For Sydney parents

Empanadas for the school lunchbox.

Air-fryer ready in 12 to 15 minutes from frozen. Hand-held, kid-friendly, real protein, no microwave required. Born in Bondi Beach. Delivered across Sydney.

Cook time

12 to 15 min

Freezer life

6 months

Flavours

5 flavours

Born in

Bondi Beach

Why empanadas work

Real protein, hand-held, kid-friendly.

Carnivore and The Athlete deliver real animal protein in a hand-held format. Different from the carb-heavy sandwich most kids open at lunch. The Athlete carries around 9.5 grams of protein per empanada from free-range chicken. Patagonia layers mushroom, spinach, kale and carrot inside a green dough. Habibi Yalla brings Middle Eastern flavour with beef, tomato and parsley. Classic covers the safest cheese option. No preservatives, no fillers.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions.

How long do they take to cook?

Air fryer at 180°C for 12 to 15 minutes from frozen. Oven 18 to 25 minutes from frozen, depending on flavour. No thawing needed.

Can my kid eat it cold?

Yes, once cooked. Empanadas eat well hot, warm, room temperature or cold. The pastry holds, the filling stays intact.

Are they nut-free?

All five core Argentum flavours are made without tree nuts or peanuts. Patagonia is also fully vegan, dairy-free, and egg-free.

How long does a pack last in the freezer?

Six months from delivery, stored at minus 18°C or colder. Vacuum-packed in portions, so you cook what you need and leave the rest frozen.

Start with The School Lunchbox.

24 empanadas across the flavours. Almost a full school month of varied lunches for one kid.

Shop the lunchbox

Empanadas for the school lunchbox: a Sydney parent's practical guide

The school lunchbox rotation is a weekly problem for Sydney parents. Sandwiches for the third day running, a piece of fruit that comes home half-eaten, a wrap that got squashed. Argentum empanadas are a real answer. Born in Bondi Beach, Argentum delivers five core flavours. The Classic brings three cheeses, The Athlete is free-range chicken, and Patagonia is vegan. Air-fry in the morning in 12 to 15 minutes, pop into a lunchbox, done. Reads as a hot lunch when opened at recess, eats fine cold, holds shape in a bag.

Why empanadas beat every other pack-ahead lunchbox option

The classic lunchbox tension is nutrition versus what kids will actually eat. Ham and cheese sandwiches lose to the tuckshop pie by lunchtime three days a week. An empanada wins because it looks like the thing kids want (a savoury pastry) but is proper food inside. Athlete carries around 9.5g protein per empanada from free-range chicken. Classic gives the cheese-and-comfort familiarity. Patagonia covers vegan kids with vegetables hidden inside a green dough that kids see as a colour, not vegetables.

The Classic is the cheese-and-comfort pick, while The Athlete (chicken, green olives and capsicum) suits protein-first parents. Check the current ingredient panel and your school's allergy policy before packing.

School lunchbox planning by week

Family setup	Recommended pack	Price	Lunchboxes covered
1 kid, 5 lunches per week	Two 12-packs (any flavour)	View current price	Up to 2 weeks of lunchboxes.
2 kids, 10 lunches per week	Chef's Box (20 empanadas)	$85	1 week of school lunches for both.
2 kids, plus after-school snack	Weekly Family Box (30)	View current price	3 weeks of weekday lunches for one child, or a flexible family freezer mix.
3 kids, full-term meal prep	Party Box (60)	View current price	4 weeks of weekday lunches.

Delivery and freezer setup

We deliver frozen across Sydney with a $48 minimum order. First-time parents use code FIRST5 for $5 off orders over $85. Empanadas keep 6 months in a home freezer at minus 18°C. On Sunday night, take out the day's empanadas so they are half-defrosted (or air-fry straight from frozen). Weekday morning air-fryer routine is 12 to 15 minutes at 180°C. Wrap in foil or baking paper. Pack into an insulated lunchbox. Eats fine cold by lunch, so the traditional thermos hot-food logistics do not apply.

Dietary options and allergens

The five core flavours include Patagonia, which is vegan, and The Classic, which is vegetarian. Argentum does not make gluten-free empanadas. For larger custom events, externally sourced gluten-free sides or desserts may be discussed, but the kitchen handles wheat and cannot guarantee an environment free from gluten cross-contact.

School lunchbox FAQs

Can kids eat empanadas cold at recess?

Yes. The dough holds crisp for 3 to 4 hours in a lunchbox and eats well at room temperature. Wrap in foil to keep the shape.

Are they safe for a nut-free school?

The five core flavours are made without peanuts or tree nuts. The kitchen handles dairy, wheat and egg. Check the latest product ingredient panel and your school policy before packing.

What is the best morning routine?

Air-fry at 180°C for 12 to 15 minutes while packing the rest of the lunchbox. Wrap in foil or baking paper. Pack. Done in 15 minutes. Or bake Sunday night, refrigerate, pack cold Monday to Friday.

How many empanadas per lunchbox?

Primary school kid, 1 empanada plus fruit and sides. High school kid, 2 empanadas. For the after-school hungry-hour, add one more.

Which is the healthiest flavour for a kids lunchbox?

Athlete carries the highest protein (around 9.5g from free-range chicken). Patagonia is the highest-fibre and lowest-fat option. Classic is the moderate-fat cheese comfort option.