Are you or your family looking for easy kid friendly healthy meals? If so, then this post is perfect for you! As a parent of a young boy who loves eating, I have found that there are lots of easy kid friendly dinners I can make to keep us going through the week. And they’re all healthy too!
If you love to cook, but are looking for healthy options, I recommend these healthy kid-friendly recipes. If you want to start eating healthier meals check out these super easy and delicious recipes! Below you will also find the importance of childhood nutrition.
Easy Kid Friendly Dinners
Picky eaters and never enough time? Dinner doesn’t need to be a battle against the clock and finicky taste buds. Our Kid-Friendly Recipes will have a nutritious dinner they will all love on the table in less than 20 minutes. Whether it’s favorites like pizza, macaroni and cheese, or fish sticks, you’ll find healthy versions of all the dishes your children love. The best part is that adults will enjoy these creative recipes too.
Chicken Fingers and Green Beans with Tahini Sauce
Chicken fingers aren’t just for kids. Savory-sweet and addictive, the tahini-tomato dipping sauce offers a palate intrigue adults will love but enough flavor familiarity to keep it kid-approved.
Upside-Down Shepherd’s Pie
To keep things lightning-fast, we forgo the layered-in-a-skillet approach to shepherd’s pie and instead serve the veggie-flecked beef mixture on top of a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.
Ham and Cheese Pizza
When a classic sandwich gets reincarnated as a cheesy pizza, rave reviews are bound to follow. Sweet, crisp Fuji apple provides a great balance to the rich, gooey cheese and savory ham, and everyone knows there’s no better place to slip in some extra leafy greens than on a pizza. To get julienne-cut apple pieces, cut into thin slices; then stack and cut lengthwise into matchsticks.
Turkey and Swiss Sloppy Joes
This twist on a classic sandwich swaps the sweet, barbecue-style sauce for a white sauce enriched with nutty Swiss cheese.
Fresh Corn Cakes with Summer Salsa
This speedy vegetarian entrée is absolutely bursting with peak-season produce. Side suggestion: an herby white bean and arugula salad.
Family-Style Chicken Spaghetti
A family favorite swaps jarred sauce for fresh—which requires just a few ingredients and less than 10 minutes.
Glazed Beef Skewers with Ginger Slaw
Have your little helpers mix up the glaze, while older kids can help skewer the beef.
Mini Bow Ties with Bacon and Peas
Finishing your peas and carrots is exponentially more exciting when bacon is involved. In fact, almost every dish is more exciting when bacon comes to play, so feel free to swap your family’s favorite veggies into this versatile pasta.
Egg and Toast Cups
Lure kids into eating a fulfilling breakfast with this cute all-in-one dish. You can cater to individual tastes too: Add chives to one up and spinach to another, or exchange the bacon for ham.
Double-Chocolate Cereal Treats
These decadent chocolate-on-chocolate cookies boast full satisfaction and a dose of whole-grain goodness. And they’re ready to eat in a fraction of the time needed to prepare typical sweet treats. For added protein and a fun flavor variation, replace ½ cup cereal with ½ cup chopped toasted nuts.
Easy Kid Friendly Healthy Meals
What are fun and healthy meals that kids will actually eat? These kid friendly meals are good for kids and they taste delicious too!
Thinking of meals that kids will enjoy eating is easy enough. But add in the requirement that they are actually healthy too, and the challenge gets leveled up quite a bit. So many healthy meals just don’t look appetizing to kids, and you can only squeeze so many nutrients into mac and cheese and chicken nuggets.
Thankfully, there are tons of healthy recipes out there that your kids will love – and I found a bunch of them for you.
Southwestern Turkey Pasta Bake
Love pasta? Me too…and so do my kids! Elevate your typical spaghetti by making this yummy turkey pasta ]
Baked Ziti
Another one of my favorite pasta dishes! This baked ziti is definitely a kid friendly meal that adults will love too.
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
These creamy chicken enchiladas are as simple and delicious as it gets! This is another one of my favorite sneaky ways to get my kids to eat protein.
One-Skillet Healthy Orange Chicken and Rice
We LOVE orange chicken at my house. But the take out version is not only filled with unhealthy ingredients, the cost can also add up quick. Instead, make this healthy orange chicken and rice!
