School lunchbox Archives

Cornflake cookies

These crunchy, golden biscuits are a family classic.

Ham, cheese and zucchini pizza scrolls

These scrolls are great for school lunchboxes (instead of sandwiches) and after-school snacks.

Passionfruit melting moments

Try these delicious morsels for your next afternoon tea.

Lunchbox banana bread

This delightfully dense banana bread is a lunchbox favourite for a reason. It's easy to make, tastes delicious and is perfect for a lunchbox treat.

Basic scone recipe

Create beautifully light and fluffy scones with this basic scone recipe. Serve scones with cream and jam for a lovely afternoon tea

8 ideas for creating allergen-free school lunchboxes

Kids with food intolerances often miss out, but in 2023 there’s no reason they should! This selection of allergen-free lunchbox ideas (including gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free recipes) ensures there’s something for everyone.

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18 tasty after-school snack recipes every child (and adult) will love

Fight the after-school munchies with these deliciously fun snacks! With a mixture of sweet and savoury, nutritious and naughty, you'll always be able to find the right recipe for the occasion with these ideas up your sleeve.

Easy zingy no-bake lemon slice

With just 15 minutes preparation, this no-bake lemon slice is the easiest sweet treat you'll ever make! Going down a treat in school lunch boxes or as an afternoon snack, this zingy, zesty bite is a winner.

24 easy lunchbox recipes to try

New term, new school lunchbox ideas! Freshen up your kid's lunchboxes with these easy options that are guaranteed to put a smile on their dial and make lunchtimes a breeze!

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5 creative ideas for back-to-school lunchboxes

Coming up with new school lunchbox ideas that will actually get eaten is easier said than done. Jazz things up for the final school term with these fun recipes - just swap around the fillings to suit your kids' tastes!

15 school lunchbox ideas that go beyond sandwiches with Countdown

15 exciting school lunchbox ideas to try with Countdown

Skip the predictable sandwiches and shake things up this term! These school lunchbox ideas are not only exciting, they're also oh-so-easy to make. The best part? The kids will love them!

Wholegrain bread cups with easy tuna salad

Make something special with regular bread with this recipe – it’s easy! Wholegrain bread is transformed into tasty little cups and filled with creamy tuna salad to create the perfect lunchbox bite

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Ricotta, pea and ham lunchbox pancakes

Who would have thought? Pancakes in the lunchbox! This recipe sees ricotta, ham, baby peas and wholemeal flour come together to create the perfect lunch time bite the kids will love

Spaghetti, vegetable and cheese frittata wraps

Need some lunchbox inspo? This frittata wrap recipe is a must-try. Pack with spaghetti, sneak in some vegetables and add a tasty sprinkling of cheese for a delicious wrap filling the kids will love

Bacon, cheese and corn wholemeal lunchbox muffins

A tasty lunchbox filler!

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Lunchbox pasta salad with salami, corn and honey mustard

Lunchbox pasta salad with salami, corn and mayo dressing

Packed lunches just got a whole lot more delicious! This lunchbox pasta salad recipe is simple, tasty and can easily be adapted to suit the tastes of your child. Toss with creamy mayo dressing and enjoy!

Mini muffin pan vegetable and cheese frittatas

Looking for a delicious gluten-free lunchbox filler? This frittata recipe is a must-try! Packed with plenty of veges and easily whipped up in your muffin pan, these little bakes will become a staple in your household

Ham, cheese and pineapple lunchbox quesadillas

Swap those sammies for a more exciting lunchbox filler with this quesadilla recipe. Filled with ham, cheese, pineapple and spinach for a dose of greenery, these quesadilla will be a hit with Hawaiian pizza fans

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Popcorn, honey and nut slice (gluten-free and dairy-free)

This popcorn, honey and nut slice recipe may just create the perfect snack! Its gluten and dairy-free status makes it an ideal addition to school or work lunchboxes, plus it needs no fancy ingredients

Chewy apricot and coconut granola bars

These wonderfully chewy apricot and coconut granola bars are packed with all sorts of goodness! Try this fantastic recipe for kids' lunchboxes or enjoy for a tasty morning or afternoon tea treat

The 10 best Vegemite recipes

Spread in a scroll, smeared in a sandwich or paired with cheese — Vegemite is a classic. Whether you want to create a tasty after-school snack or a comforting rainy day bite, these recipes have you covered

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Five after-school snack ideas

When the kids get home from school starving, it's a good time to slip something healthy on their plate. We've got five great ideas including muffins, a smoothie, snack balls, fruit dip and quesadillas...

Chunky pecan and choc chip cookies

Chopped pecans add a delicious nutty flavour to these traditional chocolate chip cookies

Turkey and corn pocket

Skip the soggy sandwiches and jazz up your kids' lunchboxes with this flavour-packed turkey and corn pita pocket. It's stuffed with oozy cream cheese, sweet cranberry sauce and a fresh corn salad for a tasty lunch they'll want again!

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Chocolate and banana roll up

The combination of fresh fruit and sweet chocolate will quickly become a favourite snack fpr your little ones. They're super quick to make, and can be enjoyed after school or as a lunchbox treat.

