Air Fryer Starbucks Copycat Protein Boxes

Air Fryer Starbucks Copycat Protein Boxes — What’s the perfect snack for a lazy Sunday afternoon? A satisfying and hearty homemade protein box with all your favorite Starbucks goodies. This recipe is easy to make and will keep you full until dinner time! Plus, it’s great for meal prep because it can be made in bulk and eaten throughout the week.

Have you ever heard of a Starbucks Protein Box?

Think chicken, hard-boiled eggs, cheese and fruit, and nuts! They are filled with lots and lots of protein, and they make for a great back-to-school lunch, summer snack, or just a great work lunch. Perfect for Keto and low-carb followers.

I’m going to show you how easy it is to make these at home with the help of my new air fryer. You’ll save money (hello, $5 per day!), eat healthier, and cut out all those preservatives from fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s. These are also perfect for meal prep as they can be made ahead and frozen for later use.

Some other great and easy Air Fryer Lunch Ideas are AIR FRYER SAUSAGE, PEPPERS, AND ONIONS, AIR FRYER CRAB CAKE SANDWICHES, AIR FRYER SHRIMP PO’BOY, and AIR FRYER GARLIC BREAD PIZZA TOAST.

COPYCAT STARBUCKS PROTEIN BOXES

The Starbucks protein box is an easy, quick, and healthy snack that you can customize to your liking. So next time life gets too hectic, try making one on the fly!

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Starbucks Copycat Protein Boxes

Although I made one type of Starbucks Copycat Protein Boxes today, I will give you suggestions on how to change them out, so I will have you covered for all of the protein boxes. Easy to make with the help of your air fryer!

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
• Olive Oil
• Lemon Juice
• Eggs
• Almonds
• Grapes
• Cheese Sticks
• Seasonings: Salt, Black Pepper, Parsley, Oregano, Basil, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika

How To Make Air Fryer Starbucks Copycat Protein Boxes

In a small dish, combine olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, herbs, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk to combine. 

Place chicken breasts in a large Ziploc bag and pour marinade over the top. Seal bag and squish around the contents to coat the chicken thoroughly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to several hours. 

Place chicken breasts in the basket of an air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until the center of the chicken breasts registers 165°F on a digital thermometer. (Cook time will vary with the thickness of the chicken.) Flip halfway through cooking when chicken is done cooking, set aside for a few minutes to cool, and redistribute juices before slicing. 

Place four eggs (you can cook more at once but may need to adjust cook time) in the air fryer’s basket—Cook for 17 minutes at 260°F.  Immediately transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water for 1-2 minutes and then peel, under the ice water, for easiest peeling. 

Slice chicken breasts into ½” slices. Divide almonds, grapes, and cheese stick pieces between four partitioned Tupperware/bento boxes. Divide the chicken breast slices between the boxes as well. If desired, place one egg, either whole or sliced in half, into each container and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

Notes:

• Consider other items to add to the boxes such as walnuts, pecans, pistachios_, trail mix, cheese wedges, apple slices (brush with lemon juice), etc. 
• Group like items or keep anything that may have juice separate from dry ingredients. 
• Eggs hard-boiled in the air fryer are super easy. They may pick up some discoloration on the outside of the shells from the oils in the air fryer. This usually washes off once they’re dunked in the ice water, and certainly doesn’t permeate the shell. 
• Marinating the chicken helps provide flavor and keep it moister. Vary the seasonings to whatever flavors you’d like!

Variations:

• Eggs & Gouda Protein Box: Hard Boiled Eggs, Gouda Cheese Slices, Multigrain Crackers, Dried Apricots, Apples, Peanut Butter.
• Cheese Trio Protein Box: Brie, Gouda, and Sharp Cheddar Cheese Slices. Crackers, Dried Apricots, and Cranberries.
• Cheddar & Uncured Salami Protein Box: Cheddar and White Cheese Slices, Crackers, Dried Fruits, and Nuts.
• Chickpea Bites & Avacado Protein Box: Chickpea Bites, Snap Peas, Carrots, Dried Fruit, Nuts, and Avocado spread.
• Grilled Chicken and Hummus Protein Box: Grilled Chicken (use recipe below), Red Pepper Hummus, Naan Bread, Carrots, and Snap Peas.
• Eggs & Cheddar Protein Box: Hard Boiled Eggs, Apple Slices, Grapes, Cheddar Cheese, Muesli Bread, and Honey Butter.
• PB&J Protein Box: Peanut Butter Sandwich, String Cheese, Chocolate Covered Raisins, String Cheese, Apples, Carrots, Ranch Dip.
• Cheese & Fruit Protein Box: Brie, Gouda and Cheddar Cheese, Cracker, Apple, and Grapes.

What Containers To Use:

Just like Starbucks, the container makes all of the difference. I loved finding these awesome ones from Amazon! My kids were so excited, and the best thing is that you can keep on reusing them, saving you a ton of money!

Some of my favorites ones (affiliate link included)

EasyLunchboxes – Bento Snack Boxes – Reusable 4-Compartment Food Containers for School, Work, and Travel, Set of 4, Classic

5-Pack, 36 oz]Glass Meal Prep Containers 3 Compartment with Lids, Glass Lunch Containers, Food Prep Lunch Box, Bento Box, BPA-Free, Microwave, Oven, Freezer, Dishwasher (4.5 Cups)

More Air Fryer Lunch Recipes:

• AIR FRYER SAUSAGE, PEPPERS, AND ONIONS
• AIR FRYER CRAB CAKE SANDWICHES
• FROZEN CHICKEN PATTIES IN THE AIR FRYER
• AIR FRYER SHRIMP PO’BOY
• AIR FRYER GARLIC BREAD PIZZA TOAST

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