Today’s post is quick but hopefully something that y’all find helpful! I actually saw the idea for muffin tin lunches in a magazine when I was pregnant with Annie. She is 9 so that means I’ve been doing this little technique for easy lunches for years. The kids and I both love it.
Now, I don’t know about y’all, but whenever I have to be someplace in the mornings, I always seem to be running late. It seems impossible to get someplace on time if I have to get everyone fed and clean up the kitchen after breakfast! I was browsing ideas for a kid-friendly breakfast on-the-go when it hit me…
MUFFIN TINS were the answer!
I figured since all of the kids love the idea of muffin-tin lunch, Â I would switch it up and do muffin-tin BREAKFAST. And it’s been a huge hit – life changing y’all! They love how fun and independent a muffin-tin meal is – and I love how easy it is to get these all ready in advance.
I found my 6-cup muffin tins at the Dollar Tree for… wait for it… $1!
You can get much better quality tins on Amazon, but remember what they’re being used for and buy accordingly. đ
As we head out the door, I grab each of the kids’ individual trays, as well as their water cups. When I make a muffin-tin breakfast or lunch to go, I intentionally choose foods that aren’t mushy, will stain or foods that are more likely to be crumbling all over. You can customize this muffin tin to your children’s likes/dislikes, dietary or allergy restrictions. The only thing I put in the try that wouldn’t last for a few hours in the car is probably the fruit and the cheese – but those are the things that the kids always eat first!
Here are some of my Muffin Tin Breakfast on-the-go ideas:
- Crackers, like the bite-sized oyster crackers from Aldi.
- Slices or pieces of cheddar cheese.
- Nuts and seeds. Each child likes different nuts so I put their preference in the cups.
- Cereal of choice. My kids love Trader Joe’s bran flakes.
- Fruit of choice. Strawberries, pears, apples, blueberries, grapes, clementines – whatever you like. I dice up the fruit for my kids into small pieces so nothing is a choking hazard.
- Dried fruit. We do banana or apple chips, raisins, or dates.
- Hard-boiled eggs.
- Meat. Pre-cooked bacon, lunch meat, pepperoni, or even jerky if your kids like it.
- Veggies. Diced or sliced into manageable pieces.
- Mini muffins.
- Trail mix or granola. This depends on how messy your kiddos are. Annie could handle it, but Ruthie would decorate the car with it!
Keep in mind – this doesn’t have to be fancy, y’all!
This is just a fun, easy way to get your kids a healthy and easy breakfast on-the-go. If we were eating these at home, I do at messier things like applesauce with a spoon, ranch to dip veggies in, nut or seed butter to dip apples or carrots in, even leftovers or Annie’s Mac and Cheese. What about you?! I’d love to hear all of your suggestions for muffin-tin breakfast and lunches, so please share below!
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