16 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes (2024)

21 Comments

16 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes (1)

Perhaps the better title for this post would be, “16 recipes your kids might eat.” I’m outside of my realm of expertise here—I’m childless and a former picky kid myself—but I thought I’d share a few recipes that kids seem to enjoy.

I searched through the comments for words like “kids” and “daughter” and landed on the following sixteen recipes. About half are dinner recipes and the other half are wholesome sweet treats, like granola bars and oat-based banana pancakes. Some pack well for lunch or snacks, so I’ve made note of those. Here we go!

1) Spinach Artichoke Enchiladas


Commenter Nicole’s six year old asked if they could have these enchiladas every night! These reheat well, too.

2) Peanut-Sesame Slaw with Soba Noodles


Peanut butter combined with loads of veggies? Yep! This slaw packs great for lunch.

3) Banana Oat Pancakes


Kids of all ages love these banana pancakes. They freeze well, too.

4) Honey-Sweetened Almond Chocolate Chip Granola Bars


Funny story. I mentioned my blog at my vet’s office once. Months later, my vet told me that his daughter adores these granola bars! I wrap them up individually in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer so they stay fresh.

5) Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries


These roasted sweet potato fries might change your kids’ minds about sweet potatoes. They did for me!

6) Spicy Kale and Coconut Stir Fry


This was my friend’s one-year-old daughter’s first taste of kale. She loved it!

7) Maple-Sweetened Banana Muffins


Moms and kids go crazy for these healthy muffins. I also have a pumpkin muffin version! These muffins freeze well.

8) Easy Gluten Free Oat Waffles


These are my favorite basic waffles and they just so happen to be gluten free! They’re made with oat flour and freeze well. Way better than Eggo’s!

9)


Husbands and kids alike appreciate these hearty sweet potato burgers. They grill well and freeze well.

10) Creamy (vegan!) Butternut Squash Linguini with Fried Sage


To quote Miriam, “What can I say, all 6 kids LOVED this and that’s a first for meat free night in my house. Thank you!”

11)Honey Almond Granola


Granola is so easy to make! I seal mine in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer so it stays fresh. It’s a great breakfast or snack.

12) Banana Almond Smoothie


This creamy banana and almond smoothie tastes like a treat!

13) Simple Tortilla Pizzas


When I was young, I made tortilla pizzas or spaghetti when my mom made dinners I didn’t like.

14) Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Avocado-Pepita Dip


Now, I’m not sure that I would have touched these tacos with a ten-foot pole when I was a kid. Apparently, though, some kids love them!

15) Maple Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies


Maple-sweetened, oat-based peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies! No need to mention that these cookies are so much healthier than most. They freeze well, too!

16) Cinnamon Maple Caramel Popcorn


Maple-sweetened caramel popcorn with some nut butter mixed in for a little protein. So good!

16 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes (18)

More resources you might appreciate: 13 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 16 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!

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By Kathryne Taylor

16 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes (19)Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now.
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Comments

    Leave a comment below:

  1. Esther

    Some great ideas here. I love the idea of the peanut butter slaw. Genius! I’m going to try it out with my children. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Kate

      Thank you, Esther! Hope they love it!

      Reply

  2. LISA

    Yes! I see several recipes above that are my kids’ favorites. The gluten free waffles are a daily request by my 3 year old, and the black bean/sweet potato tacos are my 9 year old’s fav. I have to say that everytime I make a dish from your site, my family asks, ‘Is this from Cookie and Kate? Oh good! I love her!’. You’re a household name. (I even won first place in a friendly neighborhood pot luck competition when I brought your watermelon/mint sorbet. Thanks!) I look forward to trying the few recipes above that don’t look familiar.

    Reply

    • Kate

      Ohhh yay! That’s fantastic to hear! Thank you, Lisa. :)

      Reply

  3. Robin

    The black bean / sweet potato tacos are awesome. Both carnivores and vegetarians love them! One of my favorite recipes to eat with a group of friends.. Thanks Kate!

    Reply

  4. Bella B

    Thanks for these! I will have to try the maple peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.=

    Reply

  5. Christina Soong

    Spot on recipes, I’ll have to try some of them! It can be hard to make ‘healthy’ and ‘kid-friendly’ go together but you did a great job.

    Reply

  6. Jess

    Oh yes, you did great, Kate! I’m still pretty new to the parenting world, but this looks like a list of things that my kiddos would definitely eat and love – great round-up!

    Reply

  7. Cassie Tran

    These are a few of my absolute favorite recipes ever!

    Reply

  8. Pooja

    Kate, I appreciate your work. You have well covered each and every thing in this menu. Veggie, Fruits, peanut butter one of my favorite. All looks delicious now I am hungry.

    Reply

    • Kate

      Thank you, Pooja!

      Reply

  9. Starr

    When you say that the pancakes freeze well, do you mean the batter or the completed, grilled pancake? Also, how do you recommend thawing/reheating?

    Reply

    • Kate

      The cooked pancakes freeze well. I wrap a few in a paper towel and reheat in the microwave, flipping the stack halfway. Don’t overdo it or they’ll get tough!

      Reply

  10. Adina

    So my kids would definitely love the pasta with butternut squash, everything that is sweet on the list and most of all the tortilla pizzas. I could never get them to like sweet potatoes though and it is not like I didn’t try. They would rather go hungry than eat sweet potatoes… :(

    Reply

    • Kate

      I hated sweet potatoes as a kid! Maybe they will come around. :)

      Reply

  11. Shannon

    -I love all of your recipes!!!! I have made made several of them and they were all awesome. Thank you soooo much!!

