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    Home ยป Recipe Roundups

    25 Gluten-Free & Vegan School Lunch Ideas

    Published: Aug 12, 2019 by Sherri Hall ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

    These 25 vegan and gluten-free lunch ideas are perfect for your child's lunchbox! Featuring sandwiches, wraps and some hot lunch options, as well as a few snacks and sweet treats, you're sure to find tasty choices for your little ones. 

    Sandwich, nuggets, and two wraps in a collage

    Let's be real. Back to school time is stressful. That is, unless you find rummaging through the collection of folders strewn about the Wal-Mart shelves to find that elusive LOL or Minecraft one your kid MUST have this year a good time, then you'll appreciate a little stress relief in the lunchtime department...especially if you are the parent of a gluten-free, vegan kiddo.

    So, without further ado, let's get to the food...

    Vegan Sandwiches & Wraps

    Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwich by Vegan Huggsvegan tuna salad sandwich on a white plate. plateChickpeas can do anything...even make tuna salad sandwiches! This twist on the classic lunchtime favorite can be served on gluten-free, vegan bread or a wrap along with your child’s choice of toppings such as lettuce and tomato or even a slice of vegan cheese. 

    White Bean & Artichoke Vegan Sandwich Filling by A Virtual Vegan
    white bean sandwich open on a cutting board
    This creamy sandwich filling is a bit of a different take on a vegan tuna sandwich. Instead of chickpeas, this one, as the name suggests, uses white beans. Serve on gluten-free, vegan sliced bread or a wrap with desired toppings.
    Homemade Allergy-Free Uncrustables by Strength & Sunshineuncrustables on a white platePeanut butter and jelly is a childhood staple, but what about those with peanut allergies? These allergy-free copycat Uncrustables made with sunflower butter are the answer! Use your favorite jelly and gluten-free, vegan bread and you'll have one happy kiddo!
    Roasted Pepper Hummus Veggie Wrap by A Simple Palate
    open hummus veggie wraps on a white counter
    Who says hummus is only for dipping? Hummus also makes an amazing sandwich spread as demonstrated in these delicious wraps. Simply choose your favorite gluten-free, vegan wrap such as Food For Life's brown rice tortillas or BFree's multigrain wrap, spread on some hummus and load up with veggies. This recipe features sweet roasted red peppers, creamy avocado, and crunchy cucumbers. So much deliciousness!
    Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Wraps by Well and Full
    Buffalo chickpea wraps in a bowl
    Here's another tasty wrap made with chickpeas, Buffalo sauce, red onion, lettuce, guacamole and vegan ranch dressing. What's not to love? Again, use your favorite gluten-free and vegan wrap or tortilla to make these.
    Tofu Egg Salad by Glue & Glitter
    Hands holding half of a pita with tofu egg salad
    This easy tofu egg salad can be stuffed inside your favorite gluten-free, vegan pita (I recommend the BFree brand) or served between two slices of the gluten-free, vegan bread of your choice. You can always add some vegan cheese too! It's also super easy and quick to make!
    Vegan Nutella by Sunnyside Hanne
    Vegan nutella on a bagel with strawberries on topNutella can be found in lunchboxes around the world, just not vegan ones. However, this vegan version is not only dairy-free, but it's also oil-free and naturally sweetened with banana. Spread on your favorite gluten-free, vegan bread and add some sliced fruit for a satisfying sandwich.
    Apple Sandwiches by Thrifty Jinxy
    Peanut butter apple sandwiches stacked up on a white surface
    Instead of bread, peanut butter, granola and raisins are sandwiched between two apple slices in this recipe. To keep them gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free granola. And, if your child is allergic to peanuts, try them with almond butter or sunflower butter.

