70+ Best Vegetable Recipes for Toddlers
- January 4, 2024
- Last Updated: March 1, 2024
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- Recipes
Incorporating vegetables into your toddler’s diet is essential for adequate nutrition. Toddlers learn to enjoy different flavors and textures as they become more independent. Today, I’ve rounded up some delicious vegetables recipes for toddlers that can satisfy taste buds and nourish bodies.
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When you have a toddler, you know that you can’t take your eyes off him/her. Your child’s personality is budding and they are constantly keeping you on your toes.
While it’s more difficult to find vegetable recipes for toddlers that they may like, it is still possible to serve vegetables to your picky toddler alongside their favorite healthy toddler finger foods.
Nothing quite tries your patience than a toddler who wants to do everything on their own! Mealtime included.
There is such a struggle with figuring out how to get toddlers to eat veggies for some reason! That’s why I preach that veggies are always on the plate for babies to get used to the exposure.
Check out these dinner recipes for babies for more insight on that and easy ideas.
While they are becoming their own little person, they may likely turn down foods they used to love. Even research shows that toddlers are known for being independent and selective.
In other words, it’s totally normal development, which may not be what you want to hear.
Fortunately, these dietitian-approved toddler vegetable recipes can come to your rescue to get that nutrition into your toddler.
Children are natural-born intuitive eaters and will normally respond to hunger and fullness cues.
The trick for getting toddlers to eat vegetables during this stage is to not force your child to eat specific foods.
I know, it sounds counterintuitive. If you don’t force them to eat vegetables, how will they ever eat them?
Just like feeding a 1 year old, feeding toddlers learn what to eat based on what you serve them and expose them to.
We aim to keep mealtime peaceful with the division of feeding responsibility. You serve the food, they decide what and how much they want to eat.
Of course, nutrition is important.
You’ll want to serve a wide variety of foods so that your child has access to all of the nutrients they need, and we’re going to walk you through it.
Why Care About Vegetable Recipes for Toddlers?
While your toddler may resist trying new foods, I urge you to be patient and keep trying. Vegetables for toddlers provide many benefits, as do fruits.
Typically, parents have a harder time with vegetables since fruits are naturally sweeter.
Immune support
Does your toddler put everything in their mouth? The number of germs our kids eat just by putting random stuff in their mouths has to be high!
All the more reason to boost their immune system with the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in vegetables.
Gut health
Speaking of immune health, your toddler’s gut has a lot to do with immunity and fighting off bacteria and viruses.
You want your toddler’s gut bacteria to be diverse so that it can function properly. Both for immunity and digestion.
The soluble and insoluble fiber in vegetables not only aids digestion and prevents constipation, but vegetables also help feed the gut bacteria, improve the microbiome’s function, and promote good gut health.
Healthy Growth and Development
Your toddler is growing at a rapid pace and making new brain connections daily. Vegetables contain nutrients that are essential for this physical and mental growth.
Additionally, higher-quality diets with more vegetables are associated with a lower risk of developmental disabilities, like autism and ADHD.
Dietary Variety
Chances are, if you regularly serve vegetables with your meals, children will be exposed to them often and be comfortable and familiar with them. As parents, our attitudes about food can acutally influence our child’s eating habits!
When we keep mealtime pleasant, set a positive example (we eat the veggies, too!), and serve tasty food, our kids are more likely to have a healthy relationship with food.
How Many Vegetables Does Your Toddler Need to Eat?
You may be wondering how many veggies toddlers need to eat per day. Most toddlers need between 2/3 cup-1 cup of vegetables per day.
This can be through dark green veggies, red or orange vegetables, legumes, or starchy vegetables.
Below is a breakdown of the recommendations:
| Vegetables (cup per day) | 2/3-1 cup |
| Dark-Green Vegetables (per week) | 1/2-1.5 cups |
| Red and Orange Vegetables (per week) | 1-2.5 cups |
| Beans, Peas, Lentils (per week) | 1/3-3/4 cup |
| Starchy Vegetables (per week) | 1-2 cups |
| Other Vegetables (per week) | 3/4-1.5 cups |
You can see that all of the different colors are recommended, not just one.
So while it’s great your toddler loves carrots or sweetpotatoes, they need green veggies and legumes too.
