Lunchbox banana bread
This delightfully dense banana bread is a lunchbox favourite for a reason. It's easy to make, tastes delicious and is perfect for a lunchbox treat.
Basic scone recipe
Create beautifully light and fluffy scones with this basic scone recipe. Serve scones with cream and jam for a lovely afternoon tea
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8 ideas for creating allergen-free school lunchboxes
Kids with food intolerances often miss out, but in 2023 there’s no reason they should! This selection of allergen-free lunchbox ideas (including gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free recipes) ensures there’s something for everyone.
18 tasty after-school snack recipes every child (and adult) will love
Fight the after-school munchies with these deliciously fun snacks! With a mixture of sweet and savoury, nutritious and naughty, you'll always be able to find the right recipe for the occasion with these ideas up your sleeve.
Easy zingy no-bake lemon slice
With just 15 minutes preparation, this no-bake lemon slice is the easiest sweet treat you'll ever make! Going down a treat in school lunch boxes or as an afternoon snack, this zingy, zesty bite is a winner.
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24 easy lunchbox recipes to try with Countdown
New term, new school lunchbox ideas! Freshen up your kid's lunchboxes with these easy options that are guaranteed to put a smile on their dial and make lunchtimes a breeze!
5 creative ideas for back-to-school lunchboxes
Coming up with new school lunchbox ideas that will actually get eaten is easier said than done. Jazz things up for the final school term with these fun recipes - just swap around the fillings to suit your kids' tastes!
15 exciting school lunchbox ideas to try with Countdown
Skip the predictable sandwiches and shake things up this term! These school lunchbox ideas are not only exciting, they're also oh-so-easy to make. The best part? The kids will love them!
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Wholegrain bread cups with easy tuna salad
Make something special with regular bread with this recipe – it’s easy! Wholegrain bread is transformed into tasty little cups and filled with creamy tuna salad to create the perfect lunchbox bite
Ricotta, pea and ham lunchbox pancakes
Who would have thought? Pancakes in the lunchbox! This recipe sees ricotta, ham, baby peas and wholemeal flour come together to create the perfect lunch time bite the kids will love
Spaghetti, vegetable and cheese frittata wraps
Need some lunchbox inspo? This frittata wrap recipe is a must-try. Pack with spaghetti, sneak in some vegetables and add a tasty sprinkling of cheese for a delicious wrap filling the kids will love
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Bacon, cheese and corn wholemeal lunchbox muffins
Ditch boring sandwiches and add an exciting element to your little one's lunchbox with this muffin recipe. Packed with bacon, corn and wholemeal flour, these muffins can also easily be baked in advance and frozen
Lunchbox pasta salad with salami, corn and mayo dressing
Packed lunches just got a whole lot more delicious! This lunchbox pasta salad recipe is simple, tasty and can easily be adapted to suit the tastes of your child. Toss with creamy mayo dressing and enjoy!
Mini muffin pan vegetable and cheese frittatas
Looking for a delicious gluten-free lunchbox filler? This frittata recipe is a must-try! Packed with plenty of veges and easily whipped up in your muffin pan, these little bakes will become a staple in your household
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Ham, cheese and pineapple lunchbox quesadillas
Swap those sammies for a more exciting lunchbox filler with this quesadilla recipe. Filled with ham, cheese, pineapple and spinach for a dose of greenery, these quesadilla will be a hit with Hawaiian pizza fans
Popcorn, honey and nut slice (gluten-free and dairy-free)
This popcorn, honey and nut slice recipe may just create the perfect snack! Its gluten and dairy-free status makes it an ideal addition to school or work lunchboxes, plus it needs no fancy ingredients
Chewy apricot and coconut granola bars
These wonderfully chewy apricot and coconut granola bars are packed with all sorts of goodness! Try this fantastic recipe for kids' lunchboxes or enjoy for a tasty morning or afternoon tea treat
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The 10 best Vegemite recipes
Spread in a scroll, smeared in a sandwich or paired with cheese — Vegemite is a classic. Whether you want to create a tasty after-school snack or a comforting rainy day bite, these recipes have you covered
Five after-school snack ideas
When the kids get home from school starving, it's a good time to slip something healthy on their plate. We've got five great ideas including muffins, a smoothie, snack balls, fruit dip and quesadillas...
Chunky pecan and choc chip cookies
Chopped pecans add a delicious nutty flavour to these traditional chocolate chip cookies
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Turkey and corn pocket
Skip the soggy sandwiches and jazz up your kids' lunchboxes with this flavour-packed turkey and corn pita pocket. It's stuffed with oozy cream cheese, sweet cranberry sauce and a fresh corn salad for a tasty lunch they'll want again!