    Vegan Hot Lunch

    Dairy-Free Macaroni & Cheese by Raia's Recipesbutternut squash mac and cheese in a white bowlMac and cheese is the ultimate kid food! This vegan version made with butternut squash, is both nutritious and delicious. Keep it warm in your child's lunchbox by heating it up in the morning and storing it in a Thermos or similar style insulated container. Personally, I pack mac and cheese in my girls' lunch all the time. It's not piping hot, but's definitely still warm and yummy (so I'm told).

    Star Chick'n Nuggets by VeganosityStar nuggets with mac and cheese in a lunch containerNothing says kid food more than nuggets! There's just something about these handheld bites that kids just eat right up...literally. 🙂 And, the star shapes make them even more fun. To help keep these tofu-based chick'n nuggets crispy in your child's school lunch, place a folded paper towel in the bottom of the Thermos or other insulated hot food container.

    Baked Chickpea Nuggets by This Healthy KitchenChickpea nuggets on a plate with a side of ketchupFor even more nugget options, these chickpea-based ones ones are another great option. They also happen to be free of the top 8 allergens as they are not only vegan and gluten-free, but also nut-free and soy-free. Send them in with your child's favorite dipping sauce such as ketchup or vegan ranch dressing.

    Baked Tofu by Fried DandelionsBaked tofu pieces in a bowlThese bite-sized baked tofu pieces are delicious both hot or at room temperature. And, they work well both on their own but also mixed into rice or quinoa, which makes for endless lunchbox options!

    Creamy Instant Pot Tomato Soup by Recipes from a PantryTomato soup in glass containersNothing beats soup for lunch on chilly fall or winter days...especially tomato soup paired with a gluten-free, vegan grilled cheese sandwich! This instant pot recipe is super easy to make in just 10 minutes. Aside from a sandwich, this soup is also yummy served topped with roasted chickpeas or sliced almonds. Be sure to pack them separately for your child to add to the soup at lunchtime.

    Vegan Snacks & Sweet Treats

    Basic Hummus without Tahini by Watch Learn Eat
    Hummus without tahini in a red bowlThis hummus is super easy to make in just minutes in your food processor. It's also allergen-free as it's both soy-free and nut-free too! And, one of the great things about having hummus for lunch is that it doubles as both a main and a snack when you serve it with your favorite dippers such as carrots, peppers, tortilla chips or crackers like these...

    Chickpea Crackers by Moon and Spoon and Yum
    Chickpea crackers in a blue bowlThese crackers are also top 8 allergen-free and are not only perfect for dipping into hummus, but also salsa and guacamole. They're also easy to make with only 5 ingredients! Pure crunchy cracker goodness! 🙂

