Homemade adult lunchables are an easy, healthier alternative to store-bought snack packs, and they are one of my favorite no-cook lunch ideas!
Think of them as the grown-up version of the Lunchables we loved as kids, only now with better ingredients and way more flavor. Instead of mystery cheese and crackers, you'll find savory bites like brie cheese, meats, home-roasted nuts, fruits and dips that you can mix and match using whatever you have on hand!
Jump to:
- What Are Adult Lunchables?
- Why You'll Love Homemade Adult Lunchables
- Ingredients To Make A Variety Of Lunchables
- Lunchables Flavors
- Guides For Making Lunchables At Home (Free Printable!)
- How To Make Homemade Lunchables
- How To Build The Perfect Lunchable
- Storage And Make-Ahead Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Healthier Meal Prep Ideas For Work Lunches
- 📖 Recipe
- ⭐️ Leave a Review
Looking for more easy meals to get through the week? We've got you covered! Try this crowd-pleasing honey hot chicken salad, or this quick and flavorful baked potstickers dish that comes together fast and is great for meal prep. This hearty chopped chicken salad is perfect for lunches or busy nights, and these wholesome chocolate banana smoothies taste like dessert but are really for breakfast!
What Are Adult Lunchables?
Adult lunchables are a fun collection of small amounts of "snacks" like crackers, cheeses, fruits, vegetables and nuts all packed in a container like a charcuterie board, but for on the go! They are easily customizable to fit any goal, whether it be including more protein in your day, spending less on lunches, or actually packing and enjoying your lunches.
Why You'll Love Homemade Adult Lunchables
- They are the meal prep king! No (or very minimal) cooking is required, and they are very budget-friendly.
- Way healthier than store-bought, made with whole, fresh ingredients and free from fillers and preservatives.
- These lunchables are easily customized with so, so many different combinations.
- Make kid-friendly or adult-only versions.
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Ingredients To Make A Variety Of Lunchables
For exact quantities and the full list of ingredients for these lunchables, please check the recipe card below.
Lunchables Flavors
Build these lunchable flavors in the same way, by using an airtight container and arranging the items so they look pretty.
- Mediterranean Style - Olives, caramelized onion hummus and fresh pita.
- Sweet & Savory Snack Box - Crunchy honey-roasted cashews, aged white cheddar cheese, salami or pepperoni sticks, whole-grain crackers, and apple slices.
- Chicken & Cracker Lunchable - Creamy chicken salad with crackers or mini toasts to dip.
- Kid Friendly Lunchable - Peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut into small squares, cubes of cheese, carrot sticks, and a chocolate chip cookie.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Lunchables - Crispy baked tofu, dipping sauce (like honey garlic sauce or vegan sriracha aioli), cucumber slices, fresh broccoli, and dried apricots.
- Shrimp Cocktail Lunchable - Chilled cooked shrimp, seafood sauce, cream cheese, and mini crostini toasts (crostini toasts can be made by thinly slicing roasted garlic bread, too!)
- Breakfast Lunchables - Egg bites, cooked and cooled breakfast sausage links, mini toasts and fresh berries like raspberries or blackberries.
More inclusion ideas:
free printables!
Guides For Making Lunchables At Home (Free Printable!)
Download these printables and start making endless lunchable combinations!
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How To Make Homemade Lunchables
Sweet & Savory Brie Snack Box
This is a copycat version of the Starbucks bento box that originally got me addicted to snack boxes!
Make this lunchable by combining a wedge of brie cheese, dried cranberries, fresh grapes, roasted almonds and crackers in an airtight container.
Classic Deli Style Lunchable
Now for the most classic style of lunchable, in an airtight container, combine 3-4 pieces of rolled ham, 2-3 slices of cheddar cheese, and a few crackers. Add some sliced cucumber and a little sweet treat on the side to complete this lunchable.
