Back-to-school season is upon us, and schedules are about to get very busy (per usual)! To help your kids (or you) stay satisfied and nourished, we’ve gathered plant-based back-to-school recipes that are easy, delicious, and prep/pack-friendly!From bake-ahead breakfasts to wholesome snacks and savory lunches, consider your school bags set for success. We even tossed in a few fruit-sweetened after-school treats!
(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)
Tender, wholesome blueberry muffin breakfast cookies made in just 1 bowl! Vegan, gluten-free, perfectly sweet and hearty, and the perfect snack or breakfast on the go.
A creamy, versatile peanut butter banana smoothie made with oats! The perfect satisfying breakfast or snack, with just 5 minutes and 4 ingredients required!
Gluten-free (and vegan!) pumpkin peanut butter breakfast cookies! The perfect wholesome treat to pair with coffee or grab for on the go. Just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required!
EASY, wholesome banana buckwheat muffins made in 1 bowl with just 10 ingredients! Vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and perfect as a quick snack or on-the-go breakfast!
An insanely creamy, nutritious, 6-ingredient smoothie with wild blueberries, banana, almond butter, flaxseed, and chia seed. A delicious, plant-based breakfast or snack!
Carrot cake in baked oatmeal form! Tender, nutty, wholesome, naturally sweetened, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, and beyond! 1 bowl and 10 ingredients required.
Simple 7-ingredient, plant-based shake made with protein-rich whole food ingredients and NO protein powder. Creamy, chocolaty, naturally sweetened, and just 1 blender and 5 minutes to prepare.
Vegan, gluten-free carrot muffins loaded with fruit and veggies. Super moist and flavorful, healthy, and made in one bowl! Perfect for on-the-go breakfast and snacking.
Chewy, satisfying, wholesome breakfast cookies with quinoa, seeds, and 5 grams of protein per cookie! Vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and made in 1 bowl in 25 minutes!
Easy overnight oats infused with the flavors of apple pie! Naturally sweetened, cinnamon-infused, and just 9 wholesome ingredients required. Perfect for fall and beyond!
Hearty, banana-infused baked oatmeal that’s naturally sweetened, satisfying, and requires just 1 bowl and 10 ingredients to prepare. The perfect cozy, comforting breakfast.
Nut-free tahini snack bites with rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, and hemp seeds. SO easy to make, date-sweetened, and perfect for lunch boxes. Just 7 ingredients required!
Hearty, perfectly sweet granola cookies made with oats, nuts, and dried fruit. Gluten-free, plant-based, and SO delicious. Just 10 ingredients and 1 bowl required!
Fluffy, 1-bowl vegan + gluten-free banana muffins generously studded with pecans and chocolate chips. Perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast or take-along snack!
Crispy, satisfying Dark Chocolate Amaranth Bars resembling wafer cookies! Whole grain puffed amaranth combines with creamy, rich chocolate and almond butter for a healthier sweet treat or quick snack. Just 6 ingredients required!
3-ingredient peanut butter granola bars that are naturally sweetened, wholesome, and perfectly salty-sweet. A healthier snack for lunches, road trips, and more.
7-ingredient granola bars that taste just like a raw brownie! No baking required besides toasting the nuts and oats — an optional step. Simple, naturally sweetened, and so delicious.
Simple, 6-ingredient bars that are tender, chewy, and so easy to make. Chocolate chips and almond butter make these bars irresistible without any of the guilt.
8-ingredient, naturally sweetened no-bake fig newtons with nut-date cookie dough and a simple dried fig center. An incredibly tender, delicious take on classic fig newtons.
Unbelievably simple applesauce made right on the stovetop with 3 ingredients. Ready in less than 30 minutes, no added sugar, delicious applesauce every time.
Fudgy chocolate peanut butter hummus! The ultimate fiber- and protein-rich dip for apples, strawberries, toast, or simply enjoyed by the spoonful. Just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes required!
