Easy Back to School Recipes To Simplify Mealtime This School Year

The end of summer brings a familiar shift. The relaxed pace gives way to the structured rush of the new school year. Suddenly, mornings are a blur of packed bags and ringing alarm clocks, while afternoons are a whirlwind of homework and activities. 

Finding time to create delicious and wholesome food during busy weeknights can feel like an impossible task. Luckily, with the help of a Blendtec blender, you'll be prepared to conquer the school year with meals that are as easy to make as they are enjoyable to eat.

Effortless Blender Breakfasts

The morning scramble is a familiar challenge for every parent. Getting everyone ready and out the door on time is hard enough without adding complex meal preparation. These breakfast recipes are designed to give you back precious minutes. 

By using your blender, you can create delicious and energizing morning meals with minimal effort and cleanup. These ideas are perfect to make ahead of time, ensuring you always have a quick and healthy option ready to go.

Make-Ahead Blender Banana Muffins

Warm, bakery-style muffins ready in a fraction of the time are a dream for busy mornings. The blender does all the mixing work for you, combining the ingredients into a perfect batter in seconds. This make-ahead recipe is a game-changer for the school year.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup maple syrup or honey
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or other mix-ins.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin.
2. Place all wet ingredients (bananas, eggs, syrup, milk, vanilla) into your blender jar.
3. Secure the lid and blend on a low speed for 15-20 seconds until smooth.
4. Add the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt) and blend again for just 10-15 seconds until combined. Do not overmix.
5. If using, stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
6. Pour the batter into the muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes. 

5-Minute Peanut Butter Power Shake

Some mornings require a breakfast you can take on the run. This shake is a nutritionally complete meal that tastes like a treat but is packed with protein and fiber to keep students full and focused until lunch.

Ingredients

• 1 frozen banana
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in your blender jar. Secure the lid and blend on high for 45-60 seconds, or until completely smooth and creamy.
2. Pour into a glass or travel cup for a delicious and filling breakfast.

Homemade Additions for a Delicious Packed Lunch

Keeping a packed school lunch exciting is a major win for parents. A special dip or a homemade snack can turn a simple meal into something your child looks forward to. Using your blender for meal prep allows you to create these fun, healthy additions with very little effort. These kid-friendly recipes are perfect for making ahead on a Sunday, setting you up for a week of easy and delicious lunches.

Homemade Blender Fruit Roll-Ups

Store-bought fruit snacks can be full of added sugars. This recipe lets you make your own fruit roll-ups with one simple ingredient– fruit. Your high-powered blender creates the perfectly smooth puree needed for this classic snack. Kids love them, and you will love how simple they are to make.

Ingredients

• 3 cups of fresh or frozen fruit (strawberries, mangoes, or a berry mix work great)
• 2 tablespoons of sweetener of choice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Place the fruit and lemon juice in your blender. Blend on high until you have a completely smooth, liquid puree.
2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and pour the puree onto it, spreading it into a thin, even layer.
3. Bake at the lowest possible oven temperature, around 170°F (75°C), for 3 to 4 hours.
4. The fruit leather is done when it is no longer sticky to the touch.
5. Let it cool completely, then use scissors to cut it into long strips for perfect homemade fruit roll-ups.

5-Minute Hummus for Veggies

Hummus is a protein-packed dip that pairs perfectly with all kinds of raw veggies. Making it at home in your blender is more affordable than buying it and allows you to control the ingredients and switch up the flavors. This is one of the most effective easy recipes for adding a savory, healthy element to a lunchbox.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) of rinsed chickpeas
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in the blender. Blend on high until the hummus is ultra-smooth.
2. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of water to reach your desired consistency.
3. Pack it with carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or bell pepper strips for a nutritious and crunchy option.

Energizing After-School Snack Ideas

The moment kids walk through the door after school, they are often hungry and tired. Providing a quick and energizing after-school snack can make a huge difference in their mood and ability to focus on homework. 

Your blender is the perfect tool for whipping up fast snacks that are both delicious and satisfying. These recipes are designed to be ready in minutes, helping you avoid pre-packaged snacks and offer a wholesome, homemade alternative.

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Bites

These savory bites are a fantastic, nutrient-dense alternative to traditional chicken nuggets. The blender creates a smooth batter that combines protein-rich beans with a flavorful sweet potato. They are a wonderfully crispy and satisfying snack that kids will love.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of cooked sweet potato,
• ½ cup of rinsed black beans
• ½ cup of breadcrumbs
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• A pinch of paprika, salt, and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Combine the sweet potato puree, black beans, and spices in your blender jar.
3. Pulse 5-7 times until the mixture is combined but not completely liquefied. You want it to have some texture.
4. Stir in the breadcrumbs by hand.
5. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto the baking sheet and flatten slightly.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy on the outside.

