Love them or loathe them, school dinners were an integral part of many British childhoods – from smiley faces and Turkey Twizzlers to pink custard and a Roly-Poly pudding.
As the world has evolved, so have children’s lunchtime menus, with many unhealthy options axed in the early 2000s thanks to Jamie Oliver‘s campaigning – which not everyone was happy about.
So popular were Turkey Twizzlers, for instance, that a 2018 petition calling for their return received 28,000 signatories and led to a healthier version being relaunched in 2020.
Some still remain nostalgic for some of the maligned old favourites with thousands trying to recreate the school canteen in their own kitchens – and sharing recipe tips on TikTok.
Leading the tutorials are Kate Keogh and her mother Jane, a former school dinner lady, who regularly share recipes for retro treats – from chocolate concrete brownies to fairy cake.
Their cause received a boost this month when Love Island influencer Montana Brown took to TikTok to criticise schools for ‘serving sticky toffee pudding every day’.
It’s prompted an outpouring of support for school dinners and deserts – with defenders insisting that they are a comforting and integral part of the nation’s culture.
But if your favourites don’t exist anymore or you’re simply yearning for some nostalgic comfort food, here is how to recreate classics that will instantly transport you back to your childhood.
1. Turkey Twizzlers
Turkey Twizzlers were so popular that a 2018 petition calling for their return received 28,000 signatories and led to a healthier version being relaunched in 2020. Now, social media users are sharing thier tips for recreating the classic school meal
Adored by school children across the nation, the corkscrew-shaped turkey sausage creations were a key feature on most lunchtime menus.
Yet they were axed from schools in 2005 after Jamie Oliver’s healthy-eating ‘Feed Me Better’ campaign to ban them in schools shamed the classic food item for containing just 34 per cent meat.
The move sparked outrage among schoolchildren across the country, who, even 20 years later, still declare that Jamie will ‘never be forgiven’ for it.
In 2020, a new, healthier version of the beloved Turkey Twizzler was relaunched. However, it was to be shortlived – with the rebrand discontinued in 2025.
But fear not, several TikTok users have taken to the platform to share their tips and tricks on how to recreate the beloved lunchtime snack.
Gettin Grubby, who amasses more than 49,000 followers on the platform, shared his easy recipe for recreating the iconic Turkey Twizzlers and delighted viewers who described them as their ‘favourites’.
‘Having these after school hit different,’ commented one viewer, while another added: ‘These used to be my school dinner favourites!! I was gutted when they were banned’.
2. Roly Poly Pudding
A Jam Roly-Poly was bound to cause excitement when it hit the school menu – comprising of steamed suet pastry swirled with sticky raspberry jam
A Jam Roly-Poly was bound to cause excitement when it hit the school menu – comprising of steamed suet pastry swirled with sticky raspberry jam.
It was washed down, of course, with a bowlful of warm custard.
Fortunately, for Brits hoping to recreate this classic retro desert, Kate Keogh and her mother, a former school dinner lady, are on hand to help.
‘We’ve had a lot of requests for this one,’ Kate shared to her thousands of TikTok followers, before outlining a step-by-step tutorial on how to make the beloved dish.
For many viewers, the video sparked a wave of nostalgia for their ‘favourite school pudding’, with one eager user commenting: ‘Brings back childhood memories of primary school lunches’.
‘The best pudding in the world ever,’ added another.
Those perhaps not as keen to roll up their sleeves in the kitchen are advised to keep an eye on popular retailers website and in stores – with M&S bringing back the popular 1980s desert in October as a perfect winter treat.
3. Chocolate Concrete and Pink custard
Why have normal custard when you could make it pink? A popular addition to a school desert, pink custard, also known as tubby or tellytubby custard, dominated the school menus for decades
It was often combined with a so-called chocolate concrete – a crisp, chocolate-layered traybake that soared to popularity in the 1970s and 1980s across the UK
Why have normal custard when you could make it pink? A popular addition to a school desert, pink custard, also known as tubby or tellytubby custard, dominated the school menus for decades.
Made by heating up milk, sugar and strawberry blancmange powder, the bright pink sauce was often served over chocolate concrete.
It was often combined with a so-called chocolate concrete – a crisp, chocolate-layered traybake that soared to popularity in the 1970s and 1980s across the UK.
Made from just flour, sugar, butter and cocoa powder, it can be served warm or cold and was often accompanied by pink or mint custard.
‘This stuff was the best at school,’ Kate shared on TikTok, while her mother quipped: ‘Just leave me the whole jug full’.
‘That is better than regular custard,’ added Kate.
In response, viewers delighted in reminiscing over the delightful pink custard and added: ‘I’m going to have to order this, yum!’ while another added: ‘This and school cake was the best’.