    Air Fryer Apple Chips by The Belly Rules the Mind
    Apple chips on a serving dish
    Skip the potato chips and send them to school with apple chips instead! Unlike some of the store-bought varieties, this recipe has no added sugar, oil or preservatives. This crunchy snack is also top 8 allergy-free.
    Caramel Popcorn by Vegan in the Freezer
    Caramel popcorn in a serving bowl
    Popcorn is definitely a go-to snack for many kids and parents. Mix things up with this vegan caramel version with peanuts and cranberries. Leave out the peanuts for a nut-free option. You can also customize with your favorite mix-ins.
    Homemade Fruit Leather by Wicked Spatula
    Unlike the store-bought rolled up fruit, this homemade version has no corn syrup or oil. This fruit leather is made with fresh strawberries or another fruit of your choosing. Leave out the optional honey in the recipe or replace it with pure maple syrup, if desired.
    Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins by Delightful Adventures
    Closeup of a mini muffin with muffins on a plate in the background
    Kids love foods in mini forms, especially when they have chocolate in them! These mini chocolate chip muffins are perfect for little hands and are a tasty ending to any school lunch. They are also made with coconut oil and allergy-friendly chocolate chips, making them soy-free and nut-free too depending on your choice of non-dairy milk.
    Dye-Free Green Muffins by Eating by Elaine
    Three green muffins stacked
    These allergy-friendly muffins will add some color to your child's lunchbox! Kids love colored food, but with this recipe, the color comes naturally rather than from dyes. Spinach is the key to the green hue in these muffins, but not the flavor. Hiding veggies in food is always a win-win. 🙂
    Chocolate Chia Powder Pudding by Healthy Midwestern Girl
    Chia pudding in a white mug
    Another nutritious ingredient that's great to hide in your child's food is chia powder. The powder is great because it doesn't gelatinize like the chia seeds do. This pudding is also naturally sweetened with dates and is flavored with mint leaves.
    Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies by Apples for CJ
    Four cookies stacked on top of each other
    One bowl...no baking required..enough said! 😉 Seriously though, these chocolate oatmeal cookies are not only super easy to make, but they are also refined sugar-free and make a perfect addition to your child's lunchbox.
    Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls by Happy Kitchen.Rocks
    energy balls on a white plate
    It's no secret that chocolate and peanut butter were made for each other. These naturally-sweetened energy balls have turned this iconic combination into balls of bliss that any kid would go crazy over. Sub the peanut butter for sunflower butter to accommodate peanut allergies.
    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites by Watch Learn Eat
    dough balls in a small white bowl with a bite taken out of one of them to show the inside
    These cookie dough bites offer more bite-sized sweetness. I mean, who doesn't love eating cookie dough, right? These bites are made of edible vegan and gluten-free cookie dough. You can enjoy them as is or add some chocolate drizzle to the mix.
    SunButter Protein Cups by Allergylicious
    Three SunButter cups stacked with one in the front
    Peanut butter cups are a kid favorite, but for those kids with nut allergies, these SunButter cups are the perfect substitution. They are an easy-to-make treat that is sure to please at lunchtime! 🙂
    I hope you (and your kids) enjoy these recipes! Have a great school year! 🙂

    You might also enjoy

    • 20 Easy Vegan Snacks for Kids
    • 17 Oil-Free Vegan Comfort Food Recipes
    • 24 Silken Tofu Recipes
    • Best Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
    • Best Vegan Sandwich Recipes for Lunch
    • 42 Delicious Dairy-Free Smoothies
    • 20+ Gluten-Free & Vegan Oat Flour Recipes
    ©Watch Learn Eat. All content on this page is copyright protected and is not to be used or republished without prior permission. Images shown in this post are used with permission from the owner(s).

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    1. Christie

      August 06, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      Wow what a great list of ideas! They are all so delicious sounding especially the vegan chickpea salad sandwich! This is such a helpful list for all the parents out there! Thanks for sharing Sherri!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        August 10, 2020 at 5:51 pm

        Thank you, Christie! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    2. Rosa

      August 21, 2019 at 5:15 pm

      Wonderful collection. Canโ€™t believe my oldest baby is starting school soon!! Iโ€™ll be trying out several of these recipes. Thanks so much for including my chickpea nuggets!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        August 27, 2019 at 9:59 am

        Thank you Rosa and for your awesome recipe! Good luck with your first school experience! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    3. Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness

      August 20, 2019 at 8:28 am

      This is a great round-up. Looks like so many great recipes. Hard to believe that school is starting again.

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        August 27, 2019 at 9:58 am

        Thanks so much, Dawn! I hear that! School came up on us early this year for sure!

        Reply
    4. Kristen Wood

      August 12, 2019 at 11:55 am

      Many thanks for including my Chickpea Crackers as part of this lovely round-up! xo.

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        August 14, 2019 at 8:18 am

        Thank you Kristen and thanks for your amazing recipe! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    5. Raia Todd

      August 12, 2019 at 10:31 am

      Such a great list! Thanks for including my mac 'n cheese!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        August 12, 2019 at 10:47 am

        Thanks so much for the awesome recipe! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply

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    About Sherri

    Founder, Author, Recipe Developer, & Photographer

    With a lifelong passion for cooking, I specialize in creating easy meatless meals that are omnivore-approved!

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