Back-to-school time is here again, and with it comes both excitement and stress. For families ready to tackle the new school year, it’s a great time to think about ways to improve school lunches. Using better bread is an excellent starting point.
Made from only the highest-quality ingredients, La Brea Bakery’s wholesome, handcrafted bread is the next best thing to baking it yourself. And our variety of styles and flavors make it easy to create A+ school-day breakfasts and lunches.
Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast sandwiches don’t have to be labor-intensive — here are a few quick and easy breakfast ideas using La Brea Bakery artisan bread:
Breakfast Scramble Sliders: Brush the inside of La Brea Bakery Take & Bake Ciabatta Rolls with oil and toast until the edges are golden. Spread the bottom of each roll with red pepper spread, top with salad greens, cheddar cheese, scrambled egg, and bacon or sausage, and finish with the top of the roll. Serve warm for a hearty breakfast that will keep everyone at the top of their game well into midday.
Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Toast: Combine cream cheese, pumpkin purée, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon in a bowl, then spread on toasted La Brea Bakery Cranberry Walnut Loaf slices, top with chopped pecans, and dust with cinnamon. It’s a sweet treat breakfast that puts a smile on everyone’s face on school mornings.
Open-Face Smoked Salmon Everything Toast: Toast La Brea Bakery Take & Bake Everything Rolls until golden brown. Place both sides of each roll on a plate and spread each with cream cheese. Add cucumber, greens, tomato, onion, and smoked salmon. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and enjoy a restaurant-quality breakfast without leaving your own kitchen.
Avocado toast may be one of the best breakfast options out there. Avocados contain an array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber. A quick and easy avocado toast recipe is delicious as-is on any La Brea Bakery bread, but also serves as an ideal base for adding a variety of toppings and seasonings.
Cold Sandwich Recipes for Lunch
Sandwiches are a classic for school lunches, but they don’t have to be basic. Try these better cold sandwich recipes made with La Brea Bakery artisan breads:
Roasted Turkey Salad Sandwich: Mix shredded or sliced roasted turkey with chipotle mayo and spread on slices of La Brea Bakery Rustic 8 Grain Bread. Top with baby greens and avocado slices, then close the sandwich. The grains and seeds in our hearty multigrain bread serve as a powerhouse of nutrients, especially when combined with the lean protein of turkey and the superfood avocado.
PB&J on Sourdough Sandwich Bread: On slices of La Brea Bakery Country White Sourdough Loaf, spread all-natural peanut butter (or another nut butter) and artisanal raspberry or fig jam. Level up the flavor with a light drizzle of honey, a layer of fresh fruit, or even a few dark chocolate shavings for an indulgent touch. It’s a decadent lunch worth looking forward to.
Ham and Cheese on Ciabatta Loaf: The thin, crisp crust and tender interior of our Ciabatta Loaf is a great starting point for crafting an upscale ham and cheese sandwich. Amp up the health factor by using uncured or minimally processed ham that's free of antibiotics and lower in sodium. Swiss, provolone, and gouda cheese are good sources of both calcium and protein, and adding a layer of baby greens gives this wholesome sandwich a boost of vitamins and minerals.
Mediterranean Veggie French Baguette: For a vegetarian sandwich with a depth of flavor, stack roasted red peppers, cucumbers, spinach, and feta cheese on sliced La Brea Bakery French Baguette smeared with your favorite variety of hummus. Hummus is a great plant-based protein source, adding both flavor and nutrition to this delicious sandwich.
Tips to Save Time and Money
- Plan ahead: Set aside time over the weekend to sit down with the whole family and plan not only your breakfasts and lunches, but dinners as well. Doing this all at once saves time in the long run because you can make just one grocery store trip rather than running out several times throughout the week. You’ll also save money by having a detailed list that you can stick to when you’re in the store.
- Stock up: Buy several loaves of La Brea Bakery artisan bread, and freeze it for future use. Slice before freezing so you can take out just what you need, when you need it. To freeze bread for less than three weeks, simply place your bread directly in the freezer. For longer storage, remove bread from its packaging, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap again in foil or freezer paper. Use it within six months. To thaw, place bread in the fridge overnight, or pop slices into the toaster.
- Keep it fresh: If you’re not freezing it, store bread at room temperature in a bread box, cloth bag, or paper bag. This helps maintain a balance between retaining moisture and allowing some airflow to prevent mold growth.
- Freeze whole sandwiches: Most sandwiches can be made ahead of time and either refrigerated or frozen. Ingredients that freeze well include deli meats, most cheeses, nut butters, and sturdy vegetables like spinach or bell peppers. Add high-moisture ingredients after the sandwich has been thawed. Thaw sandwiches in the refrigerator the night before they will be eaten.
With these tips, school days will be less stressful and more flavorful. La Brea Bakery wishes you and your family a happy and healthy school year!
Let’s Get Social
Share your creations made with La Brea Bakery bread by using #LaBreaBakery on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok.
