• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Cheap Eats
  • About
    • Welcome to the Good Cheap Eats Kitchen
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Me
  • Members Only
    • Login
    • Club Homepage
    • Club Resource Library
    • Downloads
    • Live Club Events
  • Recipe Index
  • Recent Posts
  • SHOP
    • Purchases
    • Cookbooks
    • Planner
    • The Good Cheap Eats Club
    • Meal Plans
    • Holiday Helps
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Summer Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Join the Club
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Join the Club
    • Cookbooks
    • About
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Budget Recipes

    Bagel Box (DIY Adult Lunchables)

    Published: Sep 5, 2017 · Modified: Jul 19, 2022 by Jessica Fisher

    FacebookTweetPinPrint
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Enjoy an adult lunchable with this simple Bagel Box. Supplement the humble bagel with homemade flavored cream cheese and plenty of fruits and veggies.

    This makes a great lunch, but it’s also a fun, casual, quick dinner!

    bagel and veggies in a container this …

    Want to save this post?

    Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!

    Save Recipe

    I remember when the first Lunchables hit the market. I was a junior in high school and I wanted them. I didn’t really care if they were created for little kids, I thought they were totally awesome, dude. It was, after all, the late-80s.

    And even today, the look of packaged meal kits still appeals to me. I have no idea why, but I still think a boxed lunch is totally awesome. Part of the attraction, I think, is the idea of instant gratification. When you see a boxed lunch at a catered event, at the grocery store, or at a cafe, you know that a good meal is within reach.

    That’s why this summer and now into the school year, I’ve been making my lunches in advance. I tell you: it’s a total game changer.

    Having my lunch already for me in the fridge takes some of the pressure off during the day. It makes it easier to stick to my healthy eating goals. And it makes clean up a breeze.

    Basically, it appeals to my lazy side.

    What do you need to make an homemade lunchable?

    If you’ve got a lazy side that needs indulging, then it’s time to pack up a Bagel Box! These are my grownup version of the Lunchable:

    • whole wheat bagel – Remember you can freeze bagels if you buy more than you can eat this week.
    • flavored cream cheese or Sweet Cream Cheese
    • trail mix
    • loads of fresh fruits and vegetables. Your future self will thank you. I promise.
    • divided glass bento boxes (affiliate link below)

    How to make a bagel box (a DIY adult lunchable):

    Make the cream cheese – In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Stir in the scallions, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Chill until ready to serve. If packing the boxes for take-away, divide the cream cheese mixture into four small containers with lids.
     
    Prepare the bagels. Slice the bagels in half horizontally. Toast if want them toasty.
     
    Assemble the adult lunchable. Divide the ingredients among four containers with lids. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
    bagel with veggies in a container with a grapes and nuts

    How to make this bagel box lunchable good and cheap:

    Here are some of the strategies you can use to make this bagel box recipe more economical:

    • Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale. Instead of paying full price, buy more than you need when you see it on sale. Then you always have it when you want it. FYI: Bagels freeze well, so buy them on sale and toss them in your freezer.
    • Bake your own. My friend Kate bakes her own bagels all the time. I did it once and then never got back into the swing of it. It’s on my list of skills to tackle this year. In the meantime, when I want to get the price point down on this box, I can substitute Pumpkin Onion Rolls or Italian Sandwich Rolls for the bagels. We couldn’t call it a bagel box, at that point, but it would be cheaper.
    • Shop the stores that have the best prices. When I did my big grocery store showdown, I learned that Costco has the best price for a lot of the things I buy, but not all. I might get the dried cranberries at Costco, but stock up on veggies on sale at Sprouts. I might grab the almonds from Trader Joe’s and the cream cheese from ALDI. I just try to work my shopping trips in with errands I’m already running, and keep a specific target price in mind so that I’m not spending more than I should.

