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There’s something for everyone on this list of school lunch ideas for picky eaters. No matter how picky they are, you are sure to find something in this collection of ideas!

A plate with four calzones surrounding a bowl of marinara sauce, a striped napkin, and a gold spoon on the side—perfect school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters. Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester

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It’s strange how picky kids can be when it comes to food. When you have a picky eater, it can be hard to come up with some filling lunch ideas they will actually eat.

Hopefully these ideas will give you a head start on what to send for lunch. Just pair them up with a snack or something you do know they’ll like so they will be more apt to eat it!

Easy Instant Pot Chicken Bites

Instant pot fried chicken nuggets on a white plate.
INSTANT POT CHICKEN BITES. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

If you can get your kids to eat chicken, these instant pot chicken bites can be a lifesaver. Serve them with a side and their favorite dipping sauce.

Get The Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Chicken Bites

Easy Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

step 8 turkey bacon ranch sliders
Easy Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

If your child is picky but will eat turkey, these easy turkey, bacon, and ranch sliders will be the perfect lunch. You can serve it with their favorite sides for a filling meal.

Get The Recipe: Easy Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites

step 10 instant pot garlic butter steak bites
Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Steak bites are loved by kids because they’re small, tender, and flavorful. If your picky eater loves steak, they’ll love these tender steak bites!

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Easy Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup

What Does Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup Taste Like
Easy Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

It seems like no matter how picky kids are, a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup is always a hit. Use their favorite noodles, vegetables, and some chicken to make a filling lunch they’ll enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Easy Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup

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Easy Instant Pot Sushi Rice

Instant Pot meals
INSTANT POT SUSHI RICE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Sushi rice is a healthy and delicious school lunch idea for kids. Let your picky eater enjoy this instant pot sushi rice as a meal.

Get The Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Sushi Rice

Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizza

easy meals for tired moms
Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizza. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Breakfast pizzas are a good meal for any time of the day. This breakfast pizza brings in some fun flavors but can also be customized to fit the foods they like.

Get The Recipe: Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizza

Big Mac Tacos

lunch ideas for coworkers
BIG MAC TACOS. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

A fun lunch idea for kids, these Big Mac tacos take a popular fast food sandwich but takes it to a whole new level and turns it into tacos.

Get The Recipe: Big Mac Tacos

TikTok Juicy Chicken

TIKTOK JUICY CHICKEN
TikTok Juicy Chicken. Photo Credit: Food Plus Wods

Make this juicy chicken for your picky eater and they will thank you. The tender white meat can be cut and enjoyed with their favorite sides.

Get The Recipe: TikTok Juicy Chicken

Viral TikTok Mac and Cheese

A close-up of a bowl filled with creamy mac and cheese, garnished with chopped green onions—a fantastic school lunch idea for picky eaters.
Viral TikTok Mac and Cheese. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Mac and cheese is one of those meals that even the pickiest of eats will eat. This mac and cheese is a copycat recipe of the viral TikTok favorite.

Get The Recipe: Viral TikTok Mac and Cheese

Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle Recipe

tiktok ramen noodles
Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle Recipe. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

One of the best things about ramen noodles is that they can be customized with various seasonings or other ingredients to make a filling meal. This copycat recipe can be fine tuned to suit your picky eater’s needs.

Get The Recipe: Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle Recipe

Best Vegan Tacos

Lunch ideas: A row of beef tacos garnished with lettuce, cheese, and tomato, accompanied by lime wedges.
VEGAN TACOS. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

If you picky eater doesn’t like meat, try these vegan tacos. Instead of meat, the tacos are made with lentils for a meat-free lunch.

Get The Recipe: Best Vegan Tacos

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Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese

summer meal ideas
COPYCAT ZUPAS ULTIMATE GRILLED CHEESE. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

This copycat recipe is so good, even picky eaters will want to take a bite. The cheesy grilled cheese sandwich is filling and flavorful.

Get The Recipe: Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Close-up of seasoned, cooked chicken bite pieces garnished with chopped parsley and a lemon slice—perfect school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

These little bites of chicken are seasoned with a garlic butter sauce and can be enjoyed by themselves or with a side. They’re packed with flavor and are fun to eat.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels

Glass container with turkey and spinach wraps, pretzels, and assorted berries including blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries—perfect school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels. Photo Credit: Lauren Fit Foodie

Pinwheels are an easy to make lunch that even the pickiest of eaters can make tasty. You can get creative the the different cheeses, go simple with just mayo or add some ranch for extra flavor, and serve it with fruits and veggies for a filling lunch.

Get The Recipe: Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels

Pizza Boats

Close-up of a slice of pizza with pepperoni and melted cheese on a crust, viewed from above—a perfect school lunch idea for picky eaters.
Pizza Boats. Photo Credit: Shaken Together Life

It’s no secret that kids love pizza and it’s often something even the pickiest eaters will eat. These pizza boats can be made with their favorite pizza toppings or just simple cheese.

Get The Recipe: Pizza Boats

Turkey Melts

Close-up of a sandwich with melted cheese and slices of meat between two pieces of soft, golden-brown bread—perfect for school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
Turkey Melts. Photo Credit: A Magical Mess

Cheesy and filling, these turkey melts are a fun and flavorful lunch idea for kids. Change up the turkey for a different meat or the cheese for a customized sandwich.

