19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (2024)

Do you have a picky eater on your hands? Never fear! We have numerous recipes that will satisfy even the pickiest of appetites. From chicken fingers to grilled cheese, here are some recipes for kids that will even have your picky eaters excited for dinner.

Oven-baked chicken fingers with chipotle-honey mustard

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (1)

Chicken fingers are the epitome of picky eater food! Most picky eaters can stomach a plate of chicken fingers, so make your own version of them at home with this easy recipe. If your picky eater likes dipping sauce, you could also make this chipotle honey mustard for dipping.

Get our recipe for Oven-Baked Chicken Fingers With Chipotle-Honey Mustard.

Mac and cheese

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (2)

Another easy picky eater food is a plate of mac and cheese! Skip the boxed mac and make your own version of it with this easy-to-make homemade mac and cheese recipe.

Get our recipe for Mac and Cheese.

Crock-pot Italian meatballs

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (3)

Give that plate of pasta a boost of protein with some easy Italian meatballs! You can even prep and freeze this crock-pot recipe for busy weeknights.

Get our recipe for Crock-Pot Italian Meatballs.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup

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Add in some hidden veggies with this easy grilled cheese recipe! Serve it with tomato soup for dipping to round out this meal.

Get our recipe for Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.

Peanut butter toast with berries

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (5)

Amp up that slice of peanut butter toast by topping with fresh strawberries! Sprinkle on some chocolate chips for a touch of sweetness to this easy morning toast.

Get even more toast ideas with our15 Toast Recipe Ideas That Go Beyond Basic Avocado.

Turkey bolognese with fettuccine

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (6)

If your picky eater loves pasta and red sauce, just find ways to serve it to them in different variations! This easy bolognese is made with ground turkey, but can easily be made with ground beef if that's what your picky eater prefers.

Get our recipe for Turkey Bolognese With Fettuccine.

Beef tacos

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Ground beef is an easy protein to serve to picky eaters, especially when it's cooked up for some homemade tacos! These beef tacos can be made with all sorts of toppings for an extra veggie boost.

Get our recipe for Beef Tacos.

Fettuccine alfredo

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (8)

Another easy pasta recipe! This fettuccine alfredo will satisfy your picky eater's stomach. For some extra protein, throw in grilled chicken.

Get our recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo.

Southern-style biscuits

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Biscuits are easy to serve picky eaters, but you can boost up this meal by using these biscuits for mini sandwiches or sliders! Prep up some cheeseburgers or chicken and serve mini biscuit sandwiches for an easy dinner that picky eaters will love.

Get our recipe for Southern-Style Biscuits.

The easy way to make healthier comfort foods.

Baked fish and chips

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (10)

If your kid loves crispy fish, why not make it at home as well? This baked fish and chips recipe is easy to make at home—no deep fryer necessary!

Get our recipe for Baked Fish and Chips.

Crispy quesadillas with guacamole

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Whether your picky eater likes veggies in their quesadilla, or they would rather it plain, this recipe is perfect for your kid! Make some guacamole for dipping on the side to round out this meal.

Get our recipe for Crispy Quesadillas With Guacamole.

Oven-fried chicken

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Another oven-fried chicken recipe, but this time, it's made with chicken legs! Serve this chicken with some fresh cut vegetables or soup for a filling meal.

Get our recipe for The Crispiest Oven-Fried Chicken.

Oven-baked french fries

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Did you know that potatoes are considered the most filling food? That's right! Fill up your picky eater's stomach with a plate of oven-baked french fries!

Get our recipe for Oven-Baked French Fries.

Baked potato soup

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That's right, soupcanbe a meal! While this baked potato soup is tasty, the flavors are plain enough for a picky eater to enjoy.

Get our recipe for Baked Potato Soup.

Honey-mustard glazed salmon

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Most picky eaters try to avoid eating "fishy" fish, which is why serving approachable fish—like salmon—is your best bet. This salmon recipe is cooked with a honey-mustard glaze to give it a touch of sweetness.

Get our recipe for Honey-Mustard Glazed Salmon.

Plant-based whole-grain pancakes

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (16)

Breakfast for dinner? Why not! These pancakes are packed with extra protein for a filling meal that picky eaters will love.

Get our recipe for Plant-Based Whole Grain Pancakes.

Sweet potato fries

19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (17)

Can sweet potato fries be considered a meal? Why not! Fill up on these sweet potato fries for an easy after school snack for your kids.

Get our recipe for Sweet Potato Fries.

Breakfast burrito

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While this breakfast burrito is filled with all sorts of delicious ingredients, you can keep it simple for your picky eater based on their specific needs.

Get our recipe for Breakfast Burrito.

Swedish meatballs

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Whether it be an appetizer for the family or a meal you serve over some egg noodles, these sweet Sweedish meatballs will satisfy any picky eater that has a bit of a sweet tooth.

Get our recipe for Swedish Meatballs.

