15 High-Protein School Lunches for Kids

Let’s be honest—keeping kids full until the last bell rings can feel like an Olympic sport. If you’ve ever picked up a cranky, ravenous little human who swears they’re starving even though their lunchbox came home half-eaten, you know what I mean. That’s why high-protein lunches are a total game-changer.

Protein helps kids feel full longer, fuels their busy brains, and keeps those after-school meltdowns to a minimum. But that doesn’t mean you have to pack a boring chicken breast every day! From fun roll-ups to snack-style bento boxes, these recipes are all high in protein, kid-approved, and easy to prepare.

Ready to turn lunch into a powerhouse meal that actually gets eaten? Let’s dive into the 15 ideas your kids will love!


1. Turkey & Cheese Roll-Up Bento

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Description:
Simple, tasty roll-ups packed with lean protein—perfect for little hands and big appetites.

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices deli turkey breast
  • 2 slices cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon hummus
  • 1/2 cup baby carrots
  • Whole grain crackers

Instructions:

  1. Lay turkey slices flat on a clean surface.
  2. Spread a little hummus on each slice.
  3. Lay half a cheddar slice on top.
  4. Roll up tightly into logs.
  5. Slice in half if desired.
  6. Pack with carrots and crackers.

2. Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

Description:
Crisp lettuce cups filled with creamy, protein-rich chicken salad—easy to prep ahead.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4 large romaine leaves

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix chicken, yogurt, mustard, salt, and pepper.
  2. Lay lettuce leaves flat.
  3. Spoon chicken salad into the center of each leaf.
  4. Fold or roll up and pack.

3. Tuna & Cheese Pita Pockets

Description:
These pitas are stuffed with a protein boost from tuna and cheese—so satisfying!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (5 oz) can tuna, drained
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 whole wheat pitas
  • Lettuce leaves

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, combine tuna, mayo, and cheese.
  2. Slice pitas in half to create pockets.
  3. Line each pocket with lettuce.
  4. Spoon in the tuna mixture.
  5. Seal in a container.

4. Hard-Boiled Egg Snack Box

Description:
A balanced, protein-packed snack box that feels like a mini picnic.

Ingredients:

  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
  • 1/2 cup grapes
  • 1/2 cup baby carrots
  • 1/4 cup hummus
  • Whole grain pita chips

Instructions:

  1. Slice hard-boiled eggs in half.
  2. Arrange eggs, grapes, and carrots in a compartmentalized container.
  3. Spoon hummus into a small lidded cup.
  4. Add pita chips in a dry section.
  5. Keep chilled until lunchtime.

5. Turkey, Cheese & Apple Skewers

Description:
These fun skewers combine protein, fiber, and natural sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices deli turkey
  • 4 cubes cheddar cheese
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • Short skewers or toothpicks

Instructions:

  1. Fold turkey slices into small squares.
  2. Alternate threading turkey, cheese, and apple slices onto skewers.
  3. Repeat to make multiple skewers.
  4. Pack in a sealed container.

6. Greek Yogurt & Berry Parfait

Description:
Greek yogurt delivers protein while berries add natural sweetness—like dessert with benefits!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 cup mixed berries
  • 1/4 cup nut-free granola

Instructions:

  1. Spoon Greek yogurt into a small container.
  2. Drizzle with honey.
  3. Top with berries.
  4. Pack granola separately to stay crunchy.
  5. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

7. No-Cook Chicken Taco Bento

Description:
Everything kids need to build their own protein-rich tacos—no heating required.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 4 mini flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup baby carrots

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in one compartment.
  2. Spoon salsa into a small sealed container.
  3. Add shredded cheese in another section.
  4. Stack tortillas in a separate compartment.
  5. Include carrots for crunch.

8. Sunflower Butter & Banana Roll-Ups

Description:
These nut-free roll-ups pack plant-based protein and natural sweetness—perfect for energy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large whole wheat tortilla
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seed butter
  • 1 banana

Instructions:

  1. Lay tortilla flat on a clean surface.
  2. Spread evenly with sunflower butter.
  3. Place the banana along one edge.
  4. Roll up tightly into a log.
  5. Slice into pinwheels if desired.

9. Cottage Cheese & Berry Snack Box

Description:
Cottage cheese is an underrated protein hero—paired with fruit and crackers for a balanced lunch.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
  • 1/2 cup whole grain crackers
  • 1/4 cup baby carrots

Instructions:

  1. Spoon cottage cheese into a lidded container.
  2. Arrange strawberries in a separate compartment.
  3. Add crackers and carrots in separate sections.
  4. Keep chilled until lunchtime.

10. Turkey & Spinach Wraps

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Description:
Lean turkey, creamy cheese, and fresh spinach make these wraps a protein powerhouse.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large whole wheat tortilla
  • 3 slices deli turkey
  • 1 slice provolone cheese
  • 1/2 cup baby spinach
  • 1 tablespoon hummus

Instructions:

  1. Lay tortilla flat.
  2. Spread with hummus.
  3. Layer turkey, cheese, and spinach.
  4. Roll up tightly.
  5. Slice into halves or pinwheels.

11. Egg Salad Sandwich Thins

Description:
Egg salad delivers protein and healthy fats in this easy sandwich.

Ingredients:

  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 whole wheat sandwich thin

Instructions:

  1. Mix chopped eggs, mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  2. Split sandwich thin.
  3. Spoon egg salad onto the bottom half.
  4. Top with the other half.
  5. Wrap and chill.

12. DIY Protein Box

Description:
Inspired by popular coffee shop boxes, this combo has everything: protein, carbs, and crunch.

Ingredients:

  • 1 hard-boiled egg
  • 1/4 cup almonds or sunflower seeds (nut-free schools? swap for roasted chickpeas)
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese cubes
  • 1/2 cup grapes
  • Whole grain crackers

Instructions:

  1. Arrange egg, cheese cubes, and grapes in a container.
  2. Add almonds or seeds in a separate section.
  3. Pack crackers in a dry compartment.
  4. Keep chilled until lunch.

13. Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

Description:
Tender chicken, crisp romaine, and Parmesan tucked into a whole wheat wrap—like a salad you can hold.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large whole wheat tortilla
  • 1 cup cooked chopped chicken
  • 1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce
  • 2 tablespoons Caesar dressing
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

  1. Lay tortilla flat.
  2. In a bowl, toss chicken, lettuce, dressing, and Parmesan.
  3. Spoon mixture onto tortilla.
  4. Roll up tightly.
  5. Wrap and refrigerate.

14. Yogurt & Protein Muffin Box

Description:
Protein muffins plus creamy Greek yogurt for an energizing, kid-friendly meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 small store-bought or homemade protein muffin
  • 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/4 cup granola

Instructions:

  1. Place muffin in one compartment.
  2. Spoon yogurt into a sealed container.
  3. Add blueberries to a section.
  4. Pack granola separately.
  5. Keep chilled.

15. Ham & Cheese Pinwheel Bento

Description:
Classic ham and cheese rolled up into bite-sized pinwheels—protein-rich and always a hit.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large tortilla
  • 2 slices deli ham
  • 1 slice cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon cream cheese

Instructions:

  1. Lay tortilla flat.
  2. Spread with cream cheese.
  3. Top with ham and cheddar.
  4. Roll up tightly into a log.
  5. Slice into pinwheels.
  6. Arrange in a compartmentalized container.

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