Kid’s don’t like sandwiches? Check out our “Non Sandwich Lunchbox Ideas” for what to send in their school packed lunch instead!
If your child takes a packed lunch to school but doesn’t like sandwiches, then coming up with ideas of what to put in their lunchbox can be challenging!
Trying to balance what your picky eating child wants for lunch with what you think will be nutritious and filling is not always easy.
I know my kids love nothing more than a simple ham or cheese sandwich but I’m always trying to widen our lunch box repertoire.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with the humble sandwich a couple of times a week but when you’re trying to introduce more variety into your family’s diet, it’s good to have some other options on hand too.
So here’s some of my favourite healthy and filling recipe ideas for kids who don’t like sandwiches!
Chicken & Cheese Lunchbox Muffins
These savoury muffins are a brilliant way of using up leftover chicken from your Sunday roast. So easy to make and perfect for lunchboxes for kids.
Puff Pastry Cheese Twists
Delicious puff pastry cheese twists made with just four simple ingredients. A brilliant alternative to sandwiches for lunchboxes.
Sausage & Cheese Pasta
Sending a hot pasta lunch into school is actually really easy when you know how and makes a great alternative to sandwiches during the colder winter months!
This Sausage & Cheese Pasta recipe is really easy to make and stays warm until lunchtime!
Airfryer Chicken & Cheese Pinwheels
Whether your kids don’t like sandwiches or they are just bored of having the same thing in their lunchbox day after day, these Airfryer Chicken & Cheese Pinwheels are a really good sandwich substitution!
Super easy to make in the airfryer and you only need 4 ingredients to make them!
Hidden Veggie Sausage Rolls
My kids love sausage rolls but store bought ones often aren’t that healthy so I came up with these hidden vegetable ones! We absolutely love a hidden vegetable
Pop a couple into a lunchbox with some ketchup in a leak proof reusable dip pot for a really tasty non sandwich lunchbox idea!
Pizza Pasta Salad
Pasta is always a good meal for kids as it is nice and filling and provides fuel for the rest of the school day!
If you don’t have a thermos to send in a hot pasta lunch, then a pasta salad is always a good alternative as it can be served cold and this pizza inspired pasta salad will go down a treat!
Sausage & Tomato Skewers
Pop some mini sausages and chopped cherry tomatoes onto some kids food safe skewers for a really easy school lunch box idea!
You can use any type of mini sausages for this lunchbox idea. I’ve used pork sausages in mine, but you could use chicken, turkey or even vegetarian sausages.
Then pack the rest of their lunchbox with other picky bits for a bento style lunch!
Ham & Cheese Muffins
Fancy giving them a change from the usual ham and cheese sandwich that usually goes in their lunchbox or can’t get them to eat a sandwich?
These Ham & Cheese could be the alternative lunchbox filler you are looking for!
They can also be stored in the freezer once cooked and will defrost in their lunchbox from frozen in time for lunch!
How To Send Spaghetti Bolognese For Packed Lunch
If your kids won’t eat sandwiches in their packed lunch but like pasta, then this is a really good option.
Sending in something that you know your kids will actually eat and enjoy is so important when they have long days at school and need something satisfying and filling!
Veggie Pizza Roll Ups
These Pizza Roll Ups are absolutely delicious eaten still warm but they also taste great the next day too and make the perfect lunchbox treat!
If you struggle to get your kids to eat visable veggies, then you could try these Ham & Cheese Rollups instead!
Mini Egg Lunchbox Bites
Eggs are full of protein that keeps kids fuller for longer and that is exactly what you need in a lunchbox filler!
These little mini Egg Lunchbox Bites are a really simple alternative to sandwiches or anything bread based if you kids aren’t a fan or even if you are looking for a gluten free alternative to pack!
Vegetable Rice Salad
If your kids don’t eat sandwiches and pasta is also a no go, then try this Vegetable Rice Salad for their packed lunch instead!
You can totally customise the veggies to ones you know that your kids will eat as well.
Lunchbox Spanish Omelette
Another really easy non sandwich lunchbox idea to try is this Spanish Omelette.
Full of protein with the eggs again and really nutritionally good with the added veg and it’s the perfect finger food for lunch time!
Chicken Sausage Rolls
You don’t need pastry for these Chicken Sausage Rolls so there really isn’t any faffing around with this recipe.
And you can even pre-make them, freeze and add them to lunch boxes from frozen! Totally faff free.
Lunchables
Make your own version of those supermarket lunchables that the kids love for half the price!
Served them with lots of other lunchbox fillers that they love for a quick and easy lunchbox idea.
Creamy Chicken Noodles
If you want to send a hot lunch to school instead of a sandwich, but your child doesn’t like pasta, then these Creamy Chicken Noodles are a good one to try!
You can make this recipe in less than 10 minutes and easily add to food flasks for school lunch!
How To Pack Chicken Nuggets In A Lunchbox
If you’ve got a fussy eater that seems to exist on chicken nuggets, then this tip might make sending lunch to school that little bit easier.
Knowing that your picky eater is actually going to eat at lunchtime is sometimes the best you can hope for and after all fed is best!
Spinach & Cheese Savoury Lunchbox Muffins
We absolutely love hidden vegetable recipes at My fussy Eater and these Spinach & Cheese Savoury Lunchbox Muffins are the best for sneaking in a little bit of extra nutrition into their lunchbox!
5 Minute Lunchbox Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a brilliant lunch to pack for kids. It’s got a good mix of protein, fat and carbs and you can also get some veggies in there too. Great to fill them up for an afternoon of learning.
Mini Cheese & Pea Lunchbox Muffins
What is it about anything in miniature form that the kids just seem to love?!
Maybe it’s because small bite sized pieces of food are a bit less overwhelming. But whatever the reason, we love them!
If you try any of these recipes, please do leave me a comment below. You can also share your pictures with me on our socials. I always love to see your creations!
Other Recipe Collections You Might Enjoy:
20 of The Best Gluten Free Snacks For Kids – 20 Delicious Homemade Gluten Free Snacks for Kids!
15 of The Best Finger Food Dinners For Kids – Our top 15 dinner recipes that can be served as finger food or eaten with your hands! Brilliant for picky eaters to create a more fun dinnertime experience.
Harriet says
Thanks for posting this! I always struggle for inspiration and end up packing the same food week in week out so am looking forward to mixing things up a bit.