Hands up if you think going back to the office after holidays or working from home can be stressful? You’re not alone! With everything going on, the idea of preparing work meals and snacks is something that can easily be pushed to a ‘later problem’. Next thing you know, you’ve spent more than you wanted on a morning coffee, a lunchtime sandwich and a 3pm treat! With a little bit of planning, work snacks can actually be fun and delicious! Here are a few of our favourite office lunch box ideas!
Whole Foods Energy Bar
Ingredients
- 8 Fresh Dates (94g)
- 1 1/2 Cups Prunes (270g)
- 2 Cups Rolled Oats (190g)
- 1 Cups Almonds (132g), roughly chopped
- 1/4 Cups Sunflower Seeds (38g)
- 1/3 Cups Pepitas (48g)
- 2 Tablespoons Linseed (30g)
- 1/2 Cups Peanut Butter, No Added Sugar Or Salt (156g)
- 1 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (21g)
Method
- In a food processor or high powered blender, blitz the prunes, dates and coconut oil.
- Stir through the peanut butter. This is the ‘sticky’ paste to bind it all together.
- Put oats, roughly chopped almonds and seeds into a bowl. Place the ‘sticky paste’ into the bowl and get your hands in to mix it up!
- Line a baking tray and spray with a little oil so the bars don’t stick.
- Press the mix into the tray and pop into the fridge to set.
- Once set, slice into 24 bars.
- For a little something extra you can add 1/2 – 1 scoop of chocolate or vanilla protein powder!
Cheesy Barbeque Popcorn
Ingredients
- 85g Air Popped Popcorn
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Paprika (2g)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano (1g)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Thyme (1g)
- 20g Butter, melted
- 25g Grated Parmesan, grated
Method
- Cook the popcorn using packet directions.
- Meanwhile, combine the spices in an extra large bowl.
- Add the hot popcorn and butter to the spice mix in the bowl. Toss until well coated and combined.
- Spread onto a large baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Scatter over the cheese. Bake in a preheated 180C conventional oven (or 160C for fan forced) for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is just melted.
- Allow to cool and divide into 8 portions.
Ricotta, Honey And Almond Crunch
Ingredients
- 25g Reduced Fat Ricotta
- 1 Ryvita (11g)
- 4 Almonds (4g), chopped
- 1/2 Teaspoons Honey (3g)
Method
- Chop almonds into small chunks
- Spread the ricotta over the crisp-bread
- Sprinkle with the chopped almonds and drizzle with the honey
Raw Brownie Bites
Ingredients
- 12 Fresh Dates (200g), sliced and pitted
- 20 Prunes (160g), sliced and pitted
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (50g), melted
- 1/2 Cups of Sunflower Seeds (66g)
- 1/2 Cups Cocoa Powder (50g)
- 1/2 Cups Coconut Flour (62g)
Method
- Chop the dates and prunes roughly. If using dried dates, soak them for 10 mins in boiling water to plump them up.
- Melt the coconut oil.
- Add all the ingredients to a powerful food processor to combine. If it is not combining well, loosen with a little boiling water.
- Line a small baking tray with paper so it doesn’t stick to the bottom while it sets. Press the mixture into the tray. TIP: Placing a second piece of baking paper over the top of the mixture makes it easier to ‘press down’ without it sticking to fingers.
- Chill and slice!
Apricot Squares
Ingredients
- 300g Dried Apricot
- 50g Dried Dates
- 100g Desiccated Coconut
Method
- Place everything into a food processor and blitz on high speed until combined.
- Line a small loaf tin with baking paper.
- Spoon mixture in and smooth out using the back of a glass that has been covered with a little baking paper to avoid sticking.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour and then remove from the tin.
- Slice into 12 long bar shapes and then cut each into 8 smaller squares.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container.
‘Nutritious’ doesn’t have to mean boring food that leaves you starving by lunchtime! These quick and healthy office lunch box ideas can be prepared the day of or even the night before, with fresh, tasty ingredients that’ll leave you the envy of the whole office. Plus, they’re filling to boot so you won’t have to worry about spending money when you don’t need to! Xx
