Some weeks, I have so much going on—both at work and outside of it—that I don’t want to spend much time thinking about lunch. I just want to open the refrigerator, pull together a few things I already have, and call it a meal.

That’s where these work-from-home snack plates come in.

They’re essentially grown-up Lunchables made with a mix of protein, cheese, fruit, vegetables, crackers, dips, and whatever else sounds good that week. There’s very little cooking involved, they’re easy to assemble ahead of time, and no two plates have to look exactly the same.

I also love that snack plates make an ordinary lunch feel a little more fun. Instead of eating the same sandwich several days in a row, I can mix and match different flavors, colors, and textures while still keeping everything simple.

I’ll continue adding new combinations to this post as I make them, so think of it as an ongoing source of inspiration rather than a strict recipe. Use what you already have, swap in your favorite ingredients, and adjust the portions based on how hungry you are that day.

How to Build a Work-From-Home Snack Plate

The best snack plates include a balance of flavors and textures. I usually start by choosing something from each of the following categories.

• Protein: Deli turkey or chicken, salami, summer sausage, pepperoni, hard-boiled eggs, tuna salad, chicken salad, or hummus
• Cheese: Babybel, Laughing Cow wedges, cheddar cubes, string cheese, mozzarella, feta, or goat cheese
• Produce: Berries, grapes, apples, pears, cucumbers, carrots, snap peas, or bell peppers
• Something crunchy: Crackers, pretzels, pita chips, mixed nuts, or roasted chickpeas
• Something extra: Olives, pickles, dried fruit, dark chocolate, jam, mustard, ranch, hummus, or another favorite dip

You do not necessarily need something from every category. The goal is simply to create a plate with enough variety to feel like a satisfying lunch.

Snack Plate No. 1: Turkey, Salami, Cheese and Produce

This week’s combination is simple, colorful and filled with ingredients that can be assembled in just a few minutes.

Ingredients

Adjust the amounts depending on your appetite.

• Sliced chicken lunch meat, rolled or folded
• Sliced salami
• 1 Laughing Cow cheese wedge
• Triscuit crackers
• Sliced strawberries
• Grapes
• Sliced cucumber
• A small handful of mixed nuts
• Hummus, ranch, or another dip, optional

Instructions

Arrange the chicken and salami in a divided container or on a plate.

Add the Laughing Cow cheese, strawberries, grapes, cucumber, and mixed nuts. When possible, keep the wetter ingredients separated from the meat, cheese, nuts, and crackers.

Add the Triscuits just before serving, or pack them in a separate compartment or container so they stay crisp.

Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat.

Meal-Prep Notes

These snack plates can be assembled ahead of time, making them an easy option for busy workdays. I recommend keeping crackers, pretzels, nuts, and other crunchy ingredients separate until you’re ready to eat so they don’t become soft.

Wash and thoroughly dry the fruit and vegetables before assembling your plates. Excess moisture can affect both the texture and freshness of the other ingredients.

For the best texture, sliced strawberries are usually best within the first two or three days. Grapes, whole berries, carrots, and cucumbers tend to hold up a little longer.

More Work-From-Home Snack Plate Ideas

I will continue updating this post as I try new combinations, but here are a few ideas already on my list.

Tips for Making Snack Plates More Filling

The biggest difference between a snack and a satisfying lunch is usually the amount of protein and fiber included.

Start with a substantial protein, then add fruit or vegetables and something with healthy fats, such as cheese, nuts, avocado or hummus. Crackers and other crunchy additions are great, but they are usually more satisfying when paired with those other components.

Use What You Already Have

Snack plates are also one of my favorite ways to use up the odds and ends left in the refrigerator.

A few slices of deli meat, half a cucumber, the last handful of grapes, and a couple of different cheeses may not look like a complete meal on their own. Once they’re arranged together on a plate, though, they suddenly feel intentional.

There are no complicated instructions or exact measurements required. Choose a few ingredients you enjoy, aim for a balance of protein, produce, and texture, and make lunch a little easier—and a lot more fun.

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I hope these snack plate ideas make your work-from-home lunches feel a little easier—and a little more fun. I’ll keep updating this post with new combinations as I make them, so be sure to save it and check back whenever you need a little lunch inspiration. And when you create your own snack plate, I’d love to see what you put together!

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