    Reply

    • Kate

      Thank you, Shannon! That’s so nice to hear!

      Reply

  12. Donna Castellano

    Kate, every single one of these recipes looks amazing! Wonderful post! I’m going to work my way down the list :)

    Reply

  13. Marlene

    My picky eater granddaughter is coming for a visit. Thank goodness, I found your site. Will let you know what I will make, or she and I will cook together.

    Also, don’t ever feel discouraged. Always trust in yourself.

    Reply

    • Kate

      Thank you, Marlene! I hope you have a great visit with your granddaughter.

      Reply

16 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What food can a 12 year old cook? ›

"By 12 years old, children should be able to bake a cake independently and cook simple meals, such as beans on toast, eggs, or porridge.

What is a healthy dinner for a 4 year old? ›

Healthy dinner meals
  • Taco bar. ...
  • Veggie fried rice. ...
  • Sausage, apple, and zucchini skewers. ...
  • Healthier chicken fingers. ...
  • Peanut butter noodles. ...
  • Baked potato bar. ...
  • Kid-friendly poke bowls. ...
  • Turkey skillet hash.
Jun 30, 2020

What are the 10 best foods for a teenager to eat? ›

What to eat
  • fruit and vegetables.
  • starchy foods, such as potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates.
  • beans and pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.
  • dairy and alternatives.
  • oils and spreads.

How to lose fat for a 12 year old? ›

How to Lose Weight Safely at 12 Years Old
  1. Reduce your 12-year-old's caloric intake. ...
  2. Switch to healthier snacks and meals. ...
  3. Pack your child's school lunch rather than having her buy it in the cafeteria. ...
  4. Encourage your 12-year-old to drink more water. ...
  5. Get your family on an exercise program, the CDC advises.

Should I let my 11 year old cook? ›

8- to 11-Year-Old Cooks

Kids at this age can follow simple, straightforward recipes, plan menus and meals, and begin to work with the stove or oven. Use this time to teach them about the dangers of equipment and utensils.

Is it OK for kids to cook? ›

Teaching a child how to cook helps them understand how much time and effort it takes for a parent to make a healthy, tasty meal for the family. Cooking expands their palates: When a child cooks a new food or dish on their own. they are more likely to eat it — or at least try it.

What do 5 12 year olds eat? ›

Foods that contain useful amounts include leafy green vegetables, wholegrain cereals and breads, canned fish (eaten with bones), legumes (kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils), calcium-fortified plant-based milk and yogurt alternatives (such as almond, soya and oat-based products) and calcium-fortified breakfast cereals ...

What food do autistic kids love? ›

Sensory issues with food: Kids on the autism spectrum often express a strong preference for foods that feel a certain way in their mouths. Some prefer soft or creamy foods like yogurt, soup or ice cream; others need the stimulation that crunchy foods like Cheetos or — if a parent is lucky, carrots — provide.

What foods do picky kids eat? ›

Our Favorite Meals for Picky Eaters
  • Baked Potato Bar. With a serve-yourself baked potato bar, your little ones can assemble their own dinner creations! ...
  • Pizza Bagels. ...
  • Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower. ...
  • Chicken Fajitas. ...
  • White Bean Burgers. ...
  • Peas & Cheese Tortellini. ...
  • Veggie Wraps. ...
  • Chicken Bites, Mashed Yams & Green Beans.
Sep 14, 2018

What foods keep kids full? ›

Snacks with fiber or protein help kids feel full longer. Foods with these nutrients take more time to digest. Fiber comes from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Protein comes from beans, cheese, milk, meats, eggs, nuts, and nut butters.

What should a 13 year old eat for dinner? ›

What to feed your teenager
  • At least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.
  • Meals based on starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, pasta and rice. ...
  • Some milk and dairy products or alternatives. ...
  • Some foods that are good sources of protein such as meat, fish, eggs, beans and lentils.

Is pizza an unhealthy food? ›

Pizza is high in saturated fats due to cheese and processed meat toppings, which can increase your cholesterol levels as well as risk for heart disease. Eating three-four slices of pizza or more, on a regular basis, can have detrimental health consequences.

What is the most unhealthy food for kids? ›

Foods high in salt (sodium), such as some canned foods, processed meats (e.g., lunch meats, sausages, hot dogs, ham), and frozen dinners should be avoided. Some snack foods and store-bought packaged toddler foods are high in salt.

What is the most important meal for children? ›

Breakfast provides key nutrients.

Children who eat breakfast are more likely to meet their overall nutritional needs. In fact, studies show that children who eat breakfast eat more fruit, drink more milk, and consume less saturated fat than those who don't eat breakfast.

What can kids eat to lose weight? ›

Replace highly processed foods with whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Instead of sugary sodas, serve water, low-fat or fat-free milk, or fortified nondairy beverages. Place healthy foods and beverages where they are easy to see and reach.

What foods help kids lose weight? ›

Cut back on processed and fast foods.

They tend to be higher in calories and fat. Instead, fill your child's plate with fruits and vegetables, and trade white bread, rice, and pasta for their whole-grain versions. They have fiber, which can help your child feel full for longer.

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