Protein Friendly Adult Lunchable
For this next lunchable, in a small airtight container, combine 2 hard-boiled eggs (topped with everything but the bagel seasoning), a handful of carrot sticks, peanut butter greek yogurt dip, and half a sliced apple (soak the apple in water with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning if you are meal prepping this lunchable). Optionally, add a small handful of açaí berry chocolates on the side.
How To Build The Perfect Lunchable
Include one or two from each section to build the perfect adult lunchable:
- Protein: Cooked meat, cheeses, hard-boiled eggs or hummus.
- Crunch: Crackers, nuts, or fresh vegetables.
- Fresh: Fruit, vegetables, pickles, grapes or cherry tomatoes.
- Dip or Spread: Homemade hummus, simple guacamole recipe, peanut butter greek yogurt dip, cream cheese, ranch dressing or soft cheeses.
- A Sweet Treat: Dark chocolate, dried fruit, candied nuts or jujubes.
Storage And Make-Ahead Tips
I like to use glass tupperware containers for these lunchables. Another option is bento boxes, which are especially loved by kids!
Depending on what you include in the boxes, most stay good for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Keep in mind that crackers can get soggy if they are packed next to something wet, so take those on the side or add them to the box the day of.
Frequently Asked Questions
A lunchable can be made up of any combination of handheld snacks or food. Ideally, including grains, meat or dairy, vegetables and fruit for a well-balanced snack or meal. I have plenty of ideas for flavour variations listed above!
This will greatly depend on what you choose to include in your lunchables.
Yes! Lunchables are ideal for meal prep! Choose ingredients that won't go soggy and have a longer storage life, and these can easily be meal prepped for the whole week!
Healthier Meal Prep Ideas For Work Lunches
These are some of my favorite meals to prep for weekday lunches:
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Adult Lunchables
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Brie, Cranberry and Roasted Almonds Lunchable
- 1 wedge Brie Cheese
- ⅓ cup Salted Roasted Almonds
- 12 Green Grapes
- 2 Tablespoons Dried Cranberries
- 6 Crackers
Ham, Cheese, and Cucumber Lunchable
- 3 pieces Black Forest Ham
- 3 pieces Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 6 Crackers
- ½ cup Cucumber sliced
- 1 Chocolate of choice
Apple with Apple Dip, Carrot Sticks, and Boiled Eggs Lunchable
- ½ large Apple sliced and soaked in lemon water
- 2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter Apple Dip
- 1 large Carrot cut into sticks
- 2 large Hard Boiled Eggs peeled and cut in half
- Everything But The Bagel Seasoning optional, topping for the eggs
- ¼ cup Chocolate Açaí Berries
Instructions
Brie, Cranberry and Roasted Almonds Lunchable
- In an airtight container, add the brie cheese wedge, roasted almonds, grapes, dried cranberries and crackers. Secure with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Ham, Cheese, and Cucumber Lunchable
- In an airtight container, roll up each piece of ham and add it to the container. Add the sharp cheddar cheese, crackers, cucumber slices and chocolate. Secure with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Apple with Apple Dip, Carrot Sticks, and Boiled Eggs Lunchable
- In an airtight container, add the apple slices, apple dip, carrot sticks, hard-boiled eggs and chocolate açaí berries. Secure with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Notes
- Customization - Use whatever meats, cheeses, fruits, or snacks you already have on hand. See more ideas for flavor variations and grab your free printable cheat sheet above!
- For Kids - Swap stronger cheeses (like brie) for mild cheddar or mozzarella and pack in bento boxes for kid-friendly lunches!
- Meal Prep & Storage Tips - Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble the boxes to store in the refrigerator for quick grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. Keep in mind to store crackers or bread away from other ingredients so they do not get soggy.
- Diet-Friendly Swaps - Easily make these vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan by adjusting crackers, proteins or dips.
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
Homemade "lunchables" have been a go-to for a long time for me. They are wonderful to have stocked in the fridge for a quick and easy grab-and-go lunch!
Jennifer says
Great idea!!!!!
Jessica says
Thank you!