17 Healthy Dinner Ideas For Picky Eaters

Dinner is an important meal for the kids as well as the adults. It is mandatory for the kids to have something before bed, even if its a glass of milk as it acts as the building blocks of the body.

Kids must eat foods as they need all the energy to fuel their rapid growth and development. Some times it is tough for the picky eaters to serve dinner. As they are too choosy.

In this article, you will get to know a lot of variety of delicious healthy dinner ideas for picky eaters. Just scroll down the article and explore the dinner recipe ideas for picky eaters that they will simply love.

Healthy Dinner Ideas For Picky Eaters:

1. Calzones:

Calzones are a yummy and delicious dinner recipe. It is full of cheese, pepperoni, marinara, etc. It is a kid-friendly meal for picky eaters.

All You Will Need:

• 1 (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 slices pepperoni
• 1 Tablespoon butter (melted)
• 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan cheese

How To Do:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Spread the baking sheet and on it add the cooking spray.
• After that roll out the pizza crust, and cut it into equal-sized.
• In the middle of each square, do place a portion of the marinara sauce, shredded cheese, and 4 pepperoni slices on it.
• Now you can fold the dough over into a form of a triangle, use a fork to close the side of the triangle.
• Now place the calzones onto the baking sheet that you kept ready with the cooking spray.
• Before you put the calzone just brush the top with butter and then sprinkle with Italian seasoning and grated parmesan cheese on it.
• Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, once it is golden brown.
• Take it out and serve warm with pizza sauce.

2. Broccoli Cheese Bites

Broccoli is rich in protein, vitamins K and C, a good source of folate (folic acid) and also provides potassium, fiber. This is an amazing recipe to make as an easy dinner idea for picky eaters for kids, with broccoli.

You will need:

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2tsp salt
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 60g grated parmesan cheese
• 2tbsp olive oil

How to Do:

• Boil the broccoli florets in water until they are fully cooked.
• In a blender, blend the cooked broccoli, eggs, salt, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese, coarsely.
• Take one tablespoon at a time and make into small balls.
• Heat a skillet and add two tablespoons of olive oil, pat the broccoli balls with your fingers and roast them on both sides until they turn golden brown.

3. Tomato Cups With Avocado Cottage Cheese Filling

This is a healthy dinner idea for picky eaters. Make these attractive bites and watch them disappear before you even know. Tomato helps in enrich the level of blood supply in the body as well as it helps to increase the immunity of a kids.

You will need:

• 2 avocados
• 1tsp salt
• 1tsp lime juice
• 6 cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup cottage cheese

How to Do:

• Scoop the avocados and mash them into a smooth paste.
• Add salt, lime, cottage cheese and mix well.
• Clean the tomatoes and cut the top off, and also make a small slice off the bottom so that it can sit.
• Scoop the inside of the tomato clean to make it shallow. You may grill them if your kids do not like them raw.
• Fill a piping bag with the avocado-cottage cheese mix and squeeze it into the cut tomatoes, your healthy snack is ready.

4. Apple Pancakes:

Pancakes are great for kids. They just love it. It is a quick and easy dinner idea for picky eaters. Apple is also too good for health as well because of the nutrients it is filled with. You can give fruits in shape of food indirectly if your kid doesn’t like fruits.

All You Will Need:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour,
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup milk (fat-free)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

How To Do:

• Place ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended.
• Heat a griddle to 375 F. When the griddle is hot, pour about 1/4 cup of pancake batter.
• Cook until bubbles appear and edges are puffed.
• Then Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown.
• Serve with maple serum.

5. Deviled Eggs;

This is the best way to eat an egg daily. An egg is rich in protein.  You can increase their nutrient content of egg by making them with veggies and add more protein by topping them with cheese. Try this simple yet healthy dinner idea for picky eaters.

You will need:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs
• 2tbsp mayonnaise
• 1tsp mustard
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Paprika for garnish
• 2 bell peppers, chopped

How to Do:

• Hard boil the eggs and place them in cold water.
• Once they are cold, peel and cut them into halves.
• Scoop out the yolks into a bowl and set aside the egg whites.
• Mash the yolks, add all the other ingredients and mix until it forms a smooth paste.
• Transfer back the yolk mixture into each of the egg whites, sprinkle some paprika and serve.

6. Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole:

Kids simply love anything with chicken. Especially the kids who are picky eater love to eat anything with chicken, as per the studies. Well this may not be true for all children also. This is an easy, family-friendly recipe idea that you can try out.

All You Will Need:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers (sliced)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups homemade biscuit baking mix
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup strong chicken broth
• 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup cheddar cheese

How To Do:

• Preheat the oven to 375 F.
• Pour melted butter into a casserole dish and swirl to coat the bottom of the dish.
• Now cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch chunks and spread evenly over the bottom of the casserole.
• Get 1/2 teaspoon of the sage and spread on it with 1 teaspoon of the thyme and pepper on it.
• Add the mixed vegetables, onions, and roasted red peppers on the top of it.
• Next in a separate bowl, whisk together the baking mix, onion powder, and remaining of the sage thyme. Mix it all together.
• After the mixture is done then slowly pour all the mixture over the chicken and vegetable mix which you kept ready.
• In another bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and condensed chicken soup until they are mixed completely and it doesn’t have lumps on it.
• Now you make sure to pour this mixture evenly over the casserole that vis field with chicken and vegetables.
• On it add with the cheddar cheese at the top. Cover it fully.
• Bake the casserole for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is golden brown.
• Once it is done, serve it

7. Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Rice:

With a few ingredients, you get a kid-friendly recipe for picky eaters. This can not just be enjoyed by a kid but also by the entire family as well.

All You Will Need:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (8 oz) box Zatarain’s Yellow Rice Mix
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
• Green onions, diced

How To Do:

• On the slow cooker spray the cooking spray on it.
• Then place the chicken in the bottom, and diced onion and some green pepper on it.
• Now soup on some of the vegetables on top of it and place the lid on top of the slow cooker to make the dish.
• First, cook on low for 5-6 hours and on high for 3-4 hours which will give it help the chicken to cook on best.
• On one half of the chicken is cooking on the next you can prepare rice as per the appropriate way.
• Once the chicken is cooked, then remove the chicken from slow cooker and allow the gas to loose on up.
• After that shredded the add the chicken to slow cooker, and add in cooked rice, cheese, and corn.
• Then after mix all together and serve to your child as a dinner.

8. Cinnamon Fresh Toast Sticks:

This is a lovely dish that is flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. This is the best dinner recipe ideas for picky eaters. The kids won’t stop to eat the sticks one after the other. It is a kid-friendly meals.

All You Will Need:

• 8 thick slices of bread,
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 to 6 tablespoons butter

How To Do:

• Take 3 or 4 slices of bread slice into sticks, for at least for 5 to 6 portion.
• Then in a bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk or half of the sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon each and mix well.
• Now you can dip the bread into the mixture and turn it out to coat with the egg mixture very well.
• Next, you melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large pan at over medium heat.
• Once the butter has started to be foamy, make the french toast sticks cook on it until it is golden brown, from both the sides.
• Now you can move them on a plate.
• After that, you can serve them hot with maple syrup or a fruit syrup on it.

9. Chia Seed Pudding:

Chia seed is a healthy and delicious protein snack for kids. There are 4 grams of protein in one ounce of chia seeds, and they provide other nutrients, such as calcium, phosphorus, and manganese as well (R). The chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acid content too.

You Will Need:

• 1/4 cup cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3-5 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups  light coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chia seed

How To Do:

• In a small bowl add the cacao powder maple syrup, ground cinnamon, salt, and vanilla and whisk it well and combine it well. Now after that add a little dairy-free milk at a time and whisk until a paste is formed.
• Then add the rest remaining dairy-free milk and whisk until it gets smooth enough.
• Next, add the chia seeds and whisk once more to combine all the ingredients together.
• Make sure you cover and refrigerate overnight, for at least 3-5 hours.
• You can keep the leftovers covered in the fridge for 4-5 days, even also.
• Then you can serve chilled with desired toppings, such as fruit, coconut whipped cream as whatever your kids like the most.

10. Homemade Granola:

This is high healthy high protein snacks for kids. It consists of rolled oats, nuts and a sweetener such as honey. It provides at least four grams of protein (R) per ounce. Granola also contains a high amount of calories, almost 600 calories.

