Easy naan pizza the kids love! Perfect for summer lunches, playdates, and picky eaters—fast, fun, and loaded with colorful toppings.
Naan Pizza: The Summertime Hero of Quick & Fun Kid Lunches
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from parenting during the summer, it’s this: kids are somehow always hungry. Whether they’ve just come back from swim camp or are in the middle of a living room dance party, the chorus of “I’m hungry!” rings out like clockwork.
Enter: Naan Pizza — the unsung hero of our kitchen. It’s everything I want in a summertime meal: fast, flexible, no-fuss, and something my girls actually want to eat (and help make!).
1. It’s practically a 10-minute meal.
Warm the oven or toaster oven, spread your sauce, sprinkle the toppings, bake, and boom — lunch is ready before the next meltdown. It’s my go-to when we’ve been out all morning and need something quick before heading to an afternoon playdate.
And it’s not just a hit with my girls — naan pizza has quickly become a favorite among their friends too. Whether it’s a casual lunch after a swim or a last-minute playdate meal, the kids love it, and I love how easy it is to keep everyone happy.
2. Totally customizable.
One of my favorite things? Letting my girls “decorate” their own pizzas. I always tell them to pick at least 2–3 colors for their toppings — it’s my sneaky way of encouraging healthy choices and getting some veggies in without the usual protests.
Sanaya doesn’t love anything spicy, but she does love loading her pizza with pineapple, tomatoes, and plenty of cheese. Aishani, on the other hand, is my basil girl — she’ll pile it on like it’s lettuce and proudly point out that it’s green (which totally counts). Giving them a say in their food not only makes lunch more fun — it actually gets them to eat it.
3. Makes a great cold lunch too.
Yep, leftover naan pizza is surprisingly great in lunchboxes. It doesn’t get soggy like regular slices and feels a little more homemade (because it is!). Cut them into little squares for bite-sized fun.
Favorite Summertime Combos
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Caprese Style: Pesto, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil.
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BBQ Veggie: BBQ sauce, shredded cheese, corn, bell peppers, and red onion.
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Classic Margherita: Simple red sauce, mozzarella, and torn basil.
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Breakfast Pizza: Scrambled eggs, cheese, and crumbled veggie sausage — great for a brunch-y twist.
A Note to Fellow Parents
I keep a pack of naan in the freezer at all times. It thaws in minutes and saves the day weekly. Pair it with cut fruit, a smoothie, or even carrot sticks and hummus, and you’ve got a lunch (or dinner!) that checks all the boxes: easy, fast, and actually enjoyable for everyone.
So the next time you’re in a pinch or just want to turn lunchtime into a fun summer activity, grab some naan, raid the fridge, and let the kids get creative. Naan pizza might not solve every parenting problem — but it sure makes lunch a whole lot easier.
Naan Pizza
Ingredients
- 4 pieces naan (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup pizza sauce (or marinara)
- 6–8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), halved or sliced
Assorted toppings (choose at least 2–3 colors!):
- Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Bell peppers (sliced)
- Pineapple chunks
- Baby spinach or arugula
- Fresh basil leaves (Aishani’s favorite!)
- Olives, corn, mushrooms (optional)
- Olive oil (optional, for brushing the naan)
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place naan on a baking sheet. Brush lightly with olive oil if desired for a crispier crust.
- Add 2–3 tablespoons of pizza sauce to each piece and spread evenly, leaving a small border.
- Place halved or sliced fresh mozzarella balls evenly on each naan. Then let the kids top their pizzas with at least 2–3 colorful veggies or fruits of their choice.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden.
- Top with fresh basil or a sprinkle of oregano after baking, if desired.
- Serve hot or cool completely and pack into lunchboxes — it’s delicious even at room temp!
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