50+ Freezer friendly lunch box food ideas

written by Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 16, 2015

You all know me well now and you will know that I love to bake and give the kids home baked goodness in their lunch boxes. I don’t usually have time to bake during the week so I spend an hour or so pottering in the kitchen every second weekend doing a big bake up and freezing it. Typically making one or two batches of muffins, something savoury for the days that we have run out of bread, biscuits and more. If frozen on the same day as baking it is just as fresh when defrosted.

Today I wanted to share my tips with you on freezer friendly lunch box food ideas.

Tips for Freezer Baking

How to plan freezer baking session

Gather together a few recipes that you would like to bake, remembering to create variety. I typically bake:

1 batches of muffins (makes 12 per batch)
1 batch of biscuits (makes approximately 24)
1 batch of something savoury
and/or 1 batch of something sweet – scones, banana bread or another batch of muffins

Before you start make sure you have enough freezer containers
Gather recipes
Write your shopping list and get groceries
Read through recipes, this will give you a good indication of what you can bake first. I usually bake whatever recipe is required longest in the oven first, so then I can prepare the next recipe as it’s baking. If baking two lots of muffins I will make one batch first, then cookies, clean muffin tin and reuse for 2nd batch.
Make sure you have enough cooling racks so that all your baking can completely cool.
Pack baking into freezer container the same day it was baked.
Place in freezer.
Place frozen baked goodies directly into lunchbox, do not defrost.

you don’t need anything fancy, I have made a makeshift tiered cooling rack by placing glasses in between the racks… totally stable of course!

How to store

On the day I make the baked item I place them directly into an airtight container. I don’t normally use any freezable sheets or freezer bags as I find if using a good quality airtight container you don’t need it, eliminating the extra expense and waste. Freezing on the same day as baking means that when defrosted they will be just as fresh as the day it was baked.

Best container

An airtight container is best to protect it from freezer burn. Ideally you want it large enough to fit on the shelf of your freezer and to fit a full batch of muffins or biscuits. I prefer rectangle or square containers over round, as round containers waste space. I use:

Tupperware Freezer containers (which sadly they no longer sell).
Snapware 10.8 cup 2.5L Rectangular container with flip lid

I purchased my snapware a few years ago from Howards Storage World, however they no longer sell them, I just did some research and see that you can purchase them at:

World Kitchen
David Jones, but they don’t have the flip lid
A good range at Peters of Kensington, but they don’t have the flip lid
Kitchenware Direct, but they don’t have the flip lid

Other great containers

Decor Match Ups – I use these for my freezer dinners – airtight and leak-proof. Available at Big W, Coles, Howards Storage World and other various stores, see full stockist list here.

What containers do you use and can recommend?

Defrosting

I do not defrost any baking before I put it into the lunchbox. I place it frozen in the lunch boxes that morning. They are always defrosted by morning tea time.

view above lunchbox idea here.

Tip: When freezing scones I slice them open, add some margarine, jam and honey, then close back up and freeze. This way I can grab a scone from the freezer and place directly into the lunchbox already with the jam on.

What to freeze?

Now we are only talking baking here today (not dinners, that’s a whole other blog post!). I freeze just about everything I bake. I don’t freeze the balls I make for kids lunch boxes as we tend to eat these quite quickly, therefore they don’t need to be frozen. View ball recipes here.

Freezer Baking Recipes

Below are some of my favourite go to recipes for freezer baking, plus some reader favourite recipes too.

What are your favourite freezer baking recipes?

Choosing the best lunchbox

Click here to view my guide on choosing the best lunchbox for your child.

Below: Lunch bag is available from here and drink bottle here.

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67 comments

Vonni January 16, 2015 at 7:32 AM

Tupperware are selling Freezer Mates at the moment. I had a party last week and mine arrived last night. Your blog post was very well timed Katrina. I’ve not frozen my baking before so I plan to do a trial run before the kids go back to school.

http://www.tupperware.co.nz/product-gallery/product-categories/storage-%E2%80%93-freezer

I purchased the family size set. If these ones work as well as they say, I will definitely get more.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 16, 2015 at 9:20 AM

Ooh there you go, I haven’t seen a new catalogue in awhile, are their freezer containers big enough for a batch of 12 muffins? Let me know how you go with your first freezer baking session!!

