In an ideal world, your toddler’s lunch box would have a fruit, a veggie, a protein, a complex carb and some source of healthy fat—and they would eat every bite. 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: Here are 60 toddler lunch ideas for daycare, camp or playdates that any picky eater will enjoy, including recipes for soft and cheesy pepperoni pizza puffs, tic-tac-toe sandwiches and four-ingredient banana pancakes. Bye-bye, leftovers.
60 Toddler Lunch Ideas Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love
From pizza puffs to banana pancakes
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Published Nov 12, 2023
ajkkafe/getty images
1. Peanut Butter and Banana Rollups Snack Box
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
God forbid the PB&B rollups touch the celery, right? These snack boxes let you meal prep—and give kids plenty of options to choose from. Once your toddler is a confirmed fan, you can change things up by adding honey, marshmallow Fluff, marmalade or whatever else they enjoy.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, low sugar, vegetarian
We’re not saying you should lie, but if you don’t tell ’em there’s broccoli in there, they won’t know. If you want to add some protein that you know they'll eat, sneak in some grilled chicken or try blending tofu into the sauce.
3. Soft and Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Puffs
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, one bowl, beginner-friendly
They’re made with whole wheat flour for a boost of nutrition. Add veggies or any other toppings you know your picky eater will tolerate. Want to make them ahead? They’ll keep in the freezer for up to a month.
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, make ahead
Whoever came up with “don’t play with your food” had never eaten one of these sandwiches. With a fun game in their lunch box, we know your toddler will be asking for these babies again and again.
5. Sweet Potato Noodle Ham and Cheese Cups
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, gluten free
Salty ham and savory cheese are always a winning combo, and the ability to eat their lunch with their fingers is a major plus too. This works for those looking for gluten-free recipes, too, because sweet potatoes are used in lieu of noodles.
6. 4-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free
Pancakes for lunch? Listen, it’s all about choosing your battles. These contain no added sugar and are high in protein and fiber. Bonus points from your toddler if you add chocolate chips...they'll be bragging to their lunch buddies at daycare in no time.
7. Sweet Potato, Bacon and Broccoli Egg Muffins
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
This high-protein recipe is quick to make, filling and healthy to boot. You can swap the fillings for whatever your kid likes best (bacon? sausage? tomatoes?). Freeze the leftovers for a future breakfast or lunch.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
It’s not that much more effort than the kind from a can, and you have the added benefit of knowing what it’s made of. The crispy, tangy manchego cheese topping brings the flavor up a few dozen notches.
9. Homemade Crispy Baked Fish Sticks
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, high protein
To dip or not to dip? That is the question. Thankfully, the answer is easy. We highly recommend packing their lunch boxes with tartar sauce, ranch dressing, ketchup or honey mustard. While a white fish works best for this recipe, you can use salmon if you'd prefer.
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, high protein
Easy on the chiles, heavy on the cheese—just how your picky eater likes it. These are filled with shredded chicken, but you can substitute another protein, like ground beef. If your toddler is super sensitive, go light on the enchilada sauce or leave it out entirely.
11. Baked Quinoa Chicken Nuggets
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
They might not be shaped like dinosaurs, but they’re just as easy to make as the frozen ones and taste a lot better, too. The quinoa breading is crispy, the chicken is moist and they’re begging to be dipped in barbecue sauce. Freeze the leftovers...if there are any.
12. Baked Mac-and-Cheese Bites
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, make ahead
Macaroni and cheese is always a good idea, but when it comes in a portable, pre-portioned package, it’s even better for daycare. Since the leftovers store beautifully, your toddler will have lunch for a few days. (And if you're lucky enough to enjoy some too, we recommend adding hot sauce).
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients
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 sneak in a veggie or two.) Pack sour cream and salsa in their lunch box for dipping.
14. Meal-Prep Creamy Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Raisins
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, make ahead
A touch of honey in the dressing balances out the tangy apple cider vinegar and mustard. Our advice? Make the raisins optional. They're a delicious addition to the recipe, but if your toddler won't eat raisins, there will definitely be leftovers.
15. BLT Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, crowd pleaser
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. If you're making it ahead of time, store it in the fridge for a few days and add the dressing when you're ready to serve.
16. Turkey Spinach Pinwheels Meal Prep
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, make ahead
Kiddo hates turkey? Swap in ham or chicken. No-go on the spinach? Skip it. This easy toddler lunch idea is endlessly adaptable for your picky eater. Choose whatever produce they like and serve with something crunchy, like carrot sticks or potato chips.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, high protein, beginner-friendly
Good news: Crispy cauliflower looks a lot like chicken nuggets. Start ’em on taco Tuesday early and garnish with whatever toppings they like. Maybe leave out the jalapeño slices, unless your picky eater is feeling particularly daring.
18. Homemade Healthy Fish Sticks
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
They’re even easier than the ones you buy in the freezer section. Don’t have an air fryer? Just bake them in your oven. We recommend serving them with tartar sauce, but pack their lunch box with a condiment of their choice.
