Spring strawberry bento lunch boxes are easy to whip up in under 15 minutes! With fresh strawberries, maple cinnamon pecans, balsamic reduction and more.
After polling my Facebook page to see if there was any interest in some no-cook adult lunch boxes, the response was an overwhelming YES!!
I totally get the interest: lunch boxes = so much faster to prep...in fact these spring strawberry bento lunch boxes are ready in under 15 minutes. Not only that, but this one is served cold, so if you don't have access to a microwave, it's just perfect.
For our first bento lunch box recipe, I had to go with spring flavors....strawberries and arugula...because spring is just around the corner and I am not so patiently waiting!
I always thought lunch box/bento box recipes were kind of 'non-recipes', and they really are more of an idea of how you can assemble some lunch boxes. You can totally go nuts with these spring strawberry bento boxes and swap ingredients out to make them suit your diet and taste preferences.
Swap the pecans for almonds, the goat cheese for cream cheese, add in some chicken for extra protein, swap the flatbread crackers for a wrap or even pasta!
Just promise me you won't omit the balsamic reduction, m-kay? It's the best part of these bento lunch boxes
How to make these bento lunch boxes:
- chop some strawb's
- portion out some balsamic reduction and goat cheese
- toast some pecans and toss them in a touch of cinnamon and maple syrup
That's literally it...so simple and everything is ready in under 15 minutes.
Tips for perfect bento boxes
- Be sure to use the freshest strawberries you can find; you can help them stay fresh by doing a vinegar wash (find instructions in the recipe notes)
- I used my 3 compartment meal prep containers, but you could use a single compartment container (just keep the crackers separate from any produce)
- For the pecans and goat cheese, I used these rectangular silicone baking cups. Then for the balsamic reduction I used these condiment containers.
- For more no-cook lunch box ideas, check out these Easy Bistro Boxes 3 Ways, and for more prep ahead lunch ideas, check out this round-up with 38+ Lunch Meal Prep Ideas
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Spring Strawberry Bento Box
Ingredients
- 3 cups strawberries sliced
- 4 cups arugula
- 4 tablespoons balsamic reduction
- 4 tablespoons goat cheese (or cream cheese)
- 12 flatbread crackers broken in half
maple cinnamon pecans
- ¾ cup pecans
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Arrange strawberries, arugula and flatbread crackers in compartments in your lunch containers. Use small condiment containers for the goat cheese and balsamic reduction.
- For maple cinnamon pecans: toast pecans in a frying pan for 5-7 minutes, until lightly toasted. Add the cinnamon and toss; then add the maple syrup and stir everything up to coat. Allow to cool before adding to the lunch boxes.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Tips:
- soak in 1 part vinegar 5 parts water for 5 min
- rinse thoroughly under water
- allow to dry completely before slicing and portioning into bento boxes
Nutrition Information
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Melissa Carrithers says
What kind of flatbread crackers are those?
I want them specifically!
Denise Bustard says
Hi Melissa! I believe they are Ryvita, but it's been a few years since I posted this, so I could be wrong. Could also have been Wasa brand?
Victoria Shreve says
It's a fact of life busy school kids need healthy and nutritious packed lunches. Kids love variety and special treats in their lunchboxes. So we have included lots of healthy lunch box options, a great list of sandwich fillings and some yummy and healthy alternatives to the humble sandwich.
Adam says
Such a tasty and fresh snack box! The maple cinnamon pecans are the best part! I made extra to use as a salad topper. Mmmm so good!
Denise says
So happy you liked it, Adam! We love those pecans too 😀