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I swear every mama needs to keep a recipe book filled with toddler meal ideas.
Toddlers can be picky eaters. I know my toddler has some meals that she never says no to, so they are staples in our house: mac and cheese, pizza, pasta, and chicken, just to name a few.
Then there are other meals that she will eat and love one day and refuse the second time I make them. I say all this to stress the significance of preparing a variety of meals for your little one. It is beneficial to introduce your child to a variety of foods. It also helps keep meals fun and exciting. We all can grow tired of eating the same old thing.
Here are toddler meal ideas that your baby will eat up! Save this post so you can come back for more toddler meal ideas. Here’s to switching it up.
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Best Toddler Meal Ideas
Breakfast
1. Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins with Streusel
Why spend the money at the bakery when you can bake these delicious blueberry muffins with streusel in the comfort of your own home? They are big (just like bakery muffins) and loaded with blueberries.
My daughter and I love baking together. This is the perfect breakfast to make ahead with your littles and enjoy throughout the week.
2. Mini Blueberry Muffins
Sometimes we just want mini muffins. They are adorable and easy to eat.
These mini blueberry muffins are sure to go quickly in your house so you probably want to make a double batch.
3. White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins
Sometimes you need a little sweetness in the morning. You know?
Crispy edges, soft on the inside, and a white chocolate drizzle.
These white chocolate raspberry muffins are sure to excite your toddler. And you too!
4. Sweet Corn Muffins
Enjoy these sweet corn muffins as a side and for breakfast too. I don’t know about your toddler, but mine is obsessed with all kinds of muffins.
So naturally there is a handful of muffin recipes on this list.
5. Snickerdoodle Muffins
Who doesn’t love snickerdoodle? These snickerdoodle muffins are a yummy breakfast treat your whole family will love and will crave more of.
6. Easy Baked Oatmeal Without Eggs
Looking for breakfast free of eggs? This baked oatmeal is perfect.
You will only need 1 bowl to prepare it in and it only requires 5 minutes of prep. You can’t beat that!
7. Applesauce Overnight Oats
My toddler could eat oatmeal for breakfast 7 days a week. Overnight oats are even better than traditional oatmeal.
The best part is that no cooking is required to make applesauce overnight oats. If you are a meal prep fan, you will love this recipe.
8. Healthy Breakfast Banana Split
This is both healthy AND delicious. This healthy banana split is such a fun breakfast for your toddler!
9. Banana Pancakes
10 minutes and just 3 ingredients! So go ahead and make these fluffy banana pancakes, store them in the freezer, and pull them out for your toddler whenever you want.
Having homemade food in the freezer ready to pull is important to me as a busy mom. Some mornings can be crazy and having healthy options ready to grab is super helpful.
Soup
10. Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup
This cashew carrot ginger soup is thick, creamy, and easy to whip up. The Thai red curry paste gives this soup a little kick.
To make this soup without spice, you can substitute the paste with peanut butter instead.
11. Tomato Soup
As a toddler mom, I’m always searching for ways to serve my baby meals with hidden veggies (and sometimes fruit).
If I try to serve my daughter diced tomatoes she will say no thank you and push it away. But if I serve her this tomato soup she will eat it happily.
12. Pastina Soup
Here is another way to sneak in carrots, celery, and onions. This pastina soup is the perfect meal on a cold day, when your little one is under the weather, or when you’re craving soup!
Classics
13. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
You can’t go wrong with chicken tenders. My toddler never turns down chicken fingers. Ever.
I swear the air fryer makes everything taste better.
14. Homemade Chicken Tenders
Here is another super yummy chicken tender recipe for your toddler. Homemade chicken tenders are our go-to on the weekends.
15. Healthy Chicken Nuggets
It is no secret that chicken nuggets are a toddler staple. So this healthy chicken nugget recipe is one you will want to save.
16. Crunchy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. These crispy chicken nuggets can be thrown together in just 30 minutes.
Adding parmesan cheese to these nuggets is the perfect touch! Genius.
17. Homemade Uncrustables
If you have a picky eater on your hands, these homemade uncrustables are a great option!
Why buy uncrustables at the grocery store when you can easily make them at home? All while saving money.
18. Mini Pizzas
I am willing to bet your toddler will love these mini pizzas. Include your tot in the cooking process and easily customize your toppings.
I have found that including your little one while preparing meals is the best way to encourage them to eat. Pizza is my daughter’s favorite food to eat and make together.
19. Pigs in a Blanket
These pigs in a blanket are made with just 2 ingredients! Pigs in a blanket are party foods, but they also make for a fun meal for your toddler.
This is a classic for a reason. They’re delicious.
20. Baked Southern Mac and Cheese
The best part about homemade mac and cheese is the crunchy bread crumbs baked on top. This is exactly why our family prefers to make it at home instead of buying it from the store.
21. Homemade Spaghetti O’s
This takes me back to my childhood. The Spaghetti O’s we all know and love are filled with preservatives, BPA, and other unhealthy things.
These homemade Spaghetti O’s are healthier and taste much better if you ask me!
22. Turkey and Cheese Roll Ups
Kids eat these up. Literally. Another perk is that they only take 5 minutes to prepare.
Don’t you just appreciate when meals are quick and easy?
Turkey and cheese roll ups are made on repeat in our house.
