These Easy Bento Box Lunch Recipes are the perfect lunch for work or school – make them ahead and store in the fridge for up to 5 days!
Calling all my fellow 90s kids! Remember Lunchables?! I was obsessed! But now I’m an adult I know the value of eating healthier-for-you ingredients with less preservatives so I thought I would make new grown-up versions that are more balanced. 🙂
What do you put in a bento lunch box?
A bento box is typically made up of these components:
- Protein
- Starch, grain or nuts
- Dairy like yogurt or cheese
- Fruits and veggies
- Dips
How to make a bento box
- Assemble your ingredients.
- Make your lunch box.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Serve and enjoy!
Bento Box Lunch Ideas
I put together five different bento box ideas for adults and kids. They’re ready in minutes and are so much better than boring brown bag sandwiches!
Idea #1: Mini Pizzas
Make your own mini pizzas for lunch with this bento that even picky eaters will love. It’s made with pitas, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and mini pepperoni.
Idea #2: Turkey & Hummus
This bento box is high in protein and flavour! It’s made with deli turkey breast, hummus, cheese and a variety of veggies.
Idea #3: Chickpea Salad
Looking for a vegan option? This chickpea salad is high in plant-based protein and super easy to make. It tastes great with veggies and crackers!
Idea #4: Egg & Cheese
This tastes just like the Starbucks Cheese & Fruit Protein Box for a fraction of the price, with eggs, almonds, cheese, apples and grapes.
Idea #4: Meat & Cheese
This bento box is basically a charcuterie board to go! Pieces of cheese and kielbasa are served alongside crackers, with some berries for sweetness.
Bento Box Tips & tricks
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for putting together your bento box lunch:
- Use healthy ingredients: Go for lean proteins or legumes, lots of veggies, and fruits for sweetness.
- Pay attention to portions: Make sure your portions are high on veggies and protein, and low on carbs and sugar.
- Focus on the aesthetics: Traditional bento boxes are all about the pretty presentation, so use different colours, shapes and textures!
- Pack the right containers: I recommend using nice bento boxes, like these glass ones.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I use a bento box?
Bento boxes are a great way to manage portions and incorporate lots of variety into your lunch. Plus, they’re so cute and fun!
How do I keep the ingredients from getting soggy?
Bento boxes have separate containers, which keeps everything super fresh. You could also use paper liners or parchment paper.
How many compartments should I have in my box?
I’d recommend at least three different compartments, but you can have as many as you want!
Can I make these in advance?
Depending on the ingredients you use, these bento boxes will last in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The best bento box containers
- I love these glass bento boxes from Amazon.
- If you’re looking for something cheaper, try these plastic bento boxes.
- Make your own customizable boxes with Monbento.
More healthy lunch recipes
5 Easy Bento Box Lunch Ideas
Ingredients
Turkey & Hummus
- 16 deli turkey slices
- 2 cups mixed veggies (cucumber, carrots, cherry tomatoes)
- 1/2 cup hummus
- 4 cheese sticks
Meat & Cheese
- 1 cup sliced kielbasa, ham or salami
- 1 cup sliced cheddar cheese
- 2 cups crackers
- 2 cups raspberries & blackberries
Egg & Cheese
- 8 hard boiled eggs, sliced in half
- 2 apples, cored and sliced
- 1 cup sliced white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grapes
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
Chickpea Salad
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/3 cup light mayo
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp salt & pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried dill or 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Extra veggies and crackers, to serve
Mini Pizza
- 3 pitas, cut into small circles
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni or turkey pepperettes, sliced
Instructions
- Add ingredients of choice to each bento box container. For chickpea salad, mash chickpeas in a large bowl with a fork (will be a rough mash), then serve over lettuce in bento box container with sides of choice.
- Bento boxes will last in the fridge up to 5 days. Enjoy!
Video
Comments & Reviews
Lexie says
Where do you get the round inserts for the pizza sauce and humus??
Taylor Stinson says
I cut pitas into smaller rounds!
Rachael says
Are all bento boxes the same calories? I can only see one lot of nutrition
Taylor Stinson says
Nutritional info is for the Turkey and Hummus bento box. Unfortunately it won’t let me calculate for all 5 so you will need to calculate the others separately – Myfitnesspal or Livestrong are great options for this.
Morga says
Are the calories per box?
Taylor Stinson says
Yes
Flora says
Hi Taylor, can kielbasa be eaten without cooking??
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Flora – yes it can be! Look for it in the deli section of your local grocery store 🙂
M says
I have a child entering Kindergarten this fall and so I’m starting to think about how we will do lunches. I’m fine with her eating school lunch once or twice a week but in an effort to save money I want to pack lunches most days. But how do you keep food from spoiling before lunch time?
Taylor Stinson says
Hey Mallory! You can place ice packs under the containers in a lunchbag if your little one doesn’t have access to a fridge.
Nadine Myers says
This is great ideas. I bring my lunch everyday to work. Easy healthy meal prep is appreciated.
Taylor Stinson says
Happy you like them Nadine 🙂