31 Vegan Recipes for Kids That Are Picky-Eater Approved

If we’re being honest, even we didn’t realize there’s no actual cheese in this creamy, gooey mac and cheese. The kids will be none the wiser.

Swap the raw fish for their favorite summer fruit, and you’re in plant-based dinner business.

What takes 20 minutes to make, requires a single dish and zero meat? This guy. (Just skip the Parmesan cheese when you serve it to make it fully vegan.)

Upgrade taco night with these loaded bowls, which happen to take 30 minutes from start to finish. Want to make them even more enticing? Serve tortillas on the side for the kids who like to eat with their hands.

This chicken has a secret: It’s made from seitan, a wheat-based meat substitute that crisps up like a dream. Nuggets won’t know what’s coming for them.

Who could possibly resist the creamy deliciousness of risotto? Let your kids pick the toppings and they’ll love you forever. (Psst: That creaminess comes from a white bean puree, BTW.)

Noodles? Check. Garlicky pesto? Double check. Cheesy faux-Parmesan? You see where we’re headed…

Making this one vegan is easy: Trade the tablespoon of butter for olive oil and you’re home free. An excuse to eat toast for dinner? Genius.

If you’re dealing with a picky eater (or mushroom hater), you can leave the ’shrooms out or serve them on the side.

They taste just like the real thing and, most important, go just as well with ketchup.

You’ve got options for assembly. You could use this as a fridge-cleanout opportunity, or let your kids pick and choose the fillings. Either way, that peanut sauce is going to be a hit.

A little spicy and a little sweet, just like their favorite takeout treat.

Channel your inner nonna and satisfy everyone’s pasta cravings, all in 55 minutes. (That’s a real feat for lasagna.)

Nothing against tortillas, but sweet potatoes offer a boost in both the flavor and nutrition departments, which is really all we can ask for in a meal. (Psst: It takes just 30 minutes to make too.)

No deep-frying, no crazy-long ingredient lists and everyone at the table will gobble it up? We know what we’re making tonight.

They’re just like what your mom made when you were a kid…but so much better. You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry.

But if your kids are more burger people, these simple patties will be right up their alley. The hidden addition of white beans adds creaminess and a boost of protein and fiber.

Sometimes only small, crunchy and nugget-like will suffice. That’s where these babies come in handy. The trick to their appealing texture is in draining your tofu thoroughly before baking (and yes, you can swap the honey for maple syrup or omit it entirely).

If you’re worried hot sauce will be too spicy for your kids, try sweet chili sauce instead, recommends Oz Telem, the chef behind this dish.  

Pizza night is a thing to be cherished, plant-based or not. Pick up a ball of dough at the grocery store and let everyone go wild with toppings.

Dinosaur nuggets have met their match. This is like a TV dinner (or meal-prep lunch) for the 21st century.

Haven’t gotten on the brinner train? Now’s your chance. (Ahem, that’s “breakfast for dinner” for the uninitiated.)

These guys have the ideal ratio of crispy-on-the-outside to fluffy-on-the-inside texture. It makes them excellent for little fingers to dip into hummus.

Get the recipe

You don’t always have to reinvent the wheel. Store-bought, plant-based sausage needs little more than a few vegetables, jarred marinara and your favorite pasta shape to make a filling dinner.

Similarly, if you already know your kid likes spaghetti and meatballs, making the transition to a vegan version will be seamless.

They might not want to eat the garnish—um, hi, olives and pickles—but it’s guaranteed to bring out a smile. (Same goes for the sandwiches.)

Once again, peanut sauce saves dinnertime. It’s sweet, salty and irresistible to all ages.

These deserve so much more than just your weekend breakfast spread. Set out some tasty toppings and make “waffle bar dinner” a thing.

To make them vegan, swap the cheese for equally creamy hummus. Cut, serve and enjoy.

Grab your trusty sheet pan and get roasting. These mildly spiced florets will win over even the most persnickety eaters, thanks to a tahini drizzle and avocado garnish.

You already serve frozen peas as a side dish. Add them to your pesto and prepare for the oohs and ahhs.