Let me start off by saying that I’m incredibly lucky to have a child that will eat almost anything. At two he was eating goat cheese, avocados, and olive tapenade. At three, that has changed somewhat. He is much pickier, which is normal because he’s discovering things and making opinions about the world around him. He no longer eats red peppers, for example. We do manage to get him to try most things, though.
As a self-proclaimed “foodie,” I take my son’s food education very seriously. Not only do I want him to appreciate as many flavors as possible, but I also want him to get the variety and nutrition he needs in his diet. Furthermore, I don’t want to have to make special plates of food so I want to sit down to meals that are appealing to both children and adults.
I’ve tried to find flavor combinations I think kids could get into. Citrus flavors with meat. Fruit for breakfast. The occasional (the understatement of the year) peanut butter treat. And lots of recipes that can easily be modified for even the pickiest of eaters.
Here are twenty recipes from a few amazing bloggers that could easily feed you and yours!
Additionally, head over to my Facebook page every day this week for seven days of kid-friendly recipes.
**Photo credit and recipe development goes to the original, awesome bloggers and their websites. Click on the link provided to see more of their mad photography skills and other mouth-watering recipes.
Breakfast
Blueberry Breakfast Parfait Pops – Mom on Time Out
Popsicles for breakfast, do I need to say more?
Make Ahead Peach Crisp Oatmeal – Curried Cantaloupe
Dessert in healthy breakfast form. But most importantly, it’s 3 minutes from being ready as you stumble around for a mug of coffee.
Coconut-doodledoo Sunrise Smoothie – Curried Cantaloupe
Smoothies are a classic kid-pleaser. Picky Eater Option: substitute coconut milk for vanilla soy or regular milk. Use different fruits.
Lunch/Dinner
Thai Mango Quesadillas – Half Baked Harvest
Quesadillas with a little extra nutrition snuck in. Picky Eater Option: Substitute fish for chicken! Oh, and take out the chili if your kids don’t eat heat.
Chicken Enchilada Dip – The Cookie Rookie
For parties. And rainy days. Winter. Anytime really.
Zucchini Corn Mini-Pizzas – Foxes Love Lemons
With a creamy base, a neutral veggie, and sweet corn to spike a little interest, this is one gourmet pizza the whole family can enjoy! Picky Eater Option: mini-pizzas mean you can always personalize them to suit different tastes.
Deep Fried Tofu Pockets – Pickled Plum
This is like ham and cheese without the bread, a little extra calcium and protein, gluten-free and something that can be made vegetarian if need be.
Grown-Up Baked Chicken Tenders – Curried Cantaloupe
These nut-encrusted chicken tenders are rich, slightly sweet, and crunchy. No soggy, unknown white meat here.
Salad with Creamy Peanut Sesame Dressing – Recipe Tin Eats
Because peanuts shouldn’t only go with jam and every family needs a pasta recipe. Picky eater option: substitute veggies for ones your children will eat!
SOUPS, SALADS, SIDES
Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Olga’s Flavor Factory
How do you get your kids to eat their veggies? Purée them in a hearty bowl of cheese, of course! Picky Eater Option: Further disguise the veggies by choosing cauliflower instead of broccoli!
Sweet Potato and Zucchini Patties – Not Your Standard
Kids like potatoes, isn’t that some kind of universal law or something? These are like hashbrowns, only more colorful and nutritious! Serve them up as a vegetable side or with eggs for a hearty breakfast. No airplane noises as your little ones eat these – of course, if they are over 3, you probably don’t make noises anyway.
Orange Cumin Chicken and Couscous – Plating Pixels
Stuck in a rut with rice and pasta? One word: couscous. A few more words? Sweet and savory. No need to say more.
Zucchini Chip, Mint, and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Parsley Dressing – The Iron You
A salad that introduces kids to the flavors of fresh herbs, and you can let them have fun making pucker faces as they eat a lemony meal with another veggie sneak (because you can call them chips).
Snacks
Gruyère Cheese Crackers – The Kitchen Paper
Why not introduce your kids to the finer things in life? Gruyère is the perfect initiation into French cheese.
Apple Nachos With Peanut Butter Chocolate – Trial and Eater
Fruit, protein, and chocolate. All in a snack’s work, my friend.
Mango Fruit Leather – Dash of Butter
Because mangoes are good without anything added, and because you know fruit roll-ups are a rite of passage.
Gluten Free Funfetti Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – Sunny Side Ups
Because even kids who can’t have gluten deserve a world where sprinkles and chocolate co-exist.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies – Hungry Couple NYC
WHOOOOOOPIEEEEEE!!!
Spinach Brie Stuffed Pretzel Rolls – Cookie Named Desire
When your pretzels are gushing warm brie, who even notices the spinach…unless it gets stuck in your teeth?
Browned Butter Peanut Chocolate Rice Krispie Squares – The Littlest Bake House
Are you detecting peanut butter theme here? But seriously, everything tastes better with brown butter. A dessert that’s sure to be devoured by parents and kids alike!
Whole Wheat Apple Hand Pies – Begin Within Nutrition
Handheld = easy clean-up= winner in any busy parent’s life!