Roasted hapuku with prawns, peas & blood orange

This is one of my favourite summertime flavour combinations, and the colours make eating it a treat. I garnish this dish with nasturtium leaves and flowers, which are found growing wild just about everywhere from the beach to a Ponsonby roadside! They’re not essential, but look great with the blood orange.

Crispy sesame chicken and vegetable pita wraps

This is a great way to use up any crispy sesame chicken and crunchy slaw. Feel free to add your own touch – iceberg lettuce, for instance, is a nice, crunchy alternative to the slaw. Photograph by Stephen Goodenough.

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School lunchbox ideas

It's difficult enough to get kids to eat their lunch let alone come up with something different and interesting every day. And not all kids want to take a sandwich to school. Our recipes will give you the inspiration you need to pack filling, healthy school lunchboxes that will come home empty each day! Many can be prepared in advance and freeze well saving you precious time.

Mini tomato and cheese quiches

Easy to make and wonderfully tasty, these quiches are brilliant enjoyed hot out of the oven with a fresh side salad or as eaten cool as a tasty school lunchbox snack.

Apricot and sultana biscuits

Perfect to enjoy with a glass of milk or a cup of tea, these gorgeous cinnamon flavoured biscuits are stuffed with apricot, sultanas and crunchy nuts.

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Choc-orange shortbread biscuits

Give your shortbread biscuits a twist by adding orange zest and dipping in dark chocolate. A sweet treat for afternoon tea that family and friends will love.

Triple choc brownies

Chocolate brownies are one of life's sweet delights and yet they are surprisingly easy to make.

Spinach and ham quiche

This spinach and ham quiche is the perfect solution to any light meal - from dinner parties, suppers, picnics and even afternoon tea.

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Muesli jam drops

Use any type of jam you like to make these yummy morsels with muesli. A snack everybody will love.

Gluten-free iced muffins

If you follow a gluten-free diet and have a sweet tooth, these zesty muffins are the perfect choice for when you get the munchies.

Walnut bubble biscuits

Deliciously moorish, these sweet biscuits are packed full of chewy dried fruit and crunchy walnuts. Perfect served fresh out of the oven and shared with loved ones.

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Tuna and rice salad

Perfect for school or work lunches, this nutritious salad can be made ahead and stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

Arabic salad

Mint leaves enhance the freshness of this delicious tuna salad. Packed with vegetables and good quality protein, it's a wonderfully healthy lunch option!

Salami and ham pizza pie

Tasty ham and salami comes wrapped in crisp pastry in this hearty pizza pie.

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Chicken waldorf

This is a hearty salad ... and a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken.

Chicken drumettes

Tender, marinated, sticky barbecue chicken drumettes are the perfect finger food with which to entertain guests. Kids love them too!

Savoury caraway seed hot cross buns

We've put a savoury twist on the classic hot cross buns with the addition of fragrant caraway seeds to this traditional baked dish. Enjoy warm or cold with a light spread of butter as a light lunchbox snack or afternoon tea.

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Cheese and bacon loaf

Golden, fluffy and packed full of crispy bacon pieces, this delicious cheesy loaf is perfect served sliced and enjoyed as a snack for afternoon tea or as a light lunch.

Apple and pecan muffins

Let the smell of freshly baked muffins surround your kitchen with these deliciously nutty apple and pecan mini cakes.

Chocolate dip shortbread

Dip chocolate into homemade shortbread and you have a yummy treat for morning or afternoon tea, a picnic dessert or a welcome addition to a school or work lunchbox.

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Roast chicken with lemon and garlic

We show you how to turn roast chicken into a gourmet meal the whole family will be raving about! The chicken pieces are also ideal to take to a picnic or add to school and work lunch boxes.

Crunchy tuna salad

A healthy tuna salad with lots of crunch, perfect for lunch or lunchboxes.

Mini banoffee tarts

These little banoffees are a perfect sweet treat that the kids can help you make. By using bought pecan and caramel biscuits, they use less than six ingredients and take less than five minutes to bake.

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Ham and cheese roll-ups

Perfect for a picnic or school lunchbox, these tasty ham and cheese sandwiches

Raspberry and banana mini muffins

Buttermilk gives these fruity, easy-to-make muffins a luscious, creamy flavour.

Homemade muesli bars

Jam-packed full of chewy dried fruits, crunchy seeds and whole grains, these homemade muesli bars are the perfect guilt-free snack to make for the whole family.

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Ham, cheese and tomato scroll

A bakery favourite, recreate these tasty ham, cheese and tomato for your family. Delicious enjoyed warm as a savoury afternoon tea or popped in a school or work lunchbox as a yummy snack.

Muesli muffins

These easy muesli muffins are perfect for breakfast on the run or school or work lunchboxes.

Bacon and mushroom quiche

Frozen pastry makes this bacon and mushroom quiche quick to whip up for any family meal, lunchbox or party. Serve with a salad for a complete meal.

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Chicken and mango rice paper rolls

Enjoy these light, refreshing chicken and mango rice paper rolls on a warm summer's afternoon. A Vietnamese classic, the rolls are wonderful served as finger food with a zesty chilli lime dipping sauce.

