DIY Pizza Lunchables

Back to School Lunches

Are your kids going back to school this week? Or have they already started?

Whether your kids are back to school virtually or in person, there is always the question of "What am I going to make the kids for lunch?"

I am here to help with that!

This week, on the Get Nourished with Renata FB page, I shared a super quick and easy back-to-school lunch: DIY Pizza Lunchables!

DIY Pizza Lunchables

Have you heard of Lunchables?

My kids always ask me for one when we are at the grocery store. Occasionally I let them pick one for a quick lunch, but to be honest, I always think to myself, I could make a better version of these at home!

So, I decided to try it out.

And what happened was a fantastic homemade version of Pizza Lunchables, but made with better ingredients and more customizable for what your kids like.

I also threw in a bonus! Using the same ingredients, I made a lunch that I could eat too - a Pizza Inspired Salad with a delicious Parmesan Garlic Flatbread on the side.

A Fun Make Ahead Lunch for Kids (and Adults!)

Wanna see how I made these easy meal prep Back-to-School lunches?

Check out video #1 from the Get Nourished with Renata FB group!

https://www.facebook.com/renata.idrustrebing/videos/10157715441182405/?sorting_setting=CHRONOLOGICAL

And here is video 2:

https://www.facebook.com/renata.idrustrebing/videos/10157715460747405/?sorting_setting=CHRONOLOGICAL

These make ahead lunches are so fun for the kids to help with! Plus, when they cook with you, they know exactly what they can have for lunch, and can pick it from the fridge when lunchtime rolls around. AKA you don't have to get it for them!

Make a couple of these fun lunches to keep in the fridge during the week. The kids will feel like they are having a fun Lunchable, but really, it is so much better for them than the store bought stuff!

Did you make this recipe with your kiddos? Snap a photo and share it with me on social media. Tag me on Instagram and Facebook. I would love to see what you and your kids make!

DIY Pizza Lunchables

A quick and easy homemade version of Pizza Lunchables, but made with even better ingredients! And bonus, you can use the same ingredients to make an awesome flatbread.

For the Pizza/Flatbread crust:

• 3/4 cup gluten free flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup milk of choice
• 1/8 cup oil

For the Pizza Lunchables:

• 1/2 cup marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 cup grated cheese of choice
• 1/4 cup chopped meat of choice, (e.g. pepperoni, chicken etc.)
• 1/4 cup fresh fruit of choice, (e.g. berries)

For the Pizza Inspired Salad:

• 2 cups salad greens
• 1/2 cup cooked, sliced chicken breast
• 2 tbsp grated cheese of choice
• 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil

For the Parmesan Garlic Flatbread:

• 1 tbsp Parmesan Garlic infused olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 420 deg F.

2. Lightly grease two oven trays.

For the Pizza/Flatbread crust:

1. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients to create a soft dough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add in more flour, approx. 1 tbsp at a time, till you get a nice, soft dough. The dough should bounce back when pressed with your finger.

2. Split the dough into two equal halves.

3. For the Pizza Lunchables:

4. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to roughly 1/2" thick.

5. Lightly flour a round cookie cutter, approx 2" diameter, and cut out mini pizza crusts out of the dough. Transfer the mini pizza crusts to the prepared tray.

6. Gather the remaining dough and reform into ball. Roll the dough out again and cut out more mini pizza crusts. Transfer the mini pizza crusts to the prepared tray. Repeat this step till all the dough is used.

7. Bake the mini pizza crusts in a preheated oven for approx 10 mins, till cooked through and lightly golden brown.

8. Cool completely the mini pizza crusts before transferring to an airtight container, with the marinara sauce/crushed tomatoes with dried oregano and dried basil sprinkled on top, the chopped meat, cheese and fresh fruit. (See photo for ideas on how to set up this cute homemade lunchable).

9. Cover the container with its lid, and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

For the Flatbread:

1. Roll out the dough into a flat disc about 1/2" in thickness.

2. Drizzle over the Parmesan Garlic Infused Olive oil and spread out to cover the whole flatbread.

3. Bake in a preheated 420 deg F oven for approx 15 mins, or till golden brown and crisp.

4. Allow to cool completely, then break into pieces to serve alongside the Pizza Inspired Salad.

For the Pizza Inspired Salad:

1. In a resealable container with two sections, add the salad greens to the larger of the two sections. Top with the chicken, cheese, cherry tomatoes, and sprinkle over the dried basil and oregano.

2. In the remaining section, add the flatbread pieces.

3. Place the lid on the container and keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Need more Back to School ideas? Check out these recipes!

BBQ Popcorn

Homemade Ranch Dip

Apple Chips