Vonni January 16, 2015 at 9:30 AM

The largest Freezer Mate (2.3 Litres) in the family set is the perfect size for a dozen muffins 🙂

tat January 26, 2015 at 7:41 AM

I am a tupperware manager and can assist you with any freezer containers. Free gift from me if you reply to my email that you would like to see a catalog

Leanne January 27, 2015 at 10:06 PM

Hi Tat,

I am interested in a catalog and possibly host a party?

Please email me and let’s chat 🙂

Barbara Collins March 8, 2015 at 2:07 PM

Catalogue Please

Dee May 28, 2015 at 8:12 PM

catalogue please

Tammy May 28, 2015 at 8:37 PM

Please email me at tuppertammy@gmail.com your information

khushi August 15, 2015 at 4:52 AM

Hi Tat, m interested in catalog plz. Thanks.

MARYAN January 9, 2016 at 3:26 PM

need catalogue

MARYAN January 9, 2016 at 3:26 PM

need catalogue

Laura January 25, 2016 at 6:45 PM

I would like to order some freezer mates please
Thanks

Kathy March 1, 2016 at 1:30 PM

Tupperware catalogue please.

Leticia jukes January 18, 2016 at 11:59 AM

I LOVE the Tupperware Freezer Mates. My freezer has never been so organised. I’ve brough three sets now!

Waverney Brooks January 16, 2015 at 7:46 AM

Great collection. I’ll be keeping this for future reference. And just to clarify, Tupperware FreezerMates are back in regular range.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 16, 2015 at 9:21 AM

Thak you Waverney, I didn’t realise, the container I have wasn’t from the Freezer Mate range I don’t think, was just a special offer from the specials catalogue many moons ago 🙂

Alison January 16, 2015 at 7:55 AM

Thanks for the great ideas. The peanut butter rice bubble slice is not school friendly with the no nut policy.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 16, 2015 at 9:21 AM

Yes your right Alison, all schools have very different restrictions. Actually my kids are going to a new school and I haven’ read the restrictions in their literature yet, must look into it!

Kelly January 19, 2015 at 7:11 AM

My school is allowed nuts, the only things we are not allowed are prepackaged foods or lollys, chips, soft drink, cordial, chocolate or high sugar foods.

Lauren February 17, 2017 at 11:30 AM

That’s the kind of food policy I could get behind! Well doen to your school!!

Theresa January 16, 2015 at 11:57 AM

You could replaced the peanut butter with sunflower butter or other nut butter replacements. Just a thought…

Belinda January 18, 2015 at 9:52 AM

Not every school is nut free though, so for me this recipe was great as I like the kids to have a range of nuts in their diet.

Theresa January 19, 2015 at 11:16 AM

So true it was just an idea. I don’t have nut allergies but I do like to switch up different type of nut butters just for the flavor difference. 🙂

Yvonne Bentley January 16, 2015 at 8:20 AM

Thanks so much for all these recipes and ideas. Now I just have to make room in the freezer. I have never bought all these prepackaged instant snacks eg. muesli bars. So this is great it gives me a bigger choice of sweet, savoury snacks.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 16, 2015 at 9:22 AM

That’s what I am trying to do too Yvonne getting close to it nearly being empty-ish enough to fill up with some baking!

Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me January 16, 2015 at 11:15 AM

This year with two at school I vow that I AM going to bake ahead – great list, thanks Kat! I think I need more containers though!

Del January 16, 2015 at 4:13 PM

Hi. Do the muffins stick together when frozen? How do you get just one out? I love freezing baking but I thought you had to wrap them individually in glad wrap or baking paper to stop them sticking . . . .

Jade January 16, 2015 at 6:44 PM

I was wondering the same

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 19, 2015 at 9:26 AM

Hi Del, No i’ve never had any stick together, They break apart fine.:)

kylie montgomery January 16, 2015 at 6:57 PM

Do you cook the vegemite scrolls on the day of use or cook then freeze? Wondering if freezing if they would go doughy on thawing? Hope you can shed some light so I dont have to test.

Thanks for all the great tips. Looking forward to a easy breezy return to school.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 19, 2015 at 9:28 AM

Kylie you can cook them on the day or they freeze great too, A big hit with the kids.:)

Lauren July 16, 2015 at 2:48 PM

Hi,

Thanks for sharing this great idea! I love the freezer boxes I will be buying 2 from World Kitchen at $16.60 each but they seem great! 🙂

I don’t have any kids but I work full time so this will make lunches easier on me so I can spend more time at the gym! Possibly looking into a healthy version of cupcakes 😛 or maybe savory muffins or something similar 🙂 any ideas are appreciated

Natalie January 17, 2015 at 6:06 PM

Hi, Thanks for all of the awesome recipes! Busy saving them all ready for back to school 🙂

You mention you put them in the lunchbox frozen in the mornings and I am wondering if this would also work where lunchboxes are kept in fridges at school or if I should get them out the night before?

