Make it easier to serve a nourishing morning meal with these healthy breakfast recipes for kids. These are the BEST breakfast ideas for kids they’ll love to eat! You’ll find quick and easy recipes and ideas for eggs, dairy, waffles, pancakes, French toast, muffins, oatmeal and more.
Breakfast Recipes for Kids
Getting that morning meal onto the table and into the kids can feel so daunting (especially if you’re short on sleep from nighttime with the kids!). But having a list of go-to recipes that are easy, healthy, and picky-eater-approved can be a big giant help.
Use this list to take the work out of coming up with healthy breakfast recipes for your entire family, little kids included.
Your toddler won’t eat? Help is here!
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Best Breakfasts with Kids
These breakfast recipes include whole grains, minimal amounts of added sugar, are easy to make and chew, and have flavors that the kids will enjoy. Most of them can also be prepared in advance if you like to meal prep recipes ahead of time.
Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids
Each week, I try to make at least one breakfast recipe ahead of time so I can have a quick option on hand. Then, I can work in some other easy foods like cereal and yogurt.
If you aim to include 1-2 food groups per breakfast as your minimum, you can relax in knowing that the chances of your kids getting a balanced mix of nutrients over the course of the entire day are good.
TIP: You can add fruit, milk, or an easy whole grain side like toast or cereal to round out recipes as needed.
Breakfast Recipes for Eggs
Start the day with protein-packed meals for kids with these healthy egg recipes. Each is easy to make and can be made in advance. There are great options here for babies, toddlers, and parents!
Feel free to double the recipe to make a full 24 mini muffins! We like to stash these in the fridge to eat all week, so having more is usually helpful in our house.
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These tender Egg Muffins are packed with protein and vitamins—and can be made ahead of time! Add any veggie you like, whether carrots, butternut squash, broccoli, or spinach.
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I like adding the thyme in these for extra flavor, but it’s optional! Be sure to grease your muffin tin well with nonstick spray to help prevent these from sticking to the pan. A nonstick mini muffin pan works best here.
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Egg muffins will stick to a muffin tin unless you grease it well with nonstick spray. So try not to skimp on that step!
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You can season the cooked egg with a little salt, butter or cheese if you’d like, but it’s very good as is. See the Note about the heat setting when cooking in a microwave.
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Packed with spinach (and iron!), these bright green eggs are fun and delicious. You can serve them as you would scrambled eggs, or use in a breakfast burrito or egg sandwich.
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Transform just a few simple ingredients—including a pile of broccoli—into this protein-packed Egg Bake to share with the kids. It’s an easy breakfast or lunch that stores well and is simple to make ahead.
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Transform basic ingredients—including a pile of zucchini—into this protein-packed Zucchini Slice to share with the kids. It’s an easy breakfast or lunch that stores well and is easy to make ahead. (See the Notes for options to up the flavor as desired.)
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These are called “breakfast” burritos since they have eggs, but you can serve them for any meal of the day!
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TIP: You can make all of these ahead of time and store in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container. (Though follow the instructions for storage in the Breakfast Burrito recipe.)
Breakfast Recipes for Kids with Dairy
Yogurt, kefir, milk, cottage cheese…all are great options to provide calcium, vitamin D and protein at the morning meal. And most dairy recipes are super easy to make too! Choose whole milk dairy when possible for kids since they need the fat for proper development.
You can easily double (or triple!) the recipe to make more servings. It uses a 1 to 1 ratio of yogurt to applesauce so you can easily scale it up. Mix these up the night before you plan to serve them.
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This overnight oats recipe makes two toddler-size breakfast portions (or 1 mama-size serving). Double it to make additional servings.
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You can blend all the ingredients together to make a more uniformly smooth texture if your toddler (or you!) prefer.
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You can use fresh or frozen berries in this simple Strawberry Smoothie and the results will have a texture that is similar to drinkable yogurt. To make it thicker and to try different flavor options, see the Notes at the end of the recipe.
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Learn how to make homemade Yogurt Drinks to save money, customize them just for your kids, and make a nutritious breakfast or snack to share with the kids in under 5 minutes. See the Notes at the end for flavor options.
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Try serving these parfaits for a fun breakfast or snack. Adjust the amount as needed for your child.
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With the most delicious fluffy texture and protein from Greek yogurt, these Greek Yogurt Pancakes are a breakfast win. You can add any fruit you like to the batter, too!
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These 4 ingredient pancakes are packed with nutrients and are so yummy. Double the ingredients to make a larger batch to feed a family of four as this recipe is on the smaller side.
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Learn to customize yummy smoothies for your toddler by starting with one simple recipe, then adjusting based on which fruit and veggies you’d like to use.
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Scale this up or down according to how many servings you’re planning to make. The directions here are for one small toddler-size serving. (It’s okay if your kiddo wants more or doesn’t eat a whole serving though!)
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Smoothie Recipes for Kids
Pack in produce, protein, and yummy flavor all in one easy to drink recipe with these kid-friendly smoothie recipes. Serve them in a cup or a reusable pouch.
