Summer is coming to an end, and families across the UAE are getting ready to go back to school. For parents, a key part of this busy season is planning and preparing healthy snacks and meals for school lunches.
Just as importantly, school lunches also need to be tasty and enjoyable to eat and quick enough to prepare on a busy morning. The good news is that the best snacks for kids don't have to be complicated. A good source of protein, something that travels well, and ingredients you can prep ahead will get you most of the way there.
Fortunately, there are lots of simple yet wholesome healthy snacks for kids you can put together using Prime Gourmet's best-selling ingredients and products. Here are four of our favourites.
Healthy school snacks for kids
1. Succulent chicken skewers
A great option for older kids who can be trusted to navigate wooden kebab sticks, chicken skewers provide a strong source of protein for growth and repair. A hearty and healthy alternative to the usual processed crisps and biscuits, they also travel well in lunch boxes and stay fresh throughout the day. Try serving them with satay sauce, BBQ sauce, or your child's favourite dip, or make things extra easy for yourself by opting for Prime Gourmet's marinated chicken skewers.
Available in four variations: BBQ, smokey BBQ, satay, and honey mustard. Made with free-range chicken, you can rest assured that every skewer is of the best possible quality. Delivered defrosted and ready marinated, all you need to do is quickly grill them before packing them up for school. Another time-saving tip is to cook several packs at once and keep them in the fridge for whenever a family member needs a little pick-me-up.
Prime Gourmet's satay and BBQ chicken skewers are currently on offer at 15% off, making it a great time to stock up and batch cook ahead of the school week.
2. Juicy Australian beef meatballs
Meatballs work brilliantly as both snacks for on-the-go and hearty lunchtime meals. Pack them in a Tupperware with a few sachets of ketchup for a low-hassle school snack, or serve with pasta, rice, or in a stew for a balanced yet filling dish that will keep them going all the way through until dinner time.
Prime Gourmet’s Australian beef meatballs are made from 100% pure halal, double-ground beef from Stockyard Beef, one of the world's most renowned beef producers. Naturally low in fat and high in flavour, they're a wonderful option for growing kids, while our large packs of 20 meatballs are made for big families who need something healthy they can cook in bulk.
Our frozen ready-to-cook range is currently running a Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion (mix and match), so if you're stocking the freezer for the term ahead, it's a good time to load up.
3. Cheesy chicken or beef quesadillas
Quick to make in less than 10 minutes and sure to be a big hit with kids of all ages, quesadillas are a busy home cook's best friend.
Just mix some pre-cooked meat with grated cheese, add a sprinkle of chilli or paprika from the Prime Gourmet pantry range, spread over half a side of a tortilla wrap, fold in half, and cook on a large non-stick skillet until the cheese is gooey and the outside is turning golden brown. Even if your kids are eating it cold at lunchtime, it will still taste fantastic.
We find that quesadillas work best with either chicken or beef. To make your life extra easy, you can even use Prime Gourmet's ready-cooked smoked Australian Black Angus beef brisket, or its ready-cooked roasted chicken, all available to be delivered to your front door freshly cooked and prepared.
4. Sautéed sausage bites
Sometimes the simplest options are the most reliable. Slice some sausages and sauté them in a little butter with salt and pepper until golden on the outside, then pack them in a small container with a pot of honey mustard or ketchup for dipping. Protein-packed, easy to prep the night before, and something kids will actually look forward to opening at lunch.
Prime Gourmet offers a range of sausage flavours including Chicken & Herb, Black Angus Beef, Lamb & Rosemary, and Veal & Herb, making it easy to mix things up throughout the week so lunchboxes never feel repetitive. All are currently on offer at 15% off.
Nutritious school lunches made easy with Prime Gourmet
The above are just some of the many ways you can mix up your child's school lunches and snack boxes, creating interesting, goodness-filled meals that set them up well for the school day.
We're currently running a number of back-to-school promotions across our most popular family products till 21st September, starting from 10% up to 25% off on chicken, beef, and ready-to-cook items. Browse all current offers before your next order to make the most of them.
For more healthy snacks for school and lunchbox inspiration using Prime Gourmet ingredients, take a browse through our meat, poultry, fish, and grocery ranges. And if you're planning full meals too, check out our easy healthy school lunch ideas for more inspiration.