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!

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1. Turkey & Cheese Roll-Up Bento

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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10. Turkey & Spinach Wraps

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.