Salmon Quesadillas
At first glance, anything with salmon on it may not make your cut of kid friendly meals. However, I’d urge you to give this salmon quesadilla recipe a shot!
Aloha Chicken
Juicy pineapple chunks and tender flavorful chicken served over warm rice – it doesn’t get any better than aloha chicken!
Easy Sloppy Joes
This is a classic cafeteria food for a reason…kids LOVE it! Make this easy sloppy joes recipe in minutes.
Teriyaki Turkey Burgers
There was a season in our household where this was THE most requested dinner. Made with lean ground turkey and plenty of flavor, these teriyaki turkey burgers are a hit!
There you have it! Some of my family’s favorite kid friendly meals! I hope you found several to add to your meal rotation. Enjoy!
Healthy kid Friendly recipes
See our healthy and simple recipe ideas that will keep the whole family happy from homemade fish fingers to pasta with tomato & hidden veg sauce.
- Salmon pesto traybake with baby roast potatoesA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.39 ratingsKeep little kids happy at the family dinner table with this colourful salmon traybake that’s delicious and healthy, with a good dose of omega-3 from the fish
- Chicken & veg bowlA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.5 ratingsMake this colourful chicken, brown rice and vegetable dish for the whole family. With avocado, edamame beans, sweetcorn and carrots, it’s not only tasty, but healthy too
- Chicken skewers with tzatzikiA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.13 ratingsKids will love these chicken skewers hot off the griddle for a quick supper, or pack them in wraps with green salad and tzatziki to take on a picnic
- Chicken shish kebabsA star rating of 4.9 out of 5.7 ratingsThese barbecued kebabs are big on flavour, but the spice is toned down, so they’re great for kids. Offer some chilli sauce on the side for those who like heat, and serve with flatbread
- Frozen tropical fruit yogurtA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.8 ratingsTry this genius recipe – as if by magic, the frozen tropical fruit freezes the yogurt when blended together. Use a food processor rather than a blender
- BBQ chicken pizzaA star rating of 3.7 out of 5.11 ratingsMake a healthy, low-calorie pizza that adds up to three of your 5-a-day and give the takeaway a miss. The barbecue chicken lends a moreish smoky flavour
- Healthy pancakesA star rating of 4.3 out of 5.93 ratingsThese easy healthy pancakes get their fluffy texture from whipped egg whites. Stack them high with fresh berries and a spoonful of low-fat yogurt
- Butternut squash & chickpea tagineA star rating of 3.7 out of 5.70 ratingsMake this tasty vegetarian tagine that kids will love as much as grown-ups. It’s a great way to serve four of their five-a-day and it’s freezeable
- One-pan egg & veg brunchA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.28 ratingsWith courgette, peppers and eggs, this vegetarian dish is a filling, healthy breakfast for all the family – kids will enjoy dipping toast into soft egg yolk
- Lighter chicken tacosA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.14 ratingsThe same tasty Mexican dish with half the fat of standard tacos. Pile on the chicken, salsa and guacamole, and build yourself a delicious dinner
- Chicken schnitzel with coleslawA star rating of 4.9 out of 5.25 ratingsChicken breasts are tenderised, covered in breadcrumbs and fried until golden and crispy. A dinner that kids will love cooking and eating.
- Masala frittata with avocado salsaA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.43 ratingsA spicy twist on a simple frittata recipe, with Masala paste, coriander and plump cherry tomatoes. Pair it with our avocado salsa for a light and budget-friendly supper
- Pitta pocketA star rating of 4.2 out of 5.5 ratingsA low-fat, healthy snack with chicken, tomatoes and cucumber under 150 calories, and it takes just minutes to prepare
- Superhealthy pizzaA star rating of 4.4 out of 5.58 ratingsThe quantities for this are generous, so if you have any leftovers, pop a wedge of cold pizza into your lunchbox the next day
- Super-veg pastaA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.64 ratingsGet two of your five-a-day with this deliciously versatile sauce
- Weaning recipe: Chicken meatballsA star rating of 4.1 out of 5.13 ratingsIf your toddler enjoys feeding him or herself then try these moreish chicken meatballs, made with fresh veggies and chicken thighs. Serve with rice and broccoli for a satisfying dinner
- Bircher muesli with apple & bananaA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.20 ratingsSoaking oats and seeds overnight makes them easier to digest, and the muesli will be extra creamy. Great for a quick breakfast straight from the fridge
- Barbecued chicken fajita skewersA star rating of 4 out of 5.12 ratingsGet the kids in the kitchen to prepare this easy BBQ chicken recipe, then assemble together with creamy guacamole on tortilla wraps
- Spinach, sweet potato & lentil dhalA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.740 ratingsA comforting vegan one-pot recipe that counts for 3 of your 5-a-day! You can’t go wrong with this iron-rich, low-fat, low-calorie supper.
