Back-to-school season means busy mornings, packed lunches, and after-school snack attacks. To make life easier (and a little tastier), I rounded up three of our family favorites you can prep ahead: copycat Starbucks-style Egg Bites, mini Pumpkin Muffins, and sweet + salty Caramel Apple Bark.
These recipes are simple, kid-approved, and perfect for meal prep!
Table of Contents
🍳 Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites
Moms can’t just run on caffeine alone—we need protein, too. These little bites are a lifesaver because they’re packed with protein and they’re easy to grab when the mornings get crazy. I love prepping a batch ahead of time so I’m not skipping my own breakfast while making sure the kids are ready for school.
They’re basically a copycat version of Starbucks egg bites, but budget-friendly and made right at home. Bonus: they taste just as good (if not better) and you can tweak them however you like with different cheeses or add-ins.
Ingredients
- 8 eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese (I like Gruyère)
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- Avocado oil spray
- 6 slices of bacon
- Chives for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Start a pot of boiling water while preheating.
- Blend eggs, cottage cheese, shredded cheese, cornstarch, and seasonings until smooth.
- Spray muffin tin with avocado oil and divide mixture evenly into 12 cups.
- Place a 9×13 pan with boiling water on the bottom rack of your oven.
- Bake egg bites on the middle rack, above water bath, for 25 minutes.
- Garnish with chives and bacon crumbles if desired.
More Lunch Prep Ideas:
🧁 Mini Pumpkin Muffins
Back-to-school season means I’m always looking for snacks that feel like a treat but still give a little comfort. These mini pumpkin muffins are just the thing—soft, spiced, and perfectly bite-sized. They’re great for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or even a quick breakfast when we’re rushing out the door.
I love making a double batch so half can be topped with cinnamon sugar and half with chocolate chips—because let’s be real, the kids (and me!) can never agree on just one favorite. And since they’re mini, they bake up fast and store easily for the week.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 3/4 cups flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
- In a bowl, whisk pumpkin, vanilla, and oil. Add sugars, milk, and egg. Stir in spices, salt, and baking soda.
- Gently fold in flour until just combined.
- Scoop batter into muffin pan (cups mostly full).
- Bake for 8 minutes, reduce oven temp to 350°F, and bake 6–10 minutes more until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Optional: sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or mini chocolate chips before baking.
From mixer to scoops and more, I rounded up everything I use for lunch prep on Amazon here.
🍏 Caramel Apple Bark
This one is pure mom hack—it looks fancy, tastes amazing, but takes almost no effort. It’s the perfect “treat” recipe that feels seasonal and fun without spending hours in the kitchen. My kids love helping layer the pretzels and apples, and I love that it makes a big sheet you can break apart into grab-and-go pieces for snacks or dessert.
It’s sweet, salty, crunchy, and fruity all at once—the ultimate fall combo. Bonus: it stores well in the freezer, so you can make it ahead and pull out pieces whenever you need a little something extra.
Ingredients
- 1/2 bag (about 1 cup) chocolate chips
- Pretzels, enough to cover chocolate layer
- Caramel sauce (melted slightly)
- 1–2 Granny Smith apples (or favorite variety), chopped
- Extra caramel & chocolate for drizzle
Instructions
- Melt chocolate and spread in a lined baking dish.
- Cover with pretzels.
- Spread caramel sauce, then top with chopped apples.
- Drizzle with extra caramel and chocolate.
- Freeze at least 2 hours, then break into bark pieces.
A Few More Lunch Prep Ideas:
Why These Recipes Work
- Make-Ahead Friendly – all three can be prepped ahead of time.
- Kid + Lunchbox Approved – perfect for school snacks or after-school treats.
- Fall Flavor Twist – from cozy pumpkin spice to caramel apple goodness.
Back to School
Apple "Donut" Snacktivity for Kids
I wanted to share what a good “snacktivity for kids” looks like… you know, a snack that doubles as an activity and keeps the kids entertained for at least a good 20 minutes!
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