Dinner ideas for picky toddlers can be a challenge, whether you work outside the house or are a stay-at-home parent. More often than not, we overtired toddler moms and dads just feel desperate to get something vaguely healthy on the plate and move on. No matter if you’re someone who enjoys cooking or truly can’t stand being in the kitchen, feeding very young people can be draining.
On top of the day-to-day pressure of getting nutrients into your pint-sized food critic is the ever-running self-critique over setting them up for a lifetime of healthy eating. We get it. But you don’t have to spend your entire day in the kitchen curating toddler-friendly meals, or an entire evening battling your choosy child at the dinner table. With a few simple tips, you can start to introduce colorful, intriguing plates of foods that will entice your little one to try new things… and hey, maybe even like them!
Toddlers love to feel independent and, of course, they’re into anything that’s visually appealing. Medium sized foods that might feel slimy if picked up (like flaked fish and shredded chicken) can be served with pretty toothpicks to convince your little one to give them a try. Any finger foods are best matched with an optional dipping sauce which kids this age LOVE. If they won’t eat vegetables, serve fruit! Embrace their obsession with foods not touching and invest in plates with compartments. Buy the right sized utensils to ensure dining success. And when all else fails, serve cereal and try again tomorrow.
Here are some of the best toddler dinner ideas to try…
Tortellini With Pesto Toddler Dinner
The bite-sized pasta is a great gripping size for tiny hands, so you can absolutely serve it plain with some sliced fruit or veggies on the side. If your little diner enjoys using a fork, try adding pesto sauce for a bit of flavor diversity, and let them sprinkle on their own Parmesan cheese. Tortellini look like belly buttons, which is sure to bring on a giggle!
Easy Risotto Toddler Dinner
The logic is this: If they like mac-n-cheese, who’s to say they won’t dig risotto? The flavor and consistency are similar, but this Italian rice dish is elevated enough that Mom and Dad will enjoy it, too. Also, it’s a one-pot dinner, and who doesn’t love that?! There are tons of risotto recipes out there, some more time-consuming than others. If this is your first attempt, stick with a simple recipe like the ones on this beginners’ list. Your toddler might especially like the chicken variety. Buon appetito!
Pea Fritter Toddler Dinner
This savory handheld toddler dinner is a great way to sneak in vegetables and get them trying something new. It bears mentioning that the finished product looks strikingly like lily pads, so you could employ their favorite froggy bath toy on the plate to create a fun scene that will get them excited to taste these!
Chicken Nugget Mashed Potato Bowl
Pure comfort food right here, and your little one will nummer it right up. Little do they know, mashed potatoes are a whole food, and a healthier choice than your standard fries.
Baby Bolognese Toddler Dinner
This is actually a baby-led weaning recipe for easy-to-eat pasta bolognese that can be served from 9 months old, but something tells us your picky toddler will absolutely inhale it, too!
Flaked Salmon Toddler Dinner
For those lazy nights, it’s a super simple lifesaver of a toddler dinner replete with healthy protein, yummy veggies, and an absolute favorite kid dish. Roast salmon and broccoli with salt and olive oil in the same pan until both are tender. Flake the salmon, halve the broccoli, and serve with macaroni and cheese (frozen is FINE). Boom!
Chickpea Patty Toddler Dinner
This flavorful, nutrient-packed meal for littles is a plant-based party on a plate. Yummy chickpea patties(above) and homemade yogurt sauce offer up wholesome protein while sweet potato oven fries are a clean carb prime for dipping.
Breakfast for Dinner
Everybody loves this offbeat dinner choice, and toddlers are no exception. Serve pancakes, scrambled eggs, and turkey breakfast sausage to rave reviews. If you’re having trouble getting your little one to try eggs, scramble with some cheddar cheese. On meatless Mondays or any time you want to switch it up, Beyond Meat breakfast sausages are a kid-friendly option that contain 35% less saturated fat than pork sausage.
PB & Dinner
Try a more inventive take on classic PB&J by serving peanut butter roll-ups with jelly for dipping alongside apple slices and yogurt. PB&J on pita bread is also a fun alternative!
Mini Chicken Pot Pie Toddler Dinner
This miniature chicken pot pie recipe(shown above) might just bring you back to your own grandma’s kitchen. Classic American comfort food served in the perfect size for tiny, eager eaters. Yum, yum!
Deconstructed Taco Plate Toddler Dinner
It’s one of those super lazy dinners that just looks complicated and special. In your toddler’s compartmentalized plate, set out taco meat or “filling” of your choice (cubed potatoes tossed in taco seasoning and air-fried are also delicious!) in one section, shredded lettuce and halved cherry tomatoes in another, cheese in yet another, and mini taco shells in another. Your toddler will have so much fun creating their own little meal with these choices at their fingertips.
Mac N Cheese Bites
Serve these bite-sized toddler favorites with green peas and applesauce for a balanced and super tasty dinner that they’ll gobble right up.
Mashed Sweet Potato Toast
Picture avocado toast but instead, with mashed sweet potatoes on top. Serve with mixed berries on the side. Sweet, savory, and oh so simple!
Broccoli & Cheese Quesadilla Toddler Dinner
One of the easiest ways to sneak veggies into a toddler’s diet is in a quesadilla. It’s closed, and there’s cheese involved, so with any luck they won’t peel it back and go hunting. Finely chop broccoli tips and place inside the quesadilla with cheese. Melt stove top or in the oven, and serve beside black beans & sliced cucumbers, with guacamole or sour cream for dipping.
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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.
