Simple and easy meal and snack ideas for toddlers

SIMPLE AND EASY MEAL/SNACK IDEAS FOR TODDLERS

If you are a busy mom/dad, planning a meal 3 times a day can be onerous. Sometimes you just want to let the meal prepare itself, especially if you're always on the go. I love to use our new Avanchy bamboo plates and spoons for all our meals so make sure you take a look so you can make your toddler's life much easier and healthier. So here are some simple and easy meals/snacks for toddlers they will love:

• Chicken Pizza Tortilla Style is a great morning snack for your toddler and the whole family. My 18 month old girl loves it! But make sure you limit this snack to once per week. The great thing about this is that it will take you less than 10 mins to prepare and bake in the oven. What you need: 

- Whole wheat tortilla

- Traditional pizza sauce 

- Chicken breast or finely chopped hot dogs/sausage (Make sure you chop and cook the chicken a day in advance to save some time) 

- Shredded mild cheddar cheese or your preferred cheese - I like to add a bit of provolone slices as well 

- Spinach

- Oregano and thyme

- Anything else toddler-friendly you would like to add on your pizza! 

Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350, put your tortilla pizza on a baking sheet, pyrex or Amazon silicone mats. If you're using Amazon silicone mats (these are lifesavers!), Amazon Silicone Baking Mat Sheet, make sure you set the timer to 12 mins, otherwise 8 mins will suffice. Make sure to check on your pizza in 5 mins. 

Fold it like a calzone and slice it like a regular pizza to make it easier for your toddler to hold it, and Voila! You just made yourself and your toddler the perfect, yummiest and easiest snack on earth. 

• Sliced cucumbers with hummus on top makes the perfect afternoon or grab-n-go snack. Your toddler will love you. Make sure to limit the amount of cucumber and hummus you give your toddler or you will find yourself cleaning a huge amount of pasty poop for days. Oh no! 

All you need to do is slice off the skin, cut them in small pieces and spread traditional or homemade hummus on top of each slice. 

• Quick oats with peanut butter, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries

A quick and delicious morning or afternoon snack for your toddler. Make sure you grab the Mom's Best Cereal Quick Oats. Mom's Best Cereal Quick Oats. They are 100% whole grain with no sugar and no sodium, great and nutritious. Exactly what you toddler needs! Add in a bit of peanut butter, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. 

• Carrot zucchini toddler muffins (gluten free, dairy free) 

This recipe is by Erin Collins I found on Pinterest. < here you can find the full recipe by Erin Collins. This recipe is perfect for toddlers, especially picky eaters! What you need:

- 1 cup almond flour

- 1/4 cup of brown rice flour

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

- 1/3 cup coconut oil

- 1/3 cup of maple syrup

- 1 large egg

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1/2 cup grated carrots from 1 medium peeled carrot

- 1/2 grated zucchini from 1 medium unpeeled zucchini

Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly oil the muffin pan. In a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, brown rice flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. 

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract. Pulse until thoroughly combined. Add the dry ingredients and pulse until well mixed. Stir in the shredded vegetables with a wooden spoon.

Fill the muffins cups 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 15 mins or until lightly golden. Cool for 5 mins in the pan. And you've baked yourself and your toddler the perfect muffins!

• Simple guacamole dip with sliced and toasted whole wheat bread 

- Avocados, of course! 

- Tomatoes

- Onion

- Garlic powder or fresh garlic

- Cilantro for garnish

- Half a lime

- Plain yogurt

Simply chop up all the ingredients and mash them into a bowl, you can add a bit of whole milk or plain yogurt if you want a thicker blend. Toast a piece of whole wheat bread then cut them into finger slices. 

• Fruit smoothie #1

- 1/4 avocado

- 1/4 cup plain yogurt

- 1 tsp flax seed meal

- 1/4 cup water

- 1/4 blueberries

- 1/2 banana

- 2-3 ice cubes

Simply puree all ingredients in a blender in high speed mode until smooth. You can refrigerate for up to 48 hours. 

• Fruit smoothie #2

Very simple and healthy snack for your toddler. What you need:

- 1/2 pear

- 1/2 banana

- Blueberries

- A cup of milk

Blend it all up in a blender. 

• Mini waffles with peanut butter, fruit and cheese

Make some mini waffles and spread peanut butter on them, you can include some fruits such as blueberries, bananas, and cheddar cheese as well for their breakfast.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog and found it useful. More ideas and recipes are coming soon! Make sure to follow our blog to stay updated on our upcoming recipes and tips.