20+ Vegan Kid School Lunch Ideas

Tips for Packing School Lunches

• Prepare Ahead: Pre-cut fruits and veggies, cook grains, and prepare protein options like roasted tofu, falafel, bean burgers, or chickpeas in advance. Make double batches of items that could last a month in the freezer. This will save time during the busy mornings. Additionally, take a few minutes at the beginning of each week to plan the school lunches. This way, you can ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and avoid last-minute stress.
• Utilize and Repurpose Leftovers: Make a little more at dinner or use leftovers to create new and exciting lunch options. For example, turn roasted vegetables from Pesto Roasted Vegetables into a wrap or pasta salad. Some other vegan-friendly leftovers that work well in lunchboxes include Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese, Vegan Hamburger Helper, rice dishes like Arabic Rice With Vermicelli, and for those cold days, vegan soups and stews.

Equipment

With the right gear, packing lunch feels a lot less like a chore and more like you’ve got it together-ish.

• Insulated Lunch Box or Bag: Cold items stay cold, and hot items stay hot with the popular Bentgo brand. They also make gear for older children and adults.
• Bento Box: We used these bento boxes for years when the kids were older, and they were light, easy to clean, and I don't remember them ever leaking. They come with a cute bag, and the utensil holder is built into a hygienic compartment on top. For younger kids, see these bento boxes from Bentgo.
• Tiny Leakproof Condiment Containers: Kid and lunchbox-tested in my house over many years, these are totally leak-proof for sauces and dressings that can turn lunch into a soggy crime scene if they escape.
• Snack-Sized Containers: We also use these larger, leak-proof containers.
• Thermos or Insulated Food Jar: We use this thermos, which is perfect for warm soups, pasta, or any meal that you still want to feel cozy. For younger children look at the Bentgo brand.
• Ice Packs: Sometimes you want to keep things chill. I couldn't find the exact ones I use, but here's a link to similar ultra-slim, kid-friendly ice packs.
• Sandwich Cutters: Cutting fruit or sandwiches into shapes is always fun. This is the cutter set I use.

For more on great kid lunch gear, visit Best Lunchbox Gear for Kids (And What to Skip).

What to Include in a Vegan School Lunch?

While you can include a mix of healthy sides and snacks, breaking lunch ideas into four main categories helps keep meals balanced — and makes planning a whole lot easier on your brain.

Think of the lunch plan consisting of the following:

• a main meal
• fruit and/or veggie
• school snack
• and the occasional treat

Vegan Tuna Sandwich

This Vegan Tuna Sandwich has a plant-based tuna that's so good, even the fish in the sea are applauding. Piled high with velvety avocado and a sneaky slice of tomato (which, let's be honest, some kids will expertly dodge), it's the lunchtime hero every parent needs.

Hummus and Veggie Pinwheels

These mini hummus pinwheels start with lavash or organic whole wheat tortilla. Fill it with hummus and your child's favorite sliced veggies, such as sliced cucumbers, carrots, beets, and bell peppers. Roll it up and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Veggie Pizza Bagel

Toast a bagel and top it with marinara sauce or sliced tomatoes. Add chopped bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or olives - whatever your child prefers. Sprinkle with vegan Parmesan cheese. Pop it in the oven or air fryer for 2-3 minutes to create a mini veggie pizza.

Nut Butter and Jelly Roll-Ups

Making these Nut Butter & Jelly Roll Ups couldn't be easier. Using a rolling pin, flatten slices of your family's favorite bread. Cut into bite-sized pieces for delicious nut butter and jelly sandwich roll-ups the little ones will love.

Quinoa Pasta Salad

Add tomatoes, cucumber, and olives. Follow the recipe as written in Easy Quinoa Fusilli Pasta Salad or substitute the vinaigrette with pesto, such as Thai Basil Pesto, for older children, or a favorite vegan dressing like this 5-Minute Vegan Ranch Dressing.

Roasted Tofu Cubes with Sweet Potato Fries

Cut firm or extra firm tofu into cubes and coat in simple seasonings like salt and pepper for young children (add more complex seasoning and sriracha for older children). Bake in the air fryer at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Serve with baked or air-fried sweet potato fries.

Peanut Butter & Banana Roll-Ups

For a variation on a PBJ, spread any nut butter on a whole-grain tortilla, add a peeled banana, and roll it up. Super simple and delicious. See the recipe at Peanut Butter & Banana Roll-Ups.

