16 Healthy and Easy Toddler Snack Ideas for Busy Moms
So, you just got off a long shift at work and picked up your child. It’s time to figure out what’s for dinner! Alright, easy enough, except you have a toddler that declines 75% of the meals you make resulting in lots of waste.
There are many posts and articles out there about toddler meals, and don’t get me wrong, they all look amazing! Healthy, nutritious, fun . . everything you would want for toddler meal ideas. But what they don’t consider? Most toddlers are picky eaters (mine included) and will only eat bits and pieces here and there. This is why having a list of quick, easy, and healthy toddler snack ideas will be so useful for mealtime!
In this post, we’ll review healthy toddler snacks for a picky eater that they will actually want to eat! We will also go over some tips I’ve learned that really helped me get my little one more interested in eating rather than just playing with his food.
It is a good idea to introduce nutritious foods at a young age to develop healthy habits moving forward. Finding a good balance between healthy and tasty can be a challenge, so follow along as we explore healthy snacks that will support your little ones development!
Toddler Feeding Safety Tips
Before we review the list, please make sure to offer food that is cut and chopped to avoid any type of choking hazard. Avoid hard foods that cannot easy be broken down by a toddler as they are more at risk of choking than we are as adults! Know the difference between coughing and choking. Coughing is more vocal and is a sign that your child is getting up the food. Choking is silent and requires IMMEDIATE attention. I’m a paranoid mom so of course I bought one of those anti choking suction devices. I haven’t had to use it yet, and hope I never need to!
Eggs and Sausage
Eggs are packed with nutrition and is something I give to my son everyday for this reason. Sausage might have a little extra fat and sodium, but given in small amounts, it adds a burst of flavor to liven up those eggs. I noticed plain eggs were not that interesting to my son but with the addition of sausage, he was more than happy to gobble it down! Make the eggs as scrambled, sunny side up, or add chopped sausage into an omelet.
Banana Muffins
A typical muffin does not offer much nutrition, but a low sugar version of banana muffins works wonders and lasts several days. I like to use leftover bananas that are extra soft an a little more sweet. These add a nice, moist, texture to the muffin with a boost of nutrients from the banana. Surprisingly, these are very easy and quick to make. Boost flavor by adding a little bit of fruit. Your little one will love these! Check out my recipe here.
Deli Meat and Cheese
Meats and small amounts of cheese are the perfect option for a little one who loves savory, filling food. A bit of chopped hammed served with cheddar cheese (or even string cheese) for easy chewing has been a success in my personal experience. I’m sure it will be for you too! What I love about the cheese for toddlers is that they can easily be cut into fun shapes. We all know it, meal time goes the smoothest when mom makes fun shapes!
Fruits and Veggies with Nut Butters
Fruits and vegetables are a very important, if not crucial, part of a toddlers diet. Unfortunately, most toddlers will shy away from veggies. Adding thinly smeared peanut butter can be a perfect way to gain your childs interest in eating raw veggies (assuming they have no allergies). I’ve found the most success with apples. The natural sugars in apples paired with the protein and healthy fats in nut butter make for a satisfying and nutritious snack.
Yogurt with Berries
Any form of low sugar plain yogurt or greek yogurt will work great for this option. I love offering yogurt because it is great for gut health and tastes delicious! I like to add in berries just to make it more fun and to add more nutritional value. You can also turn this into a parfait to make it extra filling if time permits!
Fruit Kabobs
Fresh fruit on its own may not be super interesting, but put it on a skewer? Amazing. 10 stars. Your toddler will find this fun snack interesting and SO appealing! Cut the fruit into cute shapes for bonus points!
Whole Grain Toast with Avocado Spread
Avocados are notoriously nutrient packed and an easy food for kids. Offer avocado toast to add nutrients and vitamins to their diet as well as healthy fats. This snack hits all the checkmarks when it comes to a balanced snack!
Pita Bread with Hummus
Hummus these days comes in a wide array of flavors and textures. Since a typical hummus can be somewhat bland, I always go for the ones flavored with more savory elements such as roasted red pepper or lemon dill. Serve with pita bread which is super easy for your toddler to pull apart and have fun with!
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Oats
Sweet potatoes are a widely used vegetable in the baby/toddler world for good reason. They’re delicious, nutritious, and very easy to eat! Maybe not the quickest on the list, but make a big batch of these over the weekend and they will last up to 5 days in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.
Steak and Peas
When giving steak, I always prefer to make sure it’s well done to avoid any potential for bacteria. Toddlers LOVE steak.. especially if you top it with some A1 sauce since a well done steak can lose a lot of flavor. I add in peas because not only do they pair well with the juices of a steak, but they are also very easy and quick to make. Since steak can be a little tough sometimes (depending how you cook it), make sure to cut it real tiny. Purchase frozen and steamable bags of peas and microwave for a few short minutes!
Corn Souffle
Surprisingly easy to make and sure to please. This I use more as a dessert since it’s a healthier option than offering cookies or ice cream. It is a very soft and moist treat that can be refrigerated for up to 5 days and frozen for 3 months. Perfect for an afternoon snack!
Caprese Salad
Nutritious, delicious, and ready in minutes. What more can you ask for? Dice the tomato and mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with a little olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt and pepper. I know the traditional caprese salad has fresh basil but you know how kids are when they see “green stuff”. Or maybe you’re lucky and your toddler enjoys the finer things in life such as fresh herbs!
Curry Egg Salad
If you’re like me, you always have a batch of hard-boiled eggs ready to go in the refrigerator for a quick breakfast. Mash them up with some light mayonnaise, salt, diced green onion and green bell peppers. Most people add mustard, but for some reason, most children I’ve met dislike the taste of mustard so I would omit that.
I’ve had luck by swapping out the mustard for curry powder and a dash of sugar. This is a great way to make the egg salad taste more sweet rather than tangy which children love! Serve with a side of whole grain crackers or on whole grain bread.
Burrito Bowl
This can go many different ways so feel free to get creative! Burrito bowls are my GO TO when it comes to easy meals that incorporate whole foods. They offer so much variation, are fun and easy to make, and my son always love them. Since I cook a large batch of veggies, rice (or pasta), eggs, and meats every sunday, I use the leftovers to make burrito bowls. Top diced veggies, rice, black beans, and shredded meats with a dash of taco sauce, cheese or sour cream and you’re set! I also find mild pico de gallo works great as a topper.
Fruity Cottage Cheese Bowl
The name speaks for itself. Take a small bowl of cottage cheese and add some fruit for an easy snack! I’ve found that pineapple tends to pair very well with cottage cheese, but any kid of berry will do. It is the perfect blend of protein, fat, and nutrients to keep your toddler growing strong.
Oatmeal with Fruit
Oatmeal on its own can be somewhat bland, but adding in some sweet and vibrant fruits will make all the difference. This meal is packed with carbs, antioxidants, and nutrients to get your toddler through the day.
What if my toddler won’t eat?
In the case that you’ve tried it all, add pasta. I know this sounds silly, but it works. A little pasta with butter or a vibrant sauce has worked wonders for me on several occasions. Sure, pasta doesn’t hold too much nutritional value, but it gets toddlers to eat. Hiding vegetables in pasta is the easiest way to make sure your little one is getting the nutrition they need when they are refusing everything else!
Planning meals for toddlers can be stressful, but as they all say, “fed is best”. The best we can do as parents is to make sure we are offering healthy snack choices to our children so they can grow strong. Yes, there are going to be days when your child will refuse anything that’s not packed with fats and sugar.. and that’s OK. Picky eating is a common occurrence in almost all young children. What’s most important is that your toddler is getting the resources they need to thrive. Happy feeding!