DIY Pizza Lunchables (Less $$ than Store-bought)

Have more fun with lunch with this super quick and easy Pizza Lunchable idea. It’s one of our favorite copycat recipes that makes it less expensive to recreate Lunchables at home…that you can even customize!

Pizza Lunchables

Whenever my kids go to the grocery store with me, they always see the bright Lunchables and beg for them. And while I am firmly in the “all foods fit” camp, I also have a food budget—and I know that the ingredients are so darn simple that we can totally do the same thing homemade!

Which brings us to…homemade Pizza Lunchables! I love how putting a few basic ingredients into a bento box instantly turns into a fun lunch for the kids. And that this is both less expensive than store bought and much easier to customize for allergies and preferences. It’s a fun option for picnics and no-cook dinners, it’s an easy idea to meal prep for lunch, and it also makes for a yummy snack. Win!

Ingredients You Need

To make this easy lunch, you need to have the following ingredients on hand.

• Flatbread: I prefer mini Naan bread as I find that the texture is closest to pizza crust and they make perfect mini pizzas, but you can use regular size naan, pita bread, or another flatbread that you like.
• Pizza sauce: You can use jarred, canned, or homemade pizza sauce. Or even a little Marinara Sauce in a pinch.
• Shredded mozzarella: This cheese is the classic pizza cheese so I love to use it here. You can also use an Italian blend if you prefer.
• Pepperoni: You can add pepperoni to this if your kids enjoy it, or thinly sliced salami also works. To make this vegetarian, sub in olives or another pizza topping that your kids prefer.

TIP: I add a simple piece of fruit and a drink to round out this meal when I serve it or pack it for lunch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s the basic gist of how to assemble this lunch idea so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the specifics.

1. Add the ingredients to a lunch box. If serving this to a child under 3, I recommend slicing up the pepperoni into thin strips to ensure that it’s easy to chew.
2. Seal tightly.
3. Pack with an ice box or store in the fridge until lunch time.
4. Add a drink and fruit if desired.
5. The kids can assemble their own little pizza or dip the bread into the sauce and eat the components separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Tips for Success

• The kids can assemble their own little pizza or dip the bread into the sauce and eat the components separately.
• Swap the pepperoni out for olives, white beans or chickpeas, cooked chicken, ground meat or sausage, or any other pizza topping you prefer as desired.
• I like mini naan bread best, though you can use flatbread, lavash, sandwich thins, sandwich bread, or crackers too.
• Pack the ingredients chilled or warm the bread and pack it in a thermos so it’s warm come lunchtime. (You can also heat it briefly if serving at home.)
• Use gluten and dairy-free options as needed.
• If serving to a child under 3, thinly slice the pepperoni to ensure that it’s easy to chew.

• Place the ingredients into a lunch box. Use a small dip container for the pizza sauce if desired to make sure it doesn’t spill.

• Seal the lunch box and let the kids assemble and eat or dip the bread and eat the other components separately. 

• The kids can assemble their own little pizza or dip the bread into the sauce and eat the components separately.
• Swap the pepperoni out for olives, white beans or chickpeas, ground meat or sausage, or any other pizza topping you prefer as desired.
• I like mini naan bread best, though you can use flatbread, lavash, sandwich thins, sandwich bread, or crackers too.
• Pack the ingredients chilled or warm the bread and pack it in a thermos so it’s warm come lunchtime. (You can also heat it briefly if serving at home.)
• If serving to a child under 3, thinly slice the pepperoni to ensure that it’s easy to chew.

Calories: 318kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 35mg, Sodium: 897mg, Potassium: 143mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 319IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 186mg, Iron: 1mg

This post was first published June 2021.