Staring blankly into the fridge looking for inspiration to rustle up something quick and easy for your toddler. Sound familiar? You're not alone. The older your baby gets, the more excited they become about exploring new foods and flavours. Around the same time, it can get challenging for a parent to think of new toddler meal ideas.
If you're looking for inspiration, you've come to the right place as we've gathered together our favourite toddler meal ideas to tempt your tot. We've done that hard work so you don't have to and have separated them into toddler breakfast ideas, lunch ideas and thrown in some dinner recipes for good measure. Happy cooking!
Breakfast toddler recipe ideas
Banana pancakes
Pancakes are always a winner no matter your age, and these ones are super easy to make. Try these banana pancakes from Baby Foode which only use three ingredients. Yes that's right! They are super easy to throw together and completely fool-proof! Serve with some fruit to give them their five a day.
Baby-friendly granola
This super healthy, low-sugar baby granola from What Mummy Makes can be pulped to a crumb for babies 6 months plus and makes a nice crunchy textured breakfast for toddlers aged 3 plus. Top with fruit and a drizzle of honey for some extra sweetness. Trust us, they'll be licking their spoon.
Breakfast corn muffins
These delicious corn muffins for toddlers are super easy to make and we're here for that. If you're running late or your kids take ages to get out the door in the morning (me and me!) take them with you so they can tuck into them in the car.
Annabel Karmel's dippy egg with cheese and tomato toasts
Who doesn't love a good dippy egg? These toast soldiers from Annabel Karmel are made with tomato and cheese to add flavour and some extra added goodness. Plus they're fun to eat!
Annabel Karmel's purple porridge
Your tot will be fascinated with this pretty, purple porridge packed full of nutritious blueberries. Did you know blueberries have the highest antioxidant content of any fruit meaning they help fight disease?Better still, it takes a speedy five minutes to make. Hurrah!
Lunch recipe ideas for toddlers
Macaroni cheese muffins
A firm favourite with the Mother& Baby team and it's not hard to see why. Your tots will love these simple to eat yummy, savoury macaroni cheese muffins packed with calcium and made using pasta, tomatoes and cheese. Simple!
Orzo rainbow salad
This super healthy orzo rainbow salad can be made the night before and takes under 10 minutes - how's that for an easy toddler pasta recipe! Once done, store in jars in the fridge overnight ready to simply add the dressing before serving. We'll take an adult-sized portion too please.
Veggie bites
These veggie bite balls are brilliant for packing a punch of veg into your tots mealtimes, but in a cheeky way. The bite-sizes balls are great for batch cooking and freezing so you have something yummy (and healthy) to turn to on those busier days. We like the sound of that!
Quinoa and vegetable croquettes
These quinoa and vegetable croquettes are full of nutritious vegetables for a healthy lunch option for your tot and even you. This handy toddler recipe makes around 20 so you can easily freeze them for another day.
Griddled chicken with three quick sauces
Who doesn't love a chicken dipper? These simple and healthy griddled chicken dippers for toddlers are a fun and delicious lunch option that kids will love. It's also a great opportunity for them to try different flavours with the choice of these three different sauces.
Pitta pockets with tuna and sweetcorn
Pitta bread is a great option which you can fill with nutritious ingredients for an easy lunch option for both you and your toddler. These filled pitta pockets full of tuna and sweetcorn are high in omega-3 eggs for a super healthy meal.
Salmon and rice salad
If your tot has found a taste for fish, they'll love this colourful salmon salad with rice that's packed full of nutritious and healthy veggies. The texture of salmon is perfect for kids as it's soft, flaky and easy to chew.
Mini tomato and feta omelettes
Once you've mastered this recipe, these dinky tomato and feta omelettes make quick snacks for your toddler or even work as canapés for your guests at your next party - even I've made some! Bake in silicone muffin tins for the perfect shape.
Spinach frittata
This is a really quick and easy recipe that the whole family can enjoy. For grown-ups, serve the spinach frittata with some salad or ratatouille. Simply mix the egg and pour over some fried veggies in a hot pan.
Sweetcorn Fritters by Annabel Karmel
These sweetcorn fritters are suitable to give your tot from 6 months so are ideal for baby led-weaning (BLW). The best part is that the veg can easily be hidden inside. Once you've got the knack of it, try experimenting with different ingredients and flavours.