Learn to customize yummy smoothies for your toddler by starting with one simple recipe, then adjusting based on which fruit and veggies you’d like to use.
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Frozen bananas give the smoothie a creamy, naturally sweet base, though you can make this with a fresh banana as long as the other fruit is frozen. It’s easy to add whatever berries or fruit you have on hand, so customize it for your kiddo.
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Try this naturally sweet smoothie filled with cherries, banana, and creamy yogurt. Add the nut butter if desired for extra protein and flavor.
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Frozen banana will create a slightly thicker smoothie, so if you plan to serve this through a straw, I recommend doing either frozen blueberries OR bananas, but not both. You can do all frozen fruit if you plan to serve it through a pouch or in an open cup—or if your child is used to drinking thick smoothies!
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Be sure to blend this super smooth for the best texture. Use any or none of the optional ingredients. See the Notes for how to make this with regular milk.
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This fresh Mango Smoothie is thin enough to drink through a straw and thick enough to eat with a spoon. And of course, it’s super creamy!
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With the creamiest texture and the simplest ingredient list, this classic Banana Smoothie with Yogurt is a delicious (and nutritious) breakfast or snack.
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Serve up a simple, yet nutritious protein smoothie with three flavor options to choose from.
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Blend up a weight gain smoothie with accessible, nutritious ingredients for a fraction of the cost of store-bought—and with Ia flavor that’s designed to please the kids!
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TIP: For any reluctant smoothie drinkers, try asking them what color they’d like to make, let them add the ingredients to the blender, and start with a very small portion to avoid overwhelming them.
Easy Breakfast Recipes for Waffles, Pancakes, and French Toast
These breakfast recipes may seem like weekend staples, but having a stash of leftovers or extras in the fridge can be such a giant help come busy weekdays!
This recipe makes one small batch of super tender 2-Ingredient Pancakes. It usually makes 1-2 little-kid-size servings. To make more, simply double the recipe. These are delicate pancakes with a texture that’s sort of custardy like French toast, so be gentle when flipping them. See the NOTES at the bottom for the flavor variations.
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With just a few ingredients and the option to make these on the stove top or in the oven as a sheet pan pancakes, these Yogurt Pancakes are versatile and so yummy!
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We like these pancakes topped with a little maple syrup, peanut butter, or additional applesauce. Leftovers make really yummy sandwiches with nut butter or cream cheese in between!
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This is a thin batter that makes tender, naturally sweet Banana Spinach Pancakes. Be sure to let the pancakes cook until the surface is almost entirely firm before you flip them over.
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You can make these mini or full size. (Making them mini for sure takes longer so do what works best for you!).
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These Banana Waffles have true banana flavor and leftovers store really well. Double the batch to make more for your family as needed.
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You can use any sliced bread that you like. I typically use whole grain or sourdough. You can also bake full slices of bread, then cut into sticks with kitchen scissors. See Notes for allergy-substitutions.
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Learn how to make the easiest French toast casserole with this simple method. It works with any fruit and is a great option for using up leftover bread!
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TIP: To freeze leftover pancakes and waffles, let cool fully on a wire rack, then freeze in a gallon size zip top bag with pieces of parchment in between each so they don’t freeze together.
Healthy Breakfast Bars
Grab-and-go breakfast bars, granola bars, and oatmeal bars are a nutritious (and easy!) way to start the day for kids and parents alike.
Use Sunbutter to make these nut-free. You can cut these into smaller bars if desired. If you want them a little softer, serve them at room temperature rather than chilled.
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These oatmeal bars taste like an oatmeal cookie and are great for breakfast or snack. You can make them ahead, too! (You can add the egg or leave it out. Without egg, these are a crisp cookie bar texture. With it, they’re a little cakier.)
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Transform pantry staples into these amazing Fig Bars that pack protein, whole grains, and delicious flavor into one bar. These have similar flavor to store bought bars, but with less sweetness and more satisfying nutrients. YUM.
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These bars are tender when warm out of the oven, so do be sure to let them cool completely before slicing.
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Made with just 3 pantry staples, these bars make an excellent kids snack. They hold their shape best when stored in the fridge and served cold.
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This Apple Baked Oatmeal is delicious and hearty. It’s delicate when warm, so let it cool fully before you slice it with a serrated knife. Serve it in slices like you would apple bread, or in a bowl to eat with a spoon or a fork.
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Bursting with fresh lemon flavor, tenderness from yogurt, and sweetness from berries, this Blueberry Yogurt Cake is the most delicious breakfast or snack—or dessert—to share with the kids. Plus: It’s so easy to make!
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TIP: Each of these can be frozen so you can stash half of a batch for later in the month if you’d like.
Best Healthy Muffin Recipes
Pick a flavor profile you and the kids enjoy and bake up a batch of healthy muffins with whole grains and minimal added sugars.
We like these on their own, topped with nut or seed butter, or even with a smear of cream cheese. See what your littles like!
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These are deliberately very moist (and moister than regular muffins) to ensure they are easy for baby to chew and swallow, so expect that from the interior. If you’d like to make them sweeter for older kiddos, add ¼ cup sugar to the batter.
