Feeding a growing toddler can be both exciting and challenging. Between 12-18 months, your little one is ready to explore new tastes and textures while developing important eating skills.
These nutritious recipes are perfect for tiny hands and developing taste buds. Each recipe provides essential nutrients to support your toddler’s rapid growth and development.
From brain-boosting healthy fats in avocado toast to muscle-building protein in chicken bites, these foods deliver balanced nutrition in fun, manageable portions.
Get your little helper involved in the kitchen. These simple recipes create perfect opportunities for quality time together while establishing healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout childhood. Best of all, these tasty creations are quick to prepare for busy parents and caregivers!
1. Soft and Creamy Avocado Toast
Ingredients
- Whole grain bread
- Ripe avocado
- A splash of lemon juice
Method
Step 1: Toast the bread until golden-brown and slightly crispy at the edges.
Step 2: Mash the avocado in a bowl with your little helper – they’ll love this squishy part!
Step 3: Add a tiny splash of lemon juice and mix it all.
Step 4: Spread the mixture onto the toast – a perfect skill for little hands to practice.
Step 5: Cut into bite-sized pieces that are easy for tiny fingers to grasp and enjoy.
Nutritional Benefits
This simple snack is packed with goodness for your growing child. Avocado provides essential healthy fats that support brain development and help absorb important vitamins.
Whole-grain bread delivers fiber that keeps little tummies satisfied longer and supports healthy digestion. By introducing these nutritious foods in a fun, interactive way, you’re helping establish healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout life.
2. Veggie-Packed Mini Muffins
Ingredients
- Carrot
- Zucchini
- Spinach (finely grated)
- Whole wheat flour
- Baking powder
- Eggs
Method
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare mini muffin tins with a light coating of oil.
Step 2: Grate the carrots and zucchini, then finely chop the spinach until you have a colorful veggie mix.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour and baking powder.
Step 4: Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, then add your grated vegetables.
Step 5: Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined into a batter.
Step 6: Spoon the batter into mini muffin tins, filling each about ¾ full.
Step 7: Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 8: Let cool completely before cutting them into bite-sized pieces for your little one.
Nutritional Benefits
These delightful mini muffins are nutritional powerhouses disguised as tasty treats! The vibrant mix of vegetables delivers essential vitamins and minerals that support your child’s growth and immune system.
Carrots provide vitamin A for healthy eyes, zucchini offers potassium for proper muscle function, and spinach adds iron for energy production. Whole wheat flour contains fiber that helps maintain digestive health while providing sustained energy.
By sneaking vegetables into these tempting muffins, you’re helping your toddler develop a taste for nutritious foods while keeping mealtime fun and exciting.
3. Cheesy Veggie Quesadilla
Ingredients
- Whole wheat tortilla
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- Spinach
- Bell peppers
- Sweet potato (cooked and chopped)
Method
Step 1: Lay the whole wheat tortilla flat on a clean surface or plate.
Step 2: Sprinkle a thin layer of shredded cheese evenly across half of the tortilla.
Step 3: Arrange your chopped spinach, bell peppers, and sweet potato pieces on top of the cheese.
Step 4: Add another light layer of cheese on top of the vegetables to help everything stick together.
Step 5: Fold the empty half of the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape.
Step 6: Heat a pan over medium heat and lightly coat with oil if needed.
Step 7: Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Step 8: Allow to cool slightly, then cut into small triangles that are easy for little hands to hold.
Nutritional Benefits
This colorful quesadilla delivers important nutrients in every bite your toddler takes. The cheese provides calcium and protein essential for developing strong bones and muscles during these critical growth years.
The variety of vegetables offers a rainbow of vitamins and minerals – spinach with iron, bell peppers packed with vitamin C, and sweet potatoes containing beta-carotene for healthy eyes and skin.
The whole wheat tortilla adds fiber for digestive health and helps keep energy levels stable. By combining these ingredients in a fun, handheld format, you’re encouraging positive eating ventures while supporting your little one’s nutritional needs.
4. Banana Oat Pancakes
Ingredients
- Mashed banana
- Oats
- Egg
- Baking powder
Method
Step 1: Place the oats in a blender and pulse until they reach a flour-like consistency.
Step 2: Add the mashed banana, egg, and baking powder to the blender.
Step 3: Blend all ingredients together until you have a smooth, pourable batter.
Step 4: Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat and lightly coat with oil if needed.
Step 5: Pour small amounts of batter (about 2 tablespoons each) to make mini pancakes perfect for little hands.
Step 6: Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden on both sides.
Step 7: Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Step 8: Serve with a light drizzle of honey (for children over 12 months) or fresh fruit puree on top.
