Gluten Free Lunchbox Ideas

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Ah, the ever popular topic of what to pack in a gluten free lunchbox. As we gear up for the school year ahead, the idea of having to fill that gluten free lunch box every day can be daunting. If you need gluten-free lunchbox ideas, I’m here to help!

Big kids, little kids, for school or work, these gluten-free lunchbox recipes, tips, and products will make everyone happy. Throughout these lists, you’ll see recipes and products linked — just click the link to go right to the recipe or product!

Click here to check out my updated Back to School Gluten Free e-book!

backtoschoolebookcover

Gluten Free Lunchbox Meal Ideas

  1. Make extra gluten free pasta or pasta salads, chicken and rice, lentil salads, rice and beans, casseroles (gluten free spaghetti pie is one of my kids’ favorites!), gluten-free fish sticks or veggie meatballs and use the leftovers to make a great lunch.
    Gluten free spaghetti pie is super pack-able in a lunch, and is delish hot or cold!

     

  2. Gluten Free Pad Thai is one of our family favorites — warm or cold the next day it’s still yummy, and if it’s made without meat, you don’t have to worry about it staying cold or hot in a lunchbox.
  3. Homemade gluten free ravioli, pierogi, potstickers or dumplings and even leftover gluten free pizza make a great next day lunch, warm or cold. Yes, I just said cold gluten free pizza is great! At least, when you make my recipe or use my award-winning gluten free pizza crust mix it is! I promise you there will be no complaints about cold pizza in the lunchbox when it’s gfJules Pizza!
  4. And hey, while we’re on the subject of gluten-free PIZZA, this homemade gluten free French Bread Pizza is just as good the next day. Trust me. A total crowd-pleaser!gluten free french bread pizzas OH
  5. Don’t overlook thermos options. How about gluten free pizza rolls? They’re the perfect size for a thermos and they’re also the perfect proportion of sauce:crust. Another happy gluten free lunchbox!
  6. Speaking of thermoses … soups are a favorite any time of year. From hot weather gazpachos to cool weather chili, lentil soup, potato soup, and more … add rice, quinoa, or gluten free pasta for a heartier, more filling soup, if needed. And pair with homemade gluten free cornbread – YUH-um!

    gluten free vegan sweet potato apple soup
    gluten free vegan sweet potato apple soup
  7. Double check that your lunchmeat is gluten free or use tasty spreads like hummus, then add all your favorite sandwich toppings. Pair with your favorite gluten free bread (homemade is always better).
  8. Sandwiches often turn out best if you keep the fixings separate from the bread/wrap until lunchtime. Just keep in two separate containers and put together for a fresh and delicious sandwich when you’re ready for it.

    gluten free cornbread waffles
    Gluten Free Cornbread Waffles!
  9. Even homemade gluten free waffles make great “bread” for sandwiches — get creative! (and what kid will complain about a waffle sandwich?!)
  10. Homemade gluten free flour tortillas are terrific ways to wrap up whatever fillings you have left over in your fridge or happen to hanker for.  Make extra tortillas and store in your freezer so you always have a stash for lunches.  Try this easy homemade gluten free flour tortilla recipe and start enjoying soft flour tortillas again anytime! One of our favorites is veggie burritos with guacamole dressing!gluten free lettuce wraps 1
  11. For a light & healthy option, use large pieces of leafy greens, and make your own lettuce wraps with your favorite lunch meat like tuna, salmon, chicken or tofu plus veggies like bell peppers, tomatoes, beets, celery, onions and/or carrots. Other additions can include sunflower seeds, black beans, rice, tofu, rice noodles, raisins, fruit, avocado … any flavor combination that appeals!  Put gluten free dressing in a small container to keep the salad from getting soggy before lunch.
  12. Pair salads with bread, rice cakes, gluten free crackers or toasted gluten free waffles, and add hummus or homemade guacamole on the side. Keep any gluten free crackers in a separate container so they stay crunchy.
  13. Or make homemade fresh spring rolls — they’re delicious any time of year!vegan gluten free fresh spring rolls - gfJules.com
  14. And while it might seem unorthodox, homemade Gluten Free Poptarts would never be unwelcome in a kid’s lunchbox. I’m not lobbying for them to be the ONLY thing in the lunchbox, of course, but they’re portable, they’re fun, they’re delish and they will definitely be the envy of everyone at the lunch table! Not too shabby for a gluten free lunch box, if you ask me. No one needs to know you filled them with no sugar added preserves, if you were so inclined. In fact, you can fill these pastries with anything you like — they could even be savory! In that case though, I’d skip the sprinkles. 😉

gluten free poptarts from gfJules

Gluten Free Lunchbox SNACKS

There are lots of pre-packed sides your child can pick out for their own lunch and they look just like what the other kids have in their lunch boxes! 

