DIY Pizza Lunchables (5 Minutes)
So simple, healthy, and yummy – these DIY Pizza Lunchables are a lifesaver when you need a quick lunch for your kid! Pizza Lunchables pack well for school lunches, road trips, and busy days on the go!
Homemade Pizza Lunchables
Every seasoned parent has been there at least once in their life – standing in front of the Lunchables section at the grocery store, with a kid begging for one of these items in their lunch box the next day. And as a parent, you’ve probably considered it (and also probably caved a few times and bought one – it’s me! Hi! I’m the problem, it’s me.)
But as a savvy shopper like myself, you’ve also probably thought – can’t I just make this same thing at home, for much cheaper…and healthier…and much better tasting? And the answer is yes, 1000% YOU CAN.
These DIY pizza Lunchables are super easy to put together, customizable with your favorite toppings, and healthier and lower in sodium than store-bought pizza Lunchables. And with the amount of food you can put into a DIY pizza Lunchable, and still have plenty of leftovers for the week and beyond, your wallet will be much happier as well!
Feeding kids can be tricky! But, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here you can find 40 Family Dinner Ideas, over 100 Kid Snack Ideas, great Hidden-Veggie Recipes, 30 School Lunch Box Ideas, and so much more! And for even more family-friendly recipes, check out my best-selling cookbook Little Foodies: Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste.
Reasons to Love Pizza Lunchables
- toddler and kid favorite
- easy to make
- can be customized with favorite toppings
- great for school or packed lunches
- healthy
- can be made gluten and dairy-free
Ingredients
- Pizzas: lots of options here! You can use pita bread, naan, flatbread, make your own mini pizza base from homemade pizza dough, or even use crackers.
- Pizza Sauce: use homemade or store-bought (just look for lower sugar options)
- Mozzarella: you can shred your own or use pre-shredded mozzarella from the store. I used pre-shredded cheese. You can also use an Italian cheese blend.
- Toppings: you can use any topping you prefer. See below for lots of fun options and combinations.
Health Benefits of Pizza Lunchables: Just because it’s pizza, doesn’t mean it’s not healthy! The Lunchable crust/base provides carbohydrates, an important macronutrient needed for energy. Pizza sauce is full of nutrients like vitamins A and C and potassium, and the cheese provides the calcium needed for healthy bones. Depending on what toppings you choose, you can boost the health factor even more with fiber and other nutrients from vegetables and protein from meats.
Allergy Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: use a trusted brand of gluten-free pita or naan and gluten-free toppings.
- Dairy-Free: vegan cheeses have come a long way in their replication of taste, texture, and behavior so try plant-based mozzarella or parmesan-style shreds.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pizza Base: cut your pita bread or naan into smaller circles, shapes or wedges. I like to cut them into sizes about the size of your child’s palms. You want them small enough for them to pick up and eat, but not too small that you can’t get any toppings on them.
- Sauce: in a smaller leakproof container, add in the sauce.
- Cheese: in another container, add in the shredded cheese.
- Toppings: add in any toppings or sides your child prefers to any remaining sections of the lunchbox.
- Utensils: make sure to pack a fork, spoon or plastic knife, so your child can spread the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but you don’t have to! As with store-bought pizza Lunchables, you can enjoy homemade pizza Lunchables warm or cold. To warm, simply assemble the Lunchables, place on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave on high for 15-30 seconds.
You can definitely prepare all of the ingredients and place them into a lunchbox or store containers ahead of time; however, you will most likely want to wait to assemble them until right before eating. Leaving sauce on the pizza crust for too long can make it soggy.
Pizza Lunchable Variations
Another fabulous thing about making your own pizza Lunchables is that you aren’t limited to the same three toppings over and over again. There are many variations to try that kids will love!
Sauces
- Hidden Veggie Pizza Sauce, Veggie Loaded Pasta Sauce or store-bought
- Spinach Basil Pesto or store-bought
- Barbecue Sauce
Toppings
- Veggies: bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, basil, olives
- Cheese: mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, cheddar, “jack” cheeses, feta
- Meats: pepperoni, ground sausage, chicken, bacon crumbles
What to Pack Lunchables In
Lunchables store best in containers that can keep the ingredients separate until you’re ready to eat, similar to a bento-style lunchbox, like these best lunchboxes for kids.
What to Pack with Pizza Lunchables
So many foods pair well with these pizza Lunchables. Here are several favorites:
- blueberries
- cut strawberries
- carrot sticks
- sliced cucumbers
- half of a banana
- chopped fruit salad
- orange sections
- snap peas
- crunchy roasted chickpeas
How to Serve to Toddlers
It can be helpful to warm the ingredients slightly when serving to toddlers, as it helps everything “stick” together a little better when picking up the pizza. Try cheeses like fresh mozzarella, fresh ricotta, or goat cheese, as they contain less sodium than some traditional cheeses. You might also want to serve ham, sausage, and pepperoni sparingly for toddlers, as these meats can be saltier.
Kids in the Kitchen
Pizza Lunchables are one of the easiest meals for toddlers and kids to help prepare.
Toddlers
- They can help locate ingredients in the pantry or fridge.
- Can help put the ingredients into their lunch box.
- Toddlers love choices! You can give them two choices of a fruit or veggie to include in the lunchable.
Kids
- Kids can help pick out and organize ingredients for their own Lunchable.
- They can help with cutting the naan or pita bread into strips or small circles (if they are old enough, you could have them try cutting with kitchen scissors – with supervision).
- Can help with scooping sauce into the lunchable container.
- They can help with chopping any veggies or fruits, with supervision.
How to Store
You can store pre-made lunchables in the fridge for up to one week. If packing for lunches or traveling, keep the Lunchables chilled and prepare them just before serving.
Expert Tips
- Less is more, when it comes to toppings. Putting on too many toppings can make these mini pizzas tricky to pick up and eat, especially for little hands.
- If you’re watching sodium content for toddlers and younger kids, use cheese like fresh mozzarella, fresh ricotta, and goat cheese, as they contain less sodium than some traditional cheeses, like parmesan or pecorino romano. You might also want to serve ham, sausage, and pepperoni sparingly for toddlers, as these meats can be saltier.
- If you’ve got picky eaters, allow them to assemble their own pizzas, use the sauce as a dip instead of spreading it on the bread, or eat the Lunchable components separately.
- Kids love to be creative and eat food that looks like something familiar – encourage them to use toppings to decorate their pizza with a smiley face, different shapes or letters, veggie rainbows, you name it!
Get the recipe: DIY Pizza Lunchable (5 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 piece soft naan or pita bread, cut into circles, shapes or wedges
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce, homemade or store-bought
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese, Mozzarella or Italian blend
- 1/4 cup pepperoni or other preferred toppings
- sliced fruit, veggies and milk, optional
Instructions
- Cut Crust: If using a large piece of naan or pita, cut into smaller circles, fun shapes, or wedges. You can also use mini naan or pita to save this step.
- Add to Lunchbox: Place all ingredients into different sections of a lunch box. Make sure the pizza sauce goes into a leakproof section or small container with a lid.
- Pack and Send: Seal the lunch container and then add in a side of sliced fruit and veggies, along with a plastic knife or tool for your child to spread the sauce at lunchtime.
Notes
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