Some, meanwhile, were surprised to learn of the ingredients within the custard, adding they had ‘no clue it was blancmange powder’.
4. Fish fingers and smiley potato faces
An easy British classic, fish fingers on a Friday with smiley potato faces never got old. Fortunately, both can be easily recreated from the comfort of your own home
An easy British classic, fish fingers on a Friday with smiley potato faces never got old.
Occasionally combined with bake beans or peas (that were placed in the eyes of the faces for good measure), there is no doubt that this meal holds a special place in Brits’ hearts.
‘Loveeee a smiley face,’ said one TikTok user, while another insisted they would ‘still be eating these when I’m 60’.
Fortunately, both fish fingers and smiley potato faces can be easily recreated from the comfort of your own home – with numerous British supermarkets having them stocked in the freezer.
For those feeling more creative, smiley potato faces can be homemade and are relatively easy to make, sparking a strong sense of nostalgia with every delicious bite.
5. Fairy Cake
A sprinkle-topped sponge cake will almost instantly take you down memory lane to school bake sales and afternoon picnics with your friends
A sprinkle-topped sponge cake will almost instantly take you down memory lane to school bake sales and afternoon picnics with your friends.
The retro snack is also incredibly easy to make, featuring a light vanilla sponge topped with white icing and rainbow sprinkles.
‘An icon and a legend, this cake with pink custard was the highlight of school dinners for me,’ while another added: ‘This brings me back. This was always a staple whenever a big celebration happened.’
Taking to TikTok, avid baker Janes Patisserie was on hand to share his top tips for recreating this childhood classic – which she fondly described as a ‘nostalgic and classic bake’ that is ‘delicious, easy to make and looks great’.
‘Nostalgia in a bake,’ commented one viewer, while another praised: ‘My favourite too! That looks incredible’.
6. Turkey dinosaurs
Canteen regulars more than 20 years ago, breadcrumbed Turkey dinosaurs were a key staple for children in the early 1970s and 1980s, but are less common today
Canteen regulars more than 20 years ago, breadcrumbed Turkey dinosaurs were a key staple for children in the early 1970s and 1980s, but are less common today.
Sadly, according to research from food experts, a quarter of UK households have removed turkey dinos from their supermarket shop, with Brits typically opting for classic meals over some of our freezer staples.
The possibility that the turkey dinosaur could soon be going extinct is bound to disappoint many across the nation – with the dino treat adored by many and also incredibly simple to make – with just a few ingredients required.
Luckily, for those hoping to recreate the classic snack, cooking enthusiast Becky Excell took to TikTok to share a gluten free Turkey dinosaur recipe, delighting parents in their masses.
‘Oh my gosh, thank you so much for this,’ commented one pleased viewer, while another admitted: ‘I still eat them now’.
Meanwhile, Katie Pix, who shared her step-by-step guide for homemade turkey dinosaurs described them as ‘the best invention ever’.
‘Turkey dinosaurs are my childhood. In fact, they’re not even my childhood. I have two bags in the freezer right now and always will do.’
7. Cornflake tart
Simple and easy to bake, several social media users have attempted to recreate the classic snack – with one avid baker describing the school staple as the perfect thing to ‘brighten up your Friday night’
A charming sweet treat bound to delight your taste buds, the cornflake tart combined shortcrust, strawberry pastry jam and cornflakes with a delicious golden syrup.
Providing a touch of nostalgia to your dinner table, it was typically enjoyed with a generous helping of custard in the mid-afternoon.
Simple and easy to bake, several social media users have attempted to recreate the classic snack – with one avid baker describing the school staple as the perfect thing to ‘brighten up your Friday night’.
Sharing a step-by-step tutorial on how to take yourself back to your school days, one commenter advised: ‘You have to try it with lemon curd instead of jam’.
Meanwhile, another quipped: ‘Not had that in so long, save me a slice!’
8. Cheese flan
Cheese flan, also known as cheese pie, was often served up as a lunchtime classic in the 1970s and 1980s and consisted of savoury custard in a shortcrust pastry bake
Cheese flan, also known as cheese pie, was often served up as a lunchtime classic in the 1970s and 1980s and consisted of savoury custard in a shortcrust pastry bake.
With just four ingredients and not to be confused with quiche, it delighted school children across the nation and has often been cited as a comforting option during the winter months.
Served up into squares, it often came with a side of chips and a good old scoop of ice cream potato mash – a smart incentive to encourage youngsters to eat their potatoes.
Nanna Bea, who frequently shares ‘old school’ recipes on TikTok, advised adding around half of a grated onion to give the flam some added flavour.
‘My childhood memories, I loved this one!,’ commented one nostalgic viewer.