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With just a handful of nutritious ingredients, you can bake up super easy Banana Oatmeal Muffins to share with the kids. For the best flavor and sweetness, use bananas with a lot of brown spots. Bonus: These store so well in the fridge for days!
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Fluffy and perfectly moist, these little muffins have protein and calcium—plus bursts of delicious blueberries. (Like Little Bites, but with more nutrients and for less $$.) See Notes for allergy variations.
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Moist tender Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins that taste as good as store bought, but have a little extra nutrition? Sign. Me. Up. These muffins are seriously delicious and are a must-make if you have fans of Little Bites in your house!
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These are delicious served warm soon after baking, at room temperature or even chilled, so see what your family prefers. They are naturally dairy-free and can be made gluten-free and egg-free as well. See the Notes section for details.
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Tender, flavorful, and packed with protein, these Peanut Butter Muffins can have any add-in your family likes and they store well for days (or longer in the freezer). They’re great to prep ahead and enjoy all week.
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Made with nutrient-dense but straightforward ingredients, these Almond Flour Muffins are an easy breakfast to share with the kids. And you can make them in almost any flavor to customize for your family’s preferences—either with one add-in for the entire batch, or stir a little diced fruit or chocolate chips into each muffin cup for a mixed batch.
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This is an epic of a basic muffin recipe that you can then add flavor to in all sorts of ways—from fruit to veggies to chocolate chips. The batter is packed with protein too, so the muffins are great for breakfast or snack. (The allergy-friendly substitutions are listed in the Notes section at the bottom.)
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Fluffy, tender, and just sweet enough, these are delicious Chocolate Muffins to share with the kids. See the Notes for allergy swaps.
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TIP: You can store these muffins in the fridge or freezer for future easy meals.
Best Oatmeal Recipes
Oatmeal is easy and packed with the healthy complex carbs that kids (and adults!) need, and these recipes are toddler-approved. And check out my baby oatmeal recipe here.
You can double this recipe to make a larger batch to warm up and serve throughout the week.
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The base recipe makes a large amount so you can use it throughout the week. Feel free to cut it in half to make less, or just make one serving at a time using the instructions in the NOTES section below.
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The initial portion on this recipe is small to avoid potential waste, though increase it according to the hunger of your child. Their appetite is your best guide for how much is the right amount for them to eat. Find our favorite options for adding yummy flavor to this baby oatmeal, too.
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When you use a really ripe (or over ripe) banana in this recipe, it tastes so much like banana bread—but is much faster! See the options for which toppings make this even more delish.
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This Apple Baked Oatmeal is delicious and hearty. It’s delicate when warm, so let it cool fully before you slice it with a serrated knife. Serve it in slices like you would apple bread, or in a bowl to eat with a spoon or a fork.
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Transform plain oats into a yummy and easy to eat finger food with this baked oatmeal recipe. You can double the recipe to make more if desired.
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This is a nice breakfast option to share with the kids starting around 9/10 months and up.
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You can make a handful of containers ahead of time, then pull them out for easy breakfasts when you need them. Or, make and serve all at once.
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TIP: You can make any of these ahead of time, store in the fridge, and reheat on weekday mornings.
Favorite Quick Breakfast Recipes for Kids
Healthy breakfasts for kids don’t have to take forever to prepare! Here are some of my favorite quick and easy ideas.
- Yogurt or cottage cheese with granola and fruit
- Cereal, milk, banana or another diced fruit
- Smoothie, with or without a granola bar or muffin
- Granola bar or breakfast bar with milk
- Egg muffins with fruit and/or toast
- 30-Second Scrambled egg, toast, raspberries
- Toast, nut butter, banana or toast with mashed sweet potato or mashed avocado.
- Whole grain muffin, milk and/or fruit
- Oatmeal with rfruit and milk
- Freezer waffle or pancakes with nut butter or yogurt and fruit
Best Tips for Success
- Start with smaller portions and allow more according to hunger.
- Remember that appetite in kids normally ebbs and flows, and some may be hungrier in the morning than others. A range is very normal.
- Use nondairy milk, yogurt, and cheese as needed.
- Use gluten-free cup for cup flour blend in baking and gluten-free alternatives as needed.
- Check the Notes under each recipe for tips on making each without eggs.
Related Recipes
What’s your favorite healthy breakfast recipe for kids? Chime in below to add it if I didn’t include it on my list!
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Add the ingredients to a blender.
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Blend, starting on low and working up to high to make a very smooth mixture. (Use the stick that came with the blender, if needed, to help the mixture get going.)
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will have more of a drinkable yogurt consistency when stored.
- Use dairy or nondairy milk as you like.
- Serve in a straw cup, open cup, or reusable pouch.
- Start with smaller portions and allow more according to hunger.
- Remember that appetite in kids normally ebbs and flows, and some may be hungrier in the morning than others. A range is very normal.
Calories: 149kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 48mg, Potassium: 504mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 244IU, Vitamin C: 47mg, Calcium: 165mg, Iron: 0.4mg
This post was first published December 2019.