Are you stuck for lunch ideas? Here are some easy tortilla school lunch ideas! These easy to make and tasty meals are simple, nutritious, and absolute winners!
Tortillas are a tasty, healthy alternative to plain ole PB and J on bread. They are lower in calories and are incredibly versatile. If you’re gluten-free, maize tortillas are a healthy option!
What a good lunch should look like
A good lunch should consist of a healthy mix of vegetables, fruits, and grains. Many studies say that eating a healthy lunch, and a lighter dinner is far better for digestion than a light lunch and a decadent dinner before bedtime. The additional digestion takes its toll on your metabolism.
When packing a lunch, consider your child’s activity level, age, and what they are most in need of. Healthy fats can also provide energy and nutrients for your little ones. These include nuts, avocados, chia seeds, and full-fat yogurts!
When in doubt, make it yourself!
Purchasing packaged and processed food is one way that nasty additives sneak into your meals. What appears to be healthy could be packed full of refined sugars and sodium. For some children that suffer from allergies, processed and packaged foods could trigger allergies.
It is no wonder there is a fast-growing trend of easy homemade school lunches that is healthy and helps save a few pennies at the same time. By prepping in advance, you do not have to spend what feels like 72 hours a day preparing lunches.
Try this recipe for homemade tortillas
Making tortillas at home by yourself has never been easier, cost-effective, and much healthier! You don’t need fancy equipment, just a tortilla press (like the one at https://unocasa.com/products/tortilla-press ) or a rolling pin and some parchment paper. You can adjust the following recipe to make gluten-free or whole-wheat flour tortillas; both are high in fiber and low in preservatives and other additives.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour or 2 cups masa harina (whole ground maize flour for the gluten-free alternative)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (skip this if making gluten-free)
- 1 cup of warm water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt / kosher salt
- A dash of lime/lemon juice for the corn version
Method:
In a large bowl, sieve flour and salt together. Add in the oil and water(add the lemon juice for the corn option), mixing well with a wooden spoon. The dough should be firm; it should not be sticky or completely dry. Add a dash of more water or a sprinkle of extra flour if required.
Cover the bowl and rest for an hour at least. Prepare sheets of parchment paper. Once your dough has rested and pinch off golf ball size chunks. Rolling them between your hands until they are rounded, place them on a lightly floured surface.
If you’re using a tortilla press, place a sheet of parchment paper down, place a ball down and top with another sheet of paper. Press the tortilla firmly. Remove and press the rest of the dough. If you’re using a rolling pin, place a ball between two parchment paper sheets, press the dough flat and begin rolling your tortilla.
Once all of your tortillas are rolled flat. Slowly peel the paper off and toast in a skillet or on a griddle for 30 – 40 seconds on each side. Allow the tortilla to cool down completely before storing in an airtight container. You can keep the raw dough in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Easy school lunches with tortillas
With your tortillas made and ready, the hard part is done. Here are a few lunch box ideas for the week ahead:
1. Let’s get bananas for Mondays!
These are tasty, healthy, and packed with potassium and protein.
Ingredients:
- Peanut butter (sub with any kind of nut or seed butter)
- 1 banana
- 1 -2 tortillas
- Optional: drizzle some maple syrup over, or dollop some jam on
Method:
Spread peanut butter onto a tortilla, top with jam or syrup if desired. Place a peeled banana at the edge of the tortilla, roll the tortilla up. Either cut in half or into individual rolls.
Place in a lunch box, with some additional fruits, cut peppers, cucumber slices, and 2 tbsp of hummus for the veggies.
2. Taco Tuesdays
Tuesdays just got more exciting with this taco Tuesday tortilla roll-up.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp refried beans
- 2 tbsp chili con carne (or any leftover taco filling)
- A handful of shredded cheese
- Sliced peppers
- Optional: turkey, sour cream, grilled sweet corn, shredded lettuce
- 1 – 2 tortillas
Method:
Spread refried beans on the tortilla and top with taco filling. Top with cheese and peppers. Add any optional additions here as well. Roll the tortilla and slice. Place in a school lunch box, add cut-up fruit, sliced tomatoes, and avocado slices drizzled with lemon juice.
3. Chicken and hummus wraps
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp hummus
- Shredded chicken breast (optional smoked chicken)
- A handful of baby spinach leaves
Method:
Spread the hummus over the tortilla, place shredded chicken in the center top with baby spinach leaves. Fold like a wrap ensuring nothing can fall out. Slice in half, and place in a lunch box. Pack with pickles, fresh fruit slices, or any other lunchbox favorite snack.
4. Strawberry ‘n cream cheese
These tasty treats are not only delicious but healthy too and can be served as a Friday treat.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons cream cheese
- 3-4 large diced strawberries
- 2 tortillas
- 1 tsp agave nectar/ maple syrup
Method:
Combine the cream cheese and maple syrup in a bowl. Once combined, spread over the tortilla place strawberry slices evenly. Spread cream cheese onto another tortilla and close to create a sandwich, trim the edges off to make a square shape, and cut into triangles. Pack with healthy veggie sticks and yogurt.
Spoiled for choice
With so many options, you are truly blessed with choices. Try any of your favorite school lunches by swapping out the bread for homemade tortillas. These wrap recipes are endless, from adding black beans and salsa to simply smashed avocado with lime juice, some options appeal to any child’s diet or preferences.
