryer to make these cheesy pizza roll ups. Just a few simple ingredients are all you need and they’re a quick and easy lunch to make.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pizza Roll Ups
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Salad
Loaded with tender chicken and lots of veggies, this BBQ chicken salad will take their lunch meal up a notch and offer a delicious and filling meal for them to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Salad
Air Fryer Copycat Panera Frontega Chicken Sandwich
A zesty chipotle mayo, chicken, and smoky bacon come together to create a filling lunch idea that can be ready to go in no time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Panera Frontega Chicken Sandwich
Air Fryer Pizza Toast
Super quick and simple, use bread, cheese, and pizza sauce to make this pizza toast in the air fryer for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pizza Toast
Air Fryer Turkey and Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches
Turkey and cheese pinwheel sandwiches are perfect for back to school lunches because you can make them ahead of time and enjoy them for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey and Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches
Air Fryer Peanut Butter and Bacon Sandwich
Made with raisin bread, peanut butter, jelly, and bacon, this sweet and savory air fryer sandwich is a fun back to school lunch the kids can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peanut Butter and Bacon Sandwich
Air Fryer Turkey Wraps
Inside these wraps is a combination of sliced turkey breast, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and crisp spinach. It’s a filling lunch that’s loaded with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Wraps
Copycat Nature Valley Granola Bars
Add homemade granola bars to their lunch box so they have a snack to enjoy with their lunch or throughout the day.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Nature Valley Granola Bars
Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich
Peanut butter and banana sandwiches are a quick and easy to make lunch idea you can serve the kids. You can also pack them away in their lunch box so they can enjoy it on their lunch break.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich
Air Fryer Cuban Sandwich
Make toasted Cuban sandwiches in the air fryer for a delicious lunch idea. The sandwiches are made with French bread, sliced roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cuban Sandwich
Air Fryer Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese
An interesting lunch that may just become a favorite. Combining the two dishes turns into a lunch that’s easy to make and fun.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese
Air Fryer Chicken Tikka Tortilla Wraps
A simple flavor packed wrap that you can make for lunch, this is a filling lunch idea to enjoy while the kids are at home or at school.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tikka Tortilla Wraps
Air Fryer Garlic Bread Pizza Toast
Use garlic bread as the base and then top it off with some sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and seasonings for a delicious lunch idea you can make in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Bread Pizza Toast
Air Fryer Hot Dog Taquitos
Inside these crispy shells are hot dogs and they’re topped with peppers, olives, cheese, and other goodies to make a flavorful lunch idea.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Dog Taquitos
Frozen Chicken Patties In The Air Fryer
Let the kids heat up frozen chicken patties in the air fryer for a quick and easy lunch that’s delicious.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Chicken Patties In The Air Fryer
Ham and Cheese Sandwich
A simple ham and cheese sandwich is a great option for lunch. If they’re at home and want it toasted, it’s easy to do so in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Subgum Fried Rice
Make fried rice ahead of time and let the kids reheat it when they’re ready for a filling lunchtime meal.
Get the Recipe: Subgum Fried Rice
Eat N Park Potato Soup
A copycat potato soup recipe that’s delicious. It’s an easy make ahead lunch that can be stored and reheated for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Eat N Park Potato Soup
Southern Cheese Straws
Add these homemade cheese straws to their lunchbox so that they have a tasty side to enjoy with their lunch.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cheese Straws
Copycat Outback Steakhouse Walkabout Soup
Make your own copycat Outback Steakhouse soup at home so that it can be reheated when lunch comes around.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Outback Steakhouse Walkabout Soup
Air Fryer Turkey Sandwich
A simple turkey sandwich can be great for back to school lunches. It’s a quick and easy sandwich that’s loaded with turkey and cheese and toasted in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Sandwich
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad (Cape Cod Chicken Salad)
A quick and easy chicken salad you can make for lunch, this recipe features chunky chicken, crunchy walnuts, and cranberries for a flavorful combination.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad (Cape Cod Chicken Salad)
Longhorn French Onion Soup
Filling and flavorful, this longhorn French onion soup is a family favorite and it’ll make a great reheatable lunch to enjoy during the day.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn French Onion Soup
Copycat Suddenly Salad Classic Recipe
A cold salad side dish, this copycat recipe is easy to make at home and offers a filling idea to pair with sandwiches or meats.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Suddenly Salad Classic Recipe
30 Minute Dairy Free Tomato Basil Soup
Send the kids to school with a dairy free tomato basil soup for a healthy back to school lunch idea. Kids can warm it up at lunch or store it in a thermos that’ll keep it warm until lunch.
Get the Recipe: 30 Minute Dairy Free Tomato Basil Soup
15-Minute Apple Brie Sandwich
With just 15 minutes needed to make this flavorful apple brie sandwich, it’s a quick lunch idea the kids can make at home.
Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Apple Brie Sandwich
Copycat La Madeleine Chicken Salad Recipe
Inspired by the cafe sandwich, this chicken salad is loaded with tender chicken, celery, crunchy almonds, and a creamy dressing that brings it all together.
Get the Recipe: Copycat La Madeleine Chicken Salad Recipe
Copycat Steak ‘n Shake Chili
As the cooler season sets in, pack a bowl of chili in the lunchbox so that it can be reheated when ready to eat. This is a copycat version of Steak ‘n Shake’s popular chili.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Steak ‘n Shake Chili
Pineapple Salsa
A sweet pineapple salsa can not only serve as a snack but you can also add it to their lunchbox with some crackers so that it can be enjoyed for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Salsa
Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs
Make turkey meatballs in the instant pot and pair them with some pasta or even just a marina dipping sauce to enjoy for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs
Starbucks Copycat Ham & Swiss Croissant Recipe
Creamy Swiss cheese and ham slices come together to create a croissant sandwich that’s easy to make and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks Copycat Ham & Swiss Croissant Recipe
Instant Pot BLT Pasta Salad
Bringing in the flavors of a BLT, this pasta salad is an easy dish that can be made ahead of time and enjoyed cold for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BLT Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Caesar Wraps
Chicken, bacon, tomato, and those amazing Caesar dressing flavors turns into a wrap that’s easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Caesar Wraps
Newks Chicken Salad Recipe
Tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and a creamy dressing turns into a delicious lunch idea. Use it to make lettuce wraps or bread to make sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Newks Chicken Salad Recipe
Air Fryer Avocado Chicken Mango Salad
A combination of sweet and savory, this protein and veggie packed salad is a healthy meal to enjoy for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Avocado Chicken Mango Salad
Air Fryer Pizza Turnovers
These savory turnovers will be an easy and flavorful lunch kids can make using the air fryer. The cheesy pepperoni pizza turnovers are tasty.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pizza Turnovers
Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Chips
Make healthy cottage cheese chips in the air fryer so the kids can pack them away in their lunch box and enjoy with their sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Chips
Air Fryer Apple, Bacon, and Cheddar Sandwiches
With slices of bacon, apples, and gooey cheddar, these sandwiches are delicious and easy to make in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple, Bacon, and Cheddar Sandwiches
Clam Chowder Red Lobster Recipe
Make clam chowder for the kids to enjoy when the weather is cold outside. They can reheat the soup for lunch whether they stay at school or go home for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Clam Chowder Red Lobster Recipe
Arby’s Copycat Reuben Sandwich
If everyone loves the Reuben sandwiches they can get from Arby’s, you can easily make them at home for a quick and easy lunch idea.
Get the Recipe: Arby’s Copycat Reuben Sandwich
