Having trouble getting your little ones to eat their school lunch? Well, using a food flask may be what you need to get them excited about their food again! Packing hot lunches allows for so much more versatility, and my girls love having something in their flask to keep their bellies warm at school. Children often prefer a cooked meal such as pasta or soup for the school lunch, plus it is something fun and different to the typical sandwiches I give them. My 300ml food flask comes in a range of 4 different colours and is the perfect portion size for your school going child. Decorate the flasks with your FREE set of alphabet stickers to really showcase your little ones personalities! Here, I discuss how to use your food flask and list my family's favourite recipes to have on the go.

You can find even more tasty flask fillers in the Lunchbox Made Easy recipe book!

How to Use

Our food flasks are designed with a double-wall vacuum insulation to help retain temperature, and will keep your food hot or cold for up to 6 hours. In the case where you are using the flask for your baby, then we recommend you fill the flask with the food in the weaning pots. Sizes 4-6, 6-7 and 7-8 month pots will fit comfortably inside.

To get the best results from your flask, make sure to follow the following steps...

• Pour boiling water into flask, then screw on the lid and leave to stand for 5 minutes
• Heat up your food in your portion pots until piping hot
• Empty water from flask and replace with hot food, making sure to fill to the very top
• Screw lid on tight
• Pack in your little ones lunch set and you're ready to go!

It is not recommended that you place your flask in the dishwasher, so it is best to hand wash in warm soapy water. Do not place flask in microwave as they contain metal. 

Have a look at the video below to get a better idea of how to use your food flask for the school lunch. 

Recipes

I can't express how helpful it is having a food flask on hand, especially during those hectic times when you're trying to get the dinner sorted and remember there's nothing in the fridge for the school lunch. Whenever this happens to me, I make sure to double up on the ingredients for the dinner that night, and store the extra portions using the pots from the Ultimate Batch Cooking Set. This way, you can send your little ones to school with tasty lunches that are homemade and full of nutrients. All that is left to do in the morning is heat up the flask, the food and pack everything in the lunch bags!

Here I have listed some of my favourite recipes to batch cook and use as flask fillers for my girls school lunch.

Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

My Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup is a go-to batch cooking recipe in my house. The gorgeously sweet combination of the sweet potato and carrot, along with the creamy coconut milk makes this a delicious dinner, and one of my girls favourite lunches to bring in their flasks to school! Find the recipe here.

Quick Bolognese

Who doesn't love a big bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese? Having a batch of this sauce in the fridge or freezer can make serving the family lunches and dinners so much easier. Bolognese is great for quick, healthy dinners and an ideal flask filler for the kids lunches at school. Get this sauce cooked and ready to serve in less than 25 minutes! Find the recipe here.

Vegetable Egg Muffins

Muffins are a great way to introduce fruit and veggies to your kids diets, so I always try to incorporate loads of fresh ingredients into my muffin recipes. Pack a couple of Vegetable Egg Muffins as a snack in the kid's lunchbox, keeping them lovely and warm in their flask. They are super easy to make so you'll whip them up in no time. Find the recipe here. 

Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut Squash is one of those ingredients I just can't get enough of, especially during the winter when it's in season. My Butternut Squash Risotto is so creamy and full of flavour, and perfect for a weaning baby who is able for some texture. Serve this up to your family and before you know it it'll become a popular, go-to midweek addition. A delicious flask filler! Find the recipe here. 

For more ideas for healthy school lunches, have a look at our Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids blog!