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19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters (2024)

FAQs

What to make for kids who are picky? ›

6 kid-friendly, vegetable-packed recipes for picky eaters
  • Squash and Corn Enchiladas.
  • Greens Mac and Cheese.
  • Mixed Vegetable Jeon.
  • Creamy Tomato Pumpkin Soup.
  • Broccoli-Chicken Cheeseburgers.
  • Corn, Black Bean and Red Onion Quesadillas.
Apr 24, 2024

What age do kids stop being picky eaters? ›

So when will this phase, well, phase out? “Picky eating usually gets a little bit better as the child gets older, around four or five years of age,” says Preeti Parikh, MD, a pediatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital and Executive Medical Director at GoodRx.

What foods do picky eaters not like? ›

Common Foods Picky Eaters Don't Like
  • Odorous vegetables. ...
  • Seafood & Sushi. ...
  • Condiments. ...
  • Spicy Foods. ...
  • Sandwiches.
Nov 4, 2022

How to meal plan for picky eaters? ›

Offer a few foods at each meal. Provide 1 to 2 other foods you know your little one will eat alongside the food that is new. Try cooking foods differently (sautéed, roasted, steamed) or with different flavors to help your little one learn to like them.

What are fun snacks for picky kids? ›

Try pairing raw veggies with fiber and fat-filled dips like hummus, guacamole, or seed or nut butter for balanced healthy snacks.
  • Celery sticks.
  • Carrot sticks.
  • Sliced cucumbers.
  • Roasted peas.
  • Cherry tomatoes.
  • Sweet potato chips. ...
  • Veggie chips. ...
  • Smoothies.
Oct 10, 2022

How to deal with extremely picky eaters? ›

The goal for feeding a picky eater should be to try new foods and to keep food from starting a battle.
  1. Share Responsibility. ...
  2. Offer a Variety of Age-Appropriate Foods. ...
  3. Limit High Calorie Drinks. ...
  4. Set a Meal Schedule. ...
  5. Make Meals Pleasant. ...
  6. Respect Eating Quirks. ...
  7. Avoid Being a Short Order Cook. ...
  8. Don't Always Offer Dessert.

What is the picky eater rule? ›

You may have heard it called the “one bite rule” or the “one polite bite” or the “no thank you bite” or the “try it bite”. Regardless of what you call it, it's the concept that a child (usually a picky eater) should take at least one bite of every food on their plate.

How do you trick a picky eater? ›

Approaches to Try
  1. Try eating the food first to show them you like it. ...
  2. Make funny faces with the foods on their plate. ...
  3. Give them a choice of different foods to try. ...
  4. Serve new foods with foods you know they like.
  5. Try freezing small bites of leftover foods. ...
  6. Wait a couple of days before offering the food again.

Should you force a picky eater to eat? ›

Encourage her to try the foods you serve, but don't force her to eat them. Set a good example by eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy protein. Ask your daughter what fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods she is willing to try.

How do you break a picky eater child? ›

Offer a variety of healthy foods, especially vegetables and fruits, and include higher protein foods like meat and deboned fish at least 2 times per week. Help your child explore new flavors and textures in food. Try adding different herbs and spices to simple meals to make them tastier.

Is Picky Eater autism? ›

Even though picky eating is a common problem, research suggests that it's usually a temporary and normal part of development. However, children with autism often have more chronic feeding problems that go beyond picky eating. This may mean the child won't eat an entire category of food such as proteins or vegetables.

Are picky eaters born or made? ›

It appears it be both. Some estimates claim 78% of picky eating is due to heritable or developmental characteristics – how the taste buds and smell centers of the brain perceive flavour and how a child's taste is designed to mature with time.

What to feed fussy children? ›

Finger foods like sandwiches, cheese on crackers, breadsticks and hummus, small sausages, vegetable sticks, pieces of fruit, fish fingers or a few chips are favourites with toddlers. If your child will eat only a few foods, build on these.

What should parents do if they have a picky eater? ›

The goal for feeding a picky eater should be to try new foods and to keep food from starting a battle.
  1. Share Responsibility. ...
  2. Offer a Variety of Age-Appropriate Foods. ...
  3. Limit High Calorie Drinks. ...
  4. Set a Meal Schedule. ...
  5. Make Meals Pleasant. ...
  6. Respect Eating Quirks. ...
  7. Avoid Being a Short Order Cook. ...
  8. Don't Always Offer Dessert.

What can I feed my picky autistic child? ›

Sensory issues with food: Kids on the autism spectrum often express a strong preference for foods that feel a certain way in their mouths. Some prefer soft or creamy foods like yogurt, soup or ice cream; others need the stimulation that crunchy foods like Cheetos or — if a parent is lucky, carrots — provide.

What foods are high in protein for picky toddlers? ›

Here are some other protein-rich ideas.
  • Other animal products. Salmon, fish sticks, eggs, turkey lunch meat, yogurt, or mozzarella string cheese.
  • Beans and grains. Soy products like soy milk or tofu. (You can even try soy "chicken" nuggets). ...
  • Vegetables. Yet another reason to get kids to eat their veggies!
Jan 27, 2021

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