This fun sandwich recipe transforms simple ingredients into adorable “sushi” rolls, perfect for tiny hands and big appetites. These Kid-Friendly “Sushi” Sandwiches are a playful twist on the traditional sandwich and the answer to your school lunch rut. Add these sushi sandwiches to school lunches, or arrange on a platter with your favorite fruits and veggies for a fun after school snack!
PinWhy I Love This Recipe
- Kid-Approved: When it comes to getting kids excited about their meals, presentation can make all the difference. Fun shapes and a hands-on eating experience make these “sushi” sandwiches a hit with kids.
- Easy to Make: If you can make a “regular” sandwich, you can make these sushi sandwiches. They’re super simple and 100% fun!
- Customizable: There are endless variations for sushi sandwiches. Whether your kid prefers a classic turkey sandwich, cream cheese and olive tapenade, or hummus and veggies, you can easily make it sushi-style to blow their mind!
- Good for Small Hands: The sushi sandwich pieces are so easy to pick up, they turn a sandwich into the ideal finger food.
The Ingredients
- Favorite sandwich bread: Any soft whole wheat or white bread will work for sushi sandwiches.
- Spread: Whatever your little one is in the mood for! Hummus, peanut butter, olive tapenade, mayonnaise, whipped cream cheese are some ideas.
- Filling: Tuna salad (ingredients in recipe card below), thinly sliced or grated vegetables, deli meat, cheese or any favorite sandwich fillings.
“Sushi” Sandwich Filling Ideas
With the exact same ingredients you normally use to make a sandwich and the aid of a simple rolling pin, you can turn a sandwich your kids already love into visually enticing “sushi”. Here are some filling and spread combinations we love:
- peanut butter + jelly
- whipped cream cheese + basil pesto (or hemp seed pesto for a nut-free version)
- shredded carrots + red beet, white bean hummus
- whipped cream cheese + olive tapenade
- tuna salad (recipe below) + mayo
- cucumber + cream cheese
- turkey slices, cheese + mayo and mustard
How to Make Kid-Friendly “Sushi” Sandwiches
Tips and Tricks
- For the bread: You’ll want to use fresh, soft sandwich bread to make this recipe. Using dried out bread can lead to cracks and breaks making it difficult to roll your sandwich up.
- Don’t overfill: Just like in my Homemade Uncrustables, be careful not to overfill the sandwiches to ensure easy rolling.
- Get Creative: Experiment with different spreads and fillings to keep things interesting. Hummus, Nutella, or even guacamole can add a fun twist!
- Make it Fun: Let your kids help with rolling out the bread and assembling the “sushi.” They’ll love being part of the process.
- Layer Mindfully: Use the thicker or stickier filling first and then top with the thinner filling. It’s easier to layer this way!
PinMore Kid-Friendly Sandwich Ideas
Kids are naturally drawn to colorful and fun foods. By turning an ordinary sandwich into something special, you’re more likely to encourage healthy eating habits. Plus, the bite-sized portions are perfect for small hands and make eating more manageable and enjoyable. Sushi Sandwiches are just as fun to make as they are to eat. Let me know what you think of this recipe by leaving a comment and rating below!
Looking for more sandwich ideas for school lunch? Check out my post with 15 Easy Back-to-School Sandwiches!
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Kid-Friendly “Sushi” Sandwiches
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 3 pieces soft sandwich bread
- spread of choice (hummus, whipped cream cheese, olive tapenade, mayonnaise, mustard, etc)
- filling of choice (tuna salad, deli slices, thinly sliced or grated vegetables, cheese, etc.)
Tuna Salad
- 1 can tuna (I use albacore in water)
- 1 teaspoon capers, drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (plus more for spreading on the bread)
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 small cucumber, cut into long, thin sticks
- 1 small carrot, grated
Instructions
- Cut the crusts off of each slice of bread and roll out as thin as possible with a rolling pin.
- Place the long side of the rolled out bread closest to you.
- Spread a thin layer of spread on each slice of rolled out bread.
- Add fillings onto half of the bread lengthwise making sure not to over stuff the roll (a little goes a long way)
- Starting at the side closest to you (the filled end) tightly roll the mixture up and press to seal into a roll (I dab a bit of additional spread across the end of the roll to act as a glue sealing the roll).
- Cut the roll into even pieces and repeat with remaining pieces of bread and fillings of choice.
- *If making tuna salad: Place the tuna, capers, mayonnaise and dijon mustard in a bowl and stir to combine.
Notes
- peanut butter + jelly
- whipped cream cheese + basil pesto (or hemp seed pesto for a nut-free version)
- shredded carrots + red beet, white bean hummus
- whipped cream cheese + olive tapenade
- tuna salad (recipe below) + mayo
- cucumber + cream cheese
- turkey slices, cheese + mayo and mustard
I tried w bread and with a tortilla. Tortilla was much easier
*yummy
They do get a bit soggy the night before, but not too bad. They don’t get too soggy for my taste, but it would depend on how your child does with different textures.
Catherine, have you ever made these the night before and do they go soggy or are they still yummey the next day? Thanks so much can’t wait to try!
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