12 Easy Food Ideas for 1-Year-Old Toddlers
Updated: Jun. 15, 2023
Picky eater problems? Check out these delicious and easy food ideas for 1-year-old toddlers!
Now that your baby has graduated from pureed fruits and vegetables, it’s time to have some fun in the kitchen! One-year-olds can eat just about everything you do, so include your little one at mealtimes with the family. These tasty food ideas for toddlers will keep everyone happy.
The only drawback? This is a common age for picky eating to start. The best approach is to keep offering healthy options at every meal and never give up.
While you’re at it, check out these gifts for 1-year-olds, too.
What can I feed my 12-month-old?
Your new toddler can eat most foods that you do. Remember that they need plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, as well as healthy sources of protein and fiber. And now that your little one has had their first birthday, they can start drinking whole milk.
What do you feed a picky 1-year-old?
Feeding a picky eater can be an exhausting task, but an important one. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most parents worry when their child refuses a new food, but it takes several tries before the average 1-year-old is ready to try something new. Try pairing new foods with your toddler’s favorite meals and snacks to make the process more fun for both of you.
When your child is ready to eat, try offering healthy meals like…
- On-the-go breakfast muffins with fresh fruit
- Scrambled eggs with grilled sweet potato wedges
- Banana oatmeal pancakes with yogurt
- Baked oatmeal with berries
- French toast fingers with a fruit smoothie
- Bite-sized turkey sandwich pieces with fruit kabobs
- Cut up lunch box pizzas with cooked peas
- Veggie macaroni and cheese
- Pizza in a bowl with cooked veggies
- Broccoli cheddar squares with sliced fruit
- Black bean soup with cut-up cheese quesadillas
- Bite-sized baked chicken breast with sauteed baby carrots
Once your child has mastered eating these new big kid meals, check out more healthy meals for toddlers.
Beef ‘n’ Rice Enchiladas
With a toddler in the house, I look for foods that are a snap to make. Loaded with beef, cheese and a flavorful rice mix, these enchiladas come together without a fuss. But they’re so good that guests think I spent hours in the kitchen. —Jennifer Smith, Colona, Illinois
Veggie Mac and CheeseTake a decadent family fave, add in a variety of vegetables, and you've got a dinner worth being excited about: veggie mac and cheese.
Weeknight Skillet Spinach PieI love sneaking extra veggies into my kids’ dinners, especially with this skillet spinach pie recipe. Because of this pie's flaky crust and extra cheese, the kids never know they’re eating a vitamin-rich dish. Plus, I’m not hovering over an oven for hours. Put the spinach and phyllo sheets in the refrigerator the night before or early in the morning for thawing. —Kristyne McDougle, Lorain, Ohio
The Ultimate Grilled CheeseThese gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they're really fast to whip up, too. Here's how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois
Copycat Panera Mac and CheeseThis copycat Panera mac and cheese recipe comes pretty close to the real deal. Serve it in a bread bowl to get the full cafe experience!
Scalloped Potatoes and HamScalloped potatoes and ham is a filling meat-and-potato casserole everyone will love. It’s quite possibly the perfect way to use up leftover ham.
Mini BagelizzasGarlic powder gives these speedy mini pizzas extra pizzazz. Not only are they a snap to put together, but best of all, the ingredient list is easy on your pocketbook. My husband loves them. And my toddler will soon enjoy them as an after-school treat. -Stephanie Klos-Kohr, Moline, Illinois
Swedish MeatballsWhip up a batch of these easy Swedish meatballs for a meal that's all comfort and no fuss!