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, beginner-friendly
Cute? Check. Fun to eat? Check. Endlessly customizable? You bet. Your kid may start to think all sandwiches should be served on a stick. The recipe calls for havarti and gouda, but you can change up the toppings based on your toddler's preferences.
20. Veggie Sushi
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, gluten free
Even though you might be prepping this toddler lunch idea for your kid, we won't tell if you sneak a few for yourself, because they're honestly almost as good as your local takeout spot. Ultimately, though, this is just practice for when your kid graduates to the real thing. (OK, maybe they’ll start with California rolls).
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
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 and maybe send them off with something carnival-inspired to keep the theme going, like mini funnel cakes.
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, high protein, beginner-friendly
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. If you aren't used to making caramelized onions, remember: Keep the heat low and be patient.
23. Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, make ahead
Wanna know a secret? There’s zero frying involved in making these better-for-you tenders. The panko breadcrumb crust and turning the tenders halfway through baking guarantees a crisp, even exterior.
24. Peanut Butter-Apple Cinnamon Sushi Rolls
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
If your picky eater won't eat veggies and rice, these "sushi" rolls might win them over. Two of any kid's favorite food groups (peanut butter and apples, of course) come together here in one fun-to-eat package.
25. Ham, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Quesadillas
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, beginner-friendly
If you can have breakfast for dinner, you can have breakfast for lunch. These ham and cheese quesadillas only take 30 minutes to make, and they even have a little broccoli snuck in there for good measure. They can also be kept in the fridge for up to three days.
26. Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Broccoli sneaks its way in again, this time in a kid-friendly (and healthy-ish) spin on grilled cheese. If your family is gluten-free, sub wheat-free bread. Either way, serve it with a little travel container of tomato soup on the side.
27. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, dairy free, low sugar
Because even your 3-year-old isn’t immune to the appeal of corkscrew-shaped pasta. This Tex-Mex inspired dish is already full of plant-based protein and healthy fats, but if you want to add additional veggies or meat, you totally can.
28. Mini Potato and Carrot Quiche Cups
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: make ahead, gluten free, vegetarian
Swap the traditional crust with a kid- and parent-approved potato exterior. (Psst: You could even use sweet potatoes if you want.) If you're looking for something nut-free, swap the almond milk for dairy or another milk alternative.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, make ahead
Matchstick carrots, seedless grapes and a small side of naan turn this easy chickpea salad into a full meal. This recipe makes four lunches at once, so whip this up on a Sunday and you'll be set for most of the week.
30. Cheesy Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Meatloaf Muffins
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Worried about the spice level? There’s just one teaspoon of chili powder in this recipe. And if you're looking to make the recipe leaner, you can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Cheesy, crispy, bite-size and dippable: What’s not to love? (Don’t forget, they’re also ready in 30 minutes.) When coating the tenders before cooking, make sure to coat each one in batter as generously as possible.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, gluten free
Your toddler won’t know it, but these pack their lunch boxes with protein, healthy fats and plenty of veggies. You'll know the cups are cooked when they're brown and crispy on the outside. The cheddar cheese is optional but encouraged.
33. Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, high protein
Just like grandma’s…except with a sneaky serving of cauliflower. Unlike many dishes that showcase the cruciferous veggie, the popular veggie doesn't replace the carbs here, but simply augments the recipe. We're betting your kid will be down with that.
34. Easy Parmesan Buttered Noodles
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Plain noodles with Parm? Your kid has good taste, and we promise this recipe comes with more flavor than the plain picky-eater classic. This pasta is ready in less than 15 minutes, so it’s ideal for busy weekdays. You're more than welcome to add proteins and vegetables your toddler will like.
35. Mini Quesadillas
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
Beans and cheese stuffed into pint-size wonton wrappers make for a delicious midday meal, so delicious that we might sneak one for ourself. They're the optimal finger food, and super dippable, so they're bound to become a staple in your household.
36. Brown Butter Sausage Penne Pasta
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein
We’ve found your new mantra: Peas, penne and Parmesan. Feel free to swap the classic pork sausage for chicken or even something plant-based, if you're craving a change.
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <500 calories, low sugar
A slightly sweet sauce and slurpable noodles are the key to expanding your kid’s palate. We suggest packing their lunch box with some of that leftover sesame sauce, and maybe a spare serving of crunchy sesame seeds, too.
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Will they believe you if you tell them it’s hot dogs? (It won’t matter…they’ll devour the carrot-filled bites before they realize a thing.) The recipe suggests serving them with green goddess dressing, but swap in a different dip if that's too adventurous for your toddler.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
The trick to easy homemade pizza? Use flour tortillas for the crust. Once you press them into the muffin tins, the pie is halfway done—no proofing, tossing or rolling required.
40. Crispy Cauliflower Nuggets
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, low sugar, beginner-friendly
If a salad and a chicken nugget had a baby. While frying is involved, each nugget only needs to sit in the oil for about 6 minutes, or until golden brown. If the suggested lemon-pepper aioli isn’t up your kid’s alley, just skip it.
41. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, gluten free
Junior might not eat the bell pepper boat, but he’ll gobble up what’s inside: a creamy, yogurt-y chicken salad, packed with hidden vegetables. Each batch yields an impressive amount of filling, so you'll have leftovers for the week.
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Aside from being tasty, these potato “toasts” are great for gluten-sensitive tots. All that's missing is her favorite dip. Get creative and use anything from avocado to mashed peas to modestly spiced black beans.
43. Mozzarella Meatball Frittata
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, <30 minutes, make ahead
So, the spaghetti and meatballs you lovingly made last night went untouched. No worries: Repurpose the leftovers into a frittata, cut it into kid-size slices and watch this toddler lunch idea disappear. Include vegetables, additional protein—whatever you want.
44. Crispy Baked Cauliflower-Corn Nuggets
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, low sugar, high protein
Admit it: Your child could live entirely on things marketed as nuggets. While you can deep fry them, you can also bake them in the oven for less messy preparation and lighter results.
45. Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
Here’s proof that you don’t always need to hide the veggies in order for your toddler to eat them. Using Banza chickpea pasta adds protein and keeps the dish gluten-free, but we won't tell if you substitute regular pasta.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
She’ll love that it looks like confetti, you’ll love that it takes only 20 minutes to whip up. Plus, all those veggies will make you feel better about the fact that your toddler has been living on chicken nuggets for two weeks.
47. Sweet Potato Fritters with Avocado Dipping Sauce
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, low sugar, vegetarian
Who needs French fries when you can have sweet potato fritters? Make them even more toddler-friendly by scaling down the size. Serve with apple sauce for a fruity, nutrient-packed dip.
48. Taco Pinwheels
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, no cook
Presenting the failsafe ingredient that will make your kid want to eat anything: cream cheese. If your picky eater won't eat bell peppers, swap them for olives, corn, green onions or canned green chiles.
49. Broccoli and Cheddar Brown Rice Muffins
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
With whole grains, protein and veggies, these cheesy rice muffins are a complete package. Add them with some sliced fruit, chef’s toddler’s choice, to the lunch box. When you reheat the leftovers, sprinkle a little extra cheddar on top before popping them in the oven.
50. Almond Butter Stuffed Soft Pretzel Bites
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, high protein
Soft, salty and just sweet enough. Serve ’em with jam for dipping or a side of sliced green apples, cheese or pears. If your toddler's daycare is nut-free, stuff them with sunflower butter instead.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, <30 minutes, vegetarian
Prep these greens-filled egg bites ahead on the weekend and reheat them in a toaster oven or microwave just before serving. (Before you ask, you can totally swap the veggies and cheese for your kid’s favorites.)
52. Corn Fritters with Elote Dip
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, low sugar
If your toddler is adventurous, serve these fritters with the slightly spicy elote dip. If not, skip it in favor of—dare we say it?—ketchup. And if you're feeling bold, add spinach to the fritters.
53. Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
We won’t judge if you sneak a few for your own lunch—they’re that good. If your toddler isn’t into everything bagel seasoning (they’ll get it someday, promise), you can sprinkle asiago cheese on top instead or serve ’em plain.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
Chopping up the herbs into ultra-fine bits is a great way to expose your tot to new flavors without the texture sparking a tantrum. Just be sure the pan is smoking hot when you place the salmon cakes so they turn out crispy, not soggy.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Whether you’re 2 or 102, it’s simply impossible to say no to pizza. (Ditto for a toddler lunch idea that’s ready in 25 minutes.) Even though pre-made sauce is perfectly acceptable, if you make your own, you can sneak in extra veggies!
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, high protein
These mini versions of your favorite sandwich are adorable, full of protein and packed with flavor. Leave out whatever ingredients your picky eater won't like, and add whatever you think they would benefit from. The recipe yields 12, so get ready for leftovers.
57. Grilled Peach, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
It's sweet, salty and about to become a fan favorite. The rosemary adds an herbal element, though it might not be what your toddler is looking for, so feel free to leave it out. Opt for whole grain bread for added nutrients.
58. Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Chickpeas and Yogurt Sauce
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: high protein, vegetarian, gluten-free
They look and taste like sweet potato fries, but offer extra protein and healthy fats. The three-ingredient yogurt sauce is super easy, and let's face it: You'll be using those leftovers to top your own meals, too.
59. Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, high protein
Secure a quality Thermos to pack this soul-soother in your toddler's lunch box. With grains, proteins and vegetables, this soup makes for a quality meal. Just know all the daycare parents will be asking you for the recipe later.
60. Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, kid-friendly, vegetarian, one pan
This tasty spin on a classic childhood favorite makes for a tasty toddler lunch idea that can be easily zhuzhed up with fresh fruit or veggies. You can even add Nutella or Fluff to the sammy, if you really want to win over that picky eater of yours.
