5 simple school lunch recipes your kids can help make

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It's one of the most frustrating questions parents deal with every morning.

We find ourselves asking, "what can I pack for my child's lunch that is healthy and they will actually eat?"

Jamie Palenque, the executive chef at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center offers five recipes easy enough for your kids to help make!

Homemade Granola Bars

½ cup margarine
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup honey
¼ cup flour
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp cinnamon
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup rice crisp cereal
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup sliced almonds

Step 1
Heat oven 350 F. Coat a 9x13-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray

Step 2
Melt the margarine in a large pot over a low heat. Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the sugar, honey, flour, vanilla extract and cinnamon.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Step 3
Transfer the mixture to the baking pan. Using a sheet waxed paper and the palms of your hands, press the granola firmly into the pan, packing it to a flat and even thickness.

Step 4
Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Allow the granola to cool one hour in the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting bars. Makes 16 to 24 rectangular bars.

Fresh Fruit Pizza

1 pound pre-made pizza dough
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoons sugar
1 (8-ounce) package low-fat cream cheese at room temperature
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assorted fruit (blueberries, banana slices, mandarin orange sections, seedless grapes, kiwi fruit slices, and strawberry halves or any other favorite fruit)

Step 1
Heat the oven to 400°

Step 2
Spread the dough in an ungreased 12-inch pizza pan. Brush on the butter and sprinkle one tablespoon of sugar. Bake the crust until it is golden brown about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool the crust on a wire rack.

Step 3
In a medium-size bowl, combine the frosting ingredients with a rubber spatula. Mix until smooth.

Step 4
Spread the frosting over the cooled crust. Gently press in the fruit. Serves 12.

Cheesy Stars
Use a small star cookie cutter to cut reduced fat cheddar cheese 
pieces.
 
In a separate bag provide crackers or apple slices. You can also use the cookie cutter to cut bologna, ham or turkey.