25 Trader Joe’s Back to School Snacks for Lunch Boxes

Packing school lunches always sounds easy in August.

Then October arrives and you find yourself staring into the refrigerator at 7 a.m. wondering whether crackers, a cheese stick, and an apple technically constitute a meal.

Good news. They pretty much can.

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite places to stock up on lunchbox snacks because you can find everything from individually packaged proteins to fruit, crackers, crunchy snacks, and treats without visiting three different stores.

The trick is having enough variety around that you can mix and match without actually having to think about lunch every morning.

So rather than just giving you a giant list, I've broken these Trader Joe's school snacks into categories. Whether you're looking for protein, nut free options, shelf stable snacks, something for a picky eater, or just the little treat that convinces your kid to open the lunchbox in the first place, there should be something here.

As always, check current labels and your school's allergy policy before packing any food for school.

Jump to:

• Protein Packed Trader Joe's Lunchbox Snacks
• Nut Free Lunchbox Ideas
• No Refrigeration Needed
• Fruit and Something Sweet
• And for the Kids Who Are Epicurean
• Lunchbox Snacks for Picky Eaters
• Easy Trader Joe's Lunchbox Ideas
• My Lunchbox Formula
• A Few Lunchbox Tips
• A Note About School Allergies
• Final Thoughts
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Protein Packed Trader Joe's Lunchbox Snacks

Antipasto Sticks

These immediately struck me as a lunchbox option when Trader Joe's introduced them.

They come in two varieties, Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella and Salami Wrapped Pepper Jack. Each 1.5 ounce stick costs $1.99 and contains 10 grams of protein.

The Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella is my favorite because the mild, dense mozzarella works really well with the salty prosciutto. The Salami Wrapped Pepper Jack has more personality and a little heat, so it might appeal more to older kids.

They're individually packaged, which means there is absolutely nothing to prepare in the morning. Add an ice pack and throw one in the lunchbox.

You can see my review here.

Best for: Older kids, teenagers, teachers, and adult lunches.

String Cheese & Individually Wrapped Cheese Snack Sticks

It isn't glamorous, but it works.

String cheese is individually packaged, portable, relatively inexpensive, and easy to pair with just about anything else on this list.

Crackers plus string cheese plus fruit is also one of my favorite emergency "I forgot to plan lunch" combinations.

Best for: Pretty much everyone who likes cheese.

Babybel Style Mini Cheeses

If your child prefers a little round cheese over string cheese, Trader Joe's refrigerated section usually has individually portioned cheese options worth checking out.

They're fun to unwrap, easy to portion, and substantial enough to add some staying power to a snack style lunch.

Best for: Kids who think unwrapping food somehow makes it taste better.

Hard Boiled Eggs

Not every kid is going to open a lunchbox containing a hard boiled egg and rejoice.

But if yours will, you've got an easy protein option that requires essentially no preparation when you buy them already cooked.

Just make sure that ice pack is doing its job.

Best for: Kids who genuinely like eggs, not kids you are trying to convince to like eggs at school.

Turkey or Chicken Slices

A few rolled slices of deli meat can turn a collection of snacks into something much closer to lunch.

Roll them on their own, wrap them around cheese, or pack them alongside crackers so kids can make their own little sandwiches.

Best for: DIY lunchable style lunches.

Nut Free Lunchbox Ideas

A quick but important note here. Ingredient statements and manufacturing information can change, and individual schools can have different policies. Always check the package you are actually purchasing before sending anything into an allergy-restricted classroom. Also, always double-check because there can be changes after this is published or even regional differences.

Fruit Sauce Crushers

Few lunchbox foods are easier.

No spoon, no peeling, no slicing, and no apple returning home at 3 p.m. with precisely one bite missing.

Trader Joe's Fruit Sauce Crushers are especially useful for younger kids or anyone who prefers fruit in pouch form. These come in a variety of flavors from apple strawberry to apple mango and apple banana there is a little bit of variety to be had here.

Best for: Younger kids and easy fruit portions.

Freeze Dried Strawberries

Freeze dried fruit is one of my favorite lunchbox tricks because it solves several fresh fruit problems at once.

It doesn't bruise. It doesn't leak. It doesn't need refrigeration. And it still has that satisfying crunch kids often want from a snack.

The strawberries are naturally sweet and light enough that a bag lasts for multiple lunches if you portion them out. You can check out my review of this here.

Best for: Kids who reject fresh strawberries the moment they become slightly soft.

Soft Baked Snickerdoodle Cookies

Sweet and allergy friendly: yes, please. These are one of the few cookies that you would be hardpressed to notice all the allergy items that are missing from this treat.

You can check out my review here.

