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Lunch Ideas for Kids
Vetted By: Dt: Chanchal & Sakshi
Written By: Pinky Kharata
Published By: Satya Narayan Pandey
Packing lunch every day can feel like a challenge, especially when kids get bored of the same meals. Parents want something healthy, tasty, and quick to make, whereas the kids just want something fun and yummy. That’s where easy lunch ideas for kids come in. Kids can enjoy meals they love, and parents can feel good about what they eat, as these recipes are simple to prepare and kid-approved. From three-bean cutlet wrap to paneer kathi roll, these recipes strike the perfect balance between nutrition and taste.
Benefits of Homemade Lunch for Kids
Parents can choose fresh ingredients and control what goes into each meal. This way, parents can avoid processed foods and added sugars. These lunch ideas for kids are healthier and often more filling. With easy lunch ideas for kids, parents can pack meals their child actually enjoys. These homemade lunches also help build healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.
Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids
These simple and tasty recipes might just save the day, as they are perfect for kids. They are healthy, quick, and make mealtime stress-free.
Recipe 1: Chole Rice with Cucumber Raita
Ingredients for Chole (Chickpea Curry)
- Chickpeas – 1 Cup
- Oil Or Ghee – 2 Tbsp
- Large Onion (Finely Chopped) – 1
- Pureed Tomatoes – 2
- Ginger-Garlic Paste – 1 Tsp
- Green Chilies (Optional) – 2
- Cumin Seeds – 1 Tsp
- Bay Leaf – 1
- Coriander Powder – 1 Tsp
- Cumin Powder – 1 Tsp
- Garam Masala – 1 Tsp
- Turmeric Powder – ½ Tsp
- Red Chilli Powder – 1 Tsp
- Chole Masala – 1 Tsp
- Salt – To Taste
- Coriander Leaves – ½ Bunch
- Water – 3 Tablespoon
Ingredients for Rice:
- Basmati Rice – 1 Cup
- Water – 2 Cups
- Cumin Seeds – 1 Tsp
- Ghee – 1 Tsp
- Salt – To Taste
Ingredients for Cucumber Raita:
- Plain Yogurt – 1 Cup
- Grated Cucumber – 1 Cup
- Roasted Cumin Powder – ½ Tsp
- Chopped Coriander Or Mint Leaves – 1 Tbsp
Instructions
- Soak chickpeas overnight in lukewarm water.
- Take a pressure cooker and add overnight-soaked chickpeas to it. Let it cook for 3 to 5 whistles.
- In a pan, heat oil and add cumin seed and bay leaf.
- Saute onions until golden brown.
- Then add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
- Add salt to taste along with all the spices.
- Add chickpeas and water. Simmer it for 10 to 12 minutes.
- In the end, garnish it with coriander leaves.
- In a cooker, add 1 cup of basmati rice with 2 cups of water.
- Let the basmati rice cook.
- Then take a frying pan and 1 teaspoon of ghee along with 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds.
- Let the cumin seeds turn slightly dark.
- Then add the cooked basmati rice to the pan.
- Add salt to taste while stirring the rice to mix everything together.
- In a bowl, take 1 cup of plain yogurt along with 1 cup of grated cucumber.
- Then add roasted cumin powder either with chopped coriander or mint leaves.
- Mix everything together and serve cold.
Recipe 2: Three Bean Cutlet Wrap and Buttermilk
Ingredients for Three Bean Cutlet Wrap:
- Boiled Kidney Beans (Rajma) – ½ Cup
- Boiled Chickpeas (Chole) – ½ Cup
- Boiled Black Beans – ½ Cup
- Potato Boiled And Smashed – 1 Medium
- Finely Chopped Onion – 1 Small
- Finely Chopped Green Chilies – 1 To 2
- Ginger-Garlic Paste – 1 Tsp
- Chopped Coriander Leaves – 2 Tbsp
- Cumin Powder – ½ Tsp
- Garam Masala Or Chaat Masala – ½ Tsp
- Red Chilli Powder – ½ Tsp
- Bread Crumbs Or Powered Oats – 2 To 3 Tbsp
- Oil – 2 Tbsp
- Salt – To Taste
For the Wrap Assembly:
- Whole Wheat Or Multigrain Tortillas/Chapatis/Wraps – 4
- Lettuce Leaves Or Salad Green – 1 Tablespoon
- Sliced Onions, Tomatoes, Cucumbers – 2 Teaspoons Each
- Green Chutney Or Homemade Mayonnaise (Optional) – 1 Tablespoon
- Grated Cheese (Optional) – 1 Cube
For Buttermilk (Chaas):
- Plain Yogurt – 1 Cup
- Cold Water – 2 Cups
- Roasted Cumin Powder – ½ Tsp
- Black Salt Or Regular Salt – A Pinch
- Chopped Mint Or Coriander Leaves – 2 Teaspoons
- Grated Ginger (Optional) – ½ Tsp
- Asafoetida (Hing) – A Pinch
Instructions
- In a bowl, mash boiled beans and potatoes together.