This is because the different pigments in the vegetable contain different nutrients.
When your toddler eats vegetables of all colors, they are more likely to get all of the nutrients they need for optimal growth and development.
Vegetable Recipes for Toddlers
Now, let’s get to the crux – how do you actually serve a fun vegetable recipe for toddlers? Is it possible to serve recipes for toddlers who hate vegetables?
YES!
These ideas will show you that you can add flavor and spark to these vegetable recipes. There’s no need to serve vegetables plain and boring – you can even do a food activity for toddlers alongside!
Or, serve veggies up in these popular baby led weaning muffin recipes!
These tasty toddler veggie recipes can truly be enjoyed by the entire family, which is recommended, like our favorite toddler mac and cheese.
When toddlers see us eating things, they are more likely to show interest in it and possibly try it themselves.
What’s better is you can make these in bulk and then freeze toddler meals for later, reducing your efforts in the future.
Vegetable Recipes for Toddlers
Need an easy vegetable recipe for toddlers? These toddler veggie recipes are easy to make and can help make veggies more fun and flavorful.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash fries are flavorful and fun for kids! If you have picky eaters, roasting butternut squash in the air fryer is a great way to get a delicious and crispy texture!
If your kids love French fries, but you’re looking for a healthier option, you need to know how to make zucchini fries in the air fryer!
These healthy sweet potato fritters are a delicious side for babies, kids, and adults alike! Shredded sweet potatoes are mixed with warm spices and baked in the oven for the perfect soft, yet crispy bite. Great for toddlers and baby-led weaning!
This veggie sweet potato avocado breakfast pizza is filling with both complex carbohydrates and satiating protein. It's also bursting with flavor and a great way to start the day with veggies!
These 4 ingredient zucchini and edamame fritters make a tasty snack or high protein addition to any meal. Loved by both kids and adults!
Cheesy baked zucchini fritters are a great way to use up zucchini when it is in abundance in the summer. This healthy side dish is easy to prepare and toddler and kid-friendly.
This Sweet Potato Kale Pizza is a delicious and easy vegetarian pizza option that makes for a fun homemade pizza night!
This super easy to make Broccoli Cheese Sticks Recipe will not only get your kids to eat their veggies...but I'm pretty sure that it will leave them asking for more!
These customizable sweet potato black bean nachos are great as a weeknight dinner, vegetarian nachos recipe, or football food. Easy to make for groups and great for kids!
A tasty and easy side dish for everyday healthy eating or special occasions. These tender acorn squash rings are baked with a citrusy twist of orange and a hint of warm cinnamon.
Your kids will love this project – it’s so much fun to create edible art! No-bake veggie pizzas are a fresh, exciting lunch or snack!
A delicious and nutritious, protein-packed frittata that is great for any meal of the day. It's easy to make in advance and great for crowds.
These Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks disappear in a flash! They’re a terrific little snack, and also a perfect dinner side dish recipe.
This Mediterranean Vegan Cold Pasta Salad is a creamy, colorful plant-based pasta recipe. Swap out your typical pasta salad recipe for this healthy, roasted vegetable pasta salad.
Looking for a fun snack for the kids that’s fun to make and eat? These slimy snail snacks are healthy and so cute that kids won’t even notice they’re eating fruits and veggies at the same time!
Looking for a new way to try out quinoa? These broccoli cheddar quinoa bites are a cute and healthy snack, appetizer, or side dish that the whole family will love!
This Black Bean Avocado Dip requires only four key ingredients and provides a perfect healthy, vegetarian dip option for your fall tailgates. With a fun twist on guacamole, this Black Bean Avocado Dip is sure to be a hit!
Cauliflower Fritters with Garlic Dill Aioli - your toddler will love this easy, healthy cauliflower pancake recipe that works for breakfast, brunch, as a side dish, or afternoon snack.
Chicken Pumpkin Chili in the crockpot is the perfect white bean pumpkin chili with your choice of meat. Full of hearty protein, vegetables, fiber and vitamins, this pumpkin chili recipe is great for warming you up and keeping you nourished.
