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Locker-Friendly Foods for Your Kid’s (or Your) Lunchbox

We're always on the lookout for lunchbox-friendly foods that can withstand a morning without refrigeration. Here are our top 10 picks.

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Top 10 No-Fridge Lunchbox Foods

Now that another summer is heading toward an end, we're on the lookout for lunchbox-friendly foods that can withstand a morning without refrigeration. Insulated lunchboxes help, as do ice packs. But ice packs are heavy, and they get lost. A couple of judiciously frozen items can do double duty keeping your lunchbox cold: Frozen water bottles or frozen packs of applesauce or yogurt keep food cold and ought to thaw out by lunchtime. Otherwise, here are our top 10 no-fridge lunchbox foods.

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Nut Butter

If school's not nut-free, nut butters (on celery or on bread) do just fine unrefrigerated.

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Photo: Juan Monino ©
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Jerky

Easy, go-to protein that’s designed to withstand warm temperatures. Beef, pork and fish jerkies all exist (and are delicious).

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Dried Fruit

Both the regular standbys (raisins, dates or apricots) and freeze-dried fruits (blueberries, strawberries or apples) work nicely in the heat.

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Pita and Dips

Hummus and baba ghanoush work just fine at room temperature (with tapenade or black olives on the side).

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Skewers

Bread, cherry tomatoes and basil (with olive oil for dipping) make a simple, fun snack. If you have an ice pack, add little mozzarella balls to the combo.

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Photo: Aiselin 82 / ThinkStock
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Savory Muffins or Hand Pies

Bake off a batch with bacon or cheese inside for an easy hand-held meal.

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Photo: Alice Gao ©
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Cold Food

Insulated soup containers aren’t just for keeping food hot: Try cold sesame noodles, gazpacho or fruit salad.

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Fruit (with Peels)

Bananas, grapes and peaches all hold up nicely.

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Photo: James McQuillan
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Whole Vegetables

Whole little peppers, whole baby cucumbers, or carrots or celery sticks don’t care what temperature it is.

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Photo: Stephen Johnson ©
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Granola

Great for stirring into yogurt once the yogurt is thawed.

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