Thanks again!
Natalie.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 19, 2015 at 9:38 AM

Natalie, i would probably take them out the night before if they keep lunchboxes in the fridge at school just so they are ready for them to eat at morning tea.

Cara January 19, 2015 at 3:16 PM

Just wondering if there is anything you’ve found that goes soggy when defrosted?

KatrinaD January 23, 2015 at 5:12 PM

Lots of yummy ideas.

I have a close friend who can’t eat gluten (wheat etc flour). Some flour free suggestions for freezing –
mini meatballs or rissoles based on a bread & flour free recipe,
mini fish cakes,
pieces of fresh pineapple (guilt free iceblocks),
gluten free mini muffins,
flour free bubble and squeak,
little rice puddings

Ali Maleckas January 18, 2016 at 10:04 AM

Due to various medical conditions I eat Gluten Free All these recipes are fine by just replacing flours with GF versions Although we don’t have kids at home any longer, I make zucchini muffins & other savoury versions as a healthy snack for Hubby when he first gets home from work or light lunch for myself

FleurC January 28, 2015 at 11:26 AM

Hey there Katrina, I am so so sooooo happy I stumbled across your site. My 5yo starts prep tomorrow and he is a terrible eater, I am talking an hour to eat a sandwich or a banana and thats with A LOT of encouragement!!!!! There are so many things that you have listed here that I think he will just love. Not to mention the fact that I had no idea you could freeze baked things without them going all yuck!!
Thanks again for sharing 🙂
Cheers Fleur

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 29, 2015 at 11:38 AM

Hi Fleur, Ooh that is wonderful! So glad you have found us and enjoying the blog. I hope your son has had a great first day of school and enjoying your baking.:)

Audrey Greenwood January 28, 2015 at 1:41 PM

I have meal left after making nut milk and use them to make what I call ‘power balls’. I process them with coconut oil, cocoa powder, dates and nuts, then hand roll them into balls. Very filling and absolutely delicious, you can make ahead with varieties such as jam in the middle of the ball, or with dried fruits. Apart from Tupperware and Sistema I find Lock N Lock storage boxes great as freezer storage boxes too.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 29, 2015 at 11:29 AM

Ooh Audrey they sound absolutely amazing!! And super healthy too.:)

Sonya Wilson January 29, 2015 at 6:54 AM

Hi, I just wanted to tell you how much I love your freezer ideas and your site (my cousin shared this link on her Facebook page and got hooked from there!) 🙂 I have only just found it as have just ‘discovered’ freezer cooking. I work full time, run my own private practice / website outside of work hours and will also be doing post grad study all through this year and identified that the first thing to fall off my list when am tired and stressed is… cooking dinner / making lunches and man its expensive buying 3 meals a day at my work cafeteria!
If you have any other parts of your site that you think could help me — would love to hear about it!
Also – love the layout of your site — so easy to navigate 🙂
Thanks again – See more at: http://thrivinghomeblog.com/2014/02/how-to-start-a-freezer-club/#comment-17180

Sonya Wilson January 29, 2015 at 6:55 AM

Peggy February 19, 2015 at 1:27 PM

Looks brilliant

Katrina - The Organised Housewife February 19, 2015 at 2:12 PM

.:) The kids really enjoy them.

Kaz March 17, 2015 at 9:02 AM

Great ideas. I’m going to try it!
Do you know how long you can keep muffins etc. in the freezer? (before they get frosty etc) thanks!!

Katrina - The Organised Housewife March 17, 2015 at 2:27 PM

I would say easily 3 months, depending that you have a good airtight container

Suzanne May 19, 2015 at 8:12 AM

Wonderful list- thanks for sharing, Kat! We’ll be done with school in two weeks, so I’ve been looking for recipes to freeze for summer break lunches. My girls are old enough to at least pull something out of the freezer and heat up for themselves without much supervision. I miss my babies, but there are definite advantages to having slightly older kids, too!