- Egg & rocket pizzasA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.38 ratingsUse seeded tortillas as pizza bases for a quick and healthy lunch – crack an egg in the centre and bake to boost protein intake
- Courgette, potato & cheddar soupA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.288 ratingsThis freezable soup is a delicious way to use up a glut of courgettes
- Superhealthy salmon burgersA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.359 ratingsIf you’re after something a bit lighter than potato-packed fishcakes, try these simple salmon burgers with ginger, soy sauce and coriander
- Turkey burgers with beetroot relishA star rating of 4.4 out of 5.31 ratingsThese low-fat burgers freeze well, so why not make double and freeze for another time?
- More veg, less meat summer BologneseA star rating of 3.8 out of 5.9 ratingsHide peas and courgettes in this Italian favourite to up your vegetable intake – great for kids when served with pasta
Importance of Childhood Nutrition
1. Nutrition helps your child stay healthy
In order to prevent disease, your child’s diet should include an intake of healthy fruits, vegetables and proteins.
According to the United States National Library of Medicine, “Some children, who are lacking the vital nutrients they need, may experience fatigue and be more likely to become sick” (Medline, 2013).
To help your child’s body stay strong against illness, ensure they have a well-rounded diet.
2. Nutrition impacts your child’s ability to grow
Throughout the early years, especially the first year of life, a child’s body grows at an immense rate. A sufficient intake of healthy foods and drinks provides the energy and nutrients needed to grow.
A diet inclusive of calcium and other vitamins will allow for optimum physical and skeletal growth.
3. Proper nutrition aids brain development
The quality and amount of food your child consumes can impact their brain development.
An article from Livestrong.com shares, “Poor nutrition during fetal development and early life can lower IQ scores and lead to learning disorders, according to Dr. Reynaldo Martorell, professor of International Nutrition at Emory University.”
A child’s ability to concentrate and interact with others may also be affected by the foods they eat. Proper nutrition allows for the vitamins and energy needed to function and grow, but also ensure optimal brain development.
4. Your child is more likely to maintain a healthy weight
Because healthy habits start from childhood, nutrition from an early age impacts your child’s current and future weight.
According to the World Health Organisation, “Eating nutrient dense foods and balancing energy intake with the necessary physical activity to maintain a healthy weight is essential at all stages of life.”
Potential health problems from being overweight include liver problems, diabetes, eating disorders, respiratory disorders and sleep apnea.
5. Your child will be able to function better throughout the day
If you begin your child’s day off with a nutritious breakfast, they’ll have the fuel to function well, starting in the morning. As the day continues, if they consume healthy foods—instead of sugars, processed foods and fats—they’ll have more energy to learn, play and be engaged in activities.
By intaking healthy foods and drinks, your child will be better able to:
- Concentrate during learning activities
- Stay alert and active
- Maintain better energy levels and sleeping patterns
Involving portions from the various areas of the Healthy Living Pyramid gives your child the balance and well-rounded meals they need for top functioning throughout the day.
6. Unhealthy foods have a negative impact on your child
Consuming too much sugar, fats and salts, for example, can produce a decline in your child’s overall wellbeing.
While your child needs a certain number of calories to grow and develop, extra calories will be stored as body fat.
The World Health Organization shares, “Unbalanced consumption of foods high in energy (sugar, starch and/or fat) and low in essential nutrients contributes to energy excess, overweight and obesity.”