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Home » Recipes » Best Of

Healthy Meals Picky Eaters Will Eat

By Laura Fuentes Updated Aug 16, 2024

5 from 5 votes

Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

Looking for healthy meals picky eaters will actually want to eat? Try one of these for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time!

When it comes to feeding our picky eaters, it can be tough to find recipes that provide nutrition while pleasing the pickiest of palates. For this reason, we've put together a list of healthy meals picky eaters will eat and have some nutritional value in them so that we can worry a little less.

an image collage of six healthy meals picky eaters will eat

Easy Meals for Picky Eaters

If you have a child that wants to eat chicken nuggets for every meal, every day, and are tired of stocking up on homemade chicken nuggets (or whatever their favorites are) and wished your kids would eat healthier options, check out these ten ideas to help you add a little more variety and nutrition to their meals.

Jump to:
  • Easy Meals for Picky Eaters
  • Healthy Snacks For Picky Eaters
  • Breakfast Ideas for Picky Toddlers & Kids
  • Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
  • Dinner Ideas for Picky Eaters
  • Healthy Meals Picky Eaters Will Eat

Healthy Snacks For Picky Eaters

Below you’ll find superb snacks made with fruit, veggies, and chocolate. Each one also includes the nutritional goal for the snack, so you have a heads up of the nutritional benefits it has to offer come snack time.

high fiber chocolate bites
Chocolate Bites
5 from 8 votes
Perfect for snack time, these add a little more nutrition in each bite. Pair them with yogurt for a delicious, protein-rich snack.
Nutritional goal: tons of natural fiber.
Make This Recipe
fruit leather
Strawberry Fruit Leather
My version of Fruit Roll-Ups are made with fresh berries and a tiny amount of honey for extra sweetness. You won't believe how easy they are to make at home!
Nutritional Goal: Minimal added sugar and made with real berries. 
Make This Recipe
Cheese Straws
Made with fresh cheese and puff pastry, cheese straws are an amazing snack or appetizer recipe. Serve them in a lunchbox with sauce for dipping or alongside soup and salad at dinner. 
Nutritional goal: Baked not fried.
Make This Recipe
chips
Banana Chips
These are a sweet-salty alternative to regular chips and smart way to use up those overripe bananas. 
Nutritional goal: No added sugar and baked not fried.
Make This Recipe
Spinach Balls
These cheesy, savory spinach balls are the easiest way to get kids to eat spinach. These are baked to perfection and perfect for the lunchbox or a party appetizer. 
Nutritional goal: Great way to pack in vitamin A and iron from the spinach. 
Make This Recipe
six sliced no-bake blondies with chocolate chips. Freshly shaped from a loaf pan.
Healthy Blondies
4.99 from 77 votes
Tastes like cookie dough minus the gluten, dairy, and eggs! Instead, these no-bake bars use coconut flour, banana, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips for an irresistible taste and texture.
Nutritional goal: Minimal added sugar and a sweet treat for less than 160 calories a serving. 
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Breakfast Ideas for Picky Toddlers & Kids

Need a few new or re-vamped breakfast recipes to introduce into your morning routine? These recipes have got to you covered.

From incredible overnight oats to breakfast pizza and super thick smoothie bowls, these recipes offer a satisfying and nutritious start to anyone’s day.

a jar of overnight oats topped with sliced strawberries
Strawberry Overnight Oats
5 from 38 votes
A delicious new way to enjoy strawberries and cream! Prep these ahead of refrigerate overnight for an easy grab and go meal in the morning. 
Nutritional goal: Great source of fiber and whole grains from the oats with healthy fats from the flaxseed. 
Make This Recipe
High Fiber and Protein Chocolate Smoothie Bowl in a bowl
Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
4.93 from 65 votes
This smoothie beats the fiber cereal and it tastes like chocolate. Eat it out of a bowl, with a straw, or pack it in a thermos for a nutrition-filled snack.
Nutritional goal: Extra protein and fiber.
Make This Recipe
Strawberry Banana Oatmeal
5 from 10 votes
For kids that don't like plain oatmeal, this strawberry-banana combination has everything they want and more. 
Nutritional goal: Fiber + protein balanced breakfast, and added fruit.
Make This Recipe
bacon and egg breakfast pizza slices
Breakfast Pizza
5 from 95 votes
The eggs make the base, cheese, and a little bit of ham make scrambled eggs so much more fun to eat! Bonus: add chopped veggies for added nutrition.
Nutritional goal: Extra protein, introduce the texture of eggs in a kid-friendly way.
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overhead view of baked blueberry oatmeal in a baking dish
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
4.91 from 55 votes
Baking the oatmeal changes the overall texture and my kids say it tastes like blueberry pie. Add a splash of milk and it's now a-la-mode. 
Nutritional goal: hearty meal, fiber + protein balanced breakfast, and added fruit.
Make This Recipe
a glass of berry juice
Green Berry Juice
5 from 317 votes
It's not a meal, per se, but it does work as a breakfast add-on!  Get your fruits and veggies in one delicious drink that the kids will love?
Nutritional Goal: additional veggies/greens in the classic smoothie.
Make This Recipe

Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters

Ever packed lunch for your kids only to find it uneaten when they get home? Yikes! I’ve been there, done that, so I take to heart creating and sharing lunch recipes on this site that are kid-friendly, balanced, and easy to assemble. To help save you time in the kitchen I can show you how to meal prep lunch here.

PB & J Uncrustables
Once you make this DIY at home, you won't go back! You can make a dozen of these with your choice of jelly and nut butter and freeze for later. It's all these delicious pb & j for half the price. 
Nutritional goal: Nut-free butter alternatives and real jelly. 
Make This Recipe
Fish Sticks
This kid-favorite food is made with gluten-free breading and fresh fish for a crispy, crunchy, and super delicious meal. I recommend it with carrot fries or sweet potato tater tots. 
Nutritional goal: An excellent source of protein from the fish and gluten-free. 
Make This Recipe
Bistro Box
Bistro boxes are the answer! Making one at home allows you to pack a variety of fresh fruit, veggies, cheese, deli cuts, and healthy dips. 
Nutritional goal: Provides a balance of carbs, protein, and fats in one lunch. 
Make This Recipe
Turkey Pinwheels
4.76 from 161 votes
Wrap it up and cut it into bite-sized pieces and many kids will eat it! 
Nutritional Goal: something other than a sandwich, variety of textures.
Make This Recipe
pizza mini quiches in a metal lunch box with cucumber slices, carrot slices and almonds
Pizza Mini Quiches
4.81 from 72 votes
Pizza, but not really pizza. These bite-sized baked eggs are perfect for breakfast or lunch and add protein in each bite. 
Nutritional Goal: something other than a sandwich and extra protein.
Make This Recipe
veggie cup next to a platter of sliced vegetables
Ranch Veggie Cups
4.65 from 95 votes
A little bit of salad dressing is perfectly okay, especially if it gets your kids to eat their veggies. Perfect for on the go snacking!
Nutritional Goal: additional veggies made portable. Note: substitute for favorite dip or hummus here.
Make This Recipe

Dinner Ideas for Picky Eaters

Dinner can be the toughest meal of the day when you have picky eaters, and I know it can be easy to settle for a less nutritionally dense meal as long as it keeps the peace.

However, recreating kid-favorite meals that aren’t so healthy into a homemade version with fresh ingredients is a smart way to get everyone on board at dinner, and exactly what I did in the recipes below. You’ll find delicious take-out inspired dishes as well as one skillet and slow cooker meals, so you spend less time in the kitchen and eat better than ever!