Mini quiche lorraine

These little quiche lorraines are perfect for kid's lunchboxes, parties or as a snack. Serve cold or warm.

Corn and polenta muffins

These light and fluffy savoury muffins are perfect for a work or school lunch box. Packed full of juicy corn, fluffy polenta and delicious sun-dried tomatoes, these are a great vegetarian on-the-go treat that will keep you fueled for hours.

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Apricot and walnut biscuits

These golden biscuits are delicious and great to make with the kids. Full of crunchy walnuts and chewy apricot pieces, they'll be a sure-fire hit!

Coffee cake

An easy coffee cake to make for afternoon tea. Spread with butter and serve warm.

Animal crackers

Get the whole family involved to whip up some delicious lunch box snacks for the kids.

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Tuna pasta salad

This family favourite can be made ahead and stored in the fridge in airtight containers ready for school or work lunches.

White bean dip

Nutrient-packed white beans are the main ingredient in this easy homemade dip. Add bread and fresh vegie sticks and your work or school-day lunch is ready to eat.

Teriyaki chicken strips

Delicious served on their own with a fresh side salad or on a crusty bread roll as a gourmet lunch box sandwich, these tender teriyaki chicken strips are easy to make and packed full of flavour.

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Apricot energy balls

Whip up these deliciously healthy energy-packed treats in no time at all - perfect for a lunch box snack or on-the-go energy boost!

Macadamia crumble cupcakes

For a sweet treat that is packed full of goodness, these cupcakes made with Australia's very own macadamia nuts will be an instant hit with the young and not so young,

Traffic light sandwiches

Get your kids to eat their vegetables the fun way - these exciting traffic light shaped sandwiches are full of goodness and will entertain and please your little ones.

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Mushroom and spinach quiche

This delicious quiche uses frozen puff pastry, making it an easy budget weeknight dinner. And any leftovers can be eaten cold for lunch the next day.

White and dark choc-chip cookies

There's nothing better for an afternoon treat than white and dark choc-chip cookies with a tall glass of milk. Bake them with the kids and they'll thank you even more!

Olive oil doughnuts

A different way to make doughnuts with the luscious taste of olive oil and orange.

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Chocolate lamingtons

Give the good, old Aussie lamington a chocolate twist with a decadent ganache-filled centre.

Camp loaf

This is a great sweet treat to take camping or on a picnic. It can also be sliced and toasted on a char-grill for breakfast.

Date, carrot and honey loaf

Naturally sweet and perfectly fluffy, prepare this golden date, carrot and honey loaf for your family and friends. Enjoy your loaf warm, sliced and with a cup of tea any time of the day.

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Orange and ginger loaf

The combination of oranges and spice makes this fruity tea time treat both fragrant and delicious.

Mini blueberry and apricot loaves

Perfect for morning tea or to sweet side to lunches

Apple crumble cakes

These sweet and crumbly cupcakes are packed full of goodness to keep you satisfied for longer - a win/win dessert!

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Orange and poppyseed cupcakes

These gorgeous orange and poppyseed cupcakes are wonderfully sweet and moist. Serve them fresh out of the oven, drizzled with a divine orange syrup, and enjoy with friends.

Mini vegemite and cheese scrolls

Perfect for an after school snack or a tasty lunchbox treat - these cheese and vegemite embrace classic flavours in a delicious baked bread.

Jam kisses

Shower your loved ones with kisses – jam kisses that is! These sweet, iced biscuit treats are sure to impress

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Macaroni and zucchini frittata

This is gourmet version of macaroni cheese that both kids and adults will devour. It will be on the table in just half an hour, plus it's vegetarian.

Apricot and honey balls

These delicious apricot, coconut and honey balls are perfect for an easy on-the-go energy hit!

Figgy flapjacks

Packed full of sweet, chewy fig pieces and wholesome grains, these tasty homemade muesli bars are perfect for a mid-morning snack or school lunchbox treat.

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Salmon and spinach quiche

Packed with healthy salmon and superfood spinach, this quiche is the ideal work or school lunchbox. Pop in a salad and you are good to go!

Cheesy spanish omelette

A traditional Spanish dish, beautiful enjoyed any time of day as a light lunch or savoury brunch, this tasty omelette is packed full of melted cheese, hearty potato slices and caramelised Spanish onions. Enjoy hot with a light side salad or pack refrigerated leftovers as a delicious lunchbox snack.

Apple raspberry cupcakes

The combination of soft warm apples, naturally sweet raspberries and crunchy almonds will make these simple vanilla cupcakes a family favourite.

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Farfalle with creamy zucchini

Nutmeg, sour cream and bacon blend with ribbons of zucchini to make a creamy bowl of delight. Farfalle pasta is best but spirals are also suitable.

Lamb and vegetable triangles

These lamb and vegie pastries are quick and easy to make and suitable for all the family. This recipe also works well with minced pork or beef.

Buttermilk and sultana muffins

Buttermilk is used in these light, fluffy muffins to add a wonderful tang to these tasty treats, which works perfectly with the juicy sultanas swirled throughout. Pack these into your children's lunchbox for school or enjoy with a mug of coffee for a lovely afternoon treat.