12 Ways To Sneak Vegetables Into Kids' Favorite Lunchbox Recipes Slideshow
"My daughter Sammy never liked taking chicken to school for lunch, but when I put this dish in her thermos (albeit a gluten-free version), she came home and told me I had given her two of her favorite foods in one!"
- Missy Chase Lapine
Click here to see the Barbecue Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
Brainy Brownies
"These are the signature recipe from the first Sneaky Chef book. Everyone was amazed that no one — neither kids nor adults — could detect the hidden spinach, blueberries, oat bran, or the missing fat and sugar."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Cheesy Chicken Lunchbox Muffins
"I used to walk right by the wonton wrappers in the produce section of my market, never having appreciated what a simple and versatile ingredient they are. But one day when all attempts to find the perfect, low-fat, pliable crust..."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Click here to see the Cheesy Chicken Lunchbox Muffins Recipe
Cold Sneaky Sesame Noodles
"If you wanted to make this a two-pronged meal, double the recipe and serve it for dinner, then have the kids take the leftovers for school lunch the next day. Pick up some extra Chinese takeout white boxes for extra fun in the lunchbox!"
- Missy Chase Lapine
Grab N Go Crispy Granola Bars
"Kids love this healthy cross between a granola bar and a Rice Krispie treat. These bars are far healthier than kids' breakfast cereals, delivering a good boost of whole grains and fiber, as well as calcium from the powdered milk. I keep some in little plastic bags frozen individually to keep them from going stale, and toss them in lunch boxes or for a snack on the run."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Mac and Cheese Lunchbox Muffins
"These are a handy lunch box alternative to sandwiches and are loaded with hidden veggies! The Sneaky Chef mac and cheese formula is tried and true, and this turns it into a hand-held meal that can be popped into the kids' lunch boxes. No fork is needed, as they are eaten just like a muffin. Kids don't mind them cold. Make ahead and freeze, take them out and put into the fridge the night before, and you are set to go."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Click here to see the Mac and Cheese Lunchbox Muffins Recipe
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
"Because my kids are always asking for protein bars, I wanted to come up with a simpler, homemade, less processed version. I was so excited to come up with a delicious, easy-to-make, "mini-meal-replacement" bar. This one requires no baking, so it is a speedy staple for peanut-friendly houses or schools. These are great as an after-school or after-sports snack. "
- Missy Chase Lapine
Portable Pizza Muffins
"These are great for the lunch box, especially for kids who are tired and bored with sandwiches. They get three top-notch veggies, three whole grains, calcium, and protein all in a portable package of a muffin. Kids love anything called "pizza." They are also a great after-school snack."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Rainbow Lunchbox Pancakes
"Pancakes can be a fun and healthy alternative to sandwiches in the lunch box — and who among us can get our kids to eat cottage cheese and wheat germ at school? Now we can! All it takes is using The Sneaky Chef "Decoy" method..."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Sneak-Wiches
"I'm a big fan of making things ahead so they are ready to grab when we're in a rush. 'Sneak-wiches' are a good example of this method. Much like the packaged versions in the grocery store, this is a homemade, healthier version of the conveniently made-ahead..."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Top Dog Corn Muffins
"By transforming corn dogs into muffins, I could sneak in whole grains, vegetables, and calcium while retaining the traditional greattaste of hot dogs and cornbread. This complete meal in a muffin makes a fun dinner on the run or lunchbox sandwich alternative."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Quick Fixes for Tuna Fish Sandwiches
"Any or all of the ingredients in this recipe hide beautifully in a 6-ounce can of chunk light or chunk white tuna, packed in water and drained. As with all Sneaky Chef recipes, you can gradually increase the amount of the nutritious sneaky ingredient over time. You can also combine any or all of the following quick fixes."
- Missy Chase Lapine
Click here to see the Quick Fixes for Tuna Fish Sandwiches Recipe