All You Will Need;

• 3 cups Rolled Oats
• 1 cup Dried Cranberries
• 1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds
• 1/2 cup Coconut Flakes
• 1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup Grapeseed Oil Or Other Neutral Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

How To Do:

• First, start with preheating the oven to 300ºF.
• After that in a large bowl, stir to combine rolled oats, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and coconut flakes all together.
• In another bowl, make sure you stir all to combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, oil, and salt very well.
• Then pour the wet ingredients over the oats, and mix it well to an natural constituency.
• Now you can pour the granola onto a rimmed sheet pan and spread it out evenly with the help of a spatula.
• Now you bake it for 45 minutes for at least.
• Let the granola cool completely and then store in an airtight container for 2 weeks.

11. Lentil Salad:

Lentil salad is highly nutritious and a great plant-based source of protein. One cup provides 18 grams of protein, along with high amounts of iron, folate, and manganese. Lentils provide over 50% of your recommended daily fiber intake.

All You Will Need:

• 3 1/2cups cooked lentils
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 red onion or shallot, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 1/4cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1/2clove garlic, chopped
• salt and pepper

How To Do:

• In a large bowl, combine the lentils, bell pepper, cucumber, onion, and parsley.
• Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Alternatively, you can whisk the ingredients together in a bowl.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

12. Chicken Cheese and Vegetable Patties:

Toddlers really enjoy this lovely dish. It is a quick dinner for a toddler. It is a whole combination of chicken, cheese and moreover a lot of vegetables.

All You Will Need:

• 2 potatoes (large, peeled, roughly chopped)
• 1 sweet potato (medium, peeled, chopped)
• 1 tbs butter
• 2 tbs milk
• 1/2 brown onion (medium, finely diced)
• 1 zucchini (medium, grated)
• 1 carrot (medium, grated)
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 tbs soy sauce
• 3/4 cup brown rice (cooked)
• 1/2 cup lentils (drained, to sprinkle)
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1/2 cup tasty cheese (grated)
• 500 g chicken mince
• 1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs

How To Do:

• Start first with preheating oven to 180C and line a baking tray with foil and
• After that, keep it set aside.
• Now you can cook potato and sweet potato in some boiling water until it is soft.
• Once it is cool down, mash it with butter and milk and do it the same way by keeping it set aside until it is cooked.
• Now you can fry the onion, zucchini, carrot in olive oil and the soy sauce together.
• Don’t forget to add the Season with salt in it and keep it set aside.
• Then in a large bowl, combine all the pre-made mash, fried veggies, rice, lentils, eggs, cheese and chicken mince in it.
• And make sure you mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined in it.
• If you feel the mix is too wet then just add 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs to bind it properly as to mix a little batter much better.
• Then you can Scoop up of the mixture and shape into patties for the further step.
• Next start dipping in flour, through the beaten egg and then into the breadcrumbs and keep it into the baking tray of it.
• Then for next bake it for 20 minutes, until it turns golden brown
• Then you can serve them at dinner.

13. Vegetable Pikelets:

These pikelets are full of vegetables. Those kids who don’t like to eat vegetables directly, this recipe is best for them. It gives all the elements to their body.

All You Will Need:

• 2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (raw, finely chopped)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup tasty cheese
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt and pepper
• 50 g butter
• cream cheese
• chives

How To Do:

• In a bowl, whisk all ingredients except for butter together.
• Heat a little butter in a frying pan. Using quarter cup measures,
• fry each pikelet until golden and turn.
• Serve warm with cream cheese on it.

You can read also: Pasta recipe for kids

14. Baked Ham And Cheese Quesadilla:

This baked ham and cheese quesadilla is best for the picky eaters as this is a quick and easy recipe. With no time you can give them yummy and delicious dinner food.

All You Will Need:

• 4 large flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
• 8 ounces ham
• 1/2 cup tomatoes (diced)
• Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
• Pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for brushing tops

How To Do:

• Start by preheating the oven to 425 F.
• After that lightly spray a cookie sheet with some of the vegetables, then spread some of the cooking spray on it.
• Now you can arrange two tortillas on the cookie sheet of the tray and then evenly go top with adding 1/4 cup of the cheese on it.
• You can also top the cheese with the sliced of ham or turkey, with the diced tomatoes, and green onion on it
• Then on it add the other 1/4 cup of cheese over it.
• Now sprinkle with a little pepper and cover each with another tortilla on it.
• Make sure you brush the tops with vegetable oil and bake in a 425 F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes until it becomes browned over it.
• Once it is done then cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve with mustard or mayonnaise to your kids.

