In a world where mornings are a whirlwind of chaos, getting the kids ready for school on time is nothing short of a miracle. And amidst this chaos, packing a nutritious and tasty lunchbox for your little ones often takes a back seat. However, with the easy and bulk-bake savoury muffin recipe we are about to share, you can bid adieu to those stressful mornings. These muffins are not only a healthy choice but are also a hit among the kids, making them a perfect choice for your child’s lunchbox.

Prep: 20 minutes | Makes 12

Ingredients

1/2 onion

1/2 zuchinni

1 carrot

Handful of diced mushrooms

2 tsp smoked paprika

300g diced bacon

Salt & pepper to taste

1 1/2 cup grated cheese

2 cups self raising flour

1 1/2 cups milk

Method

Grate all vegetables and sautee in a hot pan until cooked through. Cook bacon and then allow to cool completely.

Combine all dry ingredients and cheese in a bowl. Add in vegetable/bacon mix and milk. Stir gently until just combined.

Pour into silicone muffin moulds and bake at 180c for 20-25 minutes.

The key to a stress-free morning is preparation. And this savoury muffin recipe is perfect for bulk-baking over the weekend. With basic ingredients like onions, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, smoked paprika, bacon, and cheese, these muffins are a breeze to whip up. The preparation is straightforward—grate the veggies, sauté them lightly, cook the bacon, and let it cool. Combine the dry ingredients with cheese, add in the vegetable-bacon mix and milk, stir gently, and voila! Pour the mixture into silicone muffin moulds and bake. In under an hour, you will have a batch of scrumptious savoury muffins ready.

Now, let’s talk about the brilliance of bulk-baking. Making a large batch of these muffins during the weekend means you have lunches sorted for the week. Once cooled, these muffins can be popped into the freezer and stay fresh for a long time. Each morning, all you need to do is take out the required number of muffins, pack them in the lunchbox, and you are done! The muffins thaw to the perfect texture by lunchtime, making them a convenient and healthy lunchbox option.

The ease of preparation is a game-changer for busy parents. With a minimal list of ingredients and simple steps, even the busiest of parents can manage to prepare these over the weekend. And the best part? The recipe is flexible. You can switch up the veggies or the protein to suit your child’s taste buds or even sneak in some veggies they otherwise wouldn’t eat.

As an eco-conscious bonus, using silicone muffin moulds means less waste and an easy clean-up. Moreover, baking at home is a great way to control the ingredients that go into your child’s food, ensuring they get a nutritious meal.

Investing your time in bulk-baking these savoury muffins will not only provide a quick solution to the daily lunchbox dilemma but will also give you a few extra moments of peace in the morning. And seeing your child’s empty lunchbox at the end of the day will be a rewarding sight, knowing that you’ve provided them with a nutritious and tasty meal with minimal fuss. So why wait? Try this recipe this weekend, and take a step towards stress-free school mornings!

October 11, 2023 — Michelle Leach