Everyone looks forward to the lunch period during school. However, it can be hard to pack a lunch that is nutritious and healthy. Today, I’m going to show you 5 easy, quick recipes you can make when you have a busy schedule. Please remember that most of these will require you to make them the night before or over the weekend. But, don’t worry, they are difficult-free.
#1 – Crispy, Spicy, Garlic Potatoes
If you love fries like me, but aren’t satisfied with your cafeteria’s frozen ones, I have your back. These oven-baked potatoes are perfect for you if you love spice.
Ingredients:
- 3 Potatoes
- 10 tsp oil
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 356℉
- Rinse potatoes.
- Peel skin.
- Cut the top, bottom, & side of a potato to make a cuboid.
- Cut slices of about 1 centimeter thick.
- Optional: Lay 1 slice down & mark horizontal lines with your knife. Flip & cut diagonal lines. Do not cut all the way down, just ¾ deep. This makes slits in the potato for the seasoning to seep in.
- Boil for 4 minutes on high.
- Strain the water & lay out each potato on a sheet of tinfoil placed onto a baking pan.
- Seasoning: Whisk oil, melted butter, salt, pepper, chopped parsley, paprika, cayenne pepper, & garlic powder.
- Dip a pastry brush into seasoning mixture & coat each potato slice evenly.
- Bake in the oven at 356° for 40 minutes or until appear golden brown.
- When the 20-minute mark hits, carefully open the oven & sprinkle parmesan (or your favorite cheese) & bake until done.
- Let potatoes cool for 10 minutes.
Tips:
- Be careful not to oversaturate the potatoes with the seasoning.
- Avoid cutting the potatoes thin, I did that once & they were drenched in seasoning.
#2 Teriyaki Ramen
Are you looking for flavorful and saucy ramen for lunch? Here it is! If you’re on TikTok a lot, you’ve probably come across this deliciousness.
Ingredients:
- 1 Instant Ramen bag
- 1 tsp butter
- 3 tsp soy sauce (add more if desired)
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 egg
- Favorite Toppings: Red chili pepper flakes, Everything but the Bagel seasoning
Directions:
- Boil ramen noodles, drain, & put aside.
- Prepare the sauce. In a pan on low-medium heat, add butter.
- Once the butter is half melted, add garlic & soy sauce & stir.
- Next, add brown sugar.
- Once everything is well combined, add the ramen noodles.
- If you’d like, add 1 egg.
- Turn off heat & sprinkle anything you would like on top!
#3: Honey Butter Corn:
This is a super easy way to make your corn more exciting. You can eat this cold, perfect for school lunch. So, if you like honey and love corn, stick around!
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 bag frozen corn (16oz)
- 6 tbsp cream cheese
- ¼ tsp salt & pepper
Directions:
- Sautee 1 bag of frozen corn & put aside.
- Warm up your skillet on low to medium heat.
- Add the butter. Once melted, add the honey.
- Give it a stir & then add the corn.
- Cook for 5-8 minutes. Stir here & there.
- Add in the cream cheese in chunks & salt & pepper. Combine.
- Cook until done ( (3-5 min.) Remember to stir.
#4: No-Bake Energy Balls
These energy balls are the easiest recipe ever and taste incredible. Not only are they a perfect snack throughout school, but they’re amazing for grabbing something before you head out the door. Plus, it includes chocolate. Who doesn’t love that?
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup almond butter/peanut butter
- ½ cup ground flaxseed
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: any seeds of your choice, I like chopped almonds & chia seeds
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Scoop with a tablespoon or ice cream scoop & roll into balls.
- Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes & done!
Tips:
- If the mix is too dry, add more honey/maple syrup.
- If the mix is not holding together, put it in the fridge for 25 minutes to harden.
#5: The Best Chicken Salad
I love this recipe because you can pair it with anything: stuffed peppers, in a sandwich, dipped in crackers or chips, the list goes on. Bonus: you can store this in the fridge for up to 5 days!
Ingredients:
- ½ large chicken breast
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup red grapes cut in fourths
- 1 tbsp mixed nuts (chopped if desired)
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ c mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp garlic salt
Directions:
- Prepare your chicken by either boiling, or buying precooked at a grocery store, however you want to cook it. Then, chop or shred it.
- Chop celery & grapes to both individually = ¼ cup.
- Chop lettuce to = a cup.
- Chop nuts to = 1 tablespoon.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, garlic salt, mayonnaise, & mustard.
- Then, add the rest of the ingredients & enjoy.
That’s a wrap! I hope you give some of these a try this school year. Let me know in the comments which recipe was your favorite! Good luck!