Do you need more recipe ideas to get your kids to eat veggies? Make Cauliflower Nuggets! They're loaded with a healthy vegetable (cauliflower), have just a few ingredients, and are baked for a much healthier nugget recipe.
Easy roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots are full of flavor and come together quickly. Perfect for a weeknight meal addition, these are the best maple-roasted veggies you'll find.
Looking for a fun summer squash recipe? Make these Yellow Squash Tots - perfect little veggie tots that use up a lot of yellow squash (or zucchini!). Great for little fingers to gobble up!
This Skillet Breakfast Scramble is a tasty and nutritious one-pan meal that should not be limited to just breakfast. A healthy breakfast scramble full of protein, veggies and lots of flavor, your toddler is sure to love it!
Crispy Turmeric Baked Cauliflower is the perfect appetizer, or fun veggie side dish. With flavors of garlic and cheese, finished with a soft crunch, you'll never want to prepare cauliflower any other way!
This Veggie Pasta Bake is a perfect easy and comforting vegetarian pasta casserole. With a variety of veggies and cheese, this vegetable pasta bake is delicious and sure to please the pickiest eaters.
These Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes are one of the easiest crockpot potato recipes. This tender combination of hearty potatoes and carrots is flavored with bits of bacon, butter and herbs.
Lemon Tahini Lentil Hummus is an easy, hearty, protein-packed vegetarian side or main dish, bursting with Middle Eastern spices and flavors. This lentil hummus recipe is great with chips, rice, vegetables or on its own!
This Mushroom and Asparagus Quiche is a convenient and easy veggie quiche, full of protein, nutrients and vegetables, for a delicious meal any time of day!
This Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch option. Filled with protein, carbohydrates, and antioxidants, it's a quick and easy sweet potato egg bake and meal prep casserole.
These Spinach Sweet Potato Tots are a fun way to offer nutrient dense toddler vegetable recipes to your little ones. Packed with iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and carbohydrates, this veggie tots recipe is great for meal prep and the side to any meal.
This Sweet Potato Kale Hash recipe is an easy way to add veggies to your breakfast, and make the best vegan breakfast hash.
This vegan winter roasted vegetable bowl is a delicious autumn bowl recipe, with whole grains, plant protein and roasted vegetables topped with a creamy tahini lime dressing.
This white bean skillet recipe boasts a combination of white beans, tomatoes, veggies and pizza spices giving it a true flavor like its name, Pizza Beans! It's a delicious vegan cannellini bean recipe.
Air Fryer Parsnips are an easy and healthy side option, ready in just 20 minutes. Honey mustard parsnips combine honey, dijon mustard and a handful of spices for a healthy veggie side.
Pumpkin sweetpotato soup combines the hearty, nourishing flavors of autumn in an easy 30 minute vegan instant pot recipe.
This colorful vegan couscous salad is filled with fresh veggies, whole grains and plant protein and has a tangy flavor that everyone will love.
These sweetpotato and zucchini fritters are a tasty, vegetarian meal that adults and kids will love! Made with shredded zucchini, sweetpotato, chickpea flour, eggs and cheese, this easy zucchini sweetpotato recipe will become a family favorite.
These air fryer sweet potato wedges are incredibly easy and tasty to make - you'll never want to make them any other way!
These baked carrot fries are great for baby led weaning - full of flavor!
This easy broccoli orzo salad is a great make ahead summer recipe that's accented with a delicious lemon honey dressing. It's ready in minutes and the best way to enjoy an orzo salad with broccoli.
Did you know how easy it is to make acorn squash in the air fryer? It's flavorful and perfectly crispy, and after making this air fried acorn squash, you won't want it any other way!
This Sweetpotato Oatmeal Bake with Blueberries is the perfect quick and nutritious breakfast option, great for your meal prep oatmeal needs. It’s ready in 30 minutes, sweet, and makes the perfect toddler breakfast.
Baby waffles are a great first food for babies. These spinach waffles with sweet potatoes are free of added sugars and full of healthy ingredients for your little ones.
These creamy coconut popsicles are the perfect combination of summer, boasting tropical flavors of coconut and pina colada. Pineapple coconut popsicles are naturally sweetened with pineapples, coconut cream and sweet potato.
