So you've got yourself a CrunchBox but 4 weeks in and you're not really sure what to fill it with? You're not the only one!
We've had so many questions and requests for recipes so we decided to approach the best man for the job Jack Rock who runs @that_vegan_dad for his top tips on making the best Kids Lunch Box for you and the little ones!
"I’ve had plenty of experience on the lunch box front with two young boys, making sure to keep them satisfied with a healthy and fulfilling selection.
Making a budget friendly lunch box doesn’t just come down to cost, but also saving money by buying things that last longer, such as the Seed & Sprout Crunch Box. The Crunch Box is well-designed and built to last - I’ve had ours for almost two years and it still works a treat!
Preparing lunch boxes can sometimes be a costly task, depending on the items you put in them, but the below spread is not only cost-effectively, but super nutritious to make sure your little ones are satisfied and full for longer.
My key points for making a budget friendly lunch box are:
- Always shop in-season: Find a list of what fruits are in-season in your area to bring down your cost.
- Ensure that you pack items with enough protein: This helps keep kids fuller for longer and satisfied.
- Pack items you know they love: There’s nothing worse than spending time preparing a lunch box for it to only come home with items not eaten. Understand your kid’s preferences when it comes to food to prevent food-waste.
- Make your own items: Setting aside time to pre-make certain items not only prevents lunch box stress, but making your own saves time during the week and most prepared items can last for the entire week (such as muffins, granola slices and more!)
If you are looking for an affordable lunch box idea, whether it be for your kids or yourself, then take inspiration from this Crunch Box lunch box that can be used for your next picnic outing, school or at work.
The below Crunch Box lunch box consists of:
- Black Bean Brownie (recipe below)
- Pizza Puff Pastry Twists (recipe below)
- Strawberries
- Crispy Tofu Cubes
BLACK BEAN BROWNIE RECIPE:
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 6 tbsp water
- 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 3 tbsp vegan butter, melted
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
METHOD:
- Pre-heat your oven to 180c and prepare a muffin tray
- Make your ‘flax egg’ by combining your ground flaxseed and water. Set aside for between 5-10minutes until the mixture makes an ‘egg-like’ texture
- Add black beans, vegan butter, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, sugar, baking powder and your flax egg to a food processor and blend until the mixture is well combined and smooth - if the mixture is too thick add more water.
- Place your batter in your prepared muffin tray and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool in the oven tray before removing brownies.
PIZZA PUFF PASTRY TWISTS
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- Tomato paste
- Grated vegan cheese
- Vegan ham
METHOD:
- - Lay out your puff pastry sheet and spread tomato paste over half of it.
- - Evenly spread your toppings over the tomato paste (cheese, ham etc.). Fold puff pastry in half
- - Using a sharp knife, cut thin strips (about 3-5cms). Grab strips and gently twist
- - Place twisted puff pastry strips into an airfryer or oven, cooking until lightly browned.
We know getting creative in the kitchen can be hard work so let us know if you try and make either of these and what recipes you want to see from us next! Check out more of Jack's recipes here