    How I make this recipe easy:

    This adult lunchable recipe really couldn’t be easier than it is, but having the right kitchen tools can really make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Over time, I’ve honed my collection so that they are perfect for my needs.

    Here are the tools that I use for this recipe:

    • plastic cutting boards – I have blue boards for veggies and white boards for meat.
    • Ergo Chef chef’s knife – I’ve had my set for several years and they work well.
    • divided glass bento boxes — I love these!
    a bento-style Bagel Box

    Bagel Box Recipe

    Enjoy an adult “lunchable” with this simple Bagel Box. Supplement the humble bagel with homemade flavored cream cheese and plenty of fruits and veggies.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 689kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher

    Ingredients

    • 4 oz cream cheese softened
    • 2 green onion finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon fresh basil (chopped)
    • 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
    • salt
    • black pepper
    • 4 whole grain bagels
    • 4 cup veggie dippers such as carrot sticks, celery sticks, bell pepper strips, grape tomatoes, and sugar snap peas
    • 4 pieces seasonal fruit or 4 cups cut fruit
    • ½ cup whole almonds or other favorite nuts
    • ½ cup dried cranberries

    Instructions

    • In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Stir in the scallions, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Chill until ready to serve. If packing the boxes for take-away, divide the cream cheese mixture into four small containers with lids.
    • Slice the bagels in half horizontally. Toast if want them toasty.
    • Divide the ingredients among four containers with lids. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    • Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale. Instead of paying full price, buy more than you need when you see it on sale. Then you always have it when you want it. FYI: Bagels freeze well, so buy them on sale and toss them in your freezer.
    • Bake your own. My friend Kate bakes her own bagels all the time. I did it once and then never got back into the swing of it. It’s on my list of skills to tackle this year. In the meantime, when I want to get the price point down on this box, I can substitute Pumpkin Onion Rolls or Italian Sandwich Rolls for the bagels. We couldn’t call it a bagel box, at that point, but it would be cheaper.
    • Shop the stores that have the best prices. When I did my big grocery store showdown, I learned that Costco has the best price for a lot of the things I buy, but not all. I might get the dried cranberries at Costco, but stock up on veggies on sale at Sprouts. I might grab the almonds from Trader Joe’s and the cream cheese from ALDI. I just try to work my shopping trips in with errands I’m already running, and keep a specific target price in mind so that I’m not spending more than I should.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 689kcal | Carbohydrates: 123g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 798mg | Potassium: 921mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 22426IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.
    Bagel Box: DIY Adult Lunchable
    « Black Bean Taco Salad
    Eating on a Budget While Traveling »
    FacebookTweetPinPrint

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • close up of crockpot enchiladas on a blue plate with fork and salad.
      Easy Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas
    • close up of freezer burrito cut in half in paper-lined basket.
      Easy Freezer Burrito Recipe with Chicken, Beans, & Cheese
    • overhead shot of bowl of salsa verde beef.
      Shredded Salsa Verde Beef (5-Ingredient Recipe)
    • side view of buffalo chicken quesadillas with filling coming out of sides.
      Easy Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
    • jar of jalapeño salsa with sliced chiles on top and bunch of cilantro and whole on table beside.
      Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe [VIDEO]
    • spoon of chicken taco soup over the bowl of soup.
      Chicken Taco Soup

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe
    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • chicken enchilada bake on plate with side dishes.
      60+ Budget-Friendly Mexican Dinner Ideas
    • close up of chips in black bowl.
      3 Ways to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips
    • the finished plate of loaded nachos.
      Nacho Bar
    • cooked taco meat in oval dish with taco toppings nearby.
      Easy Homemade Taco Meat
    • overhead shot of jalapeno cream cheese dip with sliced jalapeños on top and a spoon twirled in the cheese.
      Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
    • closeup of Spanish brown rice in white bowl.
      Spanish Brown Rice (Mexican Brown Rice)

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Shipping Policy
    • Return Policy
    • Digital Shop

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Good Cheap Eats