30 Toddler Lunch Ideas Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love
Feeding a toddler can feel a little unpredictable, especially when you have a picky eater. One day they may happily eat something new, and the next day they may push the same food away like they have never seen it before.
These toddler lunch ideas are meant to make lunchtime a lot easier. They include plenty of familiar foods that toddlers often enjoy, while giving you simple ways to add different flavors, textures, fruits, and vegetables.
I didn’t include exact measurements for every lunch because I usually adjust the amount depending on who I’m feeding. If it’s just for your toddler, you can make a small portion. If you’re making lunch for the whole family, simply add more of the ingredients to make enough for everyone.
Related Post: Quick And Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Picky Eaters
Toddlers Favorite Main Dish
1. Cheese Quesadillas
Ingredients:
– Soft tortilla
– Mild shredded cheese
– Plain yogurt or ketchup
Recipe:
– Sprinkle cheese over half of the tortilla.
– Fold the tortilla in half and cook in a lightly greased pan until the cheese melts.
– Let it cool before cutting into small triangles or strips.
– Serve with yogurt or ketchup for dipping.
2. Buttered Pasta with Parmesan
Ingredients:
– Small pasta
– Butter
– Parmesan cheese
– Soft-cooked peas
Recipe:
– Cook the pasta until soft.
– Drain and toss with a little butter.
– Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
– Add a few soft peas if your toddler is willing to try them.
3. Easy Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
– Small pasta
– Cheddar cheese
– Milk
– Butter
Recipe:
– Cook the pasta until tender and drain.
– Return it to the warm pot.
– Add butter, a splash of milk, and shredded cheese.
– Stir over low heat until creamy.
4. Baked Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients:
– Chicken nuggets
– Broccoli
– Carrots
– Ketchup
Recipe:
– Bake the nuggets according to the package directions.
– Steam the broccoli and carrots until very soft.
– Cut everything into toddler-friendly pieces.
– Serve with a small amount of ketchup for dipping.
Store-bought nuggets can be high in sodium. Use lower-sodium options when possible, or balance them with fresh fruits and veggies.
Related Post: Easy Healthy Breakfast Meal Ideas For Toddlers
5. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients:
– Soft bread
– Mild cheese
– Butter
– Tomato soup
Recipe:
– Butter the outside of two slices of bread.
– Add the cheese and cook in a pan until golden and melted.
– Cut the sandwich into easy-to-hold strips.
– Serve with warm tomato soup for dipping.
6. Scrambled Eggs and Toast
Ingredients:
– Egg
– Butter
– Soft bread
– Mild cheese
Recipe:
– Whisk the egg and cook gently in a little butter.
– Stir in a small amount of cheese if desired.
– Toast the bread until soft rather than overly crisp.
– Cut the toast into strips and serve with the eggs.
7. Pizza Muffins
Ingredients:
– English muffin
– Mild pizza sauce
– Mozzarella cheese
– Mild topping
Recipe:
– Cut the English muffin in half.
– Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each half.
– Add mozzarella and a small amount of topping.
– Bake until the cheese melts, then cool and cut into pieces.
8. PB&J Sandwich
Ingredients:
– Soft bread
– Peanut butter
– Jelly
Recipe:
– Spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the bread.
– Add a small amount of jelly.
– Place the second slice of bread on top.
– Use a small cookie cutter to make fun shapes.
Always use thin layer of jelly and ketchup or choose a low-sugar alternatives.
Related Post: Simple Ways To Get Your Toddler To Eat Vegetables, And Enjoy Them!
Finger Foods & Roll-Ups
9. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
Ingredients:
– Soft tortilla
– Turkey
– Mild cheese
Recipe:
– Lay the tortilla flat.
– Add a thin layer of turkey and cheese.
– Roll it up tightly.
– Slice into small pinwheels.
10. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Ingredients:
– Soft tortilla
– Ham
– Mild cheese
Recipe:
– Place the ham and cheese over the tortilla.
– Roll the tortilla firmly.
– Slice into small rounds.
– Warm briefly if you want the cheese soft and melty.
Related Post: 69 Healthy Finger Food Ideas
11. Banana Sushi
Ingredients:
– Banana
– Soft tortilla
– Peanut or seed butter
Recipe:
– Spread a thin layer of peanut or seed butter over the tortilla.
