Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 10 Food Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Summer

      10 Food Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Summer

      Here are the popular flavors we think will be big this year, plus recipes to try these trends at home. Read More
    • 22 Vegetarian Lunches You Can Make in 10 Minutes

      22 Vegetarian Lunches You Can Make in 10 Minutes

      When you're short on time, you can still make a quick, healthy lunch that will help you power through the afternoon. Whether you prefer a simple grain bowl with lots of veggies, a slice of loaded avocado toast or a delish salad, there's something for you in this mix. You need just 10 minutes in the kitchen to pull together recipes like our Egg Tartine and Chickpea Salad Sandwich. Read More
    • What Is Taperakia? For These Greek Moms, Sending Meals to Their Kids is an Act of Love

      What Is Taperakia? For These Greek Moms, Sending Meals to Their Kids is an Act of Love

      Learn about the Greek practice of shipping adult children Tupperware containers of food, plus get their recipes to make at home. Read More
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See All Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See All Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See All Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See All Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See All Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See All Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See All Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Healthy Recipes
  3. Healthy Kids Recipes
  4. 25 Vegetable Side Dish Ideas Kids Will Actually Like

25 Vegetable Side Dish Ideas Kids Will Actually Like

Headshot of Penelope Wall
Penelope Wall
Skip gallery slides
Pin
4969963.jpg

We're always looking for new vegetable sides the whole family will love. These kid-friendly vegetable recipes are healthy and easy—perfect for weeknight dinners!

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Maple Roasted Carrots

4969963.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasting brings out the inherent sweetness in carrots--but add a little maple syrup and butter and you have a caramelized vegetable your kids (and you!) will actually want to eat seconds of.

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Kid-Friendly Salad

5120515.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make salad something your kids will actually want to eat with this kid-friendly crudité. Put it out before dinner and watch them eat all their veggies without a fuss!

2 of 25

3 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Broccoli Casserole

4179042.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The lightened-up luscious sauce elevates this easy casserole recipe over standard broccoli and cheese side dishes.

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Homemade Ranch Dressing with Veggies

4536238.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make a big batch of homemade ranch dressing to keep on hand for dipping crisp, raw vegetables anytime for a healthy snack both kids and adults will enjoy.

4 of 25

5 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

3926478.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this easy vegetable side dish recipe, sweet potatoes are tossed with maple syrup, butter and lemon juice and are roasted until tender and golden brown. The delicious glaze that forms on these maple-roasted sweet potatoes transform this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.

5 of 25

6 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Parmesan Broccoli Bites

7881932.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Almond flour (aka almond meal) makes the coating on these broccoli "fries" extra-crunchy and flavorful. Find it in the gluten-free section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores.

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Maple-Chili Roasted Butternut Squash

4784329.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

To give this healthy vegetable side dish recipe a different kind of heat, try a single-chile powder, such as ancho or chipotle. Serve with simple roasted salmon or chicken, or toss into a green salad with sunflower seeds.

7 of 25

8 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin

bowl of Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Don't skip salting the cucumbers in this quick cucumber salad recipe--just 10 minutes pulls out some of their excess moisture, concentrating the flavor and keeping the salad from being watered down. Serve as a healthy side dish at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.

8 of 25

9 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Oven Sweet Potato Fries

3756224.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Making oven fries out of sweet potatoes brings out their inherent sweetness.

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Parmesan Cauliflower Tater Tots

Parmesan Cauliflower Tater Tots
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cauliflower stands in for potato in this taterless cauliflower tot recipe. Cauliflower is mashed, then mixed with cheese and given a crispy breadcrumb coating before being baked. These healthy cauliflower tater tots make a delicious side dish, appetizer or movie-night snack. Dip them in regular ketchup or make a spicy dipping sauce: Combine 1/3 cup ketchup with 2 tablespoons sriracha chile sauce and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.

10 of 25

11 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Zucchini Gratin

zucchini gratin
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This delicious zucchini gratin recipe has a delectable crispy Parmesan and breadcrumb topping and is made without any butter or cream, allowing the fresh zucchini flavor to shine. Slice the zucchini uniformly to ensure even cooking.

11 of 25

12 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Broccoli with Creamy Parmesan Sauce

4513312.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Topping steamed broccoli with a good-for-you cheese sauce is an easy way to entice picky eaters to eat their veggies.

