Pizza is a versatile and delicious dish that is loved by all ages. In this blog we are about to write your query:Why should you choose pizza for school lunch? And how to pack it perfectly.
Pizza is for everyone, from classic cheesy chicken pizza to top-loaded veggie varieties. Along with a Weekend treat or a dinner option, pizza is a good and perfectly liked choice for school lunch. Kids are picky eaters and sometimes we find it hard to feed them with their favorites. Pizza slice is the solution for all those choosy eaters.
In this blog, we would like to share some tips and tricks to help you make sure about your pizza choice and how it is packed perfectly and enjoyed to the fullest at school without getting soggy or cold.
Table of Contents
Why should you choose pizza for school lunch?
Pizza is a beloved food for many due to its irresistible flavor and aroma. As kids love variety in their lunch boxes they get bored of the same dish every day. Choosing pizza in their lunch box for some days can add happy moments. Here are some reasons why should you choose pizza for school lunch.
Convenience
Pizza is convenient to eat in break time and avoid extra effort and utensils. Further, you don’t have to convince your kids to finish the lunch box with Pizza as Kids are already in love with this dish and it is convenient for you for that day.
Nutrition
Pizza has good quality of calories that a meal is needed. Along with the addition of Chicken or turkey, it can be a good source of protein for kids. Cheese is also an essential ingredient of pizza toppings and an excellent source of Calcium.
Variety
Pizza gives your kids variety in school lunch options. They don’t get bored of having same lunch on daily basis.
how do you pack pizza for school lunch?
Packing lunch boxes for kids can be a daunting task for some parents but with the right pizza-packing, it can be easy and enjoyable. Following are some tips for your help.
Use a Good Quality Container( thermos)
The first and most important step for packing food is a good quality container. The same is true with packing pizza for school lunch. Investing in a good quality container is long-term beneficial for packing every kind of food. Plastic bags or cheap plastic boxes or containers seem like an easy and convenient option but they can lead to soggy and delicious food. Always look for a container with airtight lids having an extra layer of rubber band for a tight closure.
Additionally, prefer a thermos container with separators to avoid any mixing. For Pizza packing for school lunch select a thermos container that is right-sized for your pizza slice with perfect height and enough space for topping and crust not to bend not suppressed. A good quality container will ensure the freshness, warmth, and taste of your pizza till lunchtime so your kid will have a good time there.
Choosing the Right Pizza Size
Choosing the right size of pizza is important while packing it for school lunch. Either you should choose a mini Pizza or small slices from a big pizza.
Preparing Pizza for Lunch
Preparation of pizza for packing is essential. Whether pizza is freshly baked or heated in the oven for packing, the first step is to let it cool down a little. If the pizza is still warm, it will release steam and make the crust soggy. Once it is cooled, now cut your pizza into slices of your choice or according to the space available in the selected packing container. It is suggested to cut the pizza into slices as it will retain its heat and will also be easy for a kid to carry and take a bite.
The next step is to wrap the pizza slice in a paper towel or foil so that it may absorb extra moisture released by the slice topping. This will trap the heat and prevent it from escaping. If you don’t have foil or don’t want to use it, you can also use parchment paper or wax paper. Just make sure to wrap it tightly to avoid any air getting in. This will keep the crisp crust intact till lunchtime.
Freeze and cool
If you have a plan to pack a pizza for school lunch in the morning, you have to plan it the night before and freeze it for a couple of hours. You may add a fresh topping of cheese, pizza sauce, and vegetables on top later. Freezing of pizza for a short amount of time will prevent the topping from sogginess and pizza crust firm.
Pizza may have some perishable ingredients like meat and cheese. If we leave it at room temperature it may catch the growth of some harmful bacteria. To avoid such an incident, make sure to pack the pizza in a thermos container along with an ice pack to keep it cool until lunchtime. This will ensure fresh and safe to eat pizza for more time.
Add a Side of Sauce
Kids love to dip their food in sauces, and so with the pizza. Pack a small container of pizza sauce for your child to dip their pizza in. This will not only add an extra burst of flavor but also help keep the pizza moist and prevent it from drying out.
Addition of Tomato Ketchup
Kids love to dip the pizza into tomato ketchup. It not only gives a moist but also acts as a taste enhancer. Small packets of tomato ketchup may be added along with a slice of pizza.
Healthy Pizza lunch box
Pizza is a fulfilling meal but with addition of fruits and veggies can not only enhance nutritious value but also give a choice of flavor additions for kids between bites of pizza. Slices of apple, carrots, or cucumber are some of the good options to add on. This will give your kids a complete, satisfying deal of filling as well as nutritious meals.
Pack It Right
Now when pizza slices are prepared for packing some complimentary sides are also added. It’s time to pack in a thermos container perfectly. Start your packing by placing the wrapped pizza slices at the bottom of the container or lunchbox. Then add extra topping on top, followed by complimentary adds on at sides.
Make sure that things are not overloaded and lid is not pressing the pizza topping and there is enough space available for pizza toppings to be placed without being squished. Close the vessel tightly and place it in an insulated lunch box with an ice pack to keep it cool.
Reheating the Pizza
Some people like cold pizza; if you pack it in a slightly frozen form, it will melt by lunchtime, staying fresh and delicious. However, if you or your kid likes it warm, many schools have microwave ovens in the cafeteria. You may ask the cafeteria guy for a microwave for 30-45 seconds just by placing your pizza on a paper towel. This will warm up the pizza making it delicious, yummy, and freshly made.
With the above-mentioned tips, you can perfectly pack pizza as a lunch box and your kids will be happy ultimately giving you happiness. Next time when you are having dinner Pizza, you may save a slice for lunch the next day, and following the tips will give you or your kid a tasty and fresh meal. Happy Pizza Day! For the packed school lunch pizza day.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of pizza do kids like?
Kids like more simple and classic pizza with one of two toppings. They are not into complex toppings and mixture of flavors.
Is Pizza healthy for kids?
Pizza is not a recommended diet daily for kids due to its extra fat portions. But Kids can consume pizza on some days in a month without affecting their health and having fun at the same time.
How long can pizza last in a lunch box?
When packed in a little freeze form it can stay long for like several hours but if it is packed in melted or fresh form and kept at room temperature then it can long for only two hours as per directions of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for any food.
What snacks go with pizza?
Wings, vegetable and fruit salad, beans, pasta, or some spoons of spaghetti can go with Pizza as a compliment.