Fruits for Lunch (Easy Options!)

Find the easiest options to serve and pack fruits for lunch with these easy, affordable options. With tips on keeping fruit fresh, too!

I almost always include fruit in kids lunches since it’s easy to pack, is a great source of nutrients including fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and minerals. And it’s a reliable food that the kids always like. This post will cover the types of fruit that work best for school lunches, daycare lunches, and lunches at home. Plus, you’ll find info on how to pack ones like apples and pears that can brown when sliced, shelf-stable fruit options, and more.

There are so many more options than just apples, so I hope this post gives you easy ideas for lunch box fruits and fruits to offer at home to the kids!

(You may also like Lunchbox Ideas for Picky Eaters, Protein Lunch Ideas, and Vegetables for Lunch.)

Fresh Fruits for Lunch

You can really pack almost any fruit for lunch, but these are the ones that we most typically turn to since they tend to be easiest.

• Apples, sliced
• Bananas, whole
• Blackberries, whole
• Blueberries, whole (or halved for babies under 12 months old or so)
• Clementines, tangerines, or oranges, sliced
• Grapes, halved or quartered vertically for kids under about age 4
• Mango, diced
• Melon, diced (such as cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon)
• Pears, sliced
• Raspberries, whole
• Strawberries, sliced

TIP: To pack apple slices without browning, you can rub with a little lemon juice or briefly soak slices in 1 cup lukewarm water with ½ teaspoon salt dissolved in it. Rinse after soaking and pack. Find the full information on how to store apples, too.

Shelf-Stable Fruits for Lunch

It’s easy to pack a variety of shelf stable fruits for lunch because you can keep these on hand in the pantry and use them whenever needed. Some of these lack the hydration in fresh fruits, but they are still a nutritious option to rely on in the mix.

• Dried fruit: Raisins, dried mango, prunes, peaches, and other unsweetened dried fruits.
• Canned fruit: Fruit canned in 100% juice or coconut water can be a great option. You can drain it if packing in a lunchbox to help it be less messy.
• Freeze-dried fruit: Look for this near dried fruit in grocery stores and big box stores like Walmart and Target. It usually has a crisp texture and a sort of tart flavor and is easy to bite and chew.
• Fruit leather: There is a variety of fruit leather on the market (or you can make it homemade if you have the time!) and it can be a fun fruit option, too.

TIP: You can also include healthy snacks for kids with fruit in them such as Mini Blueberry Muffins, Bliss Balls, Fruit and Nut Bars, and Blueberry Oatmeal Bars.

Fruit Smoothies for Lunch

It’s also possible to include a fruit in lunch by adding it to a smoothie. Then, you can serve it in a reusable pouch, smoothie cup, or an open cup. Favorite smoothies include Mango Smoothie, Apple Smoothie, Blueberry Banana Smoothie, and Strawberry Smoothie with Yogurt.

How to Store

Most fruits for lunch can be stored in the refrigerator, or if packed in a lunchbox, with ice packs in an insulated lunch bag.

Best Tips for Success

• Drain canned fruit, optionally, to make it a little less messy if packing it in a lunchbox.
• Use my tips on how to store apples to slice them without browning. This also works with pears.
• Make sure berries are dry before packing in a lunchbox so they don’t get soggy or mushy.
• Whole fruit jam such as my Blueberry Chia Jam is another easy option. And fruit salad, Fruit Salsa, and Homemade Fruit Cups.
• Try fresh fruits on their own or with a Yogurt Dip, Cottage Cheese Dip, or peanut butter dip.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment below to share!