It’s that time again—you’re packing lunches while the coffee brews and someone’s yelling they can’t find their other shoe. These back-to-school lunch ideas are made to survive the chaos (and the backpack). Think melty croissants, chilled chicken salad, and snacks that don’t wilt by lunch bell. Whether you need a protein-packed wrap or a nostalgic egg salad with a twist, we’ve got you covered. Bookmark this list—you’ll want it on repeat through fall.

Easy Chicken Salad With Grapes

Four triangular slices of wheat bread sandwiches filled with chicken salad, grapes, and green leafy vegetables on a white plate. The plate rests on a yellow and white striped cloth.
Easy Chicken Salad With Grapes. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Chicken Salad With Grapes is sweet, crunchy, and kid-approved. Bonus: it comes together in 10 minutes flat.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Salad With Grapes

Extra Creamy Chicken Salad With Mayo

extra creamy chicken salad on rye bread
Extra Creamy Chicken Salad With Mayo. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This mayo-forward chicken salad is ridiculously rich, yet still packs a nice crunch. Wrap it or sandwich it—you can’t lose.
Get the Recipe: Extra Creamy Chicken Salad With Mayo

Spicy Egg Salad Recipe

egg salad in a wood bowl, with sriracha in background
Spicy Egg Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Spicy Egg Salad brings the heat with bacon and chili paste. It’s a back-to-school upgrade your kid won’t trade.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Egg Salad Recipe

​Cream Cheese Sausage Balls(No Bisquick!)

A plate piled high with golden-brown sausage balls on a decorative napkin. The balls are textured and appear freshly baked, with a slightly crispy exterior.
​Cream Cheese Sausage Balls(No Bisquick!). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Brunch, potluck, or lunchbox—these Cream Cheese Sausage Balls have range. Best of all? They’re delicious hot or cold.
Get the Recipe: ​Cream Cheese Sausage Balls(No Bisquick!)

Ham and Cheese Croissants

A plate of golden-brown croissant sandwiches filled with ham and melted cheese. The croissants are sprinkled with poppy seeds. A blue and white striped cloth is partially visible on the side.
Ham and Cheese Croissants. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Ham. Cheese. Honey mustard. Baked on a sheet pan. These melty croissant sandwiches are worth the minor prep.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Croissants

Masters Chicken Salad Sandwich

chicken salad masters recipe
Masters Chicken Salad Sandwich. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

The Masters Chicken Salad Sandwich is creamy, simple, and makes a lunch that feels just a little bit fancy.
Get the Recipe: Masters Chicken Salad Sandwich

Low Fat, High Protein Egg Salad

Close-up of egg salad on a slice of bread, placed on a white plate. The salad includes chopped boiled eggs mixed with mayonnaise and seasoned with black pepper. The bread is lightly toasted, and the dish appears fresh and appetizing.
Low Fat, High Protein Egg Salad. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

This Low Fat, High Protein Egg Salad keeps the flavor while trimming the fat. It’s easy to scoop into sandwiches or wraps.
Get the Recipe: Low Fat, High Protein Egg Salad

Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Master's pimento cheese sandwich
Pimento Cheese Sandwich. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Creamy, tangy, and straight from Augusta: this Pimento Cheese Sandwich channels all the flavor of a golf course classic.
Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Freezer-Friendly Crab Pinwheels

Crab pinwheels with hot cheese and crab meat wrapped in flour tortilla.
Freezer-Friendly Crab Pinwheels. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These Creamy Crab Pinwheels are rich and cheesy with a Cajun kick. Freeze ahead and bake on demand.
Get the Recipe: Freezer-Friendly Crab Pinwheels

Mustard Pretzels Recipe

Honey mustard pretzels
Mustard Pretzels Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Copycat Gardetto’s Mustard Pretzels recipe offers a delightful honey-sweet and tangy coating, making it an ideal snack for gatherings, movie nights, or school lunches.
Get the Recipe: Mustard Pretzels Recipe

Banana Muffins From Cake Mix

A plate of golden-brown muffins, one with a bite taken out and topped with melting butter. A butter knife rests on the plate, and a checkered cloth is in the background.
Banana Muffins From Cake Mix. Photo credit: Simply Breakfast Recipes.

