Growing up in the ’90s, I always enjoyed a good Lunchable. Fast forward 30 years… making your own “adult” Lunchable is super easy (and nostalgic)!

The great thing about this recipe is that it is so easy and versatile. You can switch things around and use whatever you have on hand. I wanted to add something from every food group for this recipe, so we hit all our needs at this meal. Additionally, I always add something sweet to this recipe because there was always a sweet treat in the Lunchable!

The way I like to eat these is to stack everything (or almost everything) together so you can get the perfect bite. I will layer the meat, cheese, nuts, dried fruit, and olives on a cracker or toasted bread bite. Every time I do this, it reminds me of the scene in Ratatouille when Remy tastes the cheese and crackers together, and it is like an explosion of flavors. This gives you so many flavors and textures and is so exciting for your tastebuds.

I want to emphasize that this is not a rigid recipe; you can change things up to get more variety or substitute items if you don’t like the food I listed. This is just a guideline of what you could do, so be creative and explore new things!

Recipe:

1oz sliced cured meat (prosciutto, Italian dried salami, or hot calabrese if you’re feeling spicy!) (Columbus brand and Del Duca brands are always good but feel free to venture out.)

1oz cheese this can be your favorite cheddar, cubed Swiss, or even tangy blue cheese.
A handful of nuts- pecans, pistachios, or peanuts
1/2 c Fruit- fresh, dried, or flavored
1/2 c Veggie- fresh bell peppers, pickled cucumbers, or olives
Crackers of your choice.
Something sweet. All Lunchables came with a sweet snack at the end, so we can’t forget that! Some suggestions can include candied nuts, jam, squares of dark chocolate, or another treat of your choice.

Instructions:

Slice fresh veggies into slices about ½ in wide.
Cut larger fruit into bite-sized pieces, strawberries in half, and leave berries whole.
Cut cheese into bite-sized pieces if needed.
Put everything on the plate.
EAT!!

Kaylee Christ is a Dietetic Intern and master’s student at UT Southwestern. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 2023 with her bachelor’s in nutrition with an emphasis in Dietetics. She originally went to culinary school and worked as a sous chef for many years before changing careers to become a dietitian. Kaylee is passionate about getting food to those who need it and breaking down the complicated puzzle of cooking and nutrition into easy-to-understand pieces. In her free time, she plays frisbee with her Australian Shephard, Oliver. She also enjoys hiking, biking, and white water kayaking with her husband.