Make-Ahead Vanilla Mango Protein Bars

Store-bought protein bars can be expensive and full of unfamiliar ingredients. This make-ahead recipe lets you create a delicious and energizing snack for the entire week. Your Blendtec blender brings the ingredients together into a perfect batter with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup dried mango
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup almond butter
• 2 oz vanilla protein powder
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup crushed cashews
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients into your Blendtec blender jar. It is important to pulse the blender just a few times until the ingredients are combined into a thick batter.
2. Avoid blending for too long or at a high speed to get the perfect bar texture instead of a paste.
3. Press the batter evenly into a sprayed 9x9-inch baking pan. Bake at 350°F for about 7 minutes.
4. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center. They are ready if it comes out clean.
5. Let them cool completely before cutting into bars and refrigerating.

60-Second Restaurant-Style Salsa

Sometimes the best after-school snack is a simple bowl of chips and salsa. Making your own fresh salsas takes less than a minute in the blender and tastes so much better than the jarred kind you can buy at the store. You can easily adjust the spice level to make it perfectly kid-friendly.

Ingredients

• 1 can (14.5 oz) of fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
• ¼ of a small onion
• ½ of a deseeded jalapeno (keep seeds in to up the spice level)
• 1 clove of garlic
• A handful of cilantro
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in the blender jar.
2. Pulse the blender 4 to 6 times for just a second each time. This short pulsing action is key to achieving the perfect salsa texture without turning it into a liquid.
3. Serve immediately with tortilla chips for a fast and delicious snack.

Simple Weeknight Dinners the Whole Family Will Love

After a long day of work and school activities, preparing a family-friendly dinner can feel like the biggest hurdle. These dinner ideas show how your high-powered blender can tackle the toughest prep work, helping you get a delicious, easy dinner on the table fast. These recipes focus on comfort food classics and are designed to become part of your regular rotation. Say goodbye to dinner stress and hello to your new favorite weeknight meal solutions.

5-Minute Black Bean Quesadillas

This recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It is a protein-packed meal that is incredibly cheap and fast. The blender creates a perfect black bean spread in seconds, which makes meal prepping super easy. These black bean quesadillas will allow you to have a nutrient packed dinner on the table in a matter of minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) of rinsed black beans
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• A pinch of chili powder and salt
• Tortillas of choice

Instructions

1. Place the black beans, lime juice, and spices into your blender and blend until smooth.
2. Spread the bean mixture on a tortilla, add cheese, and fold.
3. You can warm it in a microwave or a pan for a crispy exterior.
4. The leftover bean spread can be used for quick burritos or as a dip throughout the week.

One-Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This is the ultimate comfort food for a chilly weeknight dinner. A high-powered Blendtec blender not only creates a perfectly smooth base but also heats the soup for you. You get a rich, creamy soup with a classic chunky texture in one jar, which means less cleanup.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups warmed milk
• 1 green onion
• 2 oz cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 large baked potatoes
• 3 slices of cooked bacon
• 1/4 cup light sour cream

Instructions

1. First, add the milk, sour cream, green onion, cheese, salt, pepper, and one of the baked potatoes to your blender jar and secure the lid.
2. Select the "Soup" or "Hot" cycle and let it run.
3. Once the cycle is finished, add the second baked potato and the cooked bacon.
4. Press the "Pulse" button 2 to 4 times to chop these ingredients into chunky pieces. This creates the perfect loaded baked potato soup texture.
5. Serve and top with extra sour cream, grated cheese, and green onion.

Flavorful Sauce for BBQ Chicken Sliders

BBQ chicken is a guaranteed family favorite. This recipe uses the blender to create a perfectly smooth barbecue sauce that serves as the base for a delicious slow cooker meal. It is a fantastic meal prep solution for a busy week.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 medium onion
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. In a pan, cook the garlic and onion in olive oil until tender.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir well, and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Let the mixture cool slightly, then add it to your blender jar. Blend on the "Sauces" cycle or a medium speed for 30 seconds until completely smooth.
4. Pour this sauce over chicken breast in your slow cooker for tender, flavorful sliders.

Simplify Your School Year with Blendtec

From energizing breakfast recipes and fun school lunch additions to wholesome after-school snack options and simple weeknight dinner solutions, Blendtec can help you save valuable time and energy.  Explore the full lineup of Blendtec blenders on our website. Discover the difference a truly powerful blender can make and make this your easiest and most delicious school year yet.