15. Chick Pea Nuggets:

Nothing is better than a chickpea recipe or dinner for the toddler. It is easy to make and is a quick dinner idea for toddlers. Kids will simply love it.

All You Will Need:

• 1/2 cup panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

How To Do:

• First and foremost, try to arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 375°F.
• Then place the panko on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until it is toasted and golden-brown, for about 5 minutes.
• Then after transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool while preparing the nuggets.
• Before that make sure you line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Now place the oats in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment and process into a fine flour.
• Hence after that transfer to a large bowl and reserve the food processor for further.
• Now drain the chickpeas over a bowl or measuring cup, and then save the chickpeas and 1/4 cup of the liquid.
• Place the chickpeas into the food processor and in it add the salt, garlic, and onion powder; and pulse until it is crumbly.
• Now you can whisk 1/4 cup of the chickpea liquid in a small mixing bowl until foamy. Then add the foamy chickpea liquid and 1/2 cup of the oat flour to the food processor.
• Pulse it down until the mixture forms a ball. You can add little oat flour leftover, to the chickpea mixture. And keep 1 tablespoon at a time if the mixture is loose enough.
• Now you can divide the chickpea mixture into 12 equal portions and shape each one into a nugget.
• Coat each nugget completely in the toasted panko and place on the parchment-lined baking sheet one after another.
• Make sure you bake it until it is crispy, for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Then Serve it warm with your favorite dipping sauce to your child at the dinner time.

16. Vegetable Momos:

Moms are a great dinner idea for toddlers. It is a superb way to get a toddler to eat a nutritious dinner. It can be made with meat too. It is a kid-friendly recipe for dinner.

All You Will Need:

• 3 cups of rice flour
• 1-2 cups wheat flour
• 1 cup finely chopped carrots
• 1 cup peas
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4-5 cups of water

How To Do:

• Boil the carrots and peas for 20 minutes.
• Mix wheat and rice flour to make a dough.
• Flat out the piece of dough with a rolling pin. Place the cooked vegetables at the center and roll the dough in the shape of a momo.
• Place the momo on a steaming grill inside a cooking vessel. Fill the vessel halfway with water and steam the momos for six minutes on a medium flame.
• In case you do not have a steaming grill, you can place the momo in a pan with shallow water, close the lid, and steam for 6-7 minutes on medium flame.
• Let the momos cool sufficiently before serving this easy, healthy dinner to the toddler.

17. California Turkey Rolls

You will need:

• 4 large romaine lettuce pieces
• 250g roasted turkey slices
• 70g pepper jack cheese
• 1 avocado
• 2tbsp mustard

How to Do:

• Take one large lettuce piece, place one roasted turkey slice, some pepper jack cheese and a slice of avocado.
• Squirt some mustard and roll it up, take a small avocado paste and use it to seal the ends of the lettuce.

How To Make Picky Eaters Eat Healthy:

Here are a few tips that you need to take care of that will help the picky eaters to eat healthily. Just note down the points-

• Make sure you have a routine by serving dinner at the same time each day. You should have a fixed time of serving dinner. That will make sense for the kids to expect meals or food at that same time every day.
• Always try to respect your kid’s appetite. If the child is not hungry, then don’t force them to eat as the child might come to associate mealtime with anxiety and frustration or become less sensitive to his or her own hunger and fullness cues.
• Always try to serve a small portion in order to avoid the overwhelming the child and making the child more independent to eat.
• Make sure you rotate recipes with new and creative healthy dinners for kids. Do not stick to a fixed menu. This will help the toddlers to get a healthy and balanced diet, which is vital for growth and development.
• Don’t try to prepare a meal for your child if he/she rejects the original meals, which as a result the picky eaters might get promoted. So ask them to eat that food whatever it is served.
• Allow them to eat as much as they can. As per the Pediatric experts (R), you must not force a toddler to eat nor use food as a means to bribe or punish. Instead, encourage the toddler to display some independence when it comes to food.
• If you eat a variety of healthy food, then the child will more likely to follow the same. So be a good role model of a good eater.

Picky eaters are some times very difficult to handle. Well, I hope this article has given you a good amount of information about the kid-friendly dinner ideas for picky eaters.