The Daily Baon Struggle is Real 😅
If you’re a mom like me, you know that packing baon (school lunch) is part of the daily chaos. We want it to be nutritious, delicious, and affordable—but most of all, we want it to come back empty (not uneaten!).
After years of experimenting with recipes, ingredients, and “baon bribery,” I’ve put together this list of my go-to lunchbox meals that are kid-approved, budget-friendly, and easy to prep even on busy mornings.
Let’s get into the meals that have saved my mornings!
🍗 1. Chicken Adobo Rice Wraps
Leftover adobo? Shred the chicken and roll it in tortilla wraps with rice and lettuce. It’s like a Filipino burrito—and kids love anything in a roll!
Budget tip: Use leftover meat to minimize food waste and save money.
2. Pizza Toast
All the flavors of pizza—without the fuss! Just top slices of tasty bread with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and your child’s favorite toppings like ham, pepperoni, or pineapple. Toast in the oven or air fryer until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’s quick to make, budget-friendly, and always a hit with kids. You can even let them help build their own
🧀 3. Cheesy Tuna Omelette Sandwiches
Tuna + egg + cheese folded into pan de sal or whole wheat bread. Protein-packed and filling!
🍢 4. Tocino Skewers with Pineapple
Cut tocino into bite-sized pieces and alternate with pineapple on a stick. Sweet and savory = baon magic!
🥗 5. Rice + Fried Lumpia + Saging na Saba
A full meal in one box. Add banana ketchup and you’re done!
TIP: Buy lumpia in bulk and freeze for quick air-frying during busy mornings.
🧆 6. Mini Longganisa Patties
Homemade longganisa formed into patties, served with rice or inside pandesal. Less oily, still delicious.
🌽 7. Corn + Cheese Cups
Steamed corn with butter and grated cheese packed in cupcake liners. Great as a side or snack!
🍗 8. Chicken Nuggets + Veggie Fried Rice
Use air-fried or homemade nuggets with fried rice loaded with carrots, corn, and peas.
🥖 9. Ham & Cheese French Toast Rolls
Flatten bread, fill with ham and cheese, roll, dip in egg, and pan-fry. Looks like finger food but fills like a sandwich.
🥔 10. Cheesedog Rice Balls
A fun and tasty twist on your usual rice meal! These rice balls are made with seasoned white rice wrapped around a cheesy hotdog slice, then rolled into bite-sized balls. You can pan-fry them until lightly crispy or serve them as-is in cupcake liners. Kids love the surprise cheesy center, and they’re easy to pack and eat with little mess. Perfect for baon on a budget!
Pro Mom Tips:
✅ Use bento boxes with compartments to make food more fun
✅ Involve your child in choosing their baon once a week
✅ Freeze extras for emergency days
✅ Pack sauces separately to avoid soggy food
Baon Can Be Fun, Easy, and Affordable 💖
Feeding your child well doesn’t have to mean spending more. With a little planning (and creativity!), you can serve nutritious and exciting baon they’ll actually look forward to eating.
✨ What’s your child’s favorite lunchbox meal? Share it in the comments or tag me on Instagram @thepeachkitchen—I love discovering new baon ideas from fellow moms.