– Place the banana along one edge.
– Roll the tortilla around the banana.
– Slice into small rounds.
12. Cheese, Crackers and Fruit
Ingredients:
– Mild cheese
– Soft crackers
– Banana
– Ripe pear
Recipe:
– Cut the cheese into small pieces.
– Slice the banana and ripe pear into soft pieces.
– Arrange everything on a plate.
– Keep the foods separate if your toddler prefers them that way.
13. Mini Meatballs
Ingredients:
– Ground chicken or turkey
– Egg
– Breadcrumbs
– Tomato sauce
Recipe:
– Mix the ground meat, egg, and breadcrumbs.
– Shape into small meatballs.
– Bake until completely cooked and tender.
– Serve with a little mild tomato sauce.
Related Post: Quick And Healthy Snacks All Toddler Enjoys!
14. Soft Pretzel Bites and Cheese
Ingredients:
– Soft pretzel
– Mild cheese
– Plain yogurt
Recipe:
– Warm the soft pretzel.
– Cut it into small pieces.
– Melt a little cheese or prepare yogurt for dipping.
– Serve while the pretzel is soft.
15. Avocado Toast Soldiers
Ingredients:
– Ripe avocado
– Soft bread
– Mild cheese
Recipe:
– Mash the avocado until smooth.
2. Spread it over soft toast.
3. Sprinkle with a little cheese if desired.
4. Cut the toast into strips.
Easy Mix-and-Match Lunch
16. Simple Yogurt Parfait
Ingredients:
– Plain or vanilla yogurt
– Banana
– Strawberries
– Soft cereal
Recipe:
– Spoon yogurt into a small bowl.
– Add soft pieces of banana and strawberry.
– Sprinkle a small amount of soft cereal on top.
– Serve immediately.
Related Post: 14 Ways To Get Your Toddlers To Eat Vegetables
17. Cottage Cheese and Fruit Bowl
Ingredients:
– Cottage cheese
– Banana
– Pear
– Cinnamon
Recipe:
– Add cottage cheese to a small bowl.
– Chop the banana and pear into small, soft pieces.
– Stir the fruit into the cottage cheese.
– Add a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
18. Mild Chicken Salad Sandwich
Ingredients:
– Cooked chicken
– Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
– Soft bread
– Avocado
Recipe:
– Finely shred the cooked chicken.
– Mix with a little Greek yogurt or mayonnaise.
– Spread onto soft bread.
– Add mashed avocado and cut into small pieces.
19. Easy Chicken and Rice Bowl
Ingredients:
– Soft rice
– Shredded chicken
– Carrots
– Peas
Recipe:
– Cook the rice until soft.
– Add finely shredded cooked chicken.
– Mix in very soft carrots and peas.
– Serve mixed together or separately.
20. Pancake Sandwiches
Ingredients:
– Mini pancakes
– Cream cheese
– Banana
– Nut or seed butter
Recipe:
– Spread a thin layer of cream cheese or nut/seed butter over one pancake.
– Add a few thin banana slices.
– Place another pancake on top.
– Cut into small pieces.
Related Post: Dinner Meals Ideas For Toddlers That Family Enjoy Too
21. Soft Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
– Sweet potato
– Olive oil
– Plain yogurt
– Ketchup
Recipe:
– Cut the sweet potato into thick wedges.
– Toss lightly with olive oil.
– Bake until completely soft.
– Serve with yogurt or ketchup for dipping.
22. Hummus Plate
Ingredients:
– Mild hummus
– Soft pita
– Cucumber
– Mild cheese
Recipe:
– Spoon a small amount of hummus onto the plate.
– Cut the pita into soft, manageable pieces.
– Add appropriately prepared cucumber and cheese.
– Let your toddler dip the pita into the hummus.
Related Post: 35 Quick and Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Toddlers
23. Simple Egg Salad
Ingredients:
– Hard-boiled egg
– Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
– Soft bread
– Avocado
Recipe:
– Mash the fully cooked egg.
– Mix with a little Greek yogurt or mayonnaise.
– Spread onto soft bread.
– Add mashed avocado and cut into small pieces.
