Sandwiches for School Lunch

A classic lunch staple, sandwiches offer a convenient portable meal option that’s both simple to prepare and can be packed with wholesome ingredients. Yet, your kids may become tired of the same old sammies. With a little creativity, you can utilize kitchen staples and repurpose leftovers to craft a variety of really good sandwiches even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. 

Follow these guidelines to take your sandwich options to the next level!

Change up the bread: baguette, bagel, english muffin, focaccia, naan, lavash, pita, tortillas, waffles or pancakes, croissants, Hawaiian rolls, cornbread 
Create fun shapes: use cookie cutters, sandwich cutters, dumpling molds, and even skewers for deconstructed sammies 
Use a different condiment: mayo, cream cheese (plain or flavored)  hummus, bean dip, smashed avocado, pesto, cream cheese, marinara sauce, caesar or ranch dressing, bbq sauce, tahini, tzatziki
Add in veggies ffor crunch & texture (and added nutrition): lettuce, tomato, bell pepper slices, shredded carrot, cucumber slices, beet slices, arugula, alfalfa sprouts, baby spinach, coleslaw, grilled/roasted peppers, zucchini, eggplant
Fillings: roasted or grilled chicken, chicken tenders, fish fingers, mashed egg, mashed chickpeas, falafel, tuna, sausages, meatballs or sliced meatloaf, lox, crispy tofu
 
But sandwiches aren't always between two slices of bread. Here are two of our favorite ways to customize sandwiches fit for any lunch box:

CRESCENT DOUGH PINWHEELS
This make-ahead recipe for pinwheels is totally customizable and is super fun to eat. Use any combination of deli meat and cheese your kiddo prefers. 

Ingredients

1 tube crescent dough sheet

½ pound sliced ham

½ pound sliced cheese 

1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease an 8 x 8 inch baking dish.

2. Unroll the dough on a floured surface and cut into 3 equal rectangles.

3. Lay 2 slices of ham and 2 slices of cheese onto each rectangle.

4. From the short side, roll each rectangle into a log and pinch seam edges together to seal.

5. Cut each roll into 4 pieces and place them cut side up into the baking pan.

6. Brush pinwheels with butter and sprinkle with garlic.

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.

 
TIKTOK TORTILLA WRAP HACK
A viral trend, this hack keeps all your fillings in place for smaller hands to hold. All you need is a tortilla and your favorite sandwich fillings. 

1. Lay your tortilla out on a cutting board. Make a cut only from the center of the tortilla downwards to the edge. Now the bottom half has a slice through it.
2. Imagine the tortilla being divided up into four  quarters. Place a different ingredient into each quadrant. 
3. Fold the wrap up, starting from the bottom left quarter, folding it up over the top left, then folding it over to the top right, then folding it down to the bottom right.
4. You can eat it as is or grill it in a pan or sandwich press. 
 
Some combo options your kids will love:
Cooked ground meat, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream or guacamole
Pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, baby spinach, pizza sauce 
Chicken tenders, lettuce, tomato, mayo 
Tuna, shredded honey crisp apple, raisins, mayo
Grilled chicken, mozzarella slices, alfalfa sprouts, avocado 
Grilled halloumi cheese, tomato, pesto, mayo
Meatloaf, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard
Smashed chickpeas, lettuce, tomato, caesar dressing 
Bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado spread
Hummus, cucumber slices, grated carrot, olives 
Turkey, cheddar, apple slices, lettuce
Roasted sweet potato, black beans, coleslaw, bbq sauce