Coming up with breakfast ideas for toddlers can be quite a task. Toddlers go through many picky phases, one moment they love blueberries and another day they won’t even touch it. Another important consideration for parents when deciding on what to make for breakfast is how quickly they can make the breakfast recipe on rushed mornings.
I got you covered on all these aspects, here are some healthy breakfast ideas for toddlers that are not only yummy and picky eater approved but also quick to make or batch prep and store in the fridge for the week.
Before we get started let me address a commonly asked question,
WHAT SHOULD TODDLERS EAT AT BREAKFAST?
If you are looking for breakfast ideas for 2 year olds and wondering what kind of foods to offer your toddler that ensure a healthy start to the day, then think about a combination that provides fiber rich foods + protein + healthy fats.
Even foods that are cultural to you can be modified or paired with other nutritious foods to build a balanced breakfast for toddlers.
The breakfast ideas I mention in this post will give you an example of balanced meals that are yummy and satiating for little children.
Now let us look at some healthy breakfast ideas for toddlers and older kids.
HEALTHY BREAKFAST IDEAS FOR TODDLER (PICKY EATER APPROVED)
Mango oats porridge
This oats porridge for babies and toddlers is our favorite porridge during summers. Alphonso mangoes go very well in a porridge adding the right amount of taste and creamy texture.
Mango Oats Porridge For Babies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup oats
- 150 ml coconut milk
- 1/2 mango chopped
- 1 tsp ground flaxseed powder
Instructions
- Cook the oats in coconut milk while stirring continuously so that the oats do not stick to the sides.
- Add chopped mango pieces to the oats as they cook.
- The oats take about 5 minutes to cook.
- Once cooked, serve in a bowl and add more mango as toppings and flaxseed powder for added nutrition.
Carrot cake pancake
Most toddlers love pancakes. These can be a great vehicle to carry vegetables the child won’t otherwise eat. Orange vegetables like carrots are important source of vitamin A, which help the child develop strong eyesight.
These carrot cake pancakes are delicious, soft and nutritious making them the perfect breakfast for toddlers and older children.
Carrot Cake Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 grated carrot
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp baking powder or flax egg for baby
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until no lumps are left.
- Pour on a hot pan and cook on each side for 2 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve with honey, fruit and nut butter.
Notes
French toast
This is a much loved French toast recipe in our house. I use multigrain bread for a crunchy toast texture and my child loves it too, but you can use any bread you prefer.
French Toast
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tsps coconut sugar skip for babies under 1
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1-2 drops vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make a batter by mixing all ingredients in a bowl.
- Cut the bread into slices and dip in the batter.
- Fry the bread on a hot pan until golden brown on all sides.
- Serve with honey (for children above age 1) and some nut butter.
Doodh poha
For healthy doodh poha recipes refer this older post of mine. Our go to flavor combination is doodh poha with some jaggery powder, peanut butter and chopped nuts.
Savory tomato pancakes for babies and toddlers
Another savory pancake for babies and toddlers that is great for baby led weaning and even to pack for daycare lunches or school lunch box.
Savory Tomato Pancakes for Children
Ingredients
- 2 tomatoes pureed
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 cup gram flour
- 1 tbsp rice flour
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
- salt to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Make a batter by mixing the flours and water.Keep mixing until all lumps have dissolved.
- Add the pureed tomatoes, ginger garlic paste, salt and spice powders.
- Heat oil in a pan and add spoonfuls of this pancake batter. Spreading it out to be thin so that it cooks well.
- Fry on each side until golden brown. Serve with green mint chutney.
Breakfast bars
Breakfast bars are a good option as a quick to-go breakfast and are meal planning friendly. Pair them with yogurt and a seasonal fruit and you have a complete breakfast for toddler ready in minutes on a busy weekday.
My breakfast bar recipe for kids contains healthy fats and protein from peanut butter and fiber rich oats. It can be stored in the freezer for 2 weeks. Check this quick breakfast recipe for kids.
Peanut butter chocolate muffins
Another breakfast option that is also meal planning friendly are my peanut butter and chocolate muffins for kids. There is no child (or adult) who won’t enjoy these and they are made using wholesome ingredients and packed with nutrients for the right start to the day.
You can pair these peanut butter muffins with a glass of milk. My child loves to dunk his muffin into the warm milk and eat it.
Get this protein rich muffin recipe for kids here.
Amaranth Pancakes
I love using different types of flours to make pancakes. Pancakes are a big hit with our son therefore it makes sense to me to add more nutrient dense flours to this recipe.
Amaranth pancakes have a nutty and sweet flavor that most children will enjoy. Do give this recipe a try.
Amaranth Pancakes For Toddlers and Kids
Ingredients
- 1 cup amaranth flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp flaxseed powder
- 1 banana mashed
Instructions
- Mix all the pancake ingredients together until all lumps are removed. Let the batter sit for 20-30 minutes.
- On a hot pan spread oil evenly and pour out small round shapes of the pancake batter.
- Cook on each side for 2-3 minutes until the pancake surface turns golden brown.
- Serve with toppings like nut butter, fruit and honey for children over age 1.
Ragi dosa
Ragi is a nutritious millet that is also very easy to use in its flour form. You can make ragi pancakes for kids or snacks like ragi ladoo that are easy to pack in school lunchbox or daycare snack box.
Ragi Dosa is made by simply adding ragi flour to the dosa batter. Most toddlers love dosa, even the pickiest eaters enjoy its crunchy texture. Take a look at this dosa recipe for kids here.
Egg custard
A sweet eggy dish that children can enjoy for breakfast.
Egg Custard for Kids
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 litre milk
- pinch of cardamom powder
- few strands of saffron
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, start by beating the eggs. Add sugar and mix well.
- Now add milk to the mixture, and transfer this mix to the cooking utensil.
- Cook on medium low flame until the custard thickens and reaches jelly like consistency.
- Top this with cardamom powder and saffron.
- Let this cool, then keep in the fridge for a few hours and serve chilled.
Hope you found some easy and healthy breakfast ideas for toddlers in this post. Save this pin for future reference.
For more breakfast ideas for toddlers check this post too.
Until next time.
Ciao!
Definitely sharing this article with my friends who have toddlers. Very well written and very useful.
Thanks a lot Ophira.