If you’ve made your way here from our magazine pages, welcome to the full recipe collection. To make back-to-school mornings easier, Asha Maharana, popularly known as Mrs YumTum, shares practical lunchbox ideas focused on balanced ingredients, easy prep and flavours kids naturally enjoy.

 Asha Maharana aka Mrs YumTum shares practical, kid-approved lunchbox recipes designed for busy school mornings.

OATS DOSA
(Serves 4)

A simple batter swap that cuts down on rice while adding oats. The best part? You would hardly know it’s made with oats, making it a great option even for fussy kids.

Ingredients
• 1 cup urad dal
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 tsp methi dana
• Salt to taste

Prep
• Soak urad dal and methi dana
• Add oats and blend into a smooth batter
• Ferment and add salt before use

Method
• Spread the batter on a hot tawa like a dosa
• Cook until crisp on both sides
• Serve with chutney or pack into lunchboxes

VEG ENERGY NUGGETS
(Makes 12-15)

A fun way to include humble, high-fibre dalia (broken wheat) into your child’s meals. Soft on the inside and crisp outside, these make an easy lunchbox snack.

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup cooked dalia (soak for 10 minutes and cook till soft, not mushy)
• 1 small carrot, grated
• 2 small boiled potatoes
• Fresh coriander
• 50g paneer
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp red chilli flakes
• 1/4 tsp pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp chaat masala
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder

Method
• Mix all ingredients in a bowl and mash together well
• Shape into small nuggets
• Cook on a pan or appe pan with a little oil until golden and crispy on all sides

POWER ROTI ROLLS
(Makes 7-8)

Almost every child loves cheese balls. This version gives them a healthier twist that you can serve more often.

Method

Powder Mix
• Grind a handful of roasted makhana, 3 tsp oats and 1 tbsp sesame seeds into a powder

Mix
• In the same blender, crush 1/2 cup boiled corn
• Add to a bowl with:
– 1/2 cup grated paneer
– Chopped capsicum
– Fresh coriander
– Chilli flakes
– Pepper powder
– Salt to taste
– 3 tbsp prepared powder mix
– 2 grated cheese cubes

Method
• Mix well and shape into small balls
• Cook in an appe pan with some oil until golden brown and crispy on all sides

Garlic Butter
• 3–4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
• 1/2 tsp mixed herbs
• Fresh coriander, chopped
• Pepper powder
• 4-5 crushed garlic

Method
• Spread garlic butter on rotis
• Add the kala chana filling and roll tightly
• Toast lightly before packing for lunchboxes

OATS MOONG TOASTIE
(Makes 4)

This has become my daughter’s favourite. Loaded with nutrition, it works well as a healthy tiffin box option or evening snack.

Recipe

• 1/4 cup moong dal
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1 tsp pumpkin seeds
• 1 tbsp curd
• 1.5 tbsp rice flour
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste

Prep

• Soak everything for 30-40 minutes

Method

• Blend into a fine batter
• On a tawa, add oil, sesame seeds, mustard seeds, and curry leaves
• Dip bread into the batter and place on the tawa
• Add vegetables like beetroot, carrot, capsicum, or bell peppers
• Flip and cook on low flame until crispy

VEG WRAP WITH OATS AND POHA TIKKI
(Makes 5-6)

A filling, non-messy lunchbox option made with poha and oats that kids will enjoy.

Oats Poha Tikki

• 1 cup poha
• 1/2 cup oats
• 2 boiled potatoes
• 1 small onion, chopped
• Fresh coriander
• 1/4 cup crushed corn
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp chaat masala
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• Squeeze of half a lime

Method

• Soak poha and oats for 5 minutes
• Drain and mix with all the ingredients
• Mash well and shape into tikkis
• Cook with some oil until crispy on both sides
• Add cheese on top, cover, and cook for 2 minutes on low flame

HULK CHEESE BALLS
(Makes 7-8)

A healthier version of cheese balls with extra greens added in.

Method

• Grind roasted makhana, oats, and sesame seeds into a powder
• Blend paneer, broccoli, and spinach without water
• Mix with chopped onions, chilli flakes, pepper powder, salt, 3 tbsp powder mix, and grated cheese
• Shape into small balls
• Cook in an appe pan with some oil until golden brown and crispy

With a little prep and simple ingredients, school lunches can become healthier, easier to pack, and far more enjoyable for both parents and kids.