Made from cake mix, these Banana Muffins are the no-brainer breakfast-slash-snack you need for busy mornings.
Get the Recipe: Banana Muffins From Cake Mix

Tea Sandwich Recipe

A close-up of a stack of cucumber sandwiches made with white bread, creamy herb spread, and cucumber slices, garnished with a cucumber ribbon on top.
Tea Sandwich Recipe. Photo credit: Fun Food Frolic.

Stack a lunchbox with Cucumber Tea Sandwiches and suddenly Tuesday feels like a tea party.
Get the Recipe: Tea Sandwich Recipe

Healthy Fuji Apple Salad

Panera apple salad
Healthy Fuji Apple Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

The Fuji Apple Salad mixes sweet apples, cranberries, and walnuts with a cinnamon honey vinaigrette. School lunch meets spa day.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Fuji Apple Salad

Egg Salad Sandwich

egg salad masters recipe
Egg Salad Sandwich. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Yes, it’s another Masters recipe—but this Egg Salad Sandwich is nostalgic, creamy, and just plain good.
Get the Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwich

Homemade Pimento Cheese

spicy pimento cheese
Homemade Pimento Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Spicy Pimento Cheese spread brings smoky heat to crackers, wraps, or sandwiches. Add it to everything.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Pimento Cheese

Crispy and Cheesy Quesadillas Fritas

A plate of golden fried empanadas arranged in a circle around a small bowl of salsa, garnished with sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro, on a light marble surface.
Crispy and Cheesy Quesadillas Fritas. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These Quesadillas Fritas are golden, cheesy pockets you can pan-fry ahead. Add salsa and you’re set.
Get the Recipe: Crispy and Cheesy Quesadillas Fritas

Mac and Cheese

Crock pot macaroni and cheese being scooped up with a spoon
Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, and totally kid-friendly. Just scoop it into a thermos and go.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Sandwich

Instant pot hold barbecue chicken sandwich with Pickles
Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Sandwich. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Make this Pulled Chicken in your Instant Pot and serve it on buns, tortillas, or rice bowls for a protein-packed lunch.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Sandwich

Moist Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins

A plate of chocolate chip muffins stacked in a pyramid. One muffin is partially unwrapped and another is split open, revealing chunks of chocolate inside. The muffins are on a pale yellow plate with a patterned white edge underneath.
Moist Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins. Photo credit: Simply Breakfast Recipes.

These Moist Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins are packed with rich chunks and soft, sweet banana. Dessert? Breakfast? Yes.
Get the Reipe: Moist Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins

Quick Cucumber Tuna Salad Recipe

A bowl of tuna salad topped with cucumber slices. The salad contains chopped celery and is garnished with lettuce leaves. The dish is served in a white bowl on a red and white striped cloth.
Quick Cucumber Tuna Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Cucumber Tuna Salad is fast, fresh, and protein-packed. Scoop it with crackers or stuff it in a pita.
Get the Recipe: Quick Cucumber Tuna Salad Recipe

Cheesy Macaroni Salad

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese with green peas, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, served in a white dish on a yellow surface.
Cheesy Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Classic Macaroni Salad With Cheese For A Crowd is a summer time comfort food, which is great for lunch, picnics or to take to pot lucks.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Macaroni Salad

27 Desserts That Are A Real Treat

A close-up of a sliced chocolate cake with rich frosting and chocolate chips on top. The cake layers are chocolate with a creamy filling.
Any Way You Slice It, 27 Desserts That Are A Real Treat. Image credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Dig into dessert heaven with these irresistible treats are bursting with flavor, fun, and just the right amount of indulgence. From no-bake favorites like creamy tiramisu and millionaire pie to oven-baked showstoppers like cherry dump cake and chocolate cheesecake, this collection is stacked with sweets that steal the spotlight. With 27 crave-worthy desserts—from tangy lemon poke cake to chocolate cheesecake so rich it deserves a spotlight—there’s something here to make every slice feel special. Get All The Recipes: Any Way You Slice It, 27 Desserts That Are A Real Treat