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Lunchbox snacks you can freeze
Mornings can be busy times – you need to get everyone, including yourself, ready for the day ahead. These tasty and nutritious lunchbox snacks take the hassle out of packing your child’s lunchbox in the morning – they can all be prepared ahead and then frozen, so all you need to do is grab and go!
• POTATO POPS
Next time you have some mash left over from dinner, make these little savoury snacks then place in a zip-lock bag and freeze for a tasty lunchbox treat. They’re delicious served with a dip – just stir a little Squish 100% Fruit or Veg Puree into some cottage cheese or yoghurt. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees are made using quality fruit and vegetables with no dilution, which means they provide parents with convenience, without compromising on quality. Squish Purees contain no colourants, preservatives or flavourants, and have no added sugar.
Ingredient
2 cups mashed potato
1 x 110 ml Squish 100% Butternut + Carrot Puree
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 egg
1 cup + 3 Tbsp breadcrumbs
salt and pepper
2 Tbsp sunflower oil
Method
In a large bowl, combine the mash, Squish 100% Butternut + Carrot Puree and cheese. Add the egg and 3 Tbsp of breadcrumbs and mix well. Season to taste. Shape into balls and roll in breadcrumbs. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan. Fry the potato pops in batches for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
TIP: These can also be cooked in an air fryer or in a 180° oven for 15 minutes.
MINI FRUITY MUFFINS
These mini muffins are great to add to your little one’s lunchbox – they’re made using Squish 100% Fruit Puree, which adds natural sweetness, meaning you can use less cane sugar. You can switch up the flavours by adding the leftovers from the Squish pouches you have in your fridge (even the Squish 100% Veggie Purees work well). Squish pouches come with a resealable screw-top lid, which means you can just use what you need and save the rest for later.
Ingredients
1½ cups flour
1½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
¼ cup sunflower oil
1 x 110 ml Squish 100% Fruit Salad Puree
1 x 110 ml Squish 100% Apple Puree
Method
Sift flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl.
Stir in the brown sugar. Mix the egg and the oil together and stir in the Squish 100% Fruit Salad Puree and the Squish 100% Apple Puree.
Add the puree mixture to the dry ingredients and fold gently until just mixed.
Spoon the muffin batter into a mini muffin tray that has been lined with paper muffin cups. Bake the muffins in an oven that has been preheated to 180˚C for 15 minutes or until the muffins are golden and firm to the touch.
TIP: These are great alternatives to cupcakes at birthday parties – just top with a thin layer of chocolate spread.
• CHEESY VEG BITES
These tasty veg-packed snacks are full of natural goodness and are ideal lunchbox fillers. We used Squish 100% Mixed Veg Puree, but you could try any of the flavours, including Pear + Sweet Potato or Butternut + Carrot.
Ingredients
1 cup cheese
1 x 110ml Squish 100% Mixed Veg Puree
¼ small onion, finely grated
2 cups breadcrumbs (simply put several slices of bread into your processor and blitz)
½ cup wholewheat flour
2-3 large courgettes, finely grated
2 large carrots, finely grated
½ clove garlic grated, finely grated
2 Tbsp olive oil/coconut oil
1 tsp dried herbs
Method
Combine all the ingredients then leave to rest for 20 minutes. Roll into small balls. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for 20-25 minutes. (If you have an air-fryer, 10 minutes tops.)
TIP: Add a box of Squish 100% Fruit Juice to your child’s lunchbox to ensure they stay hydrated – try Squish 100% Apple + Grape Juice with Rooibos Extract, Summer Berries or Pear + Prune. They’re preservative free and only contain fresh fruit.