24. Mini Burger Bites
Ingredients:
– Ground beef or turkey
– Soft mini bun
– Mild cheese
– Avocado
Recipe:
– Shape the ground meat into a small, thin patty.
– Cook completely through.
– Place inside a soft bun with a little cheese.
– Cut into manageable pieces before serving.
Fun Lunch Ideas for Toddlers
25. Fruit and Cheese Bites
Ingredients:
– Mild cheese
– Banana
– Strawberries
– Melon
Recipe:
– Cut the cheese and fruit into small, soft pieces.
– Arrange them together on your toddler’s plate.
– Keep the pieces separate or mix them together.
– Skip skewers for young toddlers and serve directly on the plate.
26. Apple and Cream Cheese Bites
Ingredients:
– Soft apple
– Cream cheese
– Soft raisins or cereal
Recipe:
– Cut a soft apple into manageable pieces.
– Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over each piece.
– Add a few small pieces of soft raisin or cereal.
– Serve immediately.
Related Post: Easy Toddler Vegetable Breakfast Meal Ideas
27. Easy Cheese Pizza Quesadillas
Ingredients:
– Tortilla
– Mozzarella cheese
– Pizza sauce
– Mild pepperoni
Recipe:
– Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the tortilla.
– Add mozzarella and a few tiny pieces of pepperoni.
– Fold the tortilla in half.
– Cook until the cheese melts, then cut into small wedges.
28. Smoothie Lunch Bowl
Ingredients:
– Yogurt
– Banana
– Berries
– Soft cereal
Recipe:
-Blend the yogurt, banana, and fruit until smooth.
– Pour into a small bowl.
– Add a little soft cereal or finely chopped fruit.
– Serve with toast or crackers if your toddler needs a more filling lunch.
30. Easy Leftover Lunch
Ingredients:
– Leftover chicken
– Rice or pasta
– Cooked vegetables
– Soft fruit
Recipe:
– Take a few toddler-friendly leftovers from dinner.
– Place the chicken, rice or pasta, and vegetables separately on a divided plate.
– Add a piece of soft fruit.
– Let your toddler choose what to eat first instead of mixing everything together.
Safety note: Always prepare fruits and vegetables in an age-appropriate size and texture. Grapes should be quartered lengthwise, and foods should be served with your toddler seated and supervised.
Toddler-Friendly Vegetables
– Carrots
– Sweet Potatoes
– Peas
– Corn
– Cucumber
– Avocado
– Broccoli
– Zucchini
– Bell Peppers
– Green Beans
Quick Veggie Tips for Picky Eaters
– Serve vegetables soft and easy to chew.
– Pair a new vegetable with a food your toddler already enjoys.
– Try a simple dip like yogurt, hummus, or ketchup.
– Roasting can bring out a natural sweetness that toddlers may prefer.
Related Post: 14 Easy Ways To Get Your Toddler To Eat Vegetables
Toddler-Friendly Fruits
– Banana
– Strawberries
– Blueberries
– Apples (Slice)
– Pears
– Grapes (Cut)
– Melon
– Oranges
– Mango
– Peaches
Fruit Tips for Picky Eaters
– Only choose ripe and soft fruit.
– Cut fruit into toddler-friendly pieces.
– Offer familiar fruits alongside new ones.
Tips for Feeding a Picky Toddler
– Make the plate fun: You don’t have to make every meal fancy. A divided plate, colorful silicone cup, or food cut into simple shapes can make the meal more interesting.
– Start with something familiar: When introducing a new food, serve it alongside one or two foods your toddler already enjoys.
– Let them dip: Toddlers love dipping! A little plain yogurt, hummus, mild cheese sauce, or ketchup can make foods they normally ignore more tempting.
– Think about texture: Toddler may simply dislike the way a food feels in their mouth. Try serving foods soft, tender, and easy to chew, and notice which textures they seem to prefer.
– Keep offering, but don’t force it: Don’t give up on a food just because your toddler said no the first time. Keep putting it on the plate occasionally without making them eat it. Some foods take several tries before a toddler becomes comfortable with them.
Toddler Lunch Tips
– Use an insulated lunchbox with cooler packs to keep food cold.
– Pack toddler lunches in a bento box to keep foods separate.
– Add in a puree packet in case your toddler is still hungry.
– Be sure to talk to your toddler’s teachers about any allergies.