Chocolate and banana roll up
The combination of fresh fruit and sweet chocolate will quickly become a favourite snack fpr your little ones. They're super quick to make, and can be enjoyed after school or as a lunchbox treat.
Roasted hapuku with prawns, peas & blood orange
This is one of my favourite summertime flavour combinations, and the colours make eating it a treat. I garnish this dish with nasturtium leaves and flowers, which are found growing wild just about everywhere from the beach to a Ponsonby roadside! They’re not essential, but look great with the blood orange.
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Ham, cheese and zucchini pizza scrolls
These scrolls are great for school lunchboxes (instead of sandwiches) and after-school snacks.
Crispy sesame chicken and vegetable pita wraps
This is a great way to use up any crispy sesame chicken and crunchy slaw. Feel free to add your own touch – iceberg lettuce, for instance, is a nice, crunchy alternative to the slaw. Photograph by Stephen Goodenough.
School lunchbox ideas
It's difficult enough to get kids to eat their lunch let alone come up with something different and interesting every day. And not all kids want to take a sandwich to school. Our recipes will give you the inspiration you need to pack filling, healthy school lunchboxes that will come home empty each day! Many can be prepared in advance and freeze well saving you precious time.
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Mini tomato and cheese quiches
Easy to make and wonderfully tasty, these quiches are brilliant enjoyed hot out of the oven with a fresh side salad or as eaten cool as a tasty school lunchbox snack.
Apricot and sultana biscuits
Perfect to enjoy with a glass of milk or a cup of tea, these gorgeous cinnamon flavoured biscuits are stuffed with apricot, sultanas and crunchy nuts.
Choc-orange shortbread biscuits
Give your shortbread biscuits a twist by adding orange zest and dipping in dark chocolate. A sweet treat for afternoon tea that family and friends will love.
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Triple choc brownies
Chocolate brownies are one of life's sweet delights and yet they are surprisingly easy to make.
Spinach and ham quiche
This spinach and ham quiche is the perfect solution to any light meal - from dinner parties, suppers, picnics and even afternoon tea.
Muesli jam drops
Use any type of jam you like to make these yummy morsels with muesli. A snack everybody will love.
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Gluten-free iced muffins
If you follow a gluten-free diet and have a sweet tooth, these zesty muffins are the perfect choice for when you get the munchies.
Walnut bubble biscuits
Deliciously moorish, these sweet biscuits are packed full of chewy dried fruit and crunchy walnuts. Perfect served fresh out of the oven and shared with loved ones.
Tuna and rice salad
Perfect for school or work lunches, this nutritious salad can be made ahead and stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Arabic salad
Mint leaves enhance the freshness of this delicious tuna salad. Packed with vegetables and good quality protein, it's a wonderfully healthy lunch option!
Salami and ham pizza pie
Tasty ham and salami comes wrapped in crisp pastry in this hearty pizza pie.
Chicken waldorf
This is a hearty salad ... and a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken.
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Chicken drumettes
Tender, marinated, sticky barbecue chicken drumettes are the perfect finger food with which to entertain guests. Kids love them too!
Savoury caraway seed hot cross buns
We've put a savoury twist on the classic hot cross buns with the addition of fragrant caraway seeds to this traditional baked dish. Enjoy warm or cold with a light spread of butter as a light lunchbox snack or afternoon tea.
Cheese and bacon loaf
Golden, fluffy and packed full of crispy bacon pieces, this delicious cheesy loaf is perfect served sliced and enjoyed as a snack for afternoon tea or as a light lunch.
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Apple and pecan muffins
Let the smell of freshly baked muffins surround your kitchen with these deliciously nutty apple and pecan mini cakes.
Chocolate dip shortbread
Dip chocolate into homemade shortbread and you have a yummy treat for morning or afternoon tea, a picnic dessert or a welcome addition to a school or work lunchbox.
Roast chicken with lemon and garlic
We show you how to turn roast chicken into a gourmet meal the whole family will be raving about! The chicken pieces are also ideal to take to a picnic or add to school and work lunch boxes.
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Crunchy tuna salad
A healthy tuna salad with lots of crunch, perfect for lunch or lunchboxes.
Mini banoffee tarts
These little banoffees are a perfect sweet treat that the kids can help you make. By using bought pecan and caramel biscuits, they use less than six ingredients and take less than five minutes to bake.
