Road Trip Car Lunch

Featured in: Seasonal Family Dinners

This creative lunch features sandwiches shaped like cars using whole wheat bread, cheese, and deli slices, decorated with cucumber wheels and grape tomato details. Paired with baby carrots, grapes, and pretzel sticks, it offers a fun and portable meal option. Preparation is quick and adaptable, suitable for vegetarians and easily customized with various fillings and dips.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:48:00 GMT
Road trip ready car-shaped lunch packed with sandwiches, carrots, and grapes, a fun lunch! Save
Road trip ready car-shaped lunch packed with sandwiches, carrots, and grapes, a fun lunch! | pumpkinvale.com

A fun, creative lunchbox meal designed to delight kids and adults alike, featuring sandwiches and snacks arranged in the shape of a car—perfect for on-the-go adventures.

This recipe always brings smiles to my kids' faces when they see their lunch shaped like a car.

Ingredients

  • Sandwich Base: 4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread, 2 tbsp cream cheese or hummus, 2 slices cheddar cheese, 2 slices deli turkey or vegetarian alternative
  • Decoration & Wheels: 4 round cucumber slices, 4 grape tomatoes or black olives, 2 baby carrots, 1 sheet nori or spinach tortilla (for windshield/trim optional)
  • Sides: 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup grapes, 1/2 cup pretzel sticks

Instructions

Step 1:
Lay out the bread slices. Spread cream cheese or hummus on each slice.
Step 2:
Layer cheddar cheese and turkey (or vegetarian alternative) onto two slices. Top with remaining bread to make sandwiches.
Step 3:
Using a large car-shaped cookie cutter or a sharp knife, cut each sandwich into a car shape.
Step 4:
For wheels, attach cucumber slices and grape tomatoes (or olives) to the sides of each sandwich using a dab of cream cheese as glue.
Step 5:
Slice baby carrots in half and use them as bumpers. Cut small shapes from nori or spinach tortilla for windows and details attach as desired.
Step 6:
Arrange the car-shaped sandwiches in lunchboxes. Add baby carrots, grapes, and pretzel sticks as side snacks.
Step 7:
Serve immediately or pack in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack for freshness.
Vibrant car-shaped lunch: whole wheat sandwiches filled alongside colorful grapes and pretzel sticks. Save
Vibrant car-shaped lunch: whole wheat sandwiches filled alongside colorful grapes and pretzel sticks. | pumpkinvale.com

My family loves making this together before a trip it's a great way to spend quality time.

Required Tools

Car-shaped cookie cutter or paring knife small sharp knife spreading knife lunchbox or bento box

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (bread) Dairy (cream cheese cheese) Soy (possible in deli alternatives) May contain Egg (in bread or deli slices) Sesame (in hummus) Always check ingredient labels for allergen safety

Nutritional Information

Calories 320 Total Fat 10 g Carbohydrates 38 g Protein 14 g

Creative car-shaped lunch ready to eat, featuring decorated sandwiches and carrot sticks for a treat. Save
Creative car-shaped lunch ready to eat, featuring decorated sandwiches and carrot sticks for a treat. | pumpkinvale.com

This meal is perfect for busy days and keeps kids excited about healthy eating.

Recipe FAQs

What ingredients create the car shape in this lunch?

The car shape is formed by cutting sandwiches made with bread, cheese, and deli slices using a car-shaped cutter or knife.

How do you make the wheels on the car sandwiches?

Cucumber slices and grape tomatoes or olives are attached on the sandwich sides as wheels using a small amount of cream cheese as glue.

Are there vegetarian options for this lunch?

Yes, vegetarian or vegan fillings like hummus or plant-based deli slices and cheeses can be used to suit dietary preferences.

What side snacks accompany the car-shaped sandwiches?

Baby carrots, grapes, and pretzel sticks are served alongside to complement the sandwiches.

Can this lunch be prepared ahead of time for travel?

Yes, it can be packed in an insulated lunchbox with an ice pack to keep everything fresh during trips.

Road Trip Car Lunch

Car-shaped sandwich lunch with fresh veggies and snacks, ideal for portable, fun meals anytime.

Prep Time
20 minutes
0
Time Needed
20 minutes
Created by Emma Wallace


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 2 Serving Size

Diet Information Vegetarian-Friendly

Ingredient List

Sandwich Base

01 4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
02 2 tablespoons cream cheese or hummus
03 2 slices cheddar cheese
04 2 slices deli turkey or vegetarian alternative

Decoration & Wheels

01 4 round cucumber slices
02 4 grape tomatoes or black olives
03 2 baby carrots
04 1 sheet nori or spinach tortilla (optional)

Sides

01 1 cup baby carrots
02 1 cup grapes
03 1/2 cup pretzel sticks

How to Make

Step 01

Prepare sandwich base: Lay out the bread slices and spread cream cheese or hummus evenly on each slice.

Step 02

Assemble sandwiches: Layer cheddar cheese and deli turkey or vegetarian slices onto two of the spread bread slices, then top with the remaining slices to form sandwiches.

Step 03

Shape sandwiches: Use a car-shaped cookie cutter or sharp knife to cut each sandwich into a car shape.

Step 04

Decorate wheels and bumpers: Attach cucumber slices and grape tomatoes or olives to sandwich sides as wheels, using small dabs of cream cheese as adhesive. Slice baby carrots in half for bumpers.

Step 05

Add windows and trim: Cut small shapes from nori or spinach tortilla to create windows and decorative trims, attaching them as desired.

Step 06

Arrange and add sides: Place the decorated car-shaped sandwiches in lunchboxes and add baby carrots, grapes, and pretzel sticks as accompanying snacks.

Step 07

Serve or pack: Serve immediately or pack in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack to maintain freshness.

Equipment Needed

  • Car-shaped cookie cutter or paring knife
  • Small sharp knife
  • Spreading knife
  • Lunchbox or bento box

Allergy Details

Review ingredients for allergens and ask a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Contains wheat, dairy, and soy; may contain egg and sesame. Check labels for allergen safety.

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving)

Details shown are for general guidance and aren't a medical substitute.
  • Caloric Content: 320
  • Fats: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 14 g