How to make your own Lunchables.

It’s back-to-school season! Mornings are once again filled with getting kids out of bed, dressed, fed and off to school on time. And for some, that weekday to-do list also includes packing a lunch.

Lunchables and peanut butter (or a nut-free alternative) and jelly sandwiches are classics for a reason: They’re tasty, they’re filling and they’re easy to make. While there are quick grab-and-go options at the store, making them at home can be a budget-friendly, allergen-friendly and picky-eater-friendly way to pack the perfect lunch.

Keep reading for two simple yet effective ways to fill a lunchbox.

Watch this video to see how you can make your own snack pack lunch.

Lunchables

The built-in sections of a bento box–style container make it perfect for packing lunch, but you can also use regular plastic containers with cupcake liners.

The same grocery store where you buy pre-made Lunchables also has everything you need to make your own: cheese, deli meat and crackers.

  • Meat: Fold the meat longways into thirds and slice into smaller sections.
  • Cheese: Choose your favorite cheeses and slice them into cracker-sized squares.

You can even add fruits and vegetables to the mix — either as extra toppings or as healthier alternatives, like cucumber rounds instead of crackers.

If you like it saucy or spicy, use travel containers to carry condiments. Just make sure they’re made of food-safe plastic.

DIY snack packs give you the freedom to mix and match your favorite combinations. Plus, you can get your kids involved in the lunch-packing process by letting them choose — and pack — their favorites.

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DIY Uncrustables

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a classic. They’re incredibly versatile, easy to make and can survive hours in a lunchbox.

Watch this video for a step-by-step video tutorial on how to make your own Uncrustable.

The self-contained PB&Js known as Uncrustables are a popular snack and lunch option for all ages. They’re also easy to make at home.

To make your own Uncrustable you need:

  • 2 Slices of bread.
  • Your choice of peanut butter or nut-free alternative.
  • Your favorite jelly, jam, honey, marshmallow fluff and/or bananas.
  • A cup or glass.

To make the sandwich:

  1. Spread peanut butter in the center of both slices of bread. This will stop the jelly from making the bread soggy.
  2. Add the jelly on top of the peanut butter. Don’t add too much, or it will seep out.
  3. Sandwich the breads together.
  4. Press the open mouth of the cup over the center of the sandwich. Firmly press down and remove the crusts.
  5. The cup should seal the edges, but you can also crimp it with a fork.
  6. It’s ready to enjoy, pack in a lunch box or freeze until later.

Don’t toss the crust, either. It can be repurposed into bread crumbs or croutons and used later.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 Simple and budget-friendly school lunch ideas: Video

Reporting by Cody Godwin, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect