Many parents find it difficult to provide a tasty and nutritious lunch for their kids. As notoriously fussy eaters, kids might not enjoy the same food every day. Parents, therefore, face a challenging task in achieving the ideal balance between flavor and nutrition. Fortunately, there are many excellent and healthy tiffin recipes available in Indian cuisine that are sure to please even the pickiest diners. We’ve gathered a list of 20 quick and simple Indian tiffin recipes ideal for whipping up a delectable lunchbox for your kids, including vegetable parathas and aloo tikkis, paneer and chana chaat even sandwiches, pasta, pizza, and spaghetti but with an Indian twist. These dishes are not only easy to prepare, but they also incorporate a variety of healthy ingredients, ensuring your child has a balanced and tasty meal that will keep them energized throughout the day.
To help all parents, I would like to share some tips. Try making bento lunch boxes, as they are colorful and appealing to kids, and they absorb a variety of foods, but not one particular meal, and as we all know, kids get bored eating one meal. Also try to get some cute cutters, as they will help make boring dishes more cute in a pinch. Finally, always try to plan your lunchbox ahead of time and get your kids involved in the task.
Mushroom masala roll
The first dish is a very Indian roll but with mushrooms. First, sauté finely chopped mushrooms, onion, chili, and coriander. After a few minutes, add diced tomatoes, garam masala, and salt to taste. Then add the garlic paste and mix well until you get a paste-like consistency. Load the mixture into your homemade chapati and roll it up. Garnish it with fresh coriander and ground pepper to give it a fresh punch! Finish the lunch box with cherry tomatoes and a mini orange. It’s only going to take 15 minutes!
Kokum palav with Tomato peas masala
This kokum is very famous and common in Maharashtrian, Konkan, and Gujarati cuisine. Start by sauteing a chopped onion for 2 minutes, then add chopped fresh mint leaves, palav leaves, cinnamon, fresh chili, and kokum peels. Then add 20 ml of water and close the lid for 1 minute. Finally, add the cooked basmati rice with salt according to your taste. Mix everything together over low heat. Garnish with cashew nuts and coriander.
To prepare the tomato and pea masala, first, fry the onion and add the chopped tomatoes, and cooked peas, and add garam masala and green chili. Stir for 6 minutes and add salt to taste! Finish the lunch box with some fruits.
Paneer skewer accompanied with Rolled bread toast
First, cut the paneer into pieces and the tomatoes into thick slices, then marinate them with yogurt, kashmiri chili powder, garam masala and salt. Then thread them onto a skewer and grill them over an open fire. For the toasted bread, press the bread with a roller and toast it on both sides, it will stay soft and crispy until lunch time. This divine combination takes only 10 minutes to prepare.
Protein mayo roll with Methi zucchini
Want a high-protein but 100% veg lunchbox for your kids? This one is perfect for you. Soak the soya chunks for 30 minutes. Then add the onion, cooked peas and squeeze the soy pieces and put it all in a chopper. Chop well and sauté the mixture. After stirring for 5 minutes, add the jeera powder, salt and a little water and simmer for 4 minutes. Once the mixture has cooled down, add a little mayonnaise and mix well. Finally, add some chopped coriander and mix again. Roll it in a chapati and load it in the lunch box.
Secondly, for the zucchini methi, saute diced zucchini and add Kashmiri chili powder, garam masala and salt. Finally, add some Kasuri methi and sprinkle with a little water. Close the lid and simmer for 3 minutes. Add peanuts for more protein and grapes for more energy and nutrition!
Cherry tomato upma
You want a “mess-free lunchbox prep,” yes! You are in the right place, because this meal not only takes less time, but also less utensils to use for the meal. Take a Kadai and make a mixture with oil, urid dal, mustard seeds, dry chili and turmeric. Add the cherry tomatoes and mix for 2 minutes. Then add the Bansi rava and roast for 4 minutes. Then add salt, water and cook until you get the desired consistency. Your magical, mess-free Upma is ready! Finish the lunch box with banana chips and fruit.
Poha masala kichadi and Broccoli tomato salad:
I don’t suppose there is a single child who likes to eat salad. So try making a salad with some of their favorites. For example, fry your kids’ favorite chopped vegetables or colorful peppers and set them aside. Then cook soaked masoor dal for 20 minutes and add soaked thick poha, garam masala, Kashmiri chilli powder, salt and cook for another 5 minutes. Then add the prepared mixture and cook for another 5 minutes. You can add more water if needed. This dish is easy to prepare and does not require a pressure cooker. Also add grated broccoli to the diced tomatoes and mix with salt and lemon.
Roti pizza with Zuccchini 3-gram salad :
Make small cuts in the remaining roti. Then, in a bowl, add the tomato sauce, red chili sauce, oregano and chili flakes. Mix well. The instant pizza sauce is ready. Now, on the roti, apply pizza sauce, spread cheese, onion slices, tomato, bell pepper, onion pieces and sweet corn. Sprinkle with cheese, pepper flakes and oregano. Then, in a pan, place a rack and a plate. Place the pizza roti on top and cook over low heat until the cheese is completely melted and ready.
For the salad, soak the channa dal, masoor dal and moong dal for 3 hours. Then mix the chopped yellow and green zucchini with the 3 dals and add salt and lemon to taste.
Hakka noodles with Chilli garlic broccoli
Sauté the onion, bell pepper and mushrooms for 2 minutes and add the diced tomatoes. Close the lid and cook for 8 to 10 minutes over medium heat. Then add chili sauce and soy sauce. Add the soaked or cooked Hakka noodles and mix well. Add salt to taste. Garnish with onion sprouts and your delicious noodles are ready! For the next dish, stir-fry the broccoli with dried red chilies and crushed fresh garlic. Add salt to taste. It’s very quick and delicious. Also, top off your lunch box with some seasonal fruit and enjoy!
Coconut strawberry halwa
If your child wants to eat sweet dishes for lunch, this meal is perfect for you. First, prepare the seasoning with nuts and raisins. Next, soak desiccated coconut for 10 minutes. Heat some oil in a pan and add the desiccated coconut. Then add 2 spoonfuls of sugar and a little strawberry syrup and cook for 10 minutes. Finally, add the cardamom powder, seasoning and mix well. Your child’s special candy is ready in a flash. Finish the lunch box with some fruit.
Mushroom pasta with Mediterranean salad
First, sauté some mushrooms and add some cooked peas, then blend them in a blender with some Italian herbs, periperi powder and salt. Next, sauté the vegetables and add the Indian favorite tomato sauce and cooked pasta! Garnish with sliced black olives! Mix cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and pitted olives and add a little salad spice for extra kick! Add salt to taste. Finish the lunch box with a Nutella sandwich.
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Egg salad sandwich
Fill your kids’ lunchboxes with a creamy egg salad made with perfect hard-boiled eggs (in the Instant Pot), mixed with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper, stuffed into buttered white bread and cut into sandwiches. Add your kids’ favorite cookies for sweetness, and fruit like strawberries and blueberries.
Hot and sweet hakka noodles with Raw mango salad
Sauté potatoes, corn, zucchini and halved cherry tomatoes. Then add the spicy tomato sauce and salt to taste. Mix well and add some spring onions. Your magic noodle is ready! To prepare the salad, first mix diced cucumbers, pomegranate, grated raw mango and salt, then mix well! Finish the lunch box with some fortune cookies and have fun!
Pumpkin seed khatta meeta rice accompanied with Rose petal raita
First, heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, green chilies, curry leaves, then add 2 spoons of pumpkin seeds and stir for 30 seconds. Then add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric and 1/4 teaspoon of jeera powder. To make the sauce, turn off the flame and add any classic imli sauce and stir until it thickens a bit, then add the salt and cooked or leftover rice. For the raita, mix some red rose petals with curd, salt and chili powder. And to finish the lunch box, mix some orange segments and chopped cucumber with a pinch of salt and your ORANGE AND CUCUMBER SALAD is ready.
Char Kway Teow
Cook flat rice noodles and set aside. Next, sauté onions until they turn black. Then add the other vegetables and stir-fry for another 5 minutes. Add the ginger-garlic paste, dark soy sauce, chili sauce and salt to taste. Add the pre-cooked noodles and it’s ready to be put in your child’s lunch box!
Juicy tomato pasta
Sauté vegetables and set aside. Then, in the same pot, add four juicy tomatoes cut into pieces and 50 ml of water. Simmer for 15 minutes with the lid closed. Crush the tomatoes a little with your spatula and add the previously sautéed vegetables. Then add the olives (optional). Mix again with salt to taste. Finally, add 100 g of cooked pasta. Mix it all together and serve it in your kids’ lunch boxes. Finally, add a few cherry tomatoes and freshly cut apples.
Ginger garlic herb bread with Golden kiwi salad
Cut any normal bread into fingers, pour a little oil and add the ginger and garlic paste, chilli flakes and salt. Then mix it all together with your hand so that each piece is well marinated. Place the bread on a heated pan after letting it sit for 5 minutes, then stir it a few times after two minutes. For the salad, start by chopping iceberg lettuce and mix it with diced golden kiwis, a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of black chia. Mix it up and it’s ready!
Carrot saffron rice accompanied with Orange With chocolate shavings
First, grate 4 carrots and add them to the heated oil in a pan. Cook for about 3 minutes with the lid closed. Then add the saffron and salt and stir for 1 minute. Then add the cooked rice or leftover rice and mix well to finish. To complete the lunch box, grate some chocolate over the orange and you will have a perfect combination for dessert.
Paneer Sandwich
Sauté bell pepper and onion with vinegar, Kashmiri chili powder and salt. Fry the paneer slices on the side for 3 minutes. Add coriander powder, chilli flakes and cumin powder to the paneer. Add salt to taste. In another pan, toast your bread slices and have them ready. Prepare a mixture of grated carrots and cilantro in a separate bowl. To serve, place the bread first, then the carrot, paneer and sautéed vegetables. Send separately when packing lunch so bread doesn’t get soggy.
Chana chaat and Pineapple
Take a bowl of cooked Chana and add chopped onion, tomato and chaat masala, salt and lemon. Add chopped coriander to garnish the top. It’s ready to go! To complete the lunch box, add a few chunks of pineapple.
Chapati bites with Peas curry
Make chapati in small, fun sizes for your child’s lunchbox! Chop and sauté onion
Add turmeric powder, jeera powder and Kashmiri chili powder and mix well. Add the chopped tomatoes, a pinch of ginger paste or fresh ginger. Now add the key ingredient – cashew powder – to make a thick consistency. Add more water according to the desired thickness. Finally, add the cooked peas and mix well. Garnish with cilantro and your master curry is ready! Finish the lunch box with plain raita.
Skin-on baby potato chaat
Mix cooked potato segments with chopped onion, salt, chaat masala powder, coriander and a squeeze of lemon! This is a high energy, full-flavoured serving! Finish the lunch box with fruits and cookies.
Idly medley
Heat a little oil in a pan. Add the urid dal, mustard seeds and turmeric. Stir for 20 seconds and add the chopped curry leaves. After 30 seconds, add the chopped potatoes and stir for 3 minutes. Then add the onion and a little water, stir well and close for 3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, coriander and onion sprouts, stir for 2 minutes. Add your pre-cooked mini idlys and mix well for 2 minutes and your Idly Medley for kids is ready! Finish the lunchbox with some fresh salad and fruits.
Aloo paratha
How can I forget the most popular lunch dish for children and adults in India: Aloo paratha. Fill your kid’s lunch box with Aloo paratha, dipping yogurt, red grapes and Kaju katli (cut into shapes with a cookie cutter). To finish, you can also add a bottle of fruit juice.
Paneer pav recipe
Prepare the steak by removing the bread from the inside with tongs. Heat the oil and add the finely chopped onion and chilli. After 2 minutes, add the chopped tomatoes. Sauté for another 2 minutes and add the chopped tomatoes. Then add the Shahi paneer masala and salt to taste. Mix well and the stuffing is ready. Fill the pav with the stuffing and grill them in a pan with a little oil. Serve with tomato sauce! To finish the lunch box, add some fruits and salads, as well as a bottle of fruit juice.
Mini tomato dosa with Masala mashed potatoes
Take any dosa paste and add diced tomatoes, a pinch of salt and Kashmiri chili powder. Mix it all together with the help of an immersion blender. Spread the dosa batter with a little oil on a heated mini cake pan. Close the lid and cook for 2 minutes on low heat. Turn over and cook for 30 seconds.For the next one, cook the peeled and diced potatoes in the pressure cooker for 6 to 7 minutes. Drain them and let them cool. Add the Sambar powder, fresh lemon, salt and coriander. Mix well and puree. This dish goes very well with dosas. Finish the lunch box with diced cucumbers!
In conclusion, parents wishing to pack a wholesome and delectable lunch for their kids have a wide range of options thanks to Indian tiffin recipes as there is something for every taste and preference, from the filling and healthy vegetable fried rice to the decadent and rich carrot halwa. These quick and simple meals, which feature fresh and wholesome ingredients, not only satisfy your child’s palate but also advance their general health and welfare. For a lunch that is sure to please both you and your child, try one of these 25 Indian tiffin dishes the next time you find yourself in a lunchtime bind.