Ham and cheese roll-ups
Perfect for a picnic or school lunchbox, these tasty ham and cheese sandwiches
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Raspberry and banana mini muffins
Buttermilk gives these fruity, easy-to-make muffins a luscious, creamy flavour.
Homemade muesli bars
Jam-packed full of chewy dried fruits, crunchy seeds and whole grains, these homemade muesli bars are the perfect guilt-free snack to make for the whole family.
Ham, cheese and tomato scroll
A bakery favourite, recreate these tasty ham, cheese and tomato for your family. Delicious enjoyed warm as a savoury afternoon tea or popped in a school or work lunchbox as a yummy snack.
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Muesli muffins
These easy muesli muffins are perfect for breakfast on the run or school or work lunchboxes.
Bacon and mushroom quiche
Frozen pastry makes this bacon and mushroom quiche quick to whip up for any family meal, lunchbox or party. Serve with a salad for a complete meal.
Chicken and mango rice paper rolls
Enjoy these light, refreshing chicken and mango rice paper rolls on a warm summer's afternoon. A Vietnamese classic, the rolls are wonderful served as finger food with a zesty chilli lime dipping sauce.
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Mini quiche lorraine
These little quiche lorraines are perfect for kid's lunchboxes, parties or as a snack. Serve cold or warm.
Corn and polenta muffins
These light and fluffy savoury muffins are perfect for a work or school lunch box. Packed full of juicy corn, fluffy polenta and delicious sun-dried tomatoes, these are a great vegetarian on-the-go treat that will keep you fueled for hours.
Apricot and walnut biscuits
These golden biscuits are delicious and great to make with the kids. Full of crunchy walnuts and chewy apricot pieces, they'll be a sure-fire hit!
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Coffee cake
An easy coffee cake to make for afternoon tea. Spread with butter and serve warm.
Animal crackers
Get the whole family involved to whip up some delicious lunch box snacks for the kids.
Tuna pasta salad
This family favourite can be made ahead and stored in the fridge in airtight containers ready for school or work lunches.
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White bean dip
Nutrient-packed white beans are the main ingredient in this easy homemade dip. Add bread and fresh vegie sticks and your work or school-day lunch is ready to eat.
Teriyaki chicken strips
Delicious served on their own with a fresh side salad or on a crusty bread roll as a gourmet lunch box sandwich, these tender teriyaki chicken strips are easy to make and packed full of flavour.
Apricot energy balls
Whip up these deliciously healthy energy-packed treats in no time at all - perfect for a lunch box snack or on-the-go energy boost!
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Macadamia crumble cupcakes
For a sweet treat that is packed full of goodness, these cupcakes made with Australia's very own macadamia nuts will be an instant hit with the young and not so young,
Traffic light sandwiches
Get your kids to eat their vegetables the fun way - these exciting traffic light shaped sandwiches are full of goodness and will entertain and please your little ones.
Mushroom and spinach quiche
This delicious quiche uses frozen puff pastry, making it an easy budget weeknight dinner. And any leftovers can be eaten cold for lunch the next day.
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White and dark choc-chip cookies
There's nothing better for an afternoon treat than white and dark choc-chip cookies with a tall glass of milk. Bake them with the kids and they'll thank you even more!
Olive oil doughnuts
A different way to make doughnuts with the luscious taste of olive oil and orange.
Chocolate lamingtons
Give the good, old Aussie lamington a chocolate twist with a decadent ganache-filled centre.
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Camp loaf
This is a great sweet treat to take camping or on a picnic. It can also be sliced and toasted on a char-grill for breakfast.
Date, carrot and honey loaf
Naturally sweet and perfectly fluffy, prepare this golden date, carrot and honey loaf for your family and friends. Enjoy your loaf warm, sliced and with a cup of tea any time of the day.
Orange and ginger loaf
The combination of oranges and spice makes this fruity tea time treat both fragrant and delicious.
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Mini blueberry and apricot loaves
These bite-sized sweet loaves are perfect with a pot of freshly brewed coffee for morning tea. Chewy apricots and juicy blueberries are swirled through a delicious golden slice with coconut and crunchy macadamias.
Apple crumble cakes
These sweet and crumbly cupcakes are packed full of goodness to keep you satisfied for longer - a win/win dessert!
Orange and poppyseed cupcakes
These gorgeous orange and poppyseed cupcakes are wonderfully sweet and moist. Serve them fresh out of the oven, drizzled with a divine orange syrup, and enjoy with friends.
