30 Easy Back-to-School Recipes (Nut-Free!)

Back-to-school season has arrived! It’s the time of year when we get lots of requests for nut-free recipes that can be packed in lunchboxes. To help make the transition to school seamless and delicious, we’ve gathered our BEST nut-free recipes that are kid-friendly and pack well. Scroll through to find lunch, snack, and dessert ideas.

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

For any recipes that don’t seem nut-free, be sure to check the notes section for substitution recommendations!

Lunches

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The Ultimate Vegan Burrito (Crunchwrap-Inspired!)

The ULTIMATE vegan burrito, inspired by a Crunchwrap! Smoky tofu taco meat, creamy white bean queso, crunchy tortilla chips, vibrant guacamole, and fresh veggies. Vegan, gluten-free optional, and ready in just 30 minutes!

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Vegan Ginger Sesame Noodles with Crispy Tofu

An easy sheet pan meal with flavorful seasoned tofu and crispy roasted vegetables tossed with saucy ginger sesame noodles. SO flavorful, gluten-free, plant-based, and just 10 ingredients!

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Easy Three Bean Salad

Three bean salad: a GO-TO side for summer gatherings, or any time you’re craving an easy, fiber-packed dish made with pantry staples! Just 1 bowl and 10 minutes required.

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Vegan Macaroni Salad

30-minute vegan pasta salad loaded with colorful veg and tossed in a dairy-free, undetectably tofu-based dressing. Perfect for summer shindigs, cookouts, and picnics.

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Quinoa Taco Meat

Amazingly flavorful taco “meat” made with quinoa, smoky seasonings, and salsa! Baked until hot and crispy. A healthy substitute for ground beef (just 9 ingredients)!

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Chickpea Sunflower Sandwich

30-minute Chickpea Sunflower Sandwich with smashed chickpeas and roasted sunflower seeds in a simple dressing. Sandwiched between two slices of bread and topped with my secret garlic sauce, this is healthy lunch perfection.

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Italian Herb Tofu Wraps with Garlicky Hummus Sauce

Quick and easy wraps with Italian herb baked tofu and a garlicky hummus sauce! Perfect for an easy lunch or dinner, and full of savory, plant-based satisfaction. Just 9 ingredients and 15 minutes required for assembly!

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Quinoa-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

10-ingredient quinoa stuffed sweet potatoes with salsa, tortilla chips, and a creamy avocado-cilantro sauce! A hearty plant-based entrée or side.

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1-Pot Vegan Minestrone (Gluten-Free)

Easy, 1-pot vegan and gluten-free minestrone! Simple, wholesome ingredients, 30 minutes to prepare. SO delicious and perfect for late summer, fall, and winter!

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Vegan Sloppy Joes

Hearty, flavorful Vegan Sloppy Joes made with fresh, simple ingredients, naturally sweetened, and they require just 30 minutes! Savory, smoky, perfectly sweet — a delicious plant-based meal!

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Snacks

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Vegan Chocolate Protein Pudding (Two Ways!)

Rich, chocolaty vegan pudding made two ways: with cashews or black beans! Naturally sweetened and made with just 6 simple ingredients.

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Banana & Berry Hemp Seed Pudding

A healthier snack or dessert made with berries, sweetened with bananas, and thickened with hemp seeds and chia seeds! Naturally sweet, creamy, and incredibly nutrient-rich. Plus, just 6 ingredients and 1 bowl required.

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Crispy Gluten-Free Graham Crackers (Vegan)

Crispy, gluten-free graham crackers that taste just like the real thing! Vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and made in 1 bowl. Perfect for s’mores and beyond!

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Dark Chocolate Amaranth Bars (6 Ingredients!)

Crispy, satisfying Dark Chocolate Amaranth Bars resembling wafer cookies! Whole grain puffed amaranth combines with creamy, rich chocolate and almond butter for a healthier sweet treat or quick snack. Just 6 ingredients required!

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Vegan Banana Crumb Muffins

Super moist, flavorful vegan banana nut muffins with a crumb top! 30 minutes and one bowl required, and so delicious!

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The World’s Easiest Cinnamon Rolls

Easy cinnamon rolls with just 7 ingredients and no complicated steps. Just proof, roll out, and bake! Plus, they’re vegan and SO delicious, fluffy, and gooey!

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Vegan Cheez Its

30-minute cheesy vegan crackers that taste just like Cheez Its! Simple, fast, and surprisingly close to the original. So cheezy!

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Perfect Stovetop Popcorn (5 Minutes!)

PERFECT stovetop popcorn that’s quick, easy, and totally customizable. Just 5 minutes, 1 pot, and 3 ingredients required!

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Super Seedy Sunflower Butter

Super seedy sunflower butter with chia, hemp, flax, and pumpkin seeds — perfect for toast, baked goods, oats, and more! Creamy with a slight crunch, six ingredients, and vitamin- and mineral-rich!

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Easy Seed Crackers with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Crispy, light, toasty, gluten-free crackers made with flax, chia, hemp, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds. Perfect with dips, spreads, cheeses, and beyond. Just 8 ingredients and 1 bowl required!

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Sunflower-Coated Cheesy Kale Chips

Amazingly cheesy, crispy kale chips baked in a sunflower seed-nutritional yeast coating! Healthy, simple ingredients, BIG flavor and nutrients!

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Easy 5-Minute Microwave Hummus

6-ingredient hummus that comes together in 5 minutes and is magically transformed into the best hummus thanks to the MICROWAVE! Trust me. It’s the best hummus I’ve ever made at home!

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Desserts

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Vegan Gluten-Free Black Bean Brownies

Black bean brownies (vegan and gluten-free) that require just 1 bowl and about 30 minutes to prepare! Healthy, easy, and delicious — the best kind of dessert.

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Vegan Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Tender, fluffy, vegan pumpkin sugar cookies that require just 1 bowl! Super fluffy, simple preparation, and perfect for fall!

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Classic Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies (1 Bowl!)

The perfect classic vegan chocolate chip cookie made in 1 bowl! Salty-sweet, buttery, slightly crisp edges, tender center, and gooey chocolate chips. Just 9 ingredients and simple methods required!

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Classic Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies made vegan and gluten-free! Chewy on the inside with crisp buttery edges. Just 1 bowl and 8 ingredients required!

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1-Bowl Vegan Sugar Cookies

Classic vegan sugar cookies made with 1 bowl in less than 1 hour. Sweet, tender, simple, and perfect for holiday gatherings and beyond!

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Vegan Berry Pop Tarts

Flaky vegan Pop Tarts with a berry filling, raw sugar topping, and an optional vanilla glaze. 100% vegan and healthy enough for an indulgent weekend or weekday breakfast.

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One Bowl Vegan Funfetti Cupcakes

1-bowl vegan funfetti cupcakes that taste JUST like the real thing! Fluffy, sweet, and loaded with vegan buttercream and sprinkles.

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Chocolate Avocado Frosting (Vegan, No Powdered Sugar!)

Chocolate frosting with a secret healthier ingredient: avocado! Vegan, oil-free, nut-free, naturally sweetened, and made without powdered sugar!

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If you try any of these nut-free back-to-school recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, rate them, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Enjoy, friends!