10-ingredient, 30-minute cheese snack crackers with peanut butter filling! A snack that’s seriously close to the real thing yet entirely vegan and gluten-free!
Crispy, gluten-free graham crackers that taste just like the real thing! Vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and made in 1 bowl. Perfect for s’mores and beyond!
30-minute Chickpea Sunflower Sandwich with smashed chickpeas and roasted sunflower seeds in a simple dressing. Sandwiched between two slices of bread and topped with my secret garlic sauce, this is healthy lunch perfection.
Wholesome and delicious classic pasta salad made with creamy pesto dressing and roasted tomatoes. Made with just 9 ingredients in 30 minutes! The perfect quick + easy side dish.
Amazing, flavorful Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Pinwheels that come together in 15 minutes with 8 ingredients. The perfect crowd-pleasing summer appetizer.
Made with kale and chickpeas, these falafel are a healthier take on one of our favorite Middle Eastern dishes. Delicious, satisfying, and only 30 minutes to prepare. Serve on greens or wrapped in chard or pita.
30-minute vegan pasta salad loaded with colorful veg and tossed in a dairy-free, undetectably tofu-based dressing. Perfect for summer shindigs, cookouts, and picnics.
Italian Herb Tofu Wraps with Garlicky Hummus Sauce
Quick and easy wraps with Italian herb baked tofu and a garlicky hummus sauce! Perfect for an easy lunch or dinner, and full of savory, plant-based satisfaction. Just 9 ingredients and 15 minutes required for assembly!
No-churn vegan rainbow sherbet ice cream with a naturally sweetened frozen fruit base. Just 7 ingredients required for this wholesome take on a classic summertime treat!
Refreshing, electrolyte-boosting fruit popsicles naturally sweetened with coconut water and fiber-rich fresh fruit. Just 6 ingredients required and perfect for hot summer days!
5-minute watermelon sorbet made in a blender with nothing but ripe summer fruit and a splash of almond milk. This unbelievably refreshing sorbet tastes like cotton candy.
The ultimate guide to making EASY, perfect 1-INGREDIENT banana ice cream every time! We’re sharing our top tips and tricks, plus 10 delicious flavors!
If you try any of these back-to-school recipes, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Enjoy, friends!
I am so, so grateful for your continuing vegan recipes and also gluten-free! You are my go-to anytime I’m looking for a recipe of any kind. I can count on any of them being easy to make, healthy and beyond delicious! THANK YOU!!
Thank you, Thank you. Thank you. I’m not vegan but I do have hypothyroidism and other chronic inflammation issues. I’m trying to change the diet for me and my children. Thank you for these simple to prepare meals that look so delicious. I’ll post a picture soon. 😊
Alaina says
Thanks so much for this awesome list! Always looking for new ideas.
Anytime! Thanks for the support, Alaina! xo
Karina Dul says
I have been on a Vegan diet when I was born and I am looking for a Gluten Free breakfast recipe for Oatmeal
Marti Glenn says
I am so, so grateful for your continuing vegan recipes and also gluten-free! You are my go-to anytime I’m looking for a recipe of any kind. I can count on any of them being easy to make, healthy and beyond delicious! THANK YOU!!
Thank you so much for these lovely compliments! We are so glad you enjoy the recipes, Marti!
Lynn Sutelman says
I have started a vegan lifestyle and appreciate your wonderful recipes, cannot wait to start making the Penne Pasta Salad.
Thank You
Hope you love it, Lynn! xoxo
Kim says
Looks delicious. Can’t wait to try these recipes.. yummmmy
Yay! Enjoy =)
Vashell Davis says
Thank you, Thank you. Thank you. I’m not vegan but I do have hypothyroidism and other chronic inflammation issues. I’m trying to change the diet for me and my children. Thank you for these simple to prepare meals that look so delicious. I’ll post a picture soon. 😊
xoxo!