Get The Recipe: Turkey Melts

Sweet Chicken Salad Sammie

A chicken salad sandwich on a hamburger bun, placed on a white paper and foil, makes for one of the best school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
Sweet Chicken Salad Sammie. Photo Credit: Erica’s Recipes

Chicken salad is an easy to make cold lunch idea that packs well. Kids can enjoy it on a sandwich or with crackers for lunch.

Get The Recipe: Sweet Chicken Salad Sammie

Homemade Uncrustables

Two circular uncrustable sandwiches with a light filling are placed on a white plate—perfect School Lunch Ideas For Picky Eaters.
Homemade Uncrustables. Photo Credit: Strength and Sunshine

Make your own homemade uncrustables at home for an easy lunch. They’re easy to make and you can fill them with peanut butter, jelly, and other goodies your picky eater will enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Uncrustables

Cheesy Ramen Noodles

A plate of cooked cheesy noodles garnished with chopped green onions and black pepper, with a fork placed to the side—perfect for school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
Cheesy Ramen Noodles. Photo Credit: Spoons of Flavor

Ramen is a fun lunch idea and you can add some cheese to the mix for even more flavor. It’s a filling but light lunch they can enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Cheesy Ramen Noodles

Homemade Cheez-Its

A white bowl filled with several square-shaped cheese crackers with a crispy, orange appearance—perfect for school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
Homemade Cheez-Its. Photo Credit: Salty Side Dish

Not a complete meal but a side that you can add in with their lunch, these homemade crackers are cheesy and delicious.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Cheez-Its

Mini Pepperoni Calzones

A white round plate holds four golden-brown pastries surrounding a glass container of red sauce, perfect for school lunch ideas for picky eaters. A gold and white spoon, along with a colorful striped cloth, are placed beside the plate.
Mini Pepperoni Calzones. Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester

Mini pepperoni calzones are a fun and delicious lunch to enjoy. If kids don’t like pepperoni, mix it up with sausage, veggies, or their favorite filling.

Get The Recipe: Mini Pepperoni Calzones

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Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

Breaded and baked asparagus spears on a parchment-lined baking sheet, topped with crispy, golden breadcrumbs—perfect school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
Air Fryer Green Bean Fries. Photo Credit: Savory Sweet Spoon

These air fryer green bean fries might just be the perfect way to get them to eat their veggies. It’s a quick and easy lunch that can be made and reheated.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Two cucumber halves filled with a creamy chicken salad and garnished with chopped parsley, served on a white plate—an inventive addition to your lunch ideas for school.
Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo Credit: Homeschool and Happiness

Make lunch fun for picky eaters with these chicken salad cucumber boats. It’s a fun lunch that they can enjoy while playing with their food.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Chicken Quesadilla

A plate with three triangular slices of chicken and vegetable quesadilla on it, perfect school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
Chicken Quesadilla. Photo Credit: Chef’s Pencil

Make chicken quesadillas for your picky eater. The flavor mix that sits inside of the tortilla shells is a delicious and easy to make filling.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Quesadilla

TikTok Toasted Turkey Salami Cheese Sandwich

Two sandwiches on a white plate, filled with various ingredients including lettuce, onions, and pickles - perfect school lunch ideas for picky eaters.
TikTok Toasted Turkey Salami Cheese Sandwich. Photo Credit: This Family Eats

Sometimes picky eaters have a mix of flavors they like and they’ll get creative with their lunches. This toasted turkey sandwich might just be the perfect combination.

Get The Recipe: TikTok Toasted Turkey Salami Cheese Sandwich

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When it comes to picky eaters, this list hopefully gave you some ideas on different things they can eat for lunch! Get creative with the ingredients they like and you’re sure to find something they will love to eat.

25 School Lunch Ideas for Kids That Are Packable and Easy To Make

A compartmentalized lunchbox, perfect for School Lunch Ideas for Kids, contains a lion face made from pineapple, red bell pepper, cucumber, and cheese. Other sections hold animal-shaped crackers, cashews, and a peeled orange with cucumber slices.
School Lunch Ideas for Kids. Photo Credit: The Soccer Mom Blog

These school lunch ideas for kids will make sure they get a good and healthy meal in through the school day and keep them going for the rest of the school day.

Read it here: 25 School Lunch Ideas for Kids That Are Packable and Easy To Make

25 Quick and Easy High School Lunch Ideas

Close-up of fresh vegetable and turkey wraps, filled with sliced bell peppers, lettuce, and turkey slices, arranged on a white plate.
Turkey Hummus Wraps. Photo Credit: Begin with Balance

These high school lunch ideas are quick and easy to make. They can be made ahead of time and packed away for school lunches or enjoyed at home for those days when they’re at home.

Read it here: 25 Quick and Easy High School Lunch Ideas

25 School Lunch Ideas for Teens That Are Filling & Satisfying

An open-face tuna salad sandwich with lettuce and a garnish of dill on whole grain bread, resting on a wooden board, perfect for school lunch ideas for teens.
School Lunch Ideas. Photo Credit: Teens by Joyous Apron

This list of school lunch ideas for teens has something for everyone. Even the pickiest of eaters will be able to find something they like!

Read it here: 25 School Lunch Ideas for Teens That Are Filling & Satisfying

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