Rather than buying expensive and environmentally unfriendly individual serving packs, you can make your own “juice box”, nut butter cup, or applesauce cup with small, reusable containers. And don’t forget all the naturally gluten-free fruits and veggies!

bento box

 

Here are some great gluten free snack options (see my Back to School ebook for even more):

  1. A serving of favorite gluten free cereal, homemade granola (or oat-free granola) or muesli, either dry or with almond, soy or coconut yogurt as delicious dairy-free options! Three Wishes makes a grain-free granola option that’s pretty good and low sugar, if that interests you (they also make a certified gluten-free O’s cereal that’s a great replacement for Cheerios which is not safe for celiacs).three wishes granola
  2. Celery, peanut butter or sunflower nut butter + raisins = ants on a log.
  3. Homemade hummus or storebought –there are so many flavors out now! Check for gluten-free labels.
  4. Gluten-free crackers or chips with salsa or homemade guacamole — it’s so much cheaper to make your own! Good gluten-free chip options include brands like Absolutely Gluten Free®, Crunchmaster®, Way Better Snacks®, and Food Should Taste Good®; Frito-Lay/Lay’s® maintains a gluten-free list and Utz® potato chips are clearly labeled gluten free.
  5. If you’re missing Pringles (they’re not gluten-free!) — The Good Crisp Company makes a gluten-free knock-off and they even sell these adorable mini containers that keep the classic chips from breaking in lunchboxes! Good Crisps
  6. Gluten free pretzels from Glutino® & Gratify® brands are our favorite gluten-free pretzels, and even non-gluten-free folks prefer them to gluten-containing pretzels!
  7. Quinn Maple Almond Butter Filled gluten free Pretzel Nuggets (also peanut butter filled or plant-based Cheddah Cheezy Filled, among other flavors) — these are so good!
  8. MadeGood Cheddar Star Puffed Crackers (vegan and gluten free) — made from vegetables, cassava and oat flour (certified gluten-free from GFCO)
  9. Air-popped popcorn stays crunchy packed in lunches and has lots of fiber!gluten free granola bars in paper outside
  10. Gluten-free protein bars — many aren’t certified gluten-free, contain nuts (may not be ok for school lunches), or are made from oats which may not be purity protocol. If you can’t find one you love, you can always make your own homemade gluten free granola bars with this recipe!
  11. Overnight oats — so yummy, even cold! Make with certified gluten-free, purity protocol oats!
  12. Homemade trail mix (use YOUR favorite nuts, seeds, raisins …)
  13. gfJules Graham Cracker Mix makes dozens! and they freeze so well!gluten free graham crackers

Visit the gfJules SHOP page for the award-winning gluten-free Bread, Cookie, Graham Cracker Mixes & more you’ll need to put together awe-inspiring lunch boxes for everyone!

Gluten Free Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies with reach gfJules

Gluten Free Lunchbox Desserts

Here are some of our favorite homemade gluten free treats:

gluten free animal crackers

Gluten Free Cake Mix Cookies

 

backtoschoolebookcover

For even more gluten free lunchbox ideas, plus information on 504 plans, how the ADA may help your child, dealing with school birthday parties and field trips and much, more, download my updated Back to School Gluten Free e-book now!

 

62+ Gluten Free Lunch Box Ideas from gfJules!

Gluten Free Lunchbox Ideas | gfJules

Gluten Free Lunch Box Ideas - gfJules. So many to choose from!

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  1. Pierogi! What a great idea. I last had those in Poland, then soon after had to go GF, and have been bummed about not having pierogi since then. So many great ideas here!

    Reply
  2. We were going through out cupboards and discovered three packages of spring roll wrappers! We love them, but forget to make them. I hadn’t even thought to pre-make some for lunches – this is a perfect idea!

    Reply
  3. Gratify pretzels are the best! Thanks for all the great ideas. They work great for us teachers. And for traveling.

    PS: I couldn’t get the book to download. I put in all my info and it just sat there once clicked. Nothing opened, nothing changed.

    Reply
  4. When do you sleep Jules? What a comprehensive collection of awesome recipes. Thanks so much. I hope you don’t mind if I share this with every GF family I know! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Great ideas. It appears from your post that you are saying Chex cereals are GF. I will have to check this out! I have been eating Nature’s Path Organic Honey’d Corn Flakes (GF) because it seemed like every ‘regular’ cereal had barley malt in it. They’re good, but Chex would be much cheaper!

    Reply
    • The Chex cereals are not certified GF, so I wouldn’t recommend them over a cereal that is certified and independently tested. That being said, there are many great certified GF cereals on the market now and the prices are moderating because there are more choices. I hope that helps!
      ~jules

      Reply

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