Nut allergies are a fast-growing portion of the population.
Some 32 million Americans are affected by allergies in some way, and a large portion of those are nut allergies. Any parent with school-age kids knows that there is a nut-free table in every school cafeteria. And many schools don’t allow nut products on campus at all. While this may be frustrating for non-allergy families, parents of allergy kids know all too well how dangerous this allergy can get. So packing a nut-free lunchbox may be an inconvenience for some, but for others, it’s a life-saving necessity. With that in mind, here are 15 nut-free recipes that work great as lunchbox snacks for school (or work!).
1. Pizza Hummus
If you need a good lunchbox dip, try this hummus recipe that most kids will love. What kid doesn’t love pizza?
2. Homemade Queso Dip
3. Air fryer apple chips
You can’t go wrong with apple chips! They are fun for kids to eat, you can cut them into fun shapes, and they travel really well.
4. Homemade guacamole
While this may seem like an obvious choice, it makes a delicious snack with nut-safe chips.
5. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Delicious little balls of protein that little fingers can easily enjoy.
6. Gimbap
While Gimbap could be either a snack or a full meal, it’s fun to cut into small “sushi-size” bites, or leave it whole for easy grabbing.
7. Cheese Kabobs
Cheese Kabobs make a hearty snack that can also be lunch. But no matter how or when your kiddos eat them, they’ll be happy you packed them!
8. Clean eating potato wedges
Warm or cold, potatoes wedges make a wonderful snack for school or other activities.
9. Clean eating goldfish crackers
Make your own goldfish crackers at home! They are fun for lunchbox snacks and you can feel good about avoiding all those chemicals found in the store-bought version.
10. Clean eating Doritos
You can have Dorito-like chips and keep things healthy too with this homemade recipe! Give it a shot! Just make sure you see “nut-free” on the bottle of nutritional yeast you use.
11. Deviled eggs
Deviled eggs are always a safe bet so long as you pack them well and use a nut-safe mayo. Here’s a simple recipe to try.
12. Soft pretzels
Big, soft pretzels are always a welcomed snack at school or just about anywhere else. Great for after school activities too!
13. Nori Carrot Wraps
Nori Carrot Wraps are great as a snack or main meal. Cut them up or eat them whole.
14. Homemade nacho cheese
Homemade nacho cheese sauce, like queso, is great as a dip or to be poured over chips for a snack or meal.
15. Strawberry salsa
While a fruit salsa may not seem like a great snack idea on its own, paired with nut-safe chips, it becomes quite the delicious snack. And you can leave out the pepper for younger kids who don’t enjoy spicy foods.