Welcome to the tastiest back-to-school season yet! I’ve gathered 25 family-friendly back-to-school recipes. From baked oatmeal for breakfast to homemade cheese crackers for snack, and slow cooker chicken chili for dinner and rice krispie treats for dessert, this list has something for everyone in your family. Each recipe includes my recommendations for preparing ahead and freezing, too.
Back-to-School Recipes: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner, & Desserts
And just like that, another summer draws to a close and back-to-school time is on the horizon. I’m here to take just a little bit off your plate with a complete list of 25 back-to-school recipe ideas. I have everything from breakfast, snacks, dinner, and of course, dessertโall collected for you below.
As a parent, I understand time is precious and schedules can get hectic during the school year. Let’s make mealtimes easy! These back-to-school recipes are all quick, simple to prepare, and fabulously delicious. Plus, nearly all have make-ahead and freezing options.
Grab your young bakers/chefs and pick out a few recipes to make now and freeze for later. A batch of banana chocolate chip breakfast cookies, a loaf of banana bread, and a dozen healthy apple muffins will give you a good start on grab-and-go breakfast options for the start of the school year.
Don’t forget a batch (or two) of my popular chocolate chip cookies. Who wouldn’t love opening their lunchbox to find a little sweet treat? Or coming home to a warm plate of cookies for an afternoon snack and quick chat about the day?
You’ll also find several of my go-to dinner recipes, like creamy chicken noodle soup and easy baked chicken meatballs. And these freezer-friendly meals are so helpful to have ready for a home-cooked meal between all the after-school activities. If you’re looking for suggestions, these glass containers are my go-to for freezer prepped meals.
I hope you find plenty of back-to-school inspiration from my favorite recipes below. Although the end of summer can be bittersweet, the start of a new school year always brings a renewed sense of energy.
By the way, if you’re short on time and want dessert during this school year, you’ll appreciate my collection of quick dessert recipes, too.
Kid-Friendly Baking: For more recipes to try with young bakers, here is my full roundup of kid-friendly baking recipes.
25 Back-to-School Recipes
My Favorite Banana Bread Recipe
With its super-moist texture, buttery banana and brown sugar flavors, and incredibly soft crumb, this is my best-ever banana bread recipe. I have a loaf in my freezer at all times!
Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
Each slice of this easy egg breakfast casserole is thick, flavorful, and satisfying; plus, the recipe is an incredibly convenient breakfast choice because itโs make-ahead ready and infinitely adaptable.
Healthy Apple Muffins
This recipe is my go-to choice when I’m looking for easy and quick healthy muffins that are wonderfully wholesome and soft, and you’ll appreciate that they’re made without any refined sugar.
Healthy Blueberry Banana Muffins
This recipe forย healthy blueberry banana muffinsย has been on my website since 2013. Iโve made a few changes to the original recipe, and can assure you they are better than ever!
Greek Yogurt Zucchini Bread
Greek yogurt zucchini bread is a lighter alternative to classic zucchini bread, thanks to a handful of wholesome ingredients that pack a flavorful punch.
Berry Purple Power Smoothie (No Banana)
With yogurt, coconut water (or milk), berries, and Greek yogurt, this drink is thick, refreshing, and extra creamy. No bananas in this power mix; berries are front and center!
Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies
You will love these healthy and naturally gluten-free, egg-free banana chocolate chip breakfast cookies. They come together in just 1 bowl with only 8 ingredients.
1-Bowl Baked Oatmeal
This healthy baked oatmeal combines simple ingredients that can be adapted for any allergies or flavor preferences. It’s like bread pudding for breakfastโcreamy, soft, chewy, and delicious all in one. I love making a batch on Sunday to have ready for the week ahead.
Homemade Maple Chicken Breakfast Sausage
Cooks in less than 10 minutes and perfect for busy mornings. Make-ahead, protein-packed, freezer-friendly, easy to reheat!
How to Make Granola Clusters
The best part of every granola is the big crunchy clusters, so why not bake a batch of only clusters? This recipe for homemade maple almond granola clusters is easy to make and even easier to eat for breakfast, snack, or whenever hunger strikes.
Whole Wheat Pancakes Recipe
These are 100% whole wheat pancakes made with protein-rich Greek yogurt and whole grain goodness. The batter comes together in a snap (not to mention, the pancakes freeze wonderfully), and you can add your favorite add-ins like berries or chocolate chips.
Oatmeal Fig Bars
These oatmeal fig bars are a homemade variation of store-bought fig bars. They’re wholesome and satisfying and keep wonderfully for snacks and lunches all week long!
Peanut Butter Trail Mix Bars
Always in my regular rotation of homemade snacks, these no-bake peanut butter trail mix bars are my favorite pick-me-up. The combination of chocolate chips and peanut butter make it taste like a treat, while the nuts and oats keep you nourished and satisfied.
