10 Easy recipes for back-to-school

We explore 10 different back-to-school recipes perfect for those often-chaotic weeknights. All are kid friendly and can be customised according to your children’s ages.  

The most hectic part of the day doesn’t have to be! Options like muffins, crumpets and wraps are portable and perfect to make sure your little ones get the nutrition they need to start the day. 

Muffins 

If you’re a busy mum or dad on the go, there’s something to be said about a muffin. They’re grab-and-go and easy to give to picky little ones or teens who sleep too late for a sit-down breakfast.  

This breakfast muffin recipe from the BBC is a great option packed with nutritious blueberries, bananas, eggs, yoghurt, and more. As back-to-school season fades into autumn, this pumpkin muffin option also from the BBC is full of chilly weather favourites like brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin purée. 

If your little ones aren’t big breakfast eaters, muffins can be made in miniature varieties for lunchboxes. This option contains healthy foods like bananas and rolled oats to keep children feeling fuller longer as they make their way through their school day. 

Crumpets 

Popular in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia, crumpets are small griddle breads made from a batter of water or milk, flour, and yeast. The American equivalent is an English muffin. Crumpets originated in the UK and some of the earliest mentions of them came from English Bible translator John Wycliffe (who called them “crompid” cakes). 

Crumpets are spectacular options for kids, as they allow plenty of choices for toppings like jams and jellies or are just as good with plain old butter. A noteworthy recipe option to make them at home can be found here. Another even easier version from mother-daughter team Brooke and Emma Fajcz has easy, step-by-step instructions and great suggestions for toppings (raspberry jam anyone?). 

Wraps 

Another tasty on-the-go option for back-to-school season are breakfast wraps. They’re customizable and quick, like Jamie Oliver’s Mini Super Fruit Breakfast Wraps. Made with cocoa powder, yoghurt, toasted seeds, and your choice of berries, they’re perfect brain food. 

You could also try this TikTok tortilla breakfast wrap with bacon, avocado, eggs, and cheese for a protein-packed punch.  

School lunches can be a great time to sneak in some important nutrients for your kids, like vegetables and protein.

Make them fun or handheld like fish finger hot dogs or ham pies and you’ll guarantee an empty lunchbox and full bellies. 

Kids will adore eating these little fish finger hot dogs. They fit easily into a lunchbox, and if you’ve got older children, you can have them assemble their own fish finger hot dogs on their own. Making lunch fun to eat is a good way to get young ones to finish their food! 

Hand pies are simple ways to get nutrients into an easily packable lunch. This ham pie recipe includes meat, mixed veggies, and cheese for a bit of protein, vegetables, and dairy to keep your little ones well fed as they make their way through a school day. 

Chicken salad 

Chicken salad can be served in so many ways. It’s great for little children who may not want to have a full sandwich, and instead prefer to eat it on crackers. It’s also perfect for teens who may prefer lettuce wraps. We love this version made with crumbled bacon and Worcestshire sauce. 

Once dinner comes around, most of the family is tired or running around to various after school activities. Speedy and nutritious meals can sometimes be the last thing on everyone’s minds. Luckily, recipes like pizza bowls or a big pot of veggie chilli are easy ways to make sure everyone gets a solid meal come evening. 

After a long day of school, children love a good dinner that they can look forward to. Guarantee you’ll have clean bowls with this pizza bowl recipe.

Made with courgettes and aubergine, along with traditional pizza toppings like mushrooms, sausage, and mozzarella, it’s an excellent choice for an easy school night dinner. 

As the weather starts getting chilly (excuse the pun!), you’ll want to have a great chilli recipe as part of your weeknight dinner arsenal. This veggie chilli is filling and includes lots of healthy foods like sweet potatoes, kidney beans, mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, and onions.   

If you’re busy rushing to football practice or piano lessons, the perfectly quick Welsh rabbit is a wonderful dinnertime choice. Alton Brown’s version is easy and flavourful. The cheesy goodness can be made to be a fuller meal served alongside a fresh green salad, if you have a spare minute. 

What’s a school day without an after-school snack? Popcorn is great to have on hand as children get their homework completed, and this Marmite-coated option is delicious, buttery fun.