Save A fun, creative lunchbox meal designed to delight kids and adults alike, featuring sandwiches and snacks arranged in the shape of a car&mdashperfect for on-the-go adventures.
This is a lunchbox meal my family looked forward to on busy days. Seeing the smiles when they opened their car-shaped sandwiches was priceless.
Ingredients
- Sandwich Base: 4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread, 2 tbsp cream cheese or hummus, 2 slices cheddar cheese, 2 slices deli turkey or vegetarian alternative
- Decoration & Wheels: 4 round cucumber slices, 4 grape tomatoes or black olives, 2 baby carrots, 1 sheet nori or spinach tortilla (for windshield/trim optional)
- Sides: 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup grapes, 1/2 cup pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Lay out the bread slices. Spread cream cheese or hummus on each slice.
- Step 2:
- Layer cheddar cheese and turkey (or vegetarian alternative) onto two slices. Top with remaining bread to make sandwiches.
- Step 3:
- Using a large car-shaped cookie cutter or a sharp knife, cut each sandwich into a car shape.
- Step 4:
- For wheels, attach cucumber slices and grape tomatoes (or olives) to the sides of each sandwich using a dab of cream cheese as glue.
- Step 5:
- Slice baby carrots in half and use them as bumpers. Cut small shapes from nori or spinach tortilla for windows and details attach as desired.
- Step 6:
- Arrange the car-shaped sandwiches in lunchboxes. Add baby carrots, grapes, and pretzel sticks as side snacks.
- Step 7:
- Serve immediately or pack in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack for freshness.
Save Making these car-shaped lunches always brings back fond memories of family road trips and smiles at the lunch table.
Required Tools
Car-shaped cookie cutter or paring knife, small sharp knife, spreading knife, lunchbox or bento box
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (bread), dairy (cream cheese cheese), soy (possible in deli alternatives). May contain egg (in bread or deli slices) sesame (in hummus). Always check ingredient labels for allergen safety.
Nutritional Information
Calories 320 total fat 10 g carbohydrates 38 g protein 14 g per serving
Save This meal is a quick creative way to make lunch exciting while keeping it nutritious and fun for all ages.
Common recipe questions
- → How do you shape the sandwiches like a car?
Use a large car-shaped cookie cutter or carefully cut with a sharp knife to form the sandwich shape.
- → What ingredients make up the sandwich base?
The base includes whole wheat bread, cream cheese or hummus, cheddar cheese, and deli turkey or a vegetarian alternative.
- → How are the wheels and decorations added?
Round cucumber slices serve as wheels, grape tomatoes or olives as wheel details, and baby carrots as bumpers, attached with a dab of cream cheese.
- → Can this lunch be adapted for vegan diets?
Yes, by using plant-based cheese and deli slices and choosing appropriate spreads like hummus.
- → What sides complement the car-shaped sandwiches?
Fresh baby carrots, grapes, and pretzel sticks make tasty, balanced sides ideal for snacking.
- → How should the lunch be stored for freshness?
Pack in an insulated lunchbox with an ice pack to keep ingredients fresh until mealtime.