Soft Pretzel Bites
My easy soft pretzel bites are always a crowd favorite! The simple dough requires just 6 ingredients and there’s hardly any rise time, so they’re a relatively quick and completely fun after-school snack.
Homemade Cheese Crackers
Who knew cheese crackers were so simple to make in our own kitchens? Only 6 ingredients needed and they bake in less than 20 minutes. Prep the ingredients before the kids get home from school, and enjoy making (and eating!) crispy, salty, and totally cheesy crackers together.
Simply Sandwich Bread
Take any sandwich from good to great with homemade simply sandwich bread! My recipe includes step-by-step pictures, a full video tutorial, and plenty of helpful tips, so bakers of all skill levels can easily tackle this yeasted bread.
Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs
Packed with flavor, baked, and then brushed with a lemony garlic herb butter for even more flavor, these easy baked chicken meatballs are lighter-tasting and perfect for a hearty mid-week meal. Serve with zucchini noodles (pictured), pasta, soup, or on their own.
Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup
Alphabet vegetable soup is full of flavor, packed with vegetables, super easy to prepare, and keeps wonderfully for leftovers all weekโor store a batch in the freezer. Any small shaped pasta works (but alphabet pasta is obviously so fun!).
My Favorite Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Recipe
This is my family’s favorite slow cooker chicken chili recipe. It’s a true “set it and forget it” crockpot dinner, making it a perfect cozy dinner on a busy weeknight.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
This reader-favorite homemade chicken noodle soup is the perfect mix of easy, wholesome, and satisfying. It’s creamy yet light, and it’s quick to pull together using convenient rotisserie chicken and a handful of other simple ingredients.
Creamy Garlic Chicken & Vegetables
Thisย is a family-favorite dinner, and I bet it will be a hit on your table, too! Tender chicken thighs get the pan-seared treatment before baking in an uber-flavorful creamy garlic pan sauce, alongside vibrant roasted vegetables. On the table in 45 minutes!
Homemade Flatbread Pizza Recipe
Pizza night from the comfort of your own home! Quicker, easier, and a little thinner than pizza, this homemade flatbread dough takes just about an hour from start to finish and is perfect for bread beginners.
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
These popular chocolate chip cookies are EXTRA chewy thanks to melted butter, more brown sugar than white sugar, a touch of cornstarch, and an extra egg yolk. Plan ahead to make them for a special afternoon snack or lunch box treat.
Family-Favorite Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
For extra gooey and butteryย rice krispie treats, use this recipe. Adding a little extra butter and marshmallow, plus a splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, makes all the difference. Who can resist this classic childhood treat?
Mini Animal Cracker Cookies
Turn a simple 8-ingredient sugar cookie recipe into homemade mini animal cracker cookies! These kid-favorite cookies are flavored with cinnamon and topped with icing and rainbow sprinkles. Little bakers love to help ice and sprinkle the cookies.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
These iced oatmeal cookies are old-fashioned style with buttery soft centers, crisp chewy edges, and plenty of cozy spice flavor. They’re topped with a light coating of vanilla icing that sets over time, making cookies that are perfect for adding to lunch boxes.
Chocolate-Covered Date & Almond Truffles
You won’t believe these dark chocolate date & almond truffles are made from whole, natural ingredients like dates, nuts, and seeds. The mixture comes together quickly and easily in a food processor. Great for lunchboxes!
What do you look for in back-to-school recipes?
Nut-Free Recipes
Here are all of my published nut-free recipes; some are included in the collection above.
Favorite Healthier Breakfast Ideas
I included a few above, and here are even more quick, easy, and healthy breakfast recipes.
- Egg Muffins (make ahead, great for the whole week)
- Applesauce Muffins
- Vanilla Almond Granola
- Breakfast Cookies
- Apple Baked Oatmeal Cups
Reader Comments and Reviews
I can’t wait to receive your new cook book!! I pre-ordered it the moment you had it on your page!! It’s supposed to be here or ship September 2..I’ll be making everything in it..haha Love your recipes!! Thank you!
I love your recipes, they are not “stuffy,” easy enough with good ingredients for everyone.
I need some help. We have a fundraising event coming up in Oct. and every year we hold a dessert auction where each table votes on the dessert they want to share and puts $ into an envelope to bid on that dessert. The envelope with the most $$ gets first pick, and so on.
I want to make something that I can take in small individual dessert cups, 8-10 individual servings for a table. It can’t involve anything that needs to be kept refrigerated. Does anyone have any suggestions? Nut-free would be great. Any ideas?
Hi Karen, what a fun idea! We do have some desserts that are served in cupsโlike no-bake cheesecake jars, dirt pudding cups, and lemon berry trifle (which you could do in small jars instead of one large trifle bowl)โbut all require some degree of refrigeration. Could you refrigerate up until serving? Let us know if you decide to give any of them a try!
I love all your amazing recipes
Thank you very much for the love of cooking!
Thank you for this list!! The honey teriyaki chicken has always been a favorite!