Fun Spins
23. Chickpea Nuggets
These chickpea nuggets are gluten-free and vegan! Rest assured mama, these chicken nuggets are healthy.
If your toddler is like mine and doesn’t like broccoli, these nuggets are a great way to sneak them into their diet.
24. Baked Tofu Nuggets
Mouthwatering! Who doesn’t love crispy chicken nuggets?
These baked tofu nuggets are healthy, tasty, and are only made up of 8 ingredients.
I am pretty certain your toddler will love these as much as mine does.
25. Chicken Avocado Poppers
With these chicken avocado poppers, you can count on your baby getting extra protein and healthy fats.
As a busy mom, I am always trying to find fun ways to prepare chicken.
26. Macaroni and Cheese With Tomatoes
We all know mac and cheese is insanely delicious. But have you made homemade mac and cheese with tomatoes?
Your little one will without a doubt ask you for more of this comfort food.
27. Protein Cottage Cheese and Mac and Cheese
Cottage cheese is one of my favorite ingredients. It is a great way to add protein to a meal.
We throw this magical ingredient on our homemade pizzas AND add it to our mac and cheese too.
It can’t hurt to have different macaroni and cheese recipes on hand! This protein cottage cheese and mac and cheese is excellent.
28. Easy One Pot Mac and Cheese With Hidden Veggies
I’ll bet you couldn’t guess carrots are in this mac and cheese. Neither will your toddler!
29. Chickpea “Egg” Salad
This is not your typical egg salad. This chickpea “egg” salad is made up of chickpeas, red onions, celery, pickles, fresh dill, and other simple ingredients. This is a fun variation and is a crowd-pleaser!
Pasta
30. Green Pea Pasta
You’ll need pasta, green peas, parmesan, olive oil, and pepper. Your baby will love this green pea pasta. You can also add bacon to make it even more delicious.
31. Mary Berry’s Chicken Pasta Bake
This chicken pasta bake has carbs, veggies, and protein. I have no doubt that your toddler will love this creamy cheesy white sauce, garlic chicken, and juicy tomatoes.
32. Incredible Hulk Green Pasta Sauce
How adorable is the name of this sauce? What a great way to encourage your little one to eat greens.
If your baby is a Hulk fan, it won’t take much convincing to gobble this up. You’ve got to try this incredible hulk green pasta sauce.
33. Homemade Hamburger Helper
This is way better than hamburger helper from the grocery store. Healthier too!
With this recipe, you know exactly what’s in it.
Make this homemade hamburger helper on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.
Fun Ideas
34. Chili Con Carne With Vegetables
With this chili con carne your toddler is consuming spinach, peppers, and celery.
This is the perfect meal during the colder months.
Make a double batch and freeze half to enjoy on a busy day. Work smarter, not harder!
35. Black Bean and Cheese Quesadilla
YUM! Quesadillas are a toddler favorite. Have you tried black bean and cheese quesadillas? Total game-changer.
36. Stewed Pears
These stewed pears are so good. They are a great breakfast addition, side, or even snack.
We personally love mixing these pears in with our yogurt. Whip up a big batch and eat it however you want. Even on top of ice cream or dessert throughout the week.
37. Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
Anything in the shape of the muffin is intriguing for toddlers. If I present traditional meatloaf or turkey meatloaf muffins to my toddler, she will choose the muffins. Presentation is everything.
Knowing that zucchini is mixed in, you’ll feel good about serving these to your toddler.
38. Garam Marsala Curry With Chickpeas
Hello protein and fiber! In our house, we love anything with chickpeas. Especially this dish!
Add this garam masala curry to the menu this week. Your toddler won’t be disappointed.
39. Cheese, Onion & Tomato Buns
I have to be really creative with how I serve my daughter tomatoes. She does not know that she is a fan.
When I sneak them into food like these cheese onion & tomato buns, she will totally eat them. But if she sees a tomato that is diced or sliced, forget about it.
Toddlers gravitate toward bread and buns so these should be a hit.
40. Chicken Zucchini Meatballs
These are not your typical meatballs. I have recently learned how magical zucchini is. These chicken zucchini meatballs are totally worth it!
41. Chicken Mushroom Pizza
Keep pizza nights exciting with this chicken mushroom pizza.
Include your toddler to help you decorate the pizza. Our family loves switching it up and trying new toppings.
42. Korean Beef Rice Bowl
My toddler loves rice and requests it all the time. So I am always looking for new recipes that include rice so it doesn’t feel like we are eating the same thing.
This Korean beef rice bowl looks as good as it tastes!
43. Cucumber Hummus Bites
These cucumber slices topped with red roasted pepper hummus, tomatoes, feta cheese, and parsley are so yummy.
Hummus pairs well with so many foods. If your toddler is all about hummus, serve these cucumber hummus bites.
44. Air Fryer Honey Garlic Tenders
I can confidently say that everyone in your house will love and appreciate these honey garlic chicken tenders!
45. Baked Beef and Veggie Patties
These baked beef and veggie patties are not like the others. We love replacing breadcrumbs with oats and mixing in some of our favorite veggies.
I love serving these healthy patties to my family.
46. Oven Baked Salmon Bites
Guess what. You only need 3 ingredients to make these salmon nuggets.
You could dip them in your favorite sauce or eat as is. They honestly taste great plain.
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