Glutino gifted me with free gluten-free products for this post. All opinions are my own.

Autumn is on the horizon. Let the best school lunch box games begin! Are you ready? Glutino kindly sent me kid-friendly gluten-free lunch box items. Inspired, I set out to create 3 Back-to-School Bentos packed with Glutino gluten-free goodness.

Here’s why the Glutino products in the Ninja Baker’s bentos are great eats:
1. The Bread: The Glutino Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread is fluffy and filled with wholesome goodness. The Cinnamon Raisin sings spice and the plump, juicy raisins harmonize sweetly.
2. The Animal Crackers: Both Glutino Animal Crackers are slightly softer than the crisper counterpart. Both versions (original and graham) deliver greater depths of flavor.
3. The Pop Tarts and Breakfast Bars: Soft pastry hugs strawberry and blueberry jams. As a “regular” pop tart fan from way back I thought the lack of frosting might deter from deliciousness. It doesn’t. The uber-sweet frosting was not missed.

In Japan, bento lunch boxes range in presentation (and price!) From the silly to the sophisticated, bento lunch boxes are carried out of the home. Or purchased in depa chika department store basement food halls. (The grand displays definitely rival the aisles of the famed Harrods of London.) Homemade bento boxes – like anything homemade – are filled with love. And an opportunity to have a bit of creative fun…. What kind of bento boxes do you want to pack? Love to hear in the comments section.

Bunny Love Bento

A scrumptious scoop of animal crackers stars in this gluten-free bento lunch. The bento is chock full of veggies, nuts and fruits that a bunny would love. But Bunny Love Bentos are not just for “wabbits.” (Remember the Trix cereal commercial?)

You’ll need:
A Japanese bento box
Bunny rabbit cookie cutters

Ingredients:

Almond butter and a favorite jam
Apple slices
Carrot sticks
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers
Glutino Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin or Multigrain Bread
Raisins or dried cranberries

Directions:

Slather almond butter and jam on bread. Top with another slice of bread. Firmly but gently press the bunny cookie cutter into the sandwich.

Arrange the bunny sandwiches atop a nest of raisins or dried cranberries.

Fill the rest of the bento box with apple and carrot slices. Generously add a handful of animal crackers.

Gluten-Free Strawberry Pop Tart Sandwich Bento

This Gluten-Free Strawberry Pop Tart Sandwich Bento is a twist on a childhood lunch. Cream cheese and jam sandwiches were introduced to me in Tokyo by my stepmother. Apparently it was a ‘50s classic.

Go with red apples for an all red theme. Go for green apples if you prefer a bit of tart to balance sweet pastry.

Ingredients:

Dried cherries or cranberries
Green or red apple slices
Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry or Cinnamon Apple Toaster Pastry (aka Pop Tarts)
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers
Vegan (or dairy) cream cheese
Optional: A small surprise gift for your child

Directions:

Scoop a tablespoon (or more!) of cream cheese between the halves of a Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry. Sprinkle in dried fruit alongside fresh fruit. Add a generous handful of animal crackers. Tuck a surprise trinket into the bento box as an extra treat.

ABC Glutino Snack Pack

My ABC Glutino Snack Pack Bento is one smart way to approach snack time. Your child will give you an A+ for yumminess. (Shhh, don’t tell him/her the treats are actually healthy!)

Ingredients:

Almond Butter
Carrot Sticks
Glutino Apple, Blueberry, Cherry or Strawberry Breakfast Bar
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers

Directions:

Accompany a scoop of organic almond or peanut butter with carrot sticks. Throw a breakfast bar into the bento box. Plant a kiss on your child. Pat yourself for making smart choices and being a stellar parent!

Wishing you inspired bento boxes sprinkled with Love.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

The Ninja Baker - #lunch #easyrecipes

3 Back-to-School Bentos, #Glutino

Bunny Love Bento

Gluten-Free Strawberry Pop Tart Sandwich Bento

ABC Glutino Snack Pack