Dinner meal ideas for toddlers
Fish pie in a mug
This hearty fish pie in a mug makes a filling dinner for your tot and a little more fun for them too. We suggest making it in their favourite mug to encourage them to eat the lot!
Beef, Quinoa, Parsnip and Squash
This beef, quinoa, parsnip and squash dish provides a nutritious dinner for your child. It’s packed with protein, vitamins and minerals and will leave them feeling full.
Salmon, potato, pasta and dill
Introducing fish into your child's diet is a great idea as it contains all the essential fatty acids for their brain development. This salmon, potato, pasta and dill dish is an easy and tasty dinner idea for tots.
Chicken, parsnip, apple and kale
Full of nutritious veggies, protein and fruit, you can purée or chop the chicken, parsnip, apple and kale together so they can experience different textures and tastes in one dish.
Luxury fish pie with cheesy mash topping
This Mary Berry fish pie dish is a family fave everyone will enjoy around the dinner table. It's packed with protein so is ideal for growing toddlers and who doesn't love cheesy mash? Yum!
30 minute Sunday roast
You can't beat a tasty roast dinner on a Sunday. It may sound like a massive chore, but this family roast can be made in just 30 minutes complete with all the trimmings! Yes believe it!
Coconut, corn and fish chowder
Try something different with this creamy coconut, corn and fish chowder dish that serves four. With so much flavour and nutrition, it's the ideal winter fuel.
Cod, apple and cous cous balls
Ideal for lunch or dinner, these cod, apple and cous cous ball bites are great for fussy eaters. The bite-sized balls pack a punch with all those flavours and are also super nutritious. Tick tick!
Pulled chicken baps with apple coleslaw
Having a family barbecue or burger night? Involve your toddlers in the action with these yummy pulled chicken baps with apple coleslaw. Look for the small brioche buns which are soft and have a subtle sweetness that kids will find hard to resist.
Chicken curry
Friday night curry doesn't have to be just for grown-ups. Get them involved by tempting them with this mild chicken curry dish ideal as a first try of curry flavours. Watch Annabel make the recipe here.
Cosy cottage pie
Treat your kids to the ultimate winter comfort food with this tasty cottage pie dish filled with creamy potatoes, beef, veggies. We love the idea of baking them in mini ramekins for the perfect portion.
Mighty meatball pasta bake
Meatballs and pasta are a match made in heaven. Suitable for babies 1 year plus, this can be batch cooked and frozen for days when you don't feel like cooking. Add the cheese for some gooey, oozy goodness!
Spiralised vegetables with a creamy tomato sauce
If they love getting messy with spaghetti, they'll love this one too. Suitable for babies 6 months and over, the texture of these spiralised vegetables will go down a treat. Simply top with tomato sauce and job done!
Chicken nuggets
It's a winner winner chicken dinner with these protein-packed crispy chicken nuggets. Prepped in just 20 minutes and only taking 12 to cook, they'll be so popular, we guarantee you'll be making these more than once a week.
How to plan toddler meals
When it comes to planning your toddlers meals, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
• Make sure they have a balanced diet
You'll want to make sure your tots diet includes protein, carbohydrates, fibre, healthy fats as well as fruits and veggies.
• What's in season
Seasonal produce will not only be more readily available, but it'll also taste a lot better too so thinking about what fruits and veggies are in season can help you decide what to feed your tot.
• Don't forget the snacks
As well as preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner for your little one, they'll also need a mid-morning snack and a mid-afternoon snack to keep them nice and full. It's also worth noting that two to three hours is a good amount of time to leave between your toddlers meals.
• Keep things simple
Introducing a few flavours to your toddler is the best way to get them excited about food. Remember, they'll enjoy very simple meals so don't feel you have to spend hours in the kitchen.
Things to remember
According to the NHS, there are a few things us as parents should be doing to make sure our child has a healthy balanced diet.
• Make sure they're getting their five portions of fruit and veggies per day.
• Avoid sugary foods and snacks where possible such as sweets, biscuits, cakes, chocolate and especially sugary cereals and fizzy drinks.
• Control portion size by serving meals on a child sized plate to avoid larger portions.
• Get into a good routine and give your child plenty of time to eat at their pace.
Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby and brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.