Back-to-school season is upon us, and schedules are about to get very busy (per usual)! To help your kids (or you) stay satisfied and nourished, we’ve gathered back-to-school recipes that are easy, delicious, and prep/pack-friendly!From bake-ahead breakfasts to protein-packed snacks and savory lunches, consider your school bags set for success. We may have even tossed in a few after-class sweets, too!
(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)
Tender, wholesome blueberry muffin breakfast cookies made in just 1 bowl! Vegan, gluten-free, perfectly sweet and hearty, and the perfect snack or breakfast on the go.
A creamy, versatile peanut butter banana smoothie made with oats! The perfect satisfying breakfast or snack, with just 5 minutes and 4 ingredients required!
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.
An insanely creamy, nutritious, 6-ingredient smoothie with wild blueberries, banana, almond butter, flaxseed, and chia seed. A delicious, plant-based breakfast or snack!
Dreamy Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats made with wholesome ingredients, just 5 minutes hands-on time required! The ultimate plant-based, gluten-free breakfast or snack!
Carrot cake in baked oatmeal form! Tender, nutty, wholesome, naturally sweetened, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, and beyond! 1 bowl and 10 ingredients required.
Simple 7-ingredient, plant-based shake made with protein-rich whole food ingredients and NO protein powder. Creamy, chocolaty, naturally sweetened, and just 1 blender and 5 minutes to prepare.
30-minute grain-free granola packed with seeds, nuts, and coconut. It’s naturally sweetened! Vegan, gluten-free, and the perfect healthy, protein-rich breakfast or snack!
Vegan, gluten-free carrot muffins loaded with fruit and veggies. Super moist and flavorful, healthy, and made in one bowl! Perfect for on-the-go breakfast and snacking.
Creamy, perfectly sweet chocolate overnight oats. A quick breakfast or snack with just 8 ingredients required! Vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and SO delicious!
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!
Easy, chewy granola bars naturally sweetened with maple syrup and dates and studded with seeds, flaked almonds, and tart cherries. Just 9 ingredients required!
No-bake sugar cookie dough bites that are naturally sweetened and infused with vanilla! Just 1 bowl and 6 ingredients required. A deceptively healthy, quick, and easy dessert!
3-ingredient peanut butter granola bars that are naturally sweetened, wholesome, and perfectly salty-sweet. A healthier snack for lunches, road trips, and more.
Simple, 8-ingredient peanut butter and jelly bars with a naturally sweetened oat-almond crust and a strawberry jam and peanut butter topping! The perfect hearty snack or dessert!
Easy 5-Ingredient Protein Bars (Peanut Butter Chocolate!)
5-Ingredient Protein Bars that are rich in protein and incredibly delicious! Customizable depending on what protein powder you use. Just 20 minutes and 1 food processor required!
Salty-sweet energy bites that evoke the flavors of salted cashew, caramel, and coconut! Just 4 ingredients required for this dreamy snack or healthier dessert.
Simple, 6-ingredient bars that are tender, chewy, and so easy to make. Chocolate chips and almond butter make these bars irresistible without any of the guilt.
Unbelievably fudgy, nutty, vegan brownie bites with no baking required. Just 7 whole food ingredients and 10 minutes stand between you and these deceptively decadent treats.
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.
Wholesome and delicious classic pasta salad made with creamy pesto dressing and roasted tomatoes. Made with just 9 ingredients in 30 minutes! The perfect quick + easy side dish.
Amazing, flavorful Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Pinwheels that come together in 15 minutes with 8 ingredients. The perfect crowd-pleasing summer appetizer.
Made with kale and chickpeas, these falafel are a healthier take on one of our favorite Middle Eastern dishes. Delicious, satisfying, and only 30 minutes to prepare. Serve on greens or wrapped in chard or pita.
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.
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!
Addictively delicious tahini cookies: nutty, salty-sweet, vegan, gluten-free, and incredibly fast! Just 1 bowl, 7 ingredients, and less than 30 minutes required!
Hearty, perfectly sweet granola cookies made with oats, nuts, and dried fruit. Gluten-free, plant-based, and SO delicious. Just 10 ingredients and 1 bowl required!
Easy homemade strawberry lemonade! Quick and easy to make in the blender, naturally sweetened, and perfectly tart-sweet. The ultimate summer refresher!
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!
Creamy homemade chocolate hazelnut milk is like Nutella in a glass! Just 5 ingredients, naturally sweetened with maple syrup and dates, super chocolaty, and irresistible! Enjoy cold or hot!
Refreshing, electrolyte-boosting fruit popsicles naturally sweetened with coconut water and fiber-rich fresh fruit. Just 6 ingredients required and perfect for hot summer days!
5-minute watermelon sorbet made in a blender with nothing but ripe summer fruit and a splash of almond milk. This unbelievably refreshing sorbet tastes like cotton candy.
Undetectably vegan and gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies! Just 30 minutes and simple methods required for perfectly chewy oatmeal cookies. A perfect healthier treat for any time of year!
If you try any of these back-to-school recipes, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Enjoy, friends!
I am so, so grateful for your continuing vegan recipes and also gluten-free! You are my go-to anytime I’m looking for a recipe of any kind. I can count on any of them being easy to make, healthy and beyond delicious! THANK YOU!!
Thank you, Thank you. Thank you. I’m not vegan but I do have hypothyroidism and other chronic inflammation issues. I’m trying to change the diet for me and my children. Thank you for these simple to prepare meals that look so delicious. I’ll post a picture soon. 😊
Alaina says
Thanks so much for this awesome list! Always looking for new ideas.
Anytime! Thanks for the support, Alaina! xo
Karina Dul says
I have been on a Vegan diet when I was born and I am looking for a Gluten Free breakfast recipe for Oatmeal
Marti Glenn says
I am so, so grateful for your continuing vegan recipes and also gluten-free! You are my go-to anytime I’m looking for a recipe of any kind. I can count on any of them being easy to make, healthy and beyond delicious! THANK YOU!!
Thank you so much for these lovely compliments! We are so glad you enjoy the recipes, Marti!
Lynn Sutelman says
I have started a vegan lifestyle and appreciate your wonderful recipes, cannot wait to start making the Penne Pasta Salad.
Thank You
Hope you love it, Lynn! xoxo
Kim says
Looks delicious. Can’t wait to try these recipes.. yummmmy
Yay! Enjoy =)
Vashell Davis says
Thank you, Thank you. Thank you. I’m not vegan but I do have hypothyroidism and other chronic inflammation issues. I’m trying to change the diet for me and my children. Thank you for these simple to prepare meals that look so delicious. I’ll post a picture soon. 😊
xoxo!