Protein Boxes are perfect for meal-prep. Learn how to make your own DIY protein box at home to save money & time.
When I’m running short on time, and it’s time to eat, I normally find myself popping into the local Starbucks to grab a bite that I can eat while I’m at my desk… And more often than not, I’ll either grab some of their sous vide egg bites or one of their protein boxes.
But I’m trying to be better about planning ahead in order to save both time and money.
So, that’s where these homemade protein boxes come into play.
Why You’ll Love Them
I think you’ll love making these protein boxes at home for a few reasons:
- You can control the ingredients, and choose organic.
- You can pick what you want to add to your protein box. Not a fan of carrots? Swap them out for red peppers. Dairy free? Get your protein by swapping out the cheese for hummus.
- It’s much more affordable.
Protein Box Lunch Ideas
1. Pick a Protein
Pick one or two protein sources. Protein will keep your energy level high and keep you feeling full throughout the day.
- Greek Yogurt
- Hard-Boiled Egg
- Hummus
- Tuna
- Cheese
- Nuts
- Sliced Deli Meat
2. Add Whole Grains
Choose one whole grain source to add to your Protein Box. Whole grains are a good source of fiber and aid in digestion.
- Whole-Wheat Pita
- Graham Crackers
- Whole-Grain Bread
3. Pile in the Fresh Fruits & Veggies
Add as many fruits & veggies as you’d like. Fruits and vegetables provide a boost of vitamins and nutrition.
- Grape Tomatoes
- Baby Carrots
- Grapes
- Celery
- Apples
- Bell Peppers
- Cucumbers
4. Pack it Up
I like to pack my items into these boxes from Amazon. When adding ingredients like hummus or peanut butter, I use a cupcake liner to separate them. These silicone cupcake liners are also great – and are reusable.
Here are 3 of my favorite homemade protein box ideas that you can make at home:
Full Recipe
Adult Lunchables
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Wheat Pita
- 1 String Cheese
- 6 Cucumber Slices
- 10 Baby Carrots
- 10 Grape Tomatoes
- 1/4 cup Hummus
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in bistro box, using cupcake liner to hold hummus.
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1/2 Apple (sliced)
- 10 Grapes
- 1 Whole Wheat Pita (halved)
- 1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter
- 1 ounce Cheese
- 1 Hard-boiled Egg
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in bistro box using cupcake liner to hold peanut butter.
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1/8 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1/8 cup Almonds
- 2 Graham Crackers
- 1/2 Apple (sliced)
- 1 ounce Cheese
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to bistro box.
Nutrition
More Copycat Recipes
- Instant Pot Egg Bites (Starbucks Copycat)
- Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
- Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)
Did you try this DIY protein box?
If you loved these protein box lunch ideas I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.
This post was originally published in 2018. It was updated in 2023 to add new information.
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