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Mini vegemite and cheese scrolls
Perfect for an after school snack or a tasty lunchbox treat - these cheese and vegemite embrace classic Aussie flavours in a delicious baked bread.
Jam kisses
Shower your loved ones with kisses – jam kisses that is! These sweet, iced biscuit treats are sure to impress
Macaroni and zucchini frittata
This is gourmet version of macaroni cheese that both kids and adults will devour. It will be on the table in just half an hour, plus it's vegetarian.
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Apricot and honey balls
These delicious apricot, coconut and honey balls are perfect for an easy on-the-go energy hit!
Figgy flapjacks
Packed full of sweet, chewy fig pieces and wholesome grains, these tasty homemade muesli bars are perfect for a mid-morning snack or school lunchbox treat.
Salmon and spinach quiche
Packed with healthy salmon and superfood spinach, this quiche is the ideal work or school lunchbox. Pop in a salad and you are good to go!
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Cheesy spanish omelette
A traditional Spanish dish, beautiful enjoyed any time of day as a light lunch or savoury brunch, this tasty omelette is packed full of melted cheese, hearty potato slices and caramelised Spanish onions. Enjoy hot with a light side salad or pack refrigerated leftovers as a delicious lunchbox snack.
Apple raspberry cupcakes
The combination of soft warm apples, naturally sweet raspberries and crunchy almonds will make these simple vanilla cupcakes a family favourite.
Farfalle with creamy zucchini
Nutmeg, sour cream and bacon blend with ribbons of zucchini to make a creamy bowl of delight. Farfalle pasta is best but spirals are also suitable.
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Lamb and vegetable triangles
These lamb and vegie pastries are quick and easy to make and suitable for all the family. This recipe also works well with minced pork or beef.
Buttermilk and sultana muffins
Buttermilk is used in these light, fluffy muffins to add a wonderful tang to these tasty treats, which works perfectly with the juicy sultanas swirled throughout. Pack these into your children's lunchbox for school or enjoy with a mug of coffee for a lovely afternoon treat.
Antipasto scroll
Perfect for a weekend brunch or morning tea, these savoury scrolls are packed full of flavour and are perfect for an on-the-go treat.
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Lemon cupcakes
Sweet, fluffy and zesty, these iced lemon cupcakes are wonderful made for the family for birthday celebrations. They are also wonderful enjoyed as a treat for morning tea with a mug of coffee.
Quiche lorraine
The original and classic quiche lorraine with ham and cheese is perfect for parties, lunchboxes or dinners.
Minted fruit salad and yoghurt
Fresh fruit is a lunchbox staple. This simple fruit salad makes 4 servings and you can choose which fruit you use depending on the season. In hot weather, pack with an ice block to keep the food cool.
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Apple and cinnamon squares
There is nothing more satisfying than freshly baked goods wafting with scents of apple and cinnamon. These buns are perfect for morning teas, desserts for the family and kids lunches!
Cranberry and oat biscuits
The whole family will love these cranberry and oat cookies, fresh from the oven.
Citrus syrup cake
Delight your family and friends with this rich, juicy citrus cake. The delightfully dense dessert goes superbly with a drizzling of zesty syrup that soaks into the cake.
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Almond berry sugar cakes
Perfect accompanied with a pot of tea and the chatter of girlfriends, these little almond berry sugar cakes are absolutely divine.
Chocolate brownies
Chocolate brownies are the ultimate bite-sized sweet treat that you can share with friends, family or workmates ... or hide in the back of the fridge to keep for yourself (stored in an airtight container, of course!)
Apple cupcakes with streusel topping
Wonderfully sweet and fluffy apple cupcakes are only made more delicious with this crunchy pecan topping.
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Easy chicken fried rice
Looking to use up leftover rice? Here's a quick way to turn leftover rice into a delicious, nutritious, Asian-inspired meal - and it works best with rice that's been pre-cooked.
Refrigerator brownies
This quirky and quick brownie recipe needs no cooking and will freeze well to be popped into lunch boxes ... or for when you get the munchies and only something with chocolate will hit the spot.
Apple and date muffins
Full of fresh fruit and drizzled with a divine orange icing, these muffins will delight your senses when pulled out of the oven.
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Lemon tarts
The pastry cases for these tangy lemon tarts can be made ahead and kept chilled until needed, making it an easy dessert or treat for morning or afternoon tea.
Almond shortbread
This buttery almond shortbread would make a great homemade gift, as well as a treat for morning or afternoon tea.