King Jungle Lion Lunch

Featured in: Everyday Cozy Plates

This lively lunch board combines whole wheat sandwich thins, hummus or cream cheese, shredded carrots, bell peppers, and yellow cherry tomatoes to create a lion's mane effect. Cucumber slices add facial accents, black olives form eyes and whiskers, while apple slices shape the mouth. Cheddar triangles become ears, all arranged beautifully for an engaging and healthy meal. Perfect for family gatherings and easy to prepare in 20 minutes, it offers a blend of colorful, nutritious ingredients that delight both the eyes and the palate.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:05:00 GMT
Bright, colorful King of the Jungle Lion Lunch Board with carrots, olives, and cheese, ready to eat. Save to Pinterest
Bright, colorful King of the Jungle Lion Lunch Board with carrots, olives, and cheese, ready to eat. | velvetthyme.com

A playful and nutritious lunch board arranged to resemble a lions face, perfect for children and family gatherings. Bursting with colorful fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein, its as delightful to eat as it is to look at.

Preparing this lunch board always brings smiles to my family and makes mealtime exciting.

Ingredients

  • 4 whole wheat sandwich thins: for lions face
  • 1 cup hummus or cream cheese: for spreading
  • 1 cup shredded carrots: lions mane
  • 1 cup orange bell pepper strips: lions mane
  • 1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, halved: mane accents
  • 1 cup cucumber slices: face accents
  • 8 black olives, pitted and sliced: eyes, nose, whiskers
  • 1 small apple, sliced: lions mouth
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese: cut into triangles for ears
  • 1 cup grapes or berries: side snacks
  • 1 cup snap peas: side snacks
  • 1 cup mini crackers: side snacks

Instructions

Step 1:
Lay the sandwich thins flat on a large platter as the base for four lion faces.
Step 2:
Spread a generous layer of hummus or cream cheese over each sandwich thin.
Step 3:
Arrange shredded carrots and orange bell pepper strips in a circle around each sandwich thin to create the lions mane, alternating colors for a lively effect.
Step 4:
Place yellow cherry tomato halves around the mane for added color and texture.
Step 5:
Use cucumber slices for cheeks or accents on the face.
Step 6:
Arrange black olive slices for eyes and nose add thin strips as whiskers.
Step 7:
Position apple slices to form a smiling mouth.
Step 8:
Cut cheddar cheese into triangles and set them at the top of each face for ears.
Step 9:
Fill the boards remaining spaces with grapes snap peas and mini crackers for additional snacks.
Step 10:
Serve immediately for best freshness.
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| velvetthyme.com

This lunch board makes family gatherings fun and interactive as everyone enjoys assembling their lions face.

Required Tools

Large serving platter or board Small knife Vegetable peeler or grater Small bowls for dips or loose items

Allergen Information

Contains wheat sandwich thins crackers and milk cheese cream cheese Contains legumes hummus Contains possible tree nuts if using nut-based dips Always check labels for allergens and cross-contamination risks

Nutritional Information

Calories 320 Total Fat 8 g Carbohydrates 50 g Protein 9 g per serving

A visually appealing King of the Jungle Lion Lunch Board with fruit and veggies, perfect for kids' lunches. Save to Pinterest
A visually appealing King of the Jungle Lion Lunch Board with fruit and veggies, perfect for kids' lunches. | velvetthyme.com

This lion lunch board is a playful and healthy option that will brighten any meal time.

Recipe FAQs

What ingredients create the lion’s mane?

Shredded carrots and orange bell pepper strips form the colorful lion’s mane circle around the base.

How is the lion’s face formed on the board?

Whole wheat sandwich thins spread with hummus or cream cheese serve as the face base, accented with cucumber slices, black olives for eyes and whiskers, and apple slices for the mouth.

Can I substitute any ingredients for dietary preferences?

Yes, plant-based spreads and dairy-free cheese work well for vegan adaptations, and turkey or ham can add protein for non-vegetarian options.

What sides complement the lion lunch board?

Grapes, berries, snap peas, and mini crackers are perfect sides to round out the board with additional textures and flavors.

Is this board suitable for children?

Absolutely, its playful design and nutritious ingredients make it ideal and appealing for children at family gatherings.

King Jungle Lion Lunch

Vibrant lunch with fresh veggies, fruits, grains, and cheese shaped into a lion's face for fun meals.

Prep time
20 min
0
Total process time
20 min
Created by Velvet Thyme Eleanor Hayes

Recipe category Everyday Cozy Plates

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type International

Yield amount 4 Number of servings

Dietary details Vegetarian-friendly

List of ingredients

Main Board Components

01 4 whole wheat sandwich thins
02 240 ml hummus or cream cheese
03 110 g shredded carrots
04 110 g orange bell pepper strips
05 150 g yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
06 110 g cucumber slices
07 8 black olives, pitted and sliced
08 1 small apple, sliced
09 4 slices cheddar cheese, cut into triangles

For Serving and Decorating

01 150 g grapes or berries
02 110 g snap peas
03 30 g mini crackers

How to make it

Step 01

Prepare the base: Lay the sandwich thins flat on a large platter to form the base for four lion faces.

Step 02

Spread the base layer: Spread a generous layer of hummus or cream cheese over each sandwich thin.

Step 03

Create the mane: Arrange shredded carrots and orange bell pepper strips in a circle around each sandwich thin, alternating colors for a lively effect.

Step 04

Add mane accents: Place halved yellow cherry tomatoes around the mane for added color and texture.

Step 05

Define facial accents: Use cucumber slices for cheeks or accents on each lion's face.

Step 06

Form facial features: Arrange black olive slices to represent eyes and nose, and add thin strips as whiskers.

Step 07

Shape the mouth: Position apple slices to form a smiling mouth on each face.

Step 08

Add the ears: Place cheddar cheese triangles at the top of each face to simulate ears.

Step 09

Complete the platter: Fill the remaining spaces on the board with grapes, snap peas, and mini crackers as additional snacks.

Step 10

Serve promptly: Serve immediately to ensure freshness and best presentation.

Essential tools

  • Large serving platter or board
  • Small knife
  • Vegetable peeler or grater
  • Small bowls for dips or loose items

Allergy warnings

Be sure to carefully review every ingredient for allergens and seek expert advice as needed.
  • Contains wheat (sandwich thins, crackers) and milk (cheese, cream cheese).
  • Contains legumes (hummus).
  • Potential tree nut presence in some dips; verify labels.

Nutrition details per serving

Details here are meant for guidance. Please contact health professionals for medical advice.
  • Calorie count: 320
  • Fat content: 8 g
  • Carbohydrate: 50 g
  • Protein amount: 9 g