Broccoli Pesto with Spaghetti Sauce
Broccoli pesto is a great recipe with lots of veggies, but if your kids don't touch green foods, mix it with their favorite red spaghetti sauce, and the green disappears like magic!
Nutritional goal: Lots of veggies! 
Make This Recipe
skillet of American goulash
Cheesy Beef Goulash
4.96 from 45 votes
A delicious one-skillet meal of baked pasta, beef, seasoned tomato sauce, and melty cheese. It's one dinner that kids ask for seconds. 
Nutritional goal: A hearty meal for less than 267 calories and 9 grams of fat per serving.
Make This Recipe
lunchbox with six chicken nuggets and veggies on the side.
Copycat Chickfila Nuggets
4.91 from 66 votes
Homemade gluten-free chicken nuggets with the same texture and taste as the original Chickfila chicken nuggets. 
Nutritional goal: A good source of protein and made with coconut flour. 
Make This Recipe
salmon nuggets
Salmon Nuggets
4.97 from 52 votes
These crispy nuggets are a delicious start! They're breaded with a parmesan panko breadcrumb mixture and can be cooked in the oven or air-fryer!
Nutritional goal: Baked not fried and a great source of protein and healthy omega's from the salmon. 
Make This Recipe
large bowl of ground chicken chili
Paleo Chili
5 from 243 votes
While the veggies cook down and take on flavors of the beef, chili spices, and tomatoes, I like to go an extra step and blend the vegetables before stirring it into the chili.
Nutritional goal: This recipe is an excellent source of protein with vitamins from the chopped carrots and zucchini. 
Make This Recipe
top view of a bowl of teriyaki chicken with rice
Teriyaki Chicken
4.97 from 26 votes
Tender chicken thighs tossed in homemade Teriyaki sauce, this Healthy Teriyaki Chicken stir-fry recipe comes together faster than it takes to order out! Use regular or reduced-sodium soy sauce if that's what you have on hand. 
Nutritional goal: Lighter sauce with less sodium and added sugar. 
Make This Recipe

What are your go-to nutritious recipes that please your picky eater? For more food kids will love, check out these easy dinner ideas for tonight.

Healthy Meals Picky Eaters Will Eat

skillet of homemade goulash topped with cheese
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 35 minutes mins
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
Looking for healthy meals picky eaters will actually want to eat? Try one of these for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin

Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

Cheesy American Goulash

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 15 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • In a large, oven proof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, sauté until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, sauté for an additional minute.
  • Add the ground beef, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula, as it cooks. Cook for 7 minutes.
  • Stir in the garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (including the liquid), and water. Bring to a simmer.
  • Add the pasta to the goulash. Cover and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until the pasta is tender and sauce thickened. Top with cheese and return to the oven, uncovered, until the cheese is melted.

Equipment

The Best Homemade Kid’s Snacks on the Planet
Free Meal Planner Printable

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.2g | Protein: 24.6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4.7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 63.8mg | Sodium: 433.4mg | Fiber: 2.9g | Sugar: 6.1g

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Comments

    5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Patricia says

    August 19, 2024 at 9:21 am

    5 stars
    So many great ideas and I especially love the breakfast pizza! I’ll be giving that one a go, soon, and willing to bet it’ll be a hit!

    Reply
  2. Angela says

    August 19, 2024 at 8:24 am

    5 stars
    This is such a great collection of meals. Well be working through it with our picky eaters.

    Reply
  3. dina and bruce says

    August 19, 2024 at 7:35 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for this list! Made the cheese straws for a party, and the kiddos loved them!

    Reply
  4. Chenee says

    August 19, 2024 at 6:18 am

    5 stars
    As a parent of 3 picky kids, I have to say that this is a goldmine! So many recipes I think they’ll love!

    Reply
Laura fuentes holding a skillet of food standing in front of a blue door

Hi! I'm Laura.
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, mom of three, and the woman behind the world’s best pancakes—here to help you ditch the mealtime drama with recipes your family will actually eat.

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