What to put in the school lunchbox: Tried-and-tested snacks and meals

From homemade pesto pasta to crispy fish balls, UAE parents share the packed lunch favourites their children ask them to make time and time again

Ava, 5, and Sophia, 9, love home-made, nut-free pesto pasta. Photo: Sarah Brooks

With so much else to think about at the start of a new school term, what to put in a child’s packed lunch can easily be relegated to the bottom of the long list.

A balanced diet, food that provides enough energy to get through the school day and a dish that’s easy to make and pack are all important when it comes to putting together a nutritious lunch box.

For those who have run out of creative ideas, here are five dishes that come recommended directly by parents.

Erika Blazeviciute-Doyle’s chicken pancakes

The founder of Drink Dry in Dubai turns to a Lithuanian dish from her home country for a filling lunch box dish her three children love.

Dish of choice: We call it “chicken pancake”. It’s made in Lithuanian households as a quick and inexpensive dish for children.

Recipe: Cut a chicken fillet into small pieces, then mix in a bowl with one egg and a spoonful of mayonnaise before shaping into small pancake shapes. You can make it the night before and put in fridge, then cook in a pan in the morning. Sometimes we add cooked rice or broccoli if I’m not in a hurry.

Why is it ideal for a lunch box? The pancakes have a simple flavour and it’s something the that can be picked up with hands and eaten like a sandwich, with no cutlery needed. I love the ease of it and the fact my kids enjoy it. Any parent knows that the biggest joy is seeing the little ones eat.

What is your approach to school meals? I always make sure there is fibre, whether with a bran bar or fruit; and I don’t pack sugary snacks or chocolates. The lunch box has to be functional and everything in it should be something they eat. I feel like I don’t have to be super-creative because it should be fuel for them to concentrate and enjoy for the school day. I’m also OK with repetitive meals.

Sarah Brooks’s home-made pesto pasta

The assistant head of pre-prep at Brighton College Dubai and mum of two whizzes up her own pesto, which adheres to nut-free rules.

Dish of choice: The dish my two children have most days is pasta pesto. As we are a nut-free school, I make my own pesto, which they have with farfalle.

Recipe: Simply add basil, peas, garlic and olive oil (but no pine nuts) into a blender. It was originally a Jamie Oliver recipe that I adapted with peas as an extra vegetable. I also stir cheddar or whatever cheese I have in the fridge into the sauce. I tend to batch-cook it on a Sunday and make a week’s worth.

Why is it ideal for a lunch box? It’s great because pasta goes with a lot of things such as carrot and cucumber sticks, peppers and cheese. I also add things like probiotic yoghurt drinks and cheese and crackers.

What is your approach to school meals? From a teacher’s perspective, we get to see a variety of different lunch boxes. With so many cultures, nationalities and heritages represented at school, it’s interesting to see what the children bring in. Growing up, my lunch was a sandwich, some crisps, a juice and some chocolate, which is not the healthiest. With a pasta dish, I feel it’s more nutritious and fills them up better. Kids like routine and don’t mind having the same thing every day, but you can offer variety with different fruits and vegetables each time, different types of cheeses and flavours of yoghurt.

Chris Lymperis’s crispy fish balls

Executive chef at Waterfront Market, Greek chef Lymperis created this easy-to-make snack as a way of introducing his nieces and goddaughter to fish.

Dish of choice: I’ve created many dishes for children, because in the past I worked for a business that made meals for young kids at school. I created crispy fish balls as a way of serving fish to children who think they don’t like fish. The preparation time is 10 to 15 minutes, and you can pre-prepare and freeze them, although I prefer to make them the day before.

Recipe: I use sardine fillets, and you should ensure they are dried out beforehand. In a blender mix the sardines, olive oil, vinegar, breadcrumbs, parsley and onions. Once fully blended, shape into a small ball about the size of meatballs, which can then be cooked in the oven, an air fryer or pan-fried. Serve with potatoes in any style and vegetables.

Why is it ideal for a lunch box? My nieces and goddaughter like the fact that it’s a light recipe. It’s easy to eat with the hands and can be had hot or cold. The vegetables add colour to the plate so it’s not boring to look at. You can divide up for portion sizes to suit a midday snack or a lunch.

What is your approach to school meals? A balanced diet should include protein, fibre, proteins and carbohydrates, and the sardines in the recipe are full of omega-3. I like to accompany them with a with healthy treat such as yoghurt with fruit or honey – things that are easy for a child. Attractive food plating is important for a child, so use cookie cutters to create shapes for sandwiches or create a smiley face with the food.

Qadreya Al Awadhi’s chicken nuggets with veggies

The founder and chief executive of children’s meal company Bumblebee Foods tests all her dishes on her friends’ children, and this one is a favourite.

Dish of choice: I choose chicken nuggets, which some parents might think strange for a lunch box but they work so well. I use chicken that is hormone and antibiotic-free and farm-raised, making it an excellent source of protein for kids. The nuggets also have hidden shredded veggies inside including broccoli, carrots and courgettes.

Recipe: The chicken is coated with eggs and then home-baked breadcrumbs. I also make ones with chickpea flours for a gluten-free alternative. Mix in the shredded veg and a little bit of spice to expose the palate to new flavours, and serve with a side of baked or sweet potatoes, which are both rich in fibre.

Why is it ideal for a lunch box? The chicken is rich in protein and vitamins, and broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange. As an adult when I eat something heavy, I don’t want to go back to work, and I think it’s the same for kids, so something lighter makes them feel more energised and able to focus. Schools have regulations about junk food in lunch boxes, so I encourage parents to opt for healthy snacks.

What is your approach to school meals? I test all the dishes myself and then I give to my friends’ kids to try out. I like foods that can be put into a lunch box “as is”, in that they are easy for little hands to manage and not messy.

Rufiya Zharapova’s baked white fish

Flowwow seller Zharapova likes to provide a hearty meal for her seven-year-old son’s school lunch, with a focus on a balanced diet.

Dish of choice: I often choose a meal for my son's lunch that includes mashed potatoes and baked white fish, such as cod. Mashed potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, providing the energy needed for an active day. Baked cod is high in protein, essential for growth and development, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain and heart health. My son also really likes the taste of these dishes.

Recipe: Several straightforward baked white fish recipes are available online. To make a dish similar to Zharapova’s, use fresh cod where available. Steam or shallow-poach to retain the moisture that will keep it tasty when wrapped in foil in the lunchbox. Drizzle with some olive oil or butter, with a dash of lemon juice and salt, then add flavours to suit your child’s preferences, from garlic and cherry tomatoes to Parmesan.

Why is it ideal for a lunch box? The soft and creamy mashed potatoes with the mild flavour of baked fish are perfect for children.

What is your approach to school meals? I always strive to ensure the food is nutritious and varied, and I also try to make the lunch look nice by adding some herbs or vegetables to the fish to make it more appealing.