Cauliflower GratinThis is a lower-carb side dish that pairs well with pork, ham or beef. It's so creamy and delicious! If you like a bit of crunch, sprinkle buttered bread crumbs over the top for the last five minutes in the oven. — Mary Zinchiak, Boardman, Ohio
Sloppy Joe PastaSince I found this quick-to-fix recipe a few years ago, it's become a regular part of my menu plans. Everyone loves the combination of sloppy joe ingredients, shell pasta and cheddar cheese. —Lynne Leih, Idyllwild, California
On-the-Go Breakfast MuffinsMy muffins are a frequent request from everyone in the family. I usually make them on Sunday nights, so when we're running late on weekday mornings, the kids can grab these to eat on the bus. —Irene Wayman, Grantsville, Utah
Chili Cheese Dog CasseroleGet ready to dig into a nostalgic favorite with our chili cheese dog casserole. With a golden cornbread crust and filling loaded with chili, hot dogs and cheese, it doesn't get much better than this.
Quick Tangy Sloppy JoesI adjusted and combined three recipes to come up with this one. Kids like the tangy taste so much that they request these sandwiches for birthday parties. —Anna Adams, Chatsworth, California
Crispy Sage Chicken TendersOne of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
Slow-Cooker Ranch ChickenSlow-cooker ranch chicken is perfect for busy weeknights! Tender chicken coated in a velvety sauce is always a crowd-pleaser, especially when it's topped with the decadent combo of bacon and cheddar cheese.
French Toast FingersKids love anything on a stick. Bite-sized French toast skewers make a fun breakfast for them to munch before heading out the door. —Mavis Diment, Marcus, Iowa
Mac and Cheese BitesOur mac and cheese bites are everything you love about your favorite mac and cheese recipe in a hand-held, bite-sized appetizer.
Hot Dog Roll-UpsNot only do my grandchildren love these cheese-filled hot dogs, they enjoy helping put the meal together, too. It's the perfect solution when you need a last-minute lunch. —Lyletta Searle, Morgan, Utah
Corned Beef Hash and EggsThis corned beef hash and eggs recipe makes a hearty dish that's perfect for a St. Patrick's Day breakfast.
Lunch Box PizzasWhen you have these fun-to-make mini pizzas, it's no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there's no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas
Chicken Bacon Ranch CasseroleThis chicken bacon ranch casserole is a dinner that both of my wonderful (but picky!) children will eat. I can easily make it ahead and then bake it right before serving. Sometimes I add 2 cups of cooked veggies, like peas or chopped broccoli, for a complete meal. —Rebekah Schultz, Mantua, New Jersey
Cheesy QuesadillasWe serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
Cowboy StewI made up this dish back in the early 1970s when I was down to very little food in the house. Since it's a combination of barbecue sauce, hamburger, hot dogs and beans, this one-skillet meal makes both children and adults happy. —Val Rananawski, Millville, New Jersey
Ravioli CasseroleLove lasagna but want something simpler to make? Try our ravioli casserole—all the cheese and sauce, and it's ready in no time.
Peanut Butter Granola PinwheelsI came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it's really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, Massachusetts
Garlic-Cheese FlatbreadUnless you plan to make two, don't count on leftovers. As an appetizer or side, this cheesy flatbread will be devoured in less time than it takes to bake. And that's not long! —Suzanne Zick, Maiden, North Carolina
Apple and Peanut Butter StackersThe best way to get kids interested in cooking and eating right is to let them help. These apple and peanut butter "sandwiches" are one fun way to pique their interest and kitchen creativity. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
Pigs in a PoolMy kids love sausages and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I bought the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs-in-a-blanket is a tasty, thrifty alternative. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
Mexican-Inspired Chicken SoupThis zesty chicken taco soup is loaded with corn and black beans in a mildly spicy red broth. As a busy mom of three young children, I'm always looking for dinner recipes that can be prepared in the morning. The kids love the taste of this easy soup. —Marlene Kane, Lainesburg, Michigan
Ham Noodle DinnerWhether I'm cooking for company or my own brood of five children, this delicious casserole is always well-received. —Eileen Nilsson, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Hot Dog CasseroleThis hearty and satisfying hot dog casserole—layers of red potatoes, hot dogs and cheese, covered with a creamy white bechamel sauce—is just right for a casual side.
Originally Published: June 28, 2019