Amy June 27, 2015 at 8:28 AM

Hi Katrina what a wonderful list of baked goods for lunchboxes that can be frozen. You have motivated me to start a big bake up today! Thank you! Also loved your school holiday job list & ideas to keep the kids busy when they are bored. Love your blog xx

Wendy July 27, 2015 at 11:45 PM

Hi all! I just wanted to let you know that the Freezer mates are in the current Summer 2015 catalog. I would love to help you earn some for free or half price by hosting a facebook party! Free gift to you if we can set it up before August 5th 2015!
email me for a catalog or more info! wendyhill1978@gmail.com

fran August 17, 2015 at 4:17 PM

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this! i have been feeling a bit overwhelmed about having a new bub arrive while 1 starts school and 1 starts kindergarten and trying to keep the office work for our business ticking over all at the same time! I’m realising planning ahead and cooking/baking in large batches is really the only way forward 🙂

Katrina - The Organised Housewife August 17, 2015 at 4:34 PM

Yes planning will be key for you Fran and I have found recently that with my kids starting school early these days, I am making their dinners the night before, and it saves so much time in the mornings.

Kristen Edmonds January 16, 2016 at 6:51 PM

Freezer mates are certainly available!!!
And will fit 12 muffins!! Just contact your Tupperware consultant, or if you don’t have one I am Happy to send a catalogue to anyone interested.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 19, 2016 at 12:33 PM

I just looked at a catalogue recently and saw a good range of freezer mates available 🙂

Ros C January 17, 2016 at 4:50 PM

Thanks Kat, you’ve inspired me. I’ve just finished Banana Weetbix muffins, cookies, ham and corn (+zucchini) muffins. All in the freezer ready for school.

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 19, 2016 at 12:33 PM

Yummo Ros, that’s a great selection, your all ready!!!

stephanie@stephsjoy January 18, 2016 at 1:08 PM

My boy is starting school this year, and I have just begun working through all the things that I will need to have organised for him. This is really helpful! Thanks

Katrina - The Organised Housewife January 19, 2016 at 12:34 PM

My pleasure, hope you have fun baking!!

Jess Bargie January 22, 2016 at 9:45 AM

Thanks Kat, these are brilliant recipes. just what I needed to mix it up a bit! I have just purchased a few more tupperware containers for freezing!

Bec January 23, 2016 at 11:22 PM

Wondering why when i click on some of the recipes it comes up as permission denied This blog is open to invited readers only
http://sewcooklaughlive.blogspot.com/

It doesn’t look like you have been invited to read this blog. If you think that this is a mistake, you might want to contact the blog author and request an invitation.

Melinda February 2, 2016 at 1:26 PM

Thanks for the great ideas. I usually just do sweet muffins or freeze leftover pancakes for my kids so it’s great to have some savoury options. I’m trying to cut down the sugar in their lunchboxes and pump a few more vegies in beyond carrots and cucumber! Thanks again!

Katrina - The Organised Housewife February 4, 2016 at 6:04 AM

I am finding lately pumpkin and zucchini are awesome for hiding into many foods, my kids LOVE this chocolate zucchini brownie recipe: https://theorganisedhousewife.com.au/recipes/zucchini-chocolate-brownies/

Helen February 9, 2016 at 10:42 AM

Hi Kathy,
I’m trying to locate a slice recipe I thought I saw on here. The picture was for the choc chip variety but the instructions you gave said you can try different combinations. Am I going mad, did I make it up?!
Thanks

Katrina - The Organised Housewife February 10, 2016 at 7:05 AM

Hi Helen, I’ve just gone through my slice recipes and I can’t find one that you are looking for, here are all my recipes https://theorganisedhousewife.com.au/category/recipes/slices/ I do wonder though if you are thinking of my cookie recipe: https://theorganisedhousewife.com.au/recipes/100-cookies-from-1-mix/ hope you can find what you are looking for.

Samantha April 20, 2016 at 10:46 AM

Can I please ask when do u take them out of the frezzer to serve eg starigt into the lunch box from the morning or the night before ?

Mai June 29, 2016 at 3:48 AM

Having read this I thought it was extremely informative.
I appreciate you finding the time and energy to
put this informative article together. I once again find
myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!

Elise January 26, 2017 at 8:36 AM

Wow your ideas are amazing

50+ Freezer friendly lunch box food ideas

Tips for Freezer Baking

How to plan freezer baking session

How to store

Best container

What containers do you use and can recommend?

Defrosting

What to freeze?

Freezer Baking Recipes

What are your favourite freezer baking recipes?

Muffins

Biscuits

Cakes & Slices

Savoury

Other sweet treats

Choosing the best lunchbox

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