These Sweet Potato Pretzel Bites look fancy but are an easy sweet potato appetizer recipe, great for any time of day. They provide a combination of sweet, savory and salty and are quite addicting!
This Toddler Mac and Cheese with pears is the easiest pasta for toddlers and also works as some of the best pasta for babies. It's ready in 15 minutes, only uses one pot, and combines fruits and vegetables!
These no bake 5 ingredient peanut butter energy bites are a great on-the-go snack. Made with oats, sweetpotatoes, peanut butter, coconut and some spices, these sweetpotato bites are everything you'd want in a healthy portable snack.
These Garlic Turmeric Crispy Parsnip Fries are the perfect "fry" shape and sprinkled with cheese and herbs. An easy parsnip recipe for the whole family and a quick side to any meal.
This Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pizza Crust is a wholesome, gluten free and vegan pizza crust alternative that you can decorate with your favorite options. As a plant based pizza crust, it's full of flavor, fiber, nutrients and antioxidants and makes for a great post run canvas for toppings of your choice.
This easy chicken and veggie egg noodle stir fry is a pantry-friendly recipe and comes together in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. It's great for a weeknight, kid-friendly, or post workout meal!
This cantaloupe salad with mint, pineapple and cous cous is a light, colorful and flavorful summer side salad. Plus, this salad with cantaloupe and pineapple meshes perfectly with creamy mozzarella and a light olive oil dressing for a nutritious mint fruit salad.
These crispy frozen green beans in the air fryer are ready in a flash, and make for a healthy veggie side that taste like green bean fries. Make them in under 15 minutes.
BBQ roasted chickpeas are the perfect crunchy snack, or easy to throw on salads, stir fries and more. Barbecue chickpeas are full of that barbecue flavor your toddler will love.
Hidden Vegetable Recipes for Toddlers
Sometimes, you have a picky toddler and you may just have to hide the vegetables to get in those nutrient-rich foods.
These vegetable recipes for picky toddlers can help you do just that. And we have tons of other healthy snacks for picky eaters for you to explore.
When you hide veggies in foods, you are not only boosting a food’s nutritional value, but also adding flavor to your foods.
Vegetables can add a unique taste and texture to your dishes that will benefit everyone in the family, not just your toddler.
The caveat here is that I think there’s a fine line for hiding veggies in foods – if toddlers never think they’re eating veggies, where is the motivation to continue to try them?
I recommend showing the toddlers the vegetables ahead of time and how they can be transformed through food and these easy recipes.
Here are some hidden veg recipes for toddlers.
Recipes That Hide Vegetables in Food
These easy hidden vegetable recipes for toddlers can help make sure your toddler gets important nutrients disguised in tasty recipes.
Pumpkin zucchini muffins are perfect for fall, and a healthy muffin recipe for babies, toddlers and adults! Who knew dairy free pumpkin muffins could taste so good!?
These Hidden Vegetable Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets are made with sweet potato for added nutrition - no one will ever know!
This hidden veggie mac and cheese is PERFECT! It's packed with veggies, protein, and fiber while still tasting AMAZING.
For the best gluten free zucchini muffins, look no further than these zucchini almond flour muffins made with almond flour, oats, almond butter and spices. A delicious and satisfying snack for the whole family.
This kale meatball soup is an easy family meal that's nutritious and delicious. Made with turkey meatballs accompanied by sweetpotatoes, butternut squash and some spices, every taste is a delightful burst of flavor!
Photo Credit:
moderatelymessyrd.com
Butternut Squash Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce (Plus More Sauce Ideas)
Add this luxurious, nutritious pasta sauce to your favorite noodles or spaghetti squash for the ultimate comfort dish.
Mix this easy sweet potato spaghetti with traditional pasta or enjoy these sweet potato zoodles on their own, with a creamy sweet potato pasta sauce!
A refreshing, nutritious smoothie that tastes like dessert! Perfect for a snack, meal, or even sweeter treat.
These healthy blueberry zucchini muffins are bursting with warm freshly baked blueberries and a sweet crumb topping; you’d never guess they contain a vegetable!
Healthy Pumpkin Blondies are the best gluten free pumpkin dessert bar that appeal to kids and adults alike. Full of satiating fiber and protein, these healthy pumpkin oat bars are so easy they can be mixed in a blender.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free pizza option then this Vegan Cauliflower Pizza Crust recipe is worth the rave.