- Add onion, chilies, ginger-garlic, spices, coriander, and salt to taste.
- Mix breadcrumbs or oats to bind the patties together.
- Shape into patties and shallow fry or air-fry until golden brown.
- Warm tortillas or chapatis lightly.
- Assemble the wrap with lettuce, patties, veggies, chutney/mayo, and cheese.
- Roll and wrap it in foil.
- For buttermilk, blend yogurt with water, spices, ginger, and herbs. Serve chilled.
Recipe 3: Multi Millet Noodles
- Multi-Millets Noodles – 100 Gm
- Paneer (Small Cubes) – ½ Cup
- Chopped Carrots, Beans, And Capsicum – ½ Cup
- Chopped Tomato – 1 Small
- Chopped Onion – 1 Small
- Minced Garlic – 2 Cloves
- Turmeric Powder – ½ Tsp
- Chili Powder – ½ Tsp
- Oil Or Ghee – 1 Tsp
- Salt – To Taste
Instructions:
- Boil noodles for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Heat oil/ghee, add cumin seeds, minced garlic, and onions. Saute until golden.
- Add tomato, then vegetables and spices. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add paneer and cook gently for 2 minutes.
- Mix in the noodles and toss well. Serve hot.
Recipe 4: Paneer Kathi Roll
Ingredients for Paneer Filling:
- Paneer Cubes – 1 Cup
- Chopped Capsicum – ½ Small
- Grated Carrot – ½ Small
- Chopped Onion – ¼ Small
- Oil Or Ghee – 1 Tsp
- Cumin Seeds – ½ Tsp
- Turmeric Powder – ¼ Tsp
- Mild Garam Masala Or Chaat Masala – ½ Tsp
- Coriander Powder – ½ Tsp
- Red Chili Powder – ¼ Tsp
- Tomato Ketchup Or Yogurt Dressing – 1 To 2 Tbsp (Optional)
- Salt – To Taste
- Chopped Coriander Leaves – 2 Tsp
For the Wrap (Roti):
- Multigrain Tortillas Or Whole Wheat Chapatis – 4
- Ghee Or Butter – ½ Tsp (Optional)
Instructions:
- Heat oil, add cumin, then onion, capsicum, and carrot. Saute until golden.
- Add spices and salt. Toss in paneer and cook for 2-3 mins.
- Garnish with coriander and let cool slightly.
- Warm chapatis with ghee or butter. Spread ketchup or yogurt.
- Add paneer mix, roll, and wrap in foil.
Recipe 5: Moong Dal Idli with Sambhar
Ingredients for Moong Dal Idli:
- Moong Dal – 1 Cup
- Curd (Optional) – 1 Tbsp
- Chopped Green Chili (Optional) – 1
- Grated Ginger – ½ Inch
- Cumin Seeds – 1 Tsp
- ENO/Baking Soda – ½ Tsp
- Oil – 1 Tsp
- Salt – To Taste
Ingredients for Sambhar:
- Toor Dal – ½ Cup
- Onion – 1 Small
- Carrot – 1 Small
- Diced Drumstick, Beans, Pumpkin – 1 Tbsp
- Chopped Tomato – 1 Small
- Turmeric Powder – ½ Tsp
- Mustard Seeds – ½ Tsp
- Red Chili – 1
- Curry Leaves – 8 To 10
- Sambhar Powder – 1 To 2 Tsp
- Tamarind Paste – 1 Tsp
- Salt – To Taste
- Water – As Required
Instructions:
- Soak and grind moong dal. Mix with other ingredients. Let rest 20 mins.
- Grease idli molds, pour batter, and steam for 10–12 mins.
- Pressure cook dal with turmeric and veggies. Mash well.
- Add tamarind paste, sambhar powder, and salt. Simmer for 10 mins.
- Temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chili in oil. Add to sambhar.
Conclusion
Lunchtime can be a great opportunity to add variety and nutrition to your child’s meal. These easy lunch ideas for kids are designed to be quick to make and loved by kids. Whether it’s for school or home, trying new lunch ideas for kids can keep nutrition balanced. Parents can experiment with these recipes and enjoy the little wins at every meal.
