If you’re a mom of a toddler, chances are you don’t have a lot of time (or energy) to cook complicated meals. Or, like me, you hate cooking and get freaked out by recipes. Add in dietary restrictions and picky eaters, and it’s enough to drive you crazy. Let’s face it; sometimes, you need something quick and easy. But never fear – we’ve got you covered with 13 toddler breakfast ideas for moms who hate cooking!
So go ahead and bookmark this page full of fun toddler breakfast ideas – you’ll be glad you did the next time you’re standing in front of the fridge trying to figure out what to make for breakfast.
Toddler Breakfast Tips and Tricks:
- Plan ahead – Pick a day of the week to plan out what you’ll be serving for breakfast. Ensure you have all the ingredients you need on hand, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Wash and pre-cut fruit and veggies. Hard-boil eggs. Make overnight oats or pancakes. Anything you can do to make the morning less hectic and stressful.
- Chose healthy store-bought options – Eating processed food is not ideal; however, some healthy store-bought foods make breakfast time easier on busy mornings. For example, frozen waffles and instant oatmeal are great toddler breakfast ideas. Look for whole-grain, gluten-free, organic, no added sugar, and minimal ingredients—some of my favorite brands: One Degree Organics and Vans Foods.
- Choose quality ingredients – Even if you’re not making something from scratch, you can still use quality ingredients to make a healthy toddler breakfast. Choose milk that is hormone and antibiotic-free or plant-based milk. Use real maple syrup instead of pancake syrup. Buy organic produce whenever possible. All those little things make a big difference.
- Make it vegan – There are so many vegan products in-store now, so there is no reason for your vegan child to miss out on any breakfast classics. You can get plant-based cheese, eggs, milk, etc.
- Serve a variety – Don’t get stuck in a toddler breakfast rut. If your child is anything like mine was, they will get bored of eating the same thing every day. Not to mention, it’s essential to give them a variety of nutrients. The easy breakfast ideas below make it easy to mix things up!
- Check if it’s age-appropriate – Make sure that the meal ideas you try are age-appropriate. For example, don’t give kids under 1-year-old honey. Check that the food you offer is in toddler-sized pieces. Also, stay away from anything that might be a choking hazard.
- Make it fun – Use cookie cutters to make shapes out of pancakes, toast, or eggs. Get creative with fruit and veggie toppings and build butterflies or smiley faces. Add fun colors whenever possible. I love these rainbow sprinkles for a special treat every once in and while. Anything to make it more exciting for them and you!
- Get them involved – Let your kids help you cook. My daughter loves making smoothies and being the one who gets to press all the buttons! It is a great way to involve them and get them excited about eating something they helped make.
- Keep it simple – Don’t try to make elaborate toddler breakfasts. We all have different strengths as mothers, and that’s okay! A toddler’s attention span is short, and they’re more likely to eat if the meal is simple. Plus, if being in the kitchen isn’t your thing, don’t feel guilty if the meals you make your kids are less than Pinterest-worthy.
The Best Toddler Breakfast Products
Keep reading to learn 13 Toddler Breakfast Ideas for Moms Who Hate Cooking
Idea #1: Smoothie
Smoothies are one of my favorite toddler breakfast ideas because they’re quick, easy, and pack tons of nutrients. Plus, most toddlers love them!
You can make a big batch of your toddler’s favorite smoothie at the beginning of the week and store them in the freezer if you’re short on time. Then grab one out and let it thaw while getting the kids ready.
How to make the perfect toddler smoothie:
- Choose a base: water, milk (I use plant-based), or coconut water. Toddlers like the milk option because it gives the smoothie a sweeter taste and thicker consistency.
- Add banana. Fresh or frozen. If your toddler has a banana allergy or sensitivity, you can use avocado, finely ground oatmeal, nut butter, or yogurt to make a creamier texture.
- Add veggies. Fresh or frozen. I like to sneak in some greens like baby spinach or kale. But you can also use carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, or pumpkins. I put in only one type of veggie to keep the flavors simple.
- Add fruit. Fresh or frozen. Sometimes my daughter and I will choose fruits based on the color of smoothie she wants, like frozen blueberries for a blue smoothie or raspberries for a pink one. Choose your toddler’s favorites.
- Add some extras. This step is optional. You can make a nutritious and delicious smoothie using only the ingredients above. Or you can add in extras like hemp hearts, flaxseed meal, protein powder, or nut butter. Elements like these will boost the protein and healthy fat content and make the smoothie more filling.
Toddler smoothie recipes from around the web:
Idea #2: Smoothie Bowl
Smoothie bowls are a fun twist on regular smoothies and another great toddler breakfast idea. Toddlers love the texture of a smoothie bowl, and they can eat it with a spoon – no straw required! They’re also perfect for mornings when you have more time to spare.
You can even give them little cups with toppings to pour on themselves. It might make for more of a mess, but it will be fun for them (and you might get a few laughs).
Sidenote: You need to have a reasonably decent blender to make a good smoothie bowl. I’ve tried to make one before in a cheap blender, but it didn’t work. The smoothie was too thick, and it ended up blowing the motor. Maybe it was just a user error, but it’s something to consider. I always recommend a Vitamix blender.
How to make a yummy toddler smoothie bowl:
- Start with blending some frozen fruit (no liquid yet) at the bottom of the blender on a low speed. You can choose whatever frozen fruit your toddler likes best.
- Add some frozen bananas for a nice creamy texture.
- Next, add the milk of your choice little by little. Slowly increase the speed of your blender until the smoothie is a nice thick, creamy consistency. Almond milk is my daughter’s personal favorite.
- Next, add some extras: protein powder, peanut butter, etc. Blend until smooth.
- Scoop the smoothie into a bowl and add toppings! Good smoothie bowl toppings include granola, shredded coconut, diced fruit, and chopped nuts. You can even add some healthy sprinkles or chocolate chips to make it more enticing for your toddler.
Toddler smoothie bowl recipes from around the web:
- Kid-Friendly Smoothie Bowl (Vegan, Paleo)
- Animal and Rainbow Smoothie Bowls
- Chocolate Banana Smoothie Bowl
Idea #3: Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a classic toddler breakfast food for a reason – it’s easy to make, filling, and versatile. You can make it sweet or savory, and there are endless flavor combinations. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some nutritious extras like fruit and protein to make it a truly healthy breakfast.
Instant oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfast ideas when I need something quick, but you can make it from scratch if you have a few minutes to spare.
How to make the perfect toddler oatmeal:
- Choose your oatmeal. I like to go for either instant oatmeal packs or quick oats that I can make on the stove. You can get regular or gluten-free. I would caution you not to use steel-cut oats because they take a long time to cook, and kids tend not to like the grainy texture.
- Prepare the oatmeal according to the package directions, whether stovetop or boiling water. You can add a little milk, too, for a creamier consistency.
- Add in extras. Toppings are where you can get creative! You can add fresh or frozen fruit, peanut butter, protein powder, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, and spices. You can also add maple syrup, and if your toddler is over one year old, you can add honey.
Toddler Oatmeal Recipes from around the web:
Idea #4: Yogurt Parfait
Yogurt parfaits are the best toddler breakfast if you are like me and want to assemble something and not have to cook anything. Plus, they’re easy to make ahead, so you can prepare them in a jar and grab and go when you need them!
They’re also the perfect breakfast idea for mornings when you want to make something quickly but still need to give your child a decent breakfast.
How to assemble a fantastic toddler yogurt parfait:
- Choose your yogurt. My daughter is vegan, so we like to use a coconut-based one. But you can use whatever kind you want; greek yogurt, goats-milk yogurt, and soy yogurt are more ideas.
- Add some fresh fruit. Remember to make sure all the fruit is in small pieces for your toddler. My favorite fruit to add to yogurt is banana slices and berries.
- Add some granola to the top. Of course, customize it to your child’s preