8 Adorably Delicious Toddler Lunches Your Kiddo Will Truly Love
When it comes to toddler lunch ideas , the wheels on the (struggle bus) can go round and round. Tastes change like the wind—you know, like when you stock up on peanut butter after they insist on only eating that one week, only to give it a one-star review the next. Then, there are the tears when you pivot and cut the grilled cheese sandwich (their new favorite, apparently) into triangles rather than squares. Who knew people with the tiniest mouths could use them to communicate the biggest feelings in the loudest voices (even when they're only one year old)?
Head over to social media for lunch box advice or commiseration, and you might come across a photo of a perfectly and creatively plated lunch: a peanut butter and banana sandwich in the shape of a face. Apparently, not everyone's toddler is "so over" peanut butter.
Nix the FOMO, food fights and frustration. It doesn't have to be this way. To help you find easy and healthy toddler lunch ideas that your little one will actually eat, we enlisted the help of Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN , the mastermind behind Bucket List Tummy and the host of the Managing Mealtime Madness podcast. Schlichter shares eight toddler lunch ideas for school, daycare or at-home, plus some tips for crafting meals your little one will enjoy.
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3 Tips for Making Lunches Toddlers Will Actually Eat
Toddlers give Food Network judges a run for their money. Try these tips from Schlichter to make midday mealtime go more smoothly.
1. Offer Choices
Schlichter suggests giving toddlers—especially older ones with more developed language skills—some agency over what goes in their lunch box or on their plate.
"For instance, ask, 'Would you prefer grapes or watermelon today? Peanut butter toast strips or a bagel with cream cheese?'" Schlichter says. "This avoids any surprises but also gives them the feeling that they had a choice in their lunch."
2. Include a Familiar Food
Schlichter suggests including "safe and comfortable" foods your toddler likes.
"This may sound like common sense, but if you’re packing leftovers from last night’s dinner that no one ate, it may not be that thrilling for your toddler," she explains.
Yes, you can encourage your toddler to make new friends (with food), but keep the old. Balancing both is key.
"If you're including a new food, try to stick to just one option for the lunch box," Schlichter says. "For example, serve familiar foods like an orange and naan bread with hummus and crackers. Then, [add] a new item, like pumpkin seeds or celery with peanut butter."
3. Have a Lunch Box With Separate Compartments
Schlichter notes that everything may go on the same plate at home, but toddlers may prefer to "compartmentalize" when away from you. Bentgo-style lunchboxes are perfect for doing just that.
"As a toddler, it can also be exciting to see a variety of different choices for you to choose from, separated in their little spots," she says. "It also helps the food not touch, which can be discouraging to toddlers and may turn them off from eating."
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8 Best Toddler Lunch Ideas
These toddler-friendly lunch recipes from Schlichter are so delicious that you and your little one might (play) fight over who gets seconds.
1. Turkey Sweet Potato Meatballs
Your toddler will have an absolute ball with this turkey and sweet potato recipe, and Schlichter raves that parents will find them low-fuss for another reason. They're four ingredients (ground meat, sweet potato, flour and eggs), take 30 minutes to make and perfect for meal-planners.
"They can easily be added to a lunchbox, salad and sandwich," Schlichter says. "For toddlers, I like to serve with a dipping sauce, like ketchup , guacamole , hummus or ranch ."
Schlichter loves that they are high in protein, offer some tasty sweetness (thanks to the sweet potatoes) and are packed with fiber and Vitamins A and C. The fact that they can be served with a fun dipping sauce is simply *chef's kiss.*
Get the recipe: Turkey Sweet Potato Meatballs
2. Banana Cottage Cheese Muffins
Schlichter 20/10 uses this recipe as a "safe and comfortable food" with her own kids.
"I know they’ll eat it," she explains. "Made with whole wheat flour, flax seeds and cottage cheese, these muffins offer 5 grams of protein each—and fiber—to help with satiety."
Quick toddler math: Full tummies equal fewer requests for more snacks (so you feel like less of a vending machine all afternoon). Schlichter has a few other tips for making these banana cottage cheese muffins a complete, filling and completely scrumptious meal.
"I’ll usually serve with fruit or sliced veggies and nut butter on the side," she shares. "It’s a fun swap for sandwiches."
