Five cheap and easy homemade lunchbox fillers to stretch your January budget
IT’S a new school term and time to fill lunchboxes with some affordable, homemade snacks.
Skip the shop-bought options with these easy recipes to stretch your January budget.
OAT-STANDING BARS: Ditch cereal bars for homemade oat bars made with just three ingredients.
You need: 240g oats, £1.25, 240g honey, £1.75, and 60g peanut butter, £1.09, all from Asda.
Mix everything in a bowl, spread on a shallow baking tray, and bake on a low heat for 15-20 minutes.
Once cool, cut into bite-sized bars.
The oats provide slow-releasing energy, keeping the children fuller for longer.
CHOCS AWAY: Make your own chocolate bars.
Melt cooking chocolate, £1.09, and stir in Harvest Morn crisp rice cereal, 79p, both from Aldi.
Add cupboard extras like nuts, dried fruit, or marshmallows.
Pour into a shallow dish, refrigerate until set, then slice.
TRY A PITTA THIS: Transform plain pitta breads, 65p per pack at Sainsbury’s, into crispy snacks.
Cut into triangles, lightly brush with oil, bake until golden, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
A tasty and cost-effective alternative to individual packs of crisps.
ROLL WITH IT: Homemade fruit rolls are simple to make.
Thaw Morrisons Wonky frozen berries, £2.99 for 1kg, overnight, then blend and add a spoonful of honey.
Spread the mix thinly on a lined tray and bake on a low heat until set.
Once cooled, roll and slice into bite-sized strips or rolls.
POP IT IN: Avoid pricey popcorn packs and instead pick up Tesco popcorn kernels, £1.80.
Pop them at home for a fraction of the cost — one pack will give you plenty of portions.
Dust with icing sugar, a pinch of salt, or even cinnamon for a delicious snack.
Make a large batch today and separate into sandwich bags to help with speedy lunchbox packing for the rest of the week.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
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Cheap treat
FRIDGE filler – a four-pack of Muller Corner Crunch yoghurts is usually £3.20.
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SAVE: £1.70
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