Vegan Tuna Pasta Salad

Vegan tuna pasta salad is a fantastic option for both kids’ lunchboxes and adult lunches. It’s creamy, flavorful, and packed with protein from the chickpeas and hearts of palm, making it a satisfying midday meal.

Quinoa Salad Burrito Bowl

My kids have never liked quinoa alone, so I mix it with another grain for a nutrient-packed lunch.

Layer some chopped lettuce with cooked quinoa and brown rice mix (cooked together to make it easier for you), black or pinto beans, corn, tomatoes, and scallions. You can season it with lime juice and olive oil and top it with vegan sour cream, vegan avocado crema, or a salsa like Mango Cucumber Salsa.

Vegan Sushi Rolls

Fill sushi rolls with veggies like cucumber, carrot, and avocado. You could also add tofu for extra protein or buy it at the store already made;) Consider making Veggie Sushi Cups for younger children: Sushi rice topped with avocado (with a little lime juice to reduce browning), edamame, and pickled vegetables in small sealable cups.

Apple and Veggie Quesadillas

Fill a tortilla with vegan cheese and top with your child's favorite veggies like shredded carrots and spinach. Place thin apple slices for a sweet and savory taste. Toast the quesadilla until the cheese melts in a press or on the stove. Visit the recipe at Apple and Veggie Quesadillas.

Vegan Corn Dog Bites

By using some convenience ingredients, you can make these mini corn dog bites fast, all in one bowl.

Three Bean Salad

A refreshing three-bean salad packed with kidney beans, chickpeas, green beans, red onions, cilantro, and corn tossed in a zesty vinaigrette dressing is a nutritious and flavorful addition to your kid's lunchbox meal. Serve it with some crackers or corn chips.

V-BLT

A vegan BLT sandwich featuring crispy soy curl bacon or store-bought vegan bacon, fresh lettuce or spinach, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado crema on whole-grain bread is great for older children. You can offer a deconstructed tempeh bacon sandwich for younger children.

Baked Potato with Beans

This is a good meal for older children. Batch potatoes in a pressure cooker or oven and keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge for the week. For lunch, reheat the potato and add your child's favorite beans - baked beans are delicious with a baked potato. Serve with vegan sour cream, diced veggies, and vegan Nut-Free Vegan Cheese Sauce.

Vegan Falafel Wraps

This is a quick meal with a little planning. If you have premade falafel in the freezer and buy precut veggies like shredded carrots, sliced olives, and shredded lettuce, this meal can be wrapped up in a few minutes. Serve with vegan vegan tzatziki sauce on the side.

Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad

Similar to a tuna or chicken salad sandwich but made with protein-packed chickpeas, this Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad takes 5 minutes to prepare in the morning and is even faster if you prepare it in advance. Think of different types of bread (pita, tortillas, naan, etc.) for variety, or serve it with crackers.

Here is a No-Mayo Chickpea Salad that also pairs well with fresh fruit or veggies on the side. Adults will appreciate how quick it is to prep ahead, making it perfect for meal planning or busy workdays. Plus, it’s delicious cold, so there’s no need to reheat. Just pack it in a container and go!

Black Beans and Rice

This classic combo is a lunch the kids request on regular rotation. I make the recipe in advance, but when that is not an option, a can of beans reheated on the stove with All Purpose Adobo Seasoning or garlic salt is a perfect, fast solution. For fast black beans you can prepare in advance, try Quick Cuban Black Beans.

Vegan Summer Rolls

You can prep the chopped ingredients for this the day before or during your weekend meal prep and assemble the rolls in the morning. It doesn't take much longer than making a sandwich. Serve with a side of mango or pineapple chunks. This is better suited for older children. I do not recommend making this the day before. Fresh is better.

Vegan Black Bean Burgers

These burgers keep well in the tight quarters of a lunch box. Make a large batch on the weekend, freeze them in an air fryer or pan in the morning, and you have a satisfying veggie burger for lunch. Serve it in a salad or bun with your child's favorite sauce and toppings.

Fresh Fruits for Vegan Lunch Boxes

While most fruits seem like a great lunchbox option, not all hold up well after sitting for hours — especially in a warm lunchbox. Know before you pack.

Good Fruit Choices for Lunchboxes

• Apple slices (with lemon juice) – Stay crisp, sweet, and don’t mind a little chill or room temp. Or skip the slicing and pack it whole.
• Grapes – Sturdy, non-leaky, and delish to freeze for extra coolness.
• Blueberries – Tiny but mighty! No prep, no mess.
• Clementines (or mandarins) – Easy to peel and naturally portioned.
• Whole kiwi (unpeeled) – Stays firm until ready to scoop or peel and eat.
• Dried fruit – Think raisins, apricots, or mango; no spoilage and easy fiber boost.
• Cherries – Juicy but not drippy. Buy the pitted cherries for younger kids.
• Strawberries (firm ones) – Keep stems on to prevent sogginess; avoid overripe.
• Bananas (just ripe & protected) – Toss in whole with the stem up and a little TLC — they might survive the trip.
• Cherry Tomatoes - Technically a fruit! Our current favorites are the teeny tiny tomatoes from Trader Joe's.
• Mango Chunks - Mango chunks can be a sweet lunchbox win or a juicy mess, depending on how ripe they are and how well you pack them. 

Fruits That Aren’t Ideal for Lunchboxes

• Very Ripe Bananas – Can bruise or get squishy quickly, especially in a backpack.
• Peaches & Nectarines – Get soft, sticky, and can leak juice.
• Ripe Pears – Delicate and go mushy by lunchtime.
• Melon Cubes (Watermelon, Cantaloupe) – Get watery and slimy when warm.
• Cut Apples (if not treated with lemon or ascorbic acid) – Oxidize and turn brown.
• Kiwi (when peeled/sliced) – Turns mushy and unappetizing.
• Plums – Soft skin can split, and the flesh leaks.
• Overripe Strawberries – Can get mushy and moldy fast if not kept cold.

Fresh Vegetables for Lunch Boxes

Just like fruit, some veggies hold up like champs in a lunchbox, while others turn soggy, sad, or downright suspicious by noon — here’s what packs well and what to skip

Veggies That Pack Well for Lunchboxes

These hold up like little veggie superheroes — crunchy, kid-friendly, and low-drama:

• Baby Carrots – Crunchy, sweet, and built for lunchboxes
• Cucumber Slices – Especially with the peel on to keep them crisp
• Cherry Tomatoes – Sweet, poppable, and mess-free if you choose firm ones
• Snap Peas – Naturally snacky and hold up great
• Mini Bell Peppers – Bright, sweet, and no slicing needed. Or slice a large red bell pepper into strips!
• Steamed Broccoli or Cauliflower (cooled) – Holds well and good with dips
• Celery Sticks – Sturdy and great with hummus or nut butter or with peanut butter and raisins for ants on a log.
• Edamame – Steamed and chilled, they’re protein-packed and fun
• Jicama Sticks – Mild, crunchy, and super refreshing

Veggies That Don’t Pack Well for Lunchboxes

These are the divas of the veggie drawer - prone to wilting, leaking, or turning kids off:

• Avocado (sliced) – Oxidizes fast and turns brown unless treated
• Mushrooms – Can get slimy or rubbery when not cooked and sit out for a long time.
• Cooked spinach – Wilts and smells…earthy (a.k.a. lunchbox turnoff)
• Cabbage (when not crunchy/fresh) – Can smell funky by lunch time
• Steamed veggies packed warm – Trap moisture and go limp (cool in the fridge first for best texture)

Snacks or Sides

Snacks include a variety of items, ranging from sliced fresh vegetables and fruits to trail mix. Here are some ideas:

• Easy Vegan Trail Mix
• Small Corn on the Cobs
• Rice Cakes with Nut Butter
• Pita Bred Triangles with Hummus
• Veggie Sticks with Dip - chopped veggies like carrot sticks or baby carrots, cucumber slices (with a pinch of salt), celery sticks, bell pepper strips, and cherry tomatoes with a side of hummus or vegan ranch for dipping.
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Vegan Yogurt
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
• Dried Fruit
• Classic Vegan Granola Bars
• Mini Vegan Banana Muffins
• Edamame
• Dates
• Vegan Cheese and Crackers
• Best Homemade Movie Theater Popcorn
• Pretzels
• Vegan Banana Bread

Delicious Treats

Don't forget the treats once in a while!

• Oreos (accidentally vegan!)
• Cookies like Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Vegan Brownies
• Cupcakes or Muffins like Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes
• Vegan Rice Krispies Treats
• Mini Donuts
• Gummy Candies or Fruit Snacks
• Vegan Pudding Cups
• Vegan Jello Cups
• Vegan Marshmallow Treats