Get the recipe: Banana Cottage Cheese Muffins
3. Greek Yogurt Bowls and Smoothies
Try this genius hack if you simply can't get your toddler to agree to "eat their vegetables." (To be fair: Did you listen to your parents?) "Smoothies can...be a way to sneak in extra veggies, like spinach, cauliflower or even beans," Schlichter says.
Parenting tip aside, she spills that Greek yogurt-based smoothies have tons of benefits.
"I love Greek yogurt for its protein content, but also it’s a great calcium and Vitamin D source, as well as probiotics for growing kiddos," she says.
If your little one isn't a fan of liquid lunches, skip the blender and opt for a bowl. Schlichter loves topping Greek yogurt bowls with granola, fruit and "even some colorful sprinkles for fun."
Get the recipe: Mint Chocolate Chip Black Bean Smoothie ( and More )
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4. Snack Plate Lunch
Remember the so-trendy "girl dinners" from 2023? "Snack plate lunches" are similar, and toddlers will eat 'em up.
"When groceries are running low, or I just need something quick, I recommend parents do a 'snack plate' or 'muffin tin' lunch," Schlichter explains. "This is like it sounds and...offers several different options for toddlers."
This idea is completely customizable, which is part of its charm, but if you need some inspiration, here are some things Schlichter likes to include.
- Something nutrient-dense, like fruit (fresh, dried or canned) and cucumbers
- A fun dip like ranch, guacamole or hummus
- A fun food (chocolate chips, homemade oatmeal bites, chips, crackers, cheese sticks, jerky or Greek yogurt with sprinkles)
Get the recipe: Toddler Snack Ideas
5. Baked Oatmeal
Oatmeal isn't just for breakfast and raisin-studded cookies.
"Oatmeal or baked oatmeal can be a flavorful way to get complex carbohydrates—fiber!—into your toddler," Schlichter says. "You can swap in different fruits depending on the season and top with yogurt or nut butter for extra protein and fat."
Not to speak out of both sides of our mouths, but she reports that this toddler recipe is versatile. Baked oatmeal leftovers work for breakfasts and snacks—a win for parents with a lot going on at every moment. You can even drizzle it with some melted chocolate and call it dessert.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Baked Oatmeal
6. Air Fryer Pizza Bites
When pizza night can't wait until dinner—let alone another 60 minutes—opt for this toddler-friendly lunch idea that's also totally totable.
"Air fryer pizza bites are perfect for little fingers and are ready in less than 20 minutes," Schlichter shares. "Let your toddler put their favorite toppings on and place them in the lunch box."
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Pizza Bites
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7. Naan Bread Pizza
We're not done with easy-peasy, toddler-friendly cheesy pizza just yet. Schlichter calls pizza made with naan (Indian flatbread) or tortillas an "easy, no-fuss option." How easy? It's ready in eight minutes.
The recipe also leaves room for flexibility for parents to use what they have on hand and toddlers to have those so-important choices.
"Add red sauce or a pesto sauce as the base, and some cheese, pepperoni/chicken or other toppings for your toddler," Schlichter recommends. "This can offer protein, fat and carbohydrates, making it a balanced option for a toddler's lunch."
To round out the meal, Schlichter says she often serves her pizza with sides like cucumber sticks and ranch or apple slices.
Get the recipe: Naan Bread Pizza
8. Beef Taco Pasta
For better (silly antics) or worse (drawing on the walls), your toddler's creativity may never cease to amaze you. Show some creativity yourself in the kitchen with this recipe that combines Italian and taco nights for toddler-approved perfection.
"This fun pasta is full of protein and fiber, blending beef and plant-based protein from beans into a cheesy and delicious pasta option," Schlichter says. "This is a balanced option with carbohydrates, fat, protein and fiber."
She notes that beef taco pasta is a cinch to put in a thermos, making it a good fit for on-the-go lunches. Bonus tip: "Pair it with some garlic bread or toast" to turn picnics or daycare lunches into restaurant-style dishes.
Get the recipe: Beef Taco Pasta
Up Next:
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Source:
- Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN , the mastermind behind Bucket List Tummy and the host of the Managing Mealtime Madness podcast.
