Healthy Eating for Kids Recipes and Menus
Enjoy these delicious kid friendly recipes from EatingWell.
Give your kids what they want to eat--yummy recipes that will have them running to the dinner table! We’ve included kid favorites like chicken fingers, tuna melts, and good old no-bake mac & cheese, but we’ve made them delicious and much healthier! Teaching kids to eat healthy foods at a young age will help them develop healthy eating patterns for life, so we’ve included kid-friendly recipes with a variety of vegetables, using proteins that are naturally lower in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals. These delicious kid-friendly recipes will help your kids learn to love whole grains (most kids should be eating at least 6 ounces a day!). And don’t forget calcium-rich recipes to build strong bones. This collection of healthy kid-friendly recipes gets high marks from kids of all ages and is designed to make meal planning easier. We think your whole family will love them!
Healthy Kids Main Dishes
Instead of batter-dipped, deep-fried nuggets, we coat chicken tenders in a seasoned...
Here we turn baked beans into an easy main dish by adding chicken sausage and...
Here we take the elements of a vegetarian lasagna filling—ricotta, spinach and...
You can make these homemade fish sticks in about the same amount of time it takes to...
Our updated Sloppy Joe takes lean ground beef and adds chopped cremini mushrooms and...
Pepperoni pizza gets a healthful makeover with whole-wheat pizza dough and a...
These quick breaded pork cutlets made with just a few ingredients are so delicious...
Making a pocket in the chicken breast to hold the stuffing is easy with a good,...
Very finely chopping onion, mushrooms and carrots in the food processor is not only...
Why put the cheese on top of the burger when half of it just melts off? Instead,...
Usually made with creamy canned soups and several cups of cheese, the fat and sodium...
Potatoes are one of the great comfort foods, especially when stuffed with a...
Not only is this ultra-creamy version of mac-and-cheese nearly as fast as the boxed...
To stretch the ground beef, we use high-fiber bulgur and whole-wheat breadcrumbs in...
Here we top pecan-crusted turkey cutlets with a mildly spicy grilled peach salsa. It...
Crêpes aren't just for dessert—they make a quick and savory weeknight dinner....
Building the perfect taco is a very personal task—cheese under meat, cheese on top,...
In this updated version of the tuna melt, we go light on the mayo and top it with...
While turkey can too often lend a depressingly gummy texture to meatloaf, we've...
A creamy spread full of Parmesan and fresh basil cozies up to turkey and summer-ripe...
We pack extra vegetables into this cheesy baked rice casserole. Plus we substitute...
Healthy Kids Side Dishes
A picnic favorite, this salad combines broccoli, water chestnuts, cranberries and...
Summer-ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella need only a sprinkling of fresh herbs,...
Mashing broccoli with cheese and potatoes might just be the ticket to getting your...
This simple sauté combines two summer stars—corn and tomatoes. If you don't...
Try this fruit-and-nut-studded couscous salad alongside grilled salmon or chicken...
For those who like their vegetables creamy, this recipe can't be beat.
Take advantage of convenient mini ("baby") carrots to make this simple but...
If you like spinach-cheese pie, try these simple but elegant-looking little spinach...
Slivered garlic and freshly grated nutmeg flavor this simple potato gratin.
Here's a simple saute that is well suited for a special meal and versatile...
Healthy Kids Desserts
Cocoa powder and chocolate chips give this luscious pudding a double-dose of...
You control the added sugar in these kiwi-lime popsicles.
Your kids will love helping you make these peanut butter-graham treats.
Applesauce rounds out the flavor of this quick, low-fat remake of classic oatmeal...
Use whatever fresh or frozen fruit you have on hand to make this old-fashioned...
This easy dessert satisfies a sweet tooth while adding another serving of fruit,...
Chopped strawberries and cocoa nibs are a colorful addition to vanilla ice cream.
Healthy Kids Snacks
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper dress up air-popped...
Crunchy wheat cereal, pretzels and almonds coated in bittersweet chocolate makes an...
Cocoa- and coconut-crusted bananas are a treat for the whole family.
Stir lemon pepper into cottage cheese for a quick and healthy vegetable dip. We like...
In our homemade version of French onion dip, we simmer chopped onions in broth and...
You can make your own tasty pita chips in a matter of minutes. Just cut pita bread...
You don't need a deep fryer to make crispy potato chips. We toss thinly sliced...
Try other nut butters in this crunchy snack.
Kids and adults alike will appreciate this skewered snack.
Satisfy your salty, crunchy and savory cravings in one punch with this quick snack.
Healthy Kids Breakfast
Dried blueberries give these pancakes a rich blueberry flavor and pecans liven up...
The fresh combination of banana, cantaloupe and low-fat dairy in this smoothie packs...
This warming whole-grain porridge pairs cooked wheat berries with rolled oats, fruit...
We love the maple-nut flavor combination of this heart-healthy granola, but feel...
Traditional waffles are a butter-laden, high-carb indulgence, but they make the...
A smaller cousin of the breakfast burrito, the breakfast taco made with reduced-fat...
Macerating sliced strawberries in a little sugar creates a flavorful fruity syrup...
With a stash of berries in your freezer, you can jump-start your day with this...
Healthy Kids Drinks
This frozen apple-lemon treat is perfect on a hot summer's day.
A healthy version of the malt shop favorite.
Our hot cocoa is rich and chocolaty without the overly sweet taste of some packaged...
This refreshing drink is served by roadside vendors all over Mexico. Not too much...
Healthy Kids Center: Recipes and Tips
More Tips for Healthy Kids
More From EatingWell