Hot and Cold Kid Lunch Recipe Ideas

By Sherrie Le Masurier

When it comes to kids and a good kid lunch recipe many of their favorites can be served both hot and cold.

Many a popular kid lunch recipe can also be enjoyed hot at dinner and served as cold leftovers in your child’s lunch the next day.

To stay organized and keep on top of your child’s lunches, plan each kid lunch recipe in advance at the beginning of the week and do large batches at a time.

Fish Sticks
Whoever said fish sticks had to be hot? My 11 year old son loves them cold along with homemade tartar sauce. To make your own tartar sauce, simply add a little green relish to an individual (dip sized) container of mayonnaise.

Turkey Strips
Like fish sticks, turkey strips make a great kid lunch recipe that is easy to put together when you’re pressed for time. Cut leftover cooked turkey or chicken into strips and pack alongside a container of cranberry sauce for dipping.

Hard Boiled Eggs
What could be simpler that packing a hard boiled egg in your child’s lunch? The key here is to plan ahead and boil a few eggs at the beginning of the week so you have a fresh supply on hand. For young kids, shell the egg first and pack it in a sealed bag. Supply some salt and pepper packets or pack a handy 2-in 1 salt and pepper shaker.

‘Crescent’ Dogs
Wrap a hot dog in Pillsbury crescent roll dough. Bake according to directions. My children’s favorite ‘crescent’ dog includes cutting the wiener lengthwise and filling with a strip of cheddar cheese and about ½ teaspoon of crumbled bacon.
 
Cold Dogs
Like cold pizza, you may be surprised how much your child would enjoy a cold hot dog for lunch. (After all, the wieners are already cooked.)  Just put the condiments directly on the bun, add the wiener and wrap up.

Leftover Pizza
Ask any kid how they feel about cold pizza and chances are they love it. In our house cold pizza disappears almost as fast as hot. You can beat the simplicity of this kid lunch recipe idea. Consider ordering or making extra and wrapping a slice or two in plastic for lunches the next day.
Roast Beef & Cheese
 
For a different spin on grilled cheese sandwiches add roast beef and sauté onion, green peppers, mushrooms and garlic. Leftover roast beef is my favorite but  slices from the deli also work well. Vary this kid lunch recipe using processed cheddar, Swiss cheese, Colby or Monterey Jack. Also be creative with breads try sourdough, rye, or multigrain.
 
Jam & Cheese 
For another kid-friendly grilled cheese variation combine raspberry or strawberry jam with Muenster or Swiss cheese.

Cheese Quesadilla

2 whole wheat tortillas (small or medium)
¼  to ½ cup grated cheese (depending on size of tortillas)
Salsa
 
Cheese quesadillas are the ideal kid lunch recipe for cheese lovers. Sprinkle grated cheese on the top of one tortilla. Top with the second tortilla. For cooking you have two options - microwave on high for one minute or place in a non-stick frying pan and cook 2-3 minutes on medium high or until cheese is melted. Flip over once using a spatula. Let cool and cut into wedges using a pizza cutter. Pack with a container of salsa for dipping.