Find the easiest options to serve or pack fruits for lunch with these easy, affordable options—plus tips for keeping fruit fresh!
I almost always include fruit in kids lunches since it’s easy to pack and 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 fruits like apples and pears that can brown when sliced, shelf-stable fruit options, and more.
There are so many options besides apples, so I hope this post gives you easy ideas for lunch box fruits and fruits to offer to the kids at home!
(You may also like Lunchbox Ideas for Picky Eaters, Protein Lunch Ideas, and Vegetables for Lunch.)
Table of Contents
Fresh Fruits for Lunch
You can pack almost any fruit for lunch, but these are the ones we 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 (such as cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon), diced
- Pears, sliced
- Raspberries, whole
- Strawberries, sliced
TIP: To pack apple slices without browning, rub them with a little lemon juice or briefly soak the 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 include 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 lunch box to help it be less messy.
- Freeze-dried fruit: Look for this near the 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: You can buy this (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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any fruit that is easy to pack or serve and eat gets my vote for the best option. All fruit has antioxidants and fresh fruit has hydrating high water content, and they are just yummy.
If your child only eats fruit for lunch, that may be a very normal phase. They may be very hungry shortly after, so keep in mind that you might need to adjust the timing of the afternoon snack.
Blueberries, strawberries (pat dry to ensure they stay fresh), dried fruit, raspberries (in a compartment of a bento box for kids), and applesauce pouches are easy options.
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 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 method also works with pears.
- Make sure berries are dry before packing in a lunch box so they don’t get soggy or mushy.
- Whole fruit jam such as my Blueberry Chia Jam, fruit salad, Fruit Salsa, and Homemade Fruit Cups, are other easy options.
- Try fresh fruits on their own or with a Yogurt Dip, Cottage Cheese Dip, or peanut butter dip.
Related Recipes
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