10 Best DIY Protein Snack Box Ideas (Easy Meal Prep)
Protein snack boxes are a great way to pack a nutritious lunch or snack for the day. These protein snack box ideas are perfect for making meal prepping easy.
One of my favorite things about a protein snack box is that it is generally a lighter meal. However, even though it is lighter, it is still very satisfying.
This blog contains affiliate links, click to see disclosures.
List of the 10 best DIY Protein Snack Box Ideas
Box #1 Apples, Cheese & Peanut Butter Box
Box #2 Light Snack Box
Box #3 Protein Center Box
Box #4 Breakfast Style Box
Box #5 Beans and Rice Box
Box #6 Hummus Box
Box #7 Chicken Wrap Box
Box #8 Sweet Snacker Box
Box #9 Traditional Bento Box
Box #10 The Nacho Box
What is a Protein Snack Box?
When thinking about a protein snack box, think of a bento box style meal. A bento box is a box with sections in it. There are generally 4 sections in the box making it perfect for portions of a variety of snacks.
Even though we call this a protein snack box, it doesn’t mean that the box only contains protein in it. The box contains a good amount of protein sources, however, the box also contains other macro and micro nutrients as well.
Here are some examples of bento or bistro boxes.
Why Protein Snack Box Ideas?
Protein snack box ideas are great for being to pack a lunch for a variety of reasons.
- Workout Nutrition
- Light Work Lunch
- Busy Mom Snacks
Protein Snack Box Ideas
These protein snack box ideas have 4 items per box. This is a great way to include a good variety of nutrients. If you have an extra space in your box, feel free to add something from another box idea. Additionally, feel free to mix and match the contents of the boxes.
These protein ideas make nice protein boxes for a bento box container. A protein snack box does not only contain protein. The box contains 1 to 2 sections of protein rich items and the other 2 sections will be either vegetables, fruit, and/or whole grains.
You might be wondering how many grams of protein is in each box. However, the portion amounts are not listed because this can vary for different people. For serving size suggestions, you can find serving sizes on My Plate.
If you want to see more protein snack ideas, see 27 Easy and Healthy Cottage Cheese Snack Ideas to Try.
Box #1 Apples, Cheese & Peanut Butter Box
- Peanut Butter (protein)
- Apple Slices
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese Square (protein)
- Whole Grain Crackers
How to build this box:
1. Add a scoop of peanut butter to one section of the box.
2. Wash and slice apples.
3. Add cheese and crackers.
This would be great to bring to sports activities such as snacks for pickleball tournaments.
Box #2 Light Snack Box
- String Cheese (protein)
- Cherry Tomatoes with Ranch
- Hard Boiled Egg (protein)
- Rice Cracker
How to build this box:
1. Add a string cheese to the box.
2. Rinse cherry tomatoes mixed with ranch dressing.
3. Add crackers.
Box #3 Protein Center Box
- Hard-Boiled Eggs (protein)
- Celery Sticks
- Cheese Squares (protein)
- Grapes
How to build this box:
1. Add boiled egg, celery sticks, and cheese squares.
2. Rinse and drain grapes, add to box.
Box #4 Breakfast Style Box
- Almond Butter (protein)
- Cottage Cheese (protein)
- Homemade Muffins
- Fresh Fruit
How to build this box:
1. Add a section of each almond butter, cottage cheese, muffin, and fresh fruit.
Box #5 Beans and Rice Box
- Garbanzo Beans (protein)
- Brown Rice
- Grape Tomatoes
- Almond Slices (protein)
How to build this box:
1. Rinse and drain canned garbanzo beans.
2. Using cooked brown rice, mix with olive oil and light seasoning of your choice.
3. Wash grape tomatoes.
Box #6 Hummus Box
- Hummus Dip (protein)
- Whole Grain Crackers
- Red Peppers
- Bliss Balls (protein)
How to build this box:
1. Add the hummus dip and crackers each in a section.
2. Wash and slice red peppers into strips.
3. Make bliss balls using this recipe.
Box #7 Chicken Wrap Box
- Grilled Chicken Breast (protein)
- Dipping Sauce
- Tortilla Wraps
- Grilled Bell Peppers
How to build this box:
1. Cut up fully cooked grilled chicken breast and add to box.
2. Add your favorite dipping sauce for chicken.
1. Add tortilla and grilled bell peppers.
Box #8 Sweet Snacker Box
- Greek Yogurt (protein)
- Chocolate Chips
- Sunflower Seeds
- Granola Bar
How to build this box:
1. Add Greek yogurt to a section.
2. Add in chocolate chips and peeled sunflower seeds each in a section.
3. Add a granola bar into the box.
Box #9 Traditional Bento Box
- Rice Paper Rolls filled with fresh vegetables
- Peanut butter dipping sauce (protein)
- Edamame (protein)
- Boiled Shrimp (protein)
How to build this box:
1. Using rice paper wrap fresh vegetables such as matchstick carrots, cabbage, & parsley.
2. Add peanut butter dipping sauce.
3. Add a section of edamame.
4. Boiled peeled shrimp goes into the last section.
Box #10 The Nacho Box
- Tortilla Chips
- Salsa
- Black Beans (protein)
- Cheese (protein)
How to build this box:
1. Add a section of each tortilla chips, salsa, and shredded cheese.
2. Open a can of black beans, drain and rinse, then add a section in the box.
Foods such as hard boiled eggs are easy protein sources to prepare ahead of time. Boiling and peeling eggs then placing in a sealed container in the refrigerator makes packing a protein box a breeze.
Most of these bento boxes can be made in under 30 minutes. These quick and healthy boxes have simple ingredients for packing lunch or snack on the go.
If you are still feeling creative, you can make a mini high protein seafood charcuterie board.
Protein Snack Box Ideas Vegetarian
Here are some great fresh ideas for for vegetarian protein snack box ideas.
- beans
- nuts
- seeds
- hummus
- peanut butter
- almond butter
- pair with fruits and vegetables
Protein snack packs can be very flexible according to dietary preferences.
Healthy Protein Snack Box Ideas
One of the best parts about these food ideas is that they can be a healthy part of the day. Protein snack box ideas include a variety of foods including healthy fats, lean protein, whole grains, vitamins and minerals.
Here are additional ideas for proteins to add to the bistro box:
- chickpea-based pasta
- canned tuna fish
- surimi crab salad
Easy Protein Box Ideas
The best part about these protein snack box ideas is that they are great options to bring to work, school, or on the road. If you like these ideas, you will also like Lunch Ideas for the Road.
High Protein Bento Box
A high protein bento box is perfect for a snack or high protein lunch ideas. These boxes make an easy on the go lunch as well. Many of the protein food in the bistro boxes are considered finger food. Moreover, they are an option for busy people.
These easy naan bread breakfast ideas can be paired with your favorite proteins as well.
