33 Terrific Toddler Meals

Warm up some soft pitas and serve with a large dollop of tangy tzatziki and a side of fresh cut veggies. Who says you need to cook to make a healthy meal for the kids?

Loaded with vitamin C and fibre, beets are the perfect complement to any toddler's diet. Serve these multi-coloured chips with a favourite dip alongside a sandwich or burger.

For a more nutritious take on good old-fashioned mac and cheese, replace heavy butter and cheddar with light but protein-dense ricotta. Mini shells and petite peas make this bite-sized fare perfect for the little people at your table.

Whether they say they like tuna or not, adding some diced apples to this pita pouch will give it a bit of a kick that should please their palettes.

Here's a chip your toddlers don't need to know is healthy! Kale leaves are baked with olive oil and salt, resulting in a crispy delight perfect for meals and/or snack time.

Using yogurt as a marinade keeps the protein moist and tender without adding a lot of extra fat. Avocado, lime and honey round out the flavours, making this a toddler meal that's perfect for the whole family.

Here's a great way to add some fibre to your toddler's favourite mac and cheese meal. You can tell them about the beans or not—it's your choice. The main thing is that even picky eaters will gobble it up.

Meatballs are little bundles of goodness that are also perfect for dipping. Toddlers love that they are easy to eat and moms love that these are made with morsels of veggies hidden throughout.

These bite-size biscuits with a soft interior are made from sweet potatoes and creamy buttermilk. Toddlers will love them as an afternoon snack or a side dish served along with a main course meal.

They can't say no to pancakes—especially when they're made with apples and potatoes. Turn to this delicious recipe if you're looking for a freezable dish you can reheat in the oven for a quick breakfast, after-school snack or side dish for dinner.

Does your little one avoid fruit but love baked goods? These muffins will change their hearts and stomachs. With zesty citrus, poppy seeds and sweet honey, these muffins are bound to disappear off your countertop in record time.

Tell them they're chicken fingers if you must, but mild-tasting cod and fluffy mashed potatoes are a perfect way to introduce fishy finger food to your youngsters. Serve with a tangy yogurt-based dip (because kids do love to dip) and this meal will be popular with everyone at the table.

These kebabs are a perfect warm-weather dinner option. Kids can help by threading the skewers and shaking up the dipping sauce.

The small size and familiar flavours of these muffins lend themselves well to the toilet-training crowd. These savoury bites work just as well for breakfast as they do for lunch, and can even be served for dinner along with a bowl of soup or some apple slices and veggie sticks.

Chicken strips are always a favourite of little tikes. These tasty chicken strips are marinated in yogurt and coated in chia seeds, mustard and bread crumbs. Yum!

For those who like to eat with their hands (every kid), these chickpea patties are an excellent option. They can be tucked into a pita and topped with tzatziki for the adults, they're a protein-dense alternative for the meat-haters in the family and they come together in less time than it takes to order a pizza.

Bite-sized portions are perfect for the dinner table. Kids will love the leeks' sweetness mixed with the smokiness of the bacon in this family favourite. (P.S. Buy the shells—don't make them!)

Your little people will love this colourful salad loaded with lip-smacking flavours and ‘good-for-you' ingredients. Lightly enhanced with lime and honey, this quinoa-based dish is a balanced one-bowl meal perfect for those nights when it's just too hot to cook.

Change up breakfast but keep it familiar and easy for you with this twist on french toast. Little fingers can dip to their hearts' content.

Tickle your toddler's taste buds with the sweet taste of a dark chocolate and banana panini. It's a special treat at breakfast, lunch or even dinner. Grill the bread and the combination of banana and melted chocolate will have them asking for more.

This lightened-up chowder is loaded with new potatoes, crisp corn and sharp cheddar cheese—ingredients that are typically welcome at the toddler table. The cumin and smoked paprika add a sophisticated level of flavour but are certainly optional in this very kid-friendly dish.

Move over mac and cheese, farfalle gets the bread crumbs this time. We toss the little bows gently with broccoli florets, olive oil and lemon zest, then garnish them with golden seasoned bread crumbs to make a meal perfectly designed for the little people in your life.

The modest grilled cheese gets a makeover with the addition of sliced pears and deli turkey. Make it with raisin or whole-wheat bread. You'll enjoy it just as much as the toddlers—if not more.

Pureed soups are an excellent way to get veggies into your little ones, and what could be better than a bowl of good-for-you soup? Your toddler will love the croutons carved from a beloved grilled cheese sandwich so much that they won't know they're drinking their veggies.

This slightly sweet mango glaze pairs perfectly with a baked ham resulting in a tasty protein that's popular with both little kids and adults alike. Store any leftover meat in the refrigerator for up to a week, and tuck it into sandwiches, pasta dishes or fried rice.

These cheesy treats are a great way to get your toddlers cooking in the kitchen with you. Work together to make a simple dough, and then stuff it with leftover mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese.

Sometimes the little ones want something sweet. Don't deviate too far from a healthy meal with this recipe where pitas transform from savoury to sweet in this finger-food breakfast recipe.

Toddlers will enjoy the apple and cinnamon flavour that adds some sweetness to this twist on an easy-to-make, all-American, Mexican meal.

Kids love pizza and they love bright colours. That’s why they’ll love the goodness of fresh seasonal tomatoes on everyone’s favourite dish.

Scrambled eggs are dialed up a notch with the addition of cheddar cheese and chili powder. Tucked into a taco shell and dressed with their favourite condiments, this kid-friendly meal is sure to earn a place in your weekly dinner rotation.

Toddlers love pizza. These bite-sized treats can be served as lunch or a snack surprise. Not to mention, the focaccia adds a little bit of elegance to this delicious snack.

Got a picky eater? Here are some more great meal ideas they'll be sure to gobble up.