This bright hued sweet potato beet smoothie is the best post workout smoothie recipe. Made with mango, beets and sweet potatoes, it's antioxidant rich, and helps replenish and restore your muscles to expedite recovery.
These cauliflower mashed potatoes look just like potatoes and are made with smooth and creamy mashed cauliflower mixed together with sour cream, parmesan cheese, garlic, and butter.
Vegan No Bake Carrot Cake Bites combine the flavors you love in carrot cake into portable energy bite form, perfect for a snack, pre or post workout fuel, or dessert!
Photo Credit:
www.christinascucina.com
Zucchini Pasta Sauce (Creamy Tomato Style with Hidden Zucchini!)
This zucchini pasta sauce is a great way to add this bountiful vegetable to your dinner table! In addition to tomatoes and a touch of cream, it creates a beautiful pink sauce, and tastes even better!
Pumpkin no bake cookies are quick, easy and delicious, made with only 8 ingredients and can be vegan, dairy and gluten free! You never knew flourless pumpkin cookies could be so easy.
Sweet Potato Oatmeal Cookies are an easy snack that also work great as healthy breakfast cookies. These vegan breakfast cookies are made with whole grain oats, flour, sweet potatoes, spices and maple syrup.
These Sweet Potato Pretzel Bites look fancy but are an easy sweet potato appetizer recipe, great for any time of day. They provide a combination of sweet, savory and salty and are quite addicting!
These gluten free sweetpotato apple muffins are a sweet snack for fall flavor, topped with a crispy oat topping.
Silken Tofu Brownies are a delicious and healthy after-school snack. These easy fudgy vegan brownies are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth after dinner.
This Beet Banana Smoothie is a healthy, antioxidant-packed smoothie option, great for after a workout, packed with banana, mango, raw beets and spinach. You won't even taste the spinach in this beet spinach smoothie.
This Healthy Sweetpotato Mac and Cheese is the answer to your cheesy pasta dreams. A mixture of whole wheat pasta, mashed sweetpotato, cheese and kale make this sweetpotato pasta bake a winner!
Whole Wheat Sweetpotato Zucchini Muffins are a tasty, portable snack option for your little ones. These zucchini and sweet potato muffins are full of veggies and provide a dairy-free option for those who need it
These Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Muffins are made with chickpea flour and naturally sweetened with bananas. Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip muffins are great as baby muffins, toddler muffins, or a high protein muffin snack!
Carrot Oatmeal Raisin Bars are a delicious carrot cake bars recipe made with a raisin and date puree, shredded carrots, peanut butter and oats. They make for a family friendly snack any time of year!
Other posts you may enjoy include:
- Bean Recipes for Toddlers
- Lentil Recipes for Toddlers
- Healthy homemade toddler snacks
- Sweetpotato Recipes for Toddlers
- Quinoa Recipes for Toddlers
References:
- Ballarotto G, Murray L, Bozicevic L, et al. Parental sensitivity to toddler’s need for autonomy: An empirical study on mother-toddler and father-toddler interactions during feeding and play. Infant Behav Dev. 2023;73:101892. doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101892
- Grosso G, Laudisio D, Frias-Toral E, et al. Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients and Obesity-Associated Metabolic-Inflammation: State of the Art and Future Direction. Nutrients. 2022;14(6):1137. Published 2022 Mar 8. doi:10.3390/nu14061137
- Hiel S, Bindels LB, Pachikian BD, et al. Effects of a diet based on inulin-rich vegetables on gut health and nutritional behavior in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(6):1683-1695. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqz001
- Gui J, Wang L, Han Z, et al. Association between the Healthy Eating Index-2015 and Developmental Disabilities in Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Brain Sci. 2023;13(9):1353. Published 2023 Sep 21. doi:10.3390/brainsci13091353
- Haines J, Haycraft E, Lytle L, et al. Nurturing Children’s Healthy Eating: Position statement. Appetite. 2019;137:124-133. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2019.02.007
Sarah Schlichter is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition. She specializes in family nutrition, sports nutrition and intuitive eating. She also co-hosts the podcast, Nail Your Nutrition.
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