50 Toddler Lunch Ideas Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love
In an ideal world, your toddler’s lunch would look something like this: A fruit, a veggie, some protein, a healthy complex carb and source of fat. In reality, it’s more like whatever they’ll consume without crying because the seedless watermelon has seeds, the hot dog is staring at them and the peanut butter and jelly isn’t cut diagonally. No worries, friend: Here are 50 toddler lunch ideas they’ll actually enjoy (fun riffs on hot dogs and PB&J included).
RELATED: Here’s What 7 Real Toddlers Ate in a Day
God forbid those PB&B rollups touch that celery, right? These snack boxes let you meal prep—and give kids plenty of options to choose from.
Get the recipe
We’re not saying you should lie, but if you don’t tell ’em there’s broccoli in there, they won’t know.
Get the recipe
They’re made with whole wheat flour for a boost of nutrition.
Get the recipe
Whoever came up with “don’t play with your food” had never eaten one of these sandwiches.
Get the recipe
The ability to eat their lunch with their fingers is a major plus.
Get the recipe
Pancakes for lunch? Listen, it’s all about choosing your battles.
Get the recipe
They’re quick, filling and healthy to boot, and you can swap the fillings for whatever your kid likes best.
Get the recipe
It’s not that much more effort than the stuff from a can, and you have the added benefit of knowing what it’s made of.
Get the recipe
The eternal question: To dip, or not to dip?
Get the recipe
Easy on the chiles, heavy on the cheese.
Get the recipe
They might not be shaped like dinosaurs, but they’re just as easy to make and taste a lot better, too. The quinoa breading is crispy, the chicken is moist—they’re practically begging to be dipped in barbecue sauce.
Get the recipe
Macaroni and cheese is always a good idea, but when it comes in a portable, pre-portioned package, it’s even better. Since the leftovers store beautifully, you’ll even have lunch for a few days.
Get the recipe
Instead of making a bunch of individual quesadillas, save time by making one big one and cutting it into manageable squares. (Bonus points if you can sneak in a veggie or two.)
Get the recipe
Our advice? Make the raisins optional.
Get the recipe
What’s the secret to getting your kid to eat romaine? Toss it with lots of fun, ruffly noodles and a bunch of bacon, of course.
Get the recipe
Kiddo hates turkey? Swap in ham or chicken. No-go on the spinach? Skip it. These easy lunchboxes are endlessly adaptable—pick whatever fruit and veggie they like.
Get the recipe
Good news: Crispy cauliflower looks a lot like chicken nuggets. Start ’em on taco Tuesday early.
Get the recipe
They’re even easier than the ones you buy from the freezer section.
Get the recipe
Cute? Check. Fun to eat? Check, check. We think all sandwiches should be served on a stick.
Get the recipe
This is just practice for when your kid graduates to the real thing. (OK, maybe they’ll start with California rolls).
Get the recipe
You didn’t think we’d forget your toddler’s favorite food group, did you? These hot dog bites come together in no time and keep well in the fridge. Don’t forget the ketchup, of course.
Get the recipe
Since every meal can’t possibly be smothered in cheese sauce (believe us, we’ve tried), this one has a secret: It’s made with butternut squash instead.
Get the recipe
Wanna know a secret? There’s zero frying involved. We knew there was a reason you loved chicken tenders.
Get the recipe
His two favorite food groups in one fun-to-eat package.
Get the recipe
If you can have breakfast for dinner, you can have breakfast for lunch. These ham and cheese quesadillas take only 30 minutes to make, and they even have a little broccoli snuck in there for good measure.
Get the recipe
Broccoli sneaks its way in again, this time in a kid-friendly (and healthy-ish) spin on grilled cheese.
Get the recipe
Because even your three-year-old isn’t immune to the appeal of corkscrew-shaped pasta.
Get the recipe
Swap the traditional crust with a kid- and parent-approved potato exterior. (Psst: You could even use sweet potatoes if you want.)
Get the recipe
Matchstick carrots, seedless grapes and a small side of naan make this easy chickpea salad a full meal.
Get the recipe
RELATED: 6 Kid-Friendly Vegan Recipes from an Actual Kid Nutritionist
Worried about spice level? There’s just one teaspoon of chili powder in this recipe.
Get the recipe
Cheesy, crispy, bite-size and dippable. What’s not to love?
Get the recipe
The cheddar cheese is optional but encouraged.
Get the recipe
Just like grandma’s…except with a sneaky serving of cauliflower.
Get the recipe
Plain noodles with Parm? Your kid has good taste.
Get the recipe
Beans and cheese stuffed into pint-size wonton wrappers make for a delicious midday meal. So delicious we might sneak one for ourself.
Get the recipe
We’ve found your new mantra: Peas, penne and Parmesan.
Get the recipe
A slightly sweet sauce and slurpable noodles are the key to expanding your kid’s palate.
Get the recipe
Will they believe you if you tell them it’s hot dogs?
Get the recipe
The trick to easy homemade pizza? Use flour tortillas as the crust.
Get the recipe
If a salad and a chicken nugget had a baby.
Get the recipe
Junior might not eat the bell pepper boat, but he’ll gobble up what’s inside: A creamy, yogurt-y chicken salad that’s packed with hidden vegetables.
Get the recipe
Aside from being tasty, these potato “toasts” are great for gluten-sensitive tots. All you need now is her favorite toppings for dipping.
Get the recipe
RELATED: 18 Nut-Free Recipes for Kids with Allergies
So that spaghetti and meatballs you lovingly made last night went untouched. No worries: Repurpose those leftovers into a frittata, cut it into kid-size slices and watch them disappear.
Get the recipe
Admit it: You child could live entirely on things marketed as nuggets.
Get the recipe
Here’s proof that you don’t always need to hide the veggies to get them eaten.
Get the recipe
She’ll love that it looks like confetti; you’ll love that it takes only 20 minutes to whip up.
Get the recipe
Who needs French fries when you have sweet potato fritters? Make them even more toddler-friendly by scaling down the size.
Get the recipe
Presenting the failsafe ingredient that will make your kid want to eat anything: cream cheese.
Get the recipe
With whole grains, protein and veggies, these cheesy rice muffins are a complete package. Serve them with some sliced fruit, chef’s—er—toddler’s choice.
Get the recipe
Soft, salty and just sweet enough. Serve ’em with jam for dipping
Get the recipe
RELATED: 25 Kid-Friendly Dinners You Can Make in 20 Minutes or Less
