Toddler meals for Picky Eaters: 30+ quick and easy toddler recipes

Quick dinner ideas for toddlers

Toddlers are a tricky bunch. Feeding toddlers is hard. So hard! Sometimes they flat out refuse to eat! Which of course makes us parents worry and wonder if we need to feed our kids special food for toddlers to gain weight.

Sometimes we have to bribe them to eat dinner. We wonder if we have enough healthy toddler meal ideas to entice them to eat something. If you’re wondering how to get picky toddlers to try new foods, here are some suggestions for new meals to get your picky toddler to eat.

If your toddler is a picky eater, like mine, you’re always searching for super simple toddler meals for picky eaters. Here I’m rounding up some quick and easy toddler recipes from my fellow toddler moms!

Use these fun quick dinner ideas for toddlers for your family and toddler meal plan.

Healthy Toddler Meal Ideas

One of my go-to toddler meals are is a variation of graham cracker with some sort of spread. Graham crackers with cream cheese and peanut butter is a favorite with my son. We also can do a PBJ with graham crackers instead of bread to give variety.

I love this fun idea for a Peanut Butter Kebabs from Mama Latina Tips. It combines toddler favorites, with eating off a stick!

Peanut Butter Kebabs from Mama Latina Tips

Loving this Homemade Spaghetti-O’s from Strength and Sunshine. Bonus that this recipe is allergy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. A quick meal that you can feel good about serving. She also shares a recipe for uncrustables (no crust sandwiches) for the fussy eaters who don’t like crust.

These Shredded Zucchini Tots from Brooklyn Farm Girl are also a low carb/keto recipe if your family is eating that way.

Here’s a great toddler meal for breakfast or dinner, Sausage Egg Muffin Cups with veggies! from On My Kids Plate.

For fans of the air fryer, here are some fun healthier options for our favorite fried foods! Chicken tenders are always a hit, here is a parmesan-crusted chicken tenders air fryer recipe from Recipes from a Pantry. There’s also the air fryer chicken quesadilla recipe you can try.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders – Recipes from a Pantry

I haven’t tried cooking with cauliflower yet but I want to. Here’s a recipe for slow cooker cauliflower mac and cheese from Dizzy Busy and Hungry. I also like her cheesy zucchini spinach quesadillas. We’ve got to try these.

Here’s a healthy breakfast cookie idea (with carrots and raisins) from Momma Fit Lyndsey.

Fun toddler meals for picky eaters, including snacks

I love this recipe for Mini Apple Pizzas from Veggied Desserts. A healthy way to spin a favorite dish. She also shares a 10-Minute Naan Bread Pizza idea!

Mini Apple Pizzas from Veggied Desserts

Following a pizza theme, here’s a fun recipe for tortilla pizza rollups from On My Kids Plate.

These pizza muffins from Spaceships and Lazer Beams are fun too!

Alright, one more! These English Muffin Pizzas look fun! From The Best Ideas for Kids.

Another fun snack is anything with hummus. We love some hummus for dipping. I share some fun ways you can make hummus for your family, here. You can even have your kiddo help make these – all it takes is beans, specially prepared oils, and a blender.

For fans of muffins, here’s a great Toddler Approved Muffin Recipe from Simple Moments Stick.

If you’re worried that your picky toddler isn’t getting enough calcium, here are some ideas for calcium-rich foods from Easy Mommy Life.

Since we all know what toddlers are really like, here are some great ideas from Toot’s Mom is Tired for realistic breakfasts for toddlers and realistic meals for toddlers.

Ohmygoodness how adorable are these open-faced sandwiches from Flavours Treat.

Sandwich idea from Flavours Treat.

Here’s a fun recipe for Doritos chicken that your toddlers can help make, from Dancing Through the Rain.

Toddler meal plan that feeds the family

My friend at Hello Minder says both her kids enjoyed these meals. Quick Meals For The Busy Family.

Pasta-roni Pizzazz from Hello Minder

I definitely want to try this recipe for Instant Pot Bacon Mac n Cheese from Love On A Plate. As well as this Instant Pot Taco Pasta Supreme.

These Broccoli cheese quesadillas can be a great meal for the whole family. From On my Kids Plate.

These ideas for kid-friendly avocado toast are fun for the whole family and trendy too! From Theresa’s Reviews.

Some quick and easy dairy-free pasta recipes that are kid-friendly. Because what kid doesn’t love pasta? From Prep and Shine.

Here’s a family-friendly instant pot meal for Chicken Marinara Rotini from Stef’s Eats and Sweets.

And always a favorite here’s a way to make spaghetti and meatballs in the instant pot from This Old Gal.

Who loves smoothie bowls? I do! My son? Not so much. Maybe he will try one of these toddler breakfast smoothie bowl ideas from Normal Life Mom.

Yum! Gotta try this creamy instant pot Tuscan chicken pasta! from Recipes from a Pantry.

Here’s a fun macaroni egg salad idea from Dancing Through the Rain.

1 Year old meal ideas

These are great ideas for foods to start your picky todder on when they are just starting out eating actual meals.

When your baby is just starting to get the hang of eating foods and graduates from purees and baby cereal, a whole world is opened up. Check out some fun ways to use baby cereal in other meals. Such as these mini muffins made from oatmeal baby cereal.

Another easy toddler meal idea, before they catch on and get wise to our tricks, is adding spinach to eggs when you scramble them!

Here’s another fun baby yogurt recipe – How To Make Baby-Friendly Yogurt Drops by Muddy Boots and Diamonds.

Finger foods for toddlers

Fill your toddler picky plates with some of these ideas.

Thai style chicken bites from Imperfect Mummy. These Thai Style Chicken Bites are perfect nutritious finger foods. They are a hit her fussy eaters and quick and easy to make. Note: This recipe is no longer available but here is another similar Thai chicken bites.