Nutritional Benefits
These delightful pancakes provide balanced nutrition in a form toddlers love to eat. The banana contains natural sugars that offer quick energy for active little bodies without the crash that comes from processed sugars.
Oats deliver complex carbohydrates and fiber that help maintain steady blood sugar levels and keep your little one feeling satisfied longer. The egg adds high-quality protein essential for muscle development and growth.
This simple breakfast option supports your toddler’s developmental needs while introducing them to wholesome ingredients in a fun format. Plus, the banana’s natural sweetness means no added sugar is needed, helping establish healthy taste preferences from an early age.
5. Sweet Potato and Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- Sweet potato (mashed)
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Eggs
- A pinch of cinnamon
Method
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato and shredded chicken.
Step 3: Crack the eggs into the mixture and add a pinch of cinnamon.
Step 4: Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
Step 5: Using clean hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into small bite-sized balls.
Step 6: Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each.
Step 7: Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before serving to your little one.
Nutritional Benefits
These tasty bites offer a perfect balance of nutrients for your growing toddler. The chicken provides high-quality protein that supports muscle development and growth during this crucial stage.
Sweet potatoes deliver beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body, supporting healthy vision and immune function.
They also contain fiber that helps maintain digestive health and keeps little tummies feeling satisfied. The eggs add additional protein along with important nutrients like choline, which supports brain development.
The hint of cinnamon not only adds a gentle sweetness without sugar but also introduces your child to diverse flavors. These portable bites make an ideal protein-rich snack or mealtime option for busy toddlers.
6. Apple and Pear Purée
Ingredients
- Apples
- Pears
- A pinch of cinnamon
Method
Step 1: Wash, peel, and core the apples and pears.
Step 2: Chop the fruits into small, even pieces.
Step 3: Place the chopped fruit in a saucepan with a splash of water.
Step 4: Cover and cook over medium-low heat until the fruits are soft and tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the cooked fruit.
Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor.
Step 7: Blend until smooth or pulse briefly for a chunkier texture if your toddler is ready for more texture.
Step 8: Allow to cool completely before serving to your little one.
Nutritional Benefits
This simple fruit purée offers a wealth of nutrition in every spoonful. Apples and pears are excellent sources of dietary fiber, which supports healthy digestion and helps prevent constipation, a common concern for toddlers.
These fruits contain essential vitamins like vitamin C, which strengthens your child’s immune system and helps their body absorb iron from other foods.
The natural sugars provide energy without the pitfalls of added sugars, helping to develop a preference for naturally sweet foods.
Cinnamon adds a hint of warmth and introduces your child to new flavors while possibly offering additional digestive benefits. This versatile purée can be served alone, mixed with yogurt, or used as a natural sweetener for oatmeal.
7. Soft Scrambled Eggs with Veggies
Ingredients
- Eggs
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Tomatoes (finely chopped)
- Butter or olive oil
Method
Step 1: Finely chop the spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes into small toddler-friendly pieces.
Step 2: Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk until well combined.
Step 3: Heat a small amount of butter or olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-low heat.
Step 4: Add the chopped vegetables to the pan and sauté gently until slightly softened.
Step 5: Pour the whisked eggs over the vegetables in the pan.
Step 6: Using a silicone spatula, gently stir the eggs as they cook, creating soft curds.
Step 7: Cook until the eggs are just set but still moist and creamy.
Step 8: Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving to your little one.
Nutritional Benefits
These colorful scrambled eggs provide exceptional nutrition for your growing toddler. They deliver high-quality protein that contains all the essential amino acids needed for proper growth and development.
Eggs and olive oil are also rich in choline, a nutrient vital for brain development and function. The healthy fats in eggs and olive oil support the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and contribute to healthy brain development.
The vegetable medley adds important nutrients – spinach provides iron and folate, mushrooms offer vitamin D, and tomatoes contain vitamin C and lycopene.
This balanced breakfast or lunch option introduces your child to different textures and flavors while providing the nutrients they need for their rapid development and growing energy requirements.
Conclusion
Feeding a toddler between 12 and 18 months doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. These nutrient-packed recipes offer the perfect balance of wholesome ingredients to support your little one’s remarkable growth and development.
By introducing diverse flavors and textures now, you’re laying the foundation for healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout childhood and beyond.
Remember, patience is key—some foods may need multiple introductions before gaining approval from your discerning little food critic.
When possible, involve your toddler in simple food preparation. This will create precious bonding moments while nurturing their natural curiosity about food.
Celebrate small victories, assume the inevitable messes, and trust your instincts. You’re doing an excellent job guiding this exciting yet challenging stage of parenthood.
Here’s to happy, healthy mealtimes that nourish both your toddler’s growing body and your family connections.