Best for: kids, adults, and those who appreciate a well done soft bake cookie.

Sour Cream and Onion Rings

Gluten-free and without nuts these are packed with flavor. They are crunchy and are a surpisingly good snack. Since they are made with lentils they also do add an extra touch of fiber to what would otherwise be an empty caloried snack.

Best for: older kids, kids who adore the crunchiest of snacks.

White Cheddar Corn Puffs

If your kiddo loves all things Pirate's Booty but isn't loving the sudden change in packaging, it might be time to give this favorite a try. It's crunchy, cheesy, and is nut free.

Best for: Safe bet for kids who need their cheese with crunch.

Rolled Tortilla Chips (Chile & Lime, Ranch , and Nacho Cheese Varieties)

If your child thinks Takis or a rolled tortilla chip is a good and maybe you are against artificial colors, then look no further than the Chili & Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips.

If you have a kiddo who wants something a little more mild without the kick, then seek out the Ranch variety. Just be aware this is more hidden valley than cool ranch. IYKYK.

You can see my review here.

Best for: Older kids, kids who find Takis to be hot. These are a bit more mild and have a ranch variety (but don't expect them to share the flavor profile of Cool Ranch)

Veggie Sticks

No, you aren't getting a serving of veggies with this. You will get veggie flavor much like Veggie Straws. A little greasy, but a kid favorite.

Best for: Kids of all ages, and their Toys R Us parents.

No Refrigeration Needed

These are the foods I like having around for field trips, after school activities, forgotten ice packs, or those mornings when the refrigerated section of the lunchbox simply isn't happening.

Organic Mini Cheese Sandwich Crackers

These are one of those snacks that doesn't require a sales pitch.

They're little crackers with cheese filling. Kids understand the assignment.

They can work as a side with a sandwich or become part of a snack style lunch with fruit, vegetables, and protein.

Best for: The kid who would happily live on crackers.

This [Fruit] Walks Into... Bars

Trader Joe's fruit bars are small, portable, and incredibly easy to keep in the pantry.

Throw one in the lunchbox and you're done.

They're also useful for backpacks and after school activities when you want something that won't melt, leak, or require utensils.

These come in a variety of flavors, including strawberry, blueberry, apple, pumpkin, cranberry, and peach.

Best for: Keeping in your emergency snack stash.

Fruit Leather Buttons

Yes, they're cute.

Sometimes cute helps.

These are sweet and fun without taking up much room in the lunchbox. I think of them more as a treat than a replacement for a serving of fresh fruit, but they're an easy addition.

Best for: A little something sweet.

Baked Cheese Crunchies

Sometimes you just want something that fills the "I wanted chips" position in the lunchbox.

This is that category.

They're crunchy, salty, and fun enough to make the vegetable sitting next to them seem slightly less offensive.

Best for: Kids who demand crunch.

Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies

If you can find these, the school theme makes them especially appropriate.

They're lightly sweet and fun without feeling like you've packed a giant dessert in the middle of lunch.

Best for: Back to school novelty.

Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers

These are easy, filling, and portable, but obviously they belong exclusively in schools or classrooms where peanuts are permitted.

For nut free classrooms, skip them entirely.

Best for: Nut friendly schools or after school snacks at home.

Fruit and Something Sweet

Fresh Grapes

Trader Joe's doesn't get credit for inventing grapes, obviously, but they remain one of the easiest fruits to portion for a lunchbox.

Wash them, remove them from the stems, and you've got several days handled.

Cut them appropriately for younger children. They also come in seasonal varieties including cotton candy, gumdrop, thomcord, and champagne grapes (no alcohol here), in addition to the standard green and red varieties.

Best for: Easy meal prep.

Mandarin Oranges

Portable fruit in its own biodegradable packaging.

Nature really thought this one through.

If your child can peel one independently, mandarins are an easy addition to a lunchbox.

Best for: Kids who like citrus.

Sliced Apples

Pre sliced and bagged. This is time saver.

Best for: Kids who want crunch who aren't into biting into a full apple.

And for the Kids Who Are Epicurean

Seaweed sheets

Odds are you don't have the kid who wants mac and cheese. Nope, your kid has a specific sushi order.

I salute you. You can read my review here.

Best for: Kids who love salty and umami and don't think its weird and know this is delicious.

Plantain Chips

Crunchy, spiced, and delicious.

If your kiddo is into taste adventure consider picking up a bag of these.

You can read my review here.

Best for: open-minded kiddos who can't wait to try something new.

Lunchbox Snacks for Picky Eaters

No promises here. Picky eaters have humbled parents since the beginning of time.

But familiar flavors and simple foods tend to be the safest territory.

Joe Joe's Cookies

Sometimes lunch needs a cookie.

A couple of Joe Joe's tucked alongside the actual lunch can make opening the lunchbox considerably more exciting.

You don't need to send half the sleeve. Although I respect the ambition. These also come in seasonal varieties including candy cane, matcha, pumpkin, and Halloween.

Best for: Dessert.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Not nutritionally revolutionary.

Absolutely delicious.

A couple can add something fun without requiring a full size dessert.

Best for: Friday lunch energy.

Seasonal Trader Joe's Treats

This is where Trader Joe's gets dangerous.

There is almost always some seasonal cookie, gummy, chocolate, or miniature dessert sitting on the shelves begging to be added to a lunchbox.

Use those rotating products to keep lunch interesting without having to change everything else.

The sandwich can stay the same. The little surprise doesn't have to.

Best for: Making an otherwise ordinary lunch feel new.

Easy Trader Joe's Lunchbox Ideas

Once you have a few items from each category, you don't really need recipes.

You need combinations.

The Snack Box

Antipasto Stick + crackers + grapes + cucumber slices + small cookie

The Classic

Turkey sandwich + applesauce + pretzels + baby carrots + Joe Joe's

The Picky Eater

String cheese + Cheddar Rocket Crackers + strawberries + cucumbers + Fruit Leather Buttons

The No Refrigerator Lunch

Fruit bar + crackers + freeze dried strawberries + shelf stable snack + small treat

The DIY Lunchable

Deli turkey + cheese + crackers + grapes + chocolate covered pretzels

The Older Kid Lunch

Salami and Pepper Jack Antipasto Stick + crackers + fruit + vegetables + popcorn + something sweet

My Lunchbox Formula

If you don't want to plan five completely different lunches every week, don't.

I find it much easier to think in categories:

Protein + fruit + vegetable + crunch + fun

That's it.

The protein helps make lunch satisfying. Fruit and vegetables add something fresh. Crunch gives kids the snack element they're usually looking for. And the fun item gives them something to look forward to.

You can rotate one or two components without reinventing the entire lunch.

Monday might be string cheese and pretzels.

Tuesday might be an Antipasto Stick and crackers.

Wednesday might be turkey and Cheddar Rockets.

The fruit can change depending on what is actually looking alive in your refrigerator.

Nobody needs five themed bento boxes.

A Few Lunchbox Tips

Freeze the water bottle. If your child's bottle allows it, partially freezing water the night before can help keep things cold and provide cold water later in the day.

Use an ice pack. Meat, cheese, yogurt, eggs, and other perishable foods need to stay properly chilled.

Pack foods your kid actually eats. School lunch is probably not the ideal moment to introduce your child to marinated artichoke hearts.

Don't overpack. Kids often have surprisingly little actual eating time at school.

Open tricky packaging at home first. If your child can't independently open something, either transfer it to another container or make a small starting tear when appropriate. For me, that's been opening the cheese sticks slightly so it can be opened at school and enjoyed.

Keep emergency snacks in the pantry. Freeze dried fruit, crackers, fruit bars, and pretzels can rescue a chaotic morning.

A Note About School Allergies

One of the most important considerations when shopping for school snacks is your child's classroom allergy policy. Some schools have none. Some schools have major restrictions inside the school or individual classrooms.

I'm an allergy mom. Unfortunately, we went from 0 to multiple allergies almost overnight and now carry epi-pens in case something is cross contaminated that we weren't aware of. We didn't ask for this, but for some kids something so basic can all of a sudden turn life threatening.

A product being safe for your own child doesn't necessarily mean it is appropriate to send into a classroom with another child's allergy.

Always read the current label. Recipes, facilities, and allergen statements can change even on products you've purchased many times before.

Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks are an interesting option because the packages I purchased list milk as the only major allergen. That could make them useful for some families dealing with other common allergen restrictions.

However, the package in your refrigerator should always outrank a blog post, including mine, when it comes to allergy information.

Final Thoughts

The best school lunch isn't the prettiest one on Pinterest.

It's the one your kid actually eats.

Trader Joe's makes it relatively easy to keep a mixture of proteins, fruits, crunchy snacks, pantry staples, and treats around so you aren't reinventing lunch every morning.

And don't underestimate the usefulness of convenience.

Could I buy prosciutto and mozzarella and make my own Antipasto Sticks for less than $1.99 each? Absolutely. Could I portion every cracker, bake homemade cookies, cut fruit into stars, and leave inspirational messages written on organic bananas?

Also yes.

Am I doing all of that at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday in November?

Absolutely not.

Stock the foods they'll eat, throw in an ice pack, zip the lunchbox, and call it a win.