6 Easy Pinwheel Recipes for Lunch Boxes
on Sep 08, 2019, Updated Mar 23, 2024
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Pinwheel recipes for lunch boxes are a fast and simplified way to pack lunches for little ones (and adults, too!) on the go that keep well for school or work lunches.
For more “out of the box” lunch box tips, tricks, and inspo, make sure you check out Six Quick and Easy Hummus Lunch Boxes, 6 Sandwich-on-a-Stick Lunch Box Ideas, and 8 Wholesome Lunch Box Ideas for Adults or Kids!
6 Easy Pinwheel Recipes for Lunch Boxes
Pinwheels are such a fun way to change up your lunch box-packing game! All they are, are tortillas filled with some yummy toppings that are rolled up and sliced into smaller, bite-sized pieces. They couldn’t be faster or easier to make, and my kids always think they’re such a fun alternative than plain, old sandwiches!
Plus, there are just so many options for what you can put inside these creative roll-ups (see below for a full list of my and my kids’ very favorite pinwheel recipes). As a mama of five, anything that makes mornings smoother and packing a bunch of lunches easier is something I can’t get enough of… These pinwheels are no exception! They taste good, keep well in lunch boxes, and satisfy hungry tummies.
Tips for packing a pinwheel lunch:
- I feel like these are best made and eaten on the same day.
- If your school is nut-free, try using sunbutter or other seed butters instead of peanut butter.
- When I’m making lunches, pulling veggies from my veggie box is a real time saver.
- Using a string cheese instead of pulling out a grater is a huge time saver.
6 Easy Pinwheel Recipes for Lunch Boxes
Ingredients
- 1 tortilla roll-up, more details in post
- Fruit
- Veggie
- Extra protein, boiled egg or cheese stick, if needed
Instructions
- Make your tortilla roll-up by adding what you like to the tortilla (see ideas below), rolling it up, and slicing it.
- Add additional items to the lunch box to round out the meal, such as fruit, veggies, additional protein, and a treat, like chocolate chips or a fresh cookie.
- Store in the fridge or lunch box until ready to eat.
Notes
- I feel like these are best made and eaten on the same day.
- If your school is nut-free, try using sunbutter or other seed butters instead of peanut butter.
- When I’m making lunches, pulling veggies from my veggie box is a real time saver.
Nutrition
Let’s take a closer look at each tortilla pinwheel recipe:
1. Taco Pinwheel Lunch Box: Top an 8-inch tortilla with 1/4 cup refried beans (or leftover turkey and lentil taco filling), and spread to the edges. Top with a little cheese, shredded lettuce, and diced bell peppers. Roll and slice. Serve with tortilla chips and salsa, plus fruit of choice.
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Pinwheel Lunch Box: Top an 8-inch tortilla with peanut butter (or other seed or nut butter), and spread to the edges. Top with a little jam down the middle. Roll and slice. Serve with sliced veggies, a cheese stick, and some cantaloupe.
3. Turkey and Cheese Pinwheel Lunch Box: Top an 8-inch tortilla with a little mustard and mayo, and spread to the edges. Top with chopped cooked turkey or turkey deli meat, cheese, and shredded lettuce. Roll and slice. Serve with pickles, veggies, and some berries.
4. Dill Pickle Lunch Box: Top an 8-inch tortilla with a little mayo, and spread to the edges. Top with cheese (we like cheddar) and diced dill pickles. Roll and slice. Serve with berries, veggies, and a boiled egg. Pickle and cheese is one of my kids’ favorite (they are soooo my kids!).
5. Hummus and Veggie Pinwheel Lunch Box: Top an 8-inch tortilla with 2 tablespoons hummus, and spread to the edges. Top with chopped cucumber, shredded lettuce, and diced bell peppers. Roll and slice. Serve with a boiled egg, a cheese stick, a mandarin orange, and some broccoli.
Happy lunch packing friends! I hope this helps to get the ideas flowing.
More packed school lunch ideas:
- Six Quick and Easy Hummus Lunch Boxes
- 6 Sandwich-on-a-Stick Packed Lunch Box Ideas
- 12 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Kids or Adults
- 8 Wholesome Lunch-Box Ideas for Adults or Kids
- 5 Secrets to Healthy Packed Lunch Success!
- All kinds of lunch box inspiration!
- Lunch Box Ideas
Pinwheel recipes for packed lunches are such a fun and different way to easily pack a nutritious, yummy lunch your kids will love!
Haha…we are almost so the same…..my favorite sandwich is, and always will be…..Cheese with a pickle in the middle…..but…..its gotta be sliced sweet pickles! I’ll have to try it in a wrap next time. Sending this post to my sister….she has school kids and we all know how dull opening the “normal” lunch box is! You make it so fun!
Thank you for sharing with Sister! Always helpful. And I’m on team pickle, no matter what kind 🙂