Sushi sandwich rolls – 7 ways

Sushi sandwich rolls are the perfect addition to the bento lunchbox. But forget all that fiddly face-making, shape-cutting madness, and make these sushi rolls instead. They are dead-easy, super-quick, and are sure to brighten up your child’s lunchbox this week!

This article is inspired by Anya Ogden, a member of the Cheaper Living (NZ) Facebook page. I stumbled across her post looking for ideas on how to use leftover sandwich crusts.

She has a great solution, which is to brush the crusts with a mixture of oil and crushed garlic, and bake them for 20 minutes in an oven at 160 degrees. I added an extra step to this. I made a mixture of grated parmesan cheese with a crack or 2 of rock salt, and sprinkled this over before baking them.

These baked breadsticks keep for up to a week in a sealed container in the pantry. They make a great little crunchy snack for the kids, that fills them up, without all the preservative rubbish you get in some supermarket snack foods.

The sandwich crusts keep well in the bread bag. So as you make the kid’s lunches throughout the week, just throw the crusts back into the bread bag. At the end of the week you’ve got a bag full of crusts, plus you can slice the 2 end crusts for a few extra breadsticks. Absolute genius Anya!

Right, on to the sushi sandwich rolls.

What are sushi sandwich rolls?

Sushi sandwich rolls are basically flat bread, without the crusts, topped with your child’s favourite lunch topping.

Because each slice of bread is rolled up, and chopped in half, they make the cutest little bite-sized rolls. And because the bread sliced is rolled out flat, it doesn’t seem like you’re eating a sandwich, even though you are.

And what’s the difference between a sushi sandwich roll, and just making your kids wraps? Well, I have no idea, but our kid’s just won’t eat wraps, whereas they can’t get enough of these sushi sandwiches!

Sushi roll tips

You just can’t go wrong making these, but here’s a few tips to get you started:

• don’t roll the slice of bread too thin. Roll the edges flat, and just sort of press the rolling pin over the bread. If you roll them completely flat, they get a bit flimsy when you roll them up.
• try to leave room with your toppings to roll up the bread. And it pays to add a little extra butter, or cream cheese, to the end of the roll, to help them stick.
• you’ll find cutting the sushi roll in half means you’ll need to lie them down in the lunchbox to fit. But for little kids, you could even chop each roll in thirds to stand them up (they just look more delicious with the topping showing!).

Sushi sandwich rolls – 7 ways

Cream cheese, Marmite & Lettuce

This is a classic Kiwi favourite. Don’t be afraid of the sound of marmite and lettuce together if you haven’t tried it before. The key is just using a single leaf of lettuce that’s not too bitter. Something like butterhead lettuce is perfect.

The cream cheese used in this sandwich means no butter is required, which makes it super-simple to whip up.

1. chop crusts off a slice of bread, and lightly roll the bread flat.
2. spread cream cheese on rolled out sushi sandwich roll, with a little extra on one end to make the roll stick.
3. spread on a thin layer of marmite.
4. break up a butterhead lettuce leaf, and place it as a single layer on top.
5. roll up, cut, and enjoy.

Chicken, cream cheese & apricot

You can’t go wrong with these 3 ingredients. It’s like chicken and apricots were meant to be together. And the cream cheese adds a touch of flavour, and means you don’t need to use any butter.

1. chop crusts off a slice of bread, and lightly roll the bread flat.
2. spread cream cheese on rolled out sushi sandwich roll, with a little extra on one end to make the roll stick.
3. shred roast, or smoked chicken, and place a good layer over 2/3 of the sandwich.
4. chop up a dried apricot and sprinkle over chicken.
5. roll up, cut, and enjoy.

Salmon, cream cheese & spinach

This one might push the boundaries for some kids. But it’s time to step out of the ordinary! We’ve raised our kids on salmon and cream cheese from a young age, as there’s just so much omega goodness from a slice of salmon.

Like the lettuce idea above, the spinach just provides a little bit of crunch here, and no off flavour.

1. chop crusts off a slice of bread, and lightly roll the bread flat.
2. spread cream cheese on rolled out sushi sandwich roll, with a little extra on one end to make the roll stick.
3. lay thin slices of smoked salmon on top.
4. add a single layer of baby spinach leaves.
5. roll up, cut, and enjoy.

Ham, cheese & pineapple

Oh yea, the classic Hawaiian topping! Unlike the recipe idea above, you’ll be hard pushed to find a kid who won’t devour this one. Ham, cheese and pineapple just works so well, and provides protein, dairy, and fruit in one shot.

1. chop crusts off a slice of bread, and lightly roll the bread flat.
2. spread butter on rolled out sushi sandwich roll, with a little extra on the end to make the roll stick.
3. lay 2 slices of shaved champagne ham, overlapping.
4. slice cheese and chop up pineapple into chunky strips, and place a good layer over 2/3 of the sandwich
5. roll up, cut, and enjoy.

Peanut butter & banana

Now this sandwich topping will have it’s fans and haters for sure. Like cheese and marmite, your kids will either love banana and peanut butter, or loath it!

It’s another quick and easy option though, and it’s a great sandwich filling for keeping up energy levels throughout the day.

1. chop crusts off a slice of bread, and lightly roll the bread flat.
2. spread butter on rolled out sushi sandwich roll, with a little extra on the end to make the roll stick.
3. spread on a thin layer of peanut butter, covering the whole slice.
4. chop a banana into chunky strips, and place a good layer over 2/3 of the sandwich.
5. roll up, cut, and enjoy.

Avocado, ham, cheese & lettuce

This is your everyday ham, cheese and lettuce sandwich with avocado to lift it. Not all kids are into avocado, but a lot of kids haven’t tried it this way too. The avocado is used as a spread, rather than in chunks, and the flavour is very subtle.

Obviously it makes the sandwich go green, which might put some kids off. But if they don’t see the green part, most kids won’t even know they’re getting the avocado goodness!

1. chop crusts off a slice of bread, and lightly roll the bread flat.
2. spread butter on rolled out sushi sandwich roll, with a little extra on the end to make the roll stick.
3. lightly mash avocado (you can do this straight on the sandwich) and spread evenly over butter.
4. lay 2 slices of shaved champagne ham, overlapping, and place a single layer of cheese and lettuce on top.
5. roll up, cut, and enjoy.

Avocado, cheese, capsicum & cranberries

Here’s a great vegetarian option for kids that aren’t into meat. Or when you’re trying to get a few more nutrients into their lunchbox. This combination is a little bit ‘grown up’. But any kids that love capsicum will love this sandwich too.

The best thing is you’re loading dairy, fruit, vege and good oils into the one sandwich. Happy, healthy days!

1. chop crusts off a slice of bread, and lightly roll the bread flat.
2. spread butter on rolled out sushi sandwich roll, with a little extra on the end to make the roll stick.
3. lightly mash avocado (you can do this straight on the sandwich) and spread evenly over butter.
4. slice cheese and capsicum into chunky strips, and place a good layer over 2/3 of the sandwich. Sprinkle on dried cranberries.
5. roll up, cut, and enjoy.

For more great kid’s lunchbox fillers, check out some of these lunch ideas.