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Boiled Corn on the Cob

4513311.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Want to know how to boil corn on the cob? This boiled corn on the cob recipe starts with 4 ears of fresh summer corn.

13 of 25

14 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Roasted Acorn Squash with Cider Drizzle

3757295.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasting squash in the oven caramelizes its natural sugars. Here we serve acorn squash with a cider reduction that's spiced with cinnamon and cloves. A touch of butter gives it a luxurious finish.

14 of 25

15 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Kale Chips

3757809.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Not a fan of kale? These crispy baked kale chips will convert you! For the best result, don't overcrowd the pans.

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

4573608.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy recipe is a savory riff on the traditional brown-sugar-and-pecan-topped sweet potato casserole so often found on Thanksgiving tables. Crispy baby kale leaves make a stunning garnish, but any green or herb that suits you will look great, fried or not.

16 of 25

17 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Skillet Cauliflower Gratin

4223229.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Nonfat milk and a bit of sharp Cheddar combine to make a rich sauce without all the butter usually found in gratins.

17 of 25

18 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Avocado Fries with Sriracha Aioli

4784444.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Creamy avocados are a delicious foil to crunchy breading in this healthy oven-fried avocado fries recipe. Dip into spicy Sriracha dipping sauce for a flavor explosion. Save your ripe avocados for guacamole or toast--only firm ones will do when making these fries.

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Edamame Nibbles

3973431.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy edamame recipe is a classic Japanese preparation. Enjoy these nibbles as an appetizer or healthy snack.

19 of 25

20 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brown Sugar-Glazed Beets

3757020.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Try a sweet glaze on beets or other root vegetables to help balance their earthy flavor. This easy recipe will work with steamed carrots, turnips or rutabaga too.

20 of 25

21 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sesame Carrots

3755592.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Toasted sesame seeds add taste and eye appeal to a cheery plate of crunchy carrots.

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crunchy Popcorn Cauliflower

4578873.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A cunchy, savory pretzel-pecan coating turns roasted, caramelized cauliflower into an irresistible appetizer or kids' snack that mimics flavored popcorn. Serve this popcorn cauliflower straight from the oven with a dipping sauce and watch these tasty little bites disappear.

22 of 25

23 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Veggies

4694682.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These easy roasted vegetables will give your plate a pop of color. Give the cubes of butternut squash a head start for 10 minutes to soften in the oven before adding in the other veggies. The broccoli, peppers and onion are naturally more tender than the butternut squash and cook more quickly. That way everything ends up finishing at the same time.

23 of 25

24 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Garlic-Rosemary Smashed Potatoes

3921610.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A combination of baked, mashed and roasted, these crusty, garlicky smashed potatoes are a healthy and creative alternative. Serve alongside a seared steak or roasted pork tenderloin and green beans.

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Guacamole-Stuffed Mini Peppers

4510718.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The simple homemade guacamole in this healthy snack recipe couldn't be easier to whip up! We cut some carbs by stuffing the guac in halved mini bell peppers--or use them as guacamole dippers instead of tortilla chips.

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Penelope Wall

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 25 Maple Roasted Carrots
    2 of 25 Kid-Friendly Salad
    3 of 25 Broccoli Casserole
    4 of 25 Homemade Ranch Dressing with Veggies
    5 of 25 Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    6 of 25 Parmesan Broccoli Bites
    7 of 25 Maple-Chili Roasted Butternut Squash
    8 of 25 Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin
    9 of 25 Oven Sweet Potato Fries
    10 of 25 Parmesan Cauliflower Tater Tots
    11 of 25 Zucchini Gratin
    12 of 25 Broccoli with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
    13 of 25 Boiled Corn on the Cob
    14 of 25 Roasted Acorn Squash with Cider Drizzle
    15 of 25 Kale Chips
    16 of 25 Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
    17 of 25 Skillet Cauliflower Gratin
    18 of 25 Avocado Fries with Sriracha Aioli
    19 of 25 Edamame Nibbles
    20 of 25 Brown Sugar-Glazed Beets
    21 of 25 Sesame Carrots
    22 of 25 Crunchy Popcorn Cauliflower
    23 of 25 Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Veggies
    24 of 25 Garlic-Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
    25 of 25 Guacamole-Stuffed Mini Peppers

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    EatingWell

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Recipe Index
    • Jobs
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    Meredith© 2022 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EatingWell. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com

    Sign in

    View image

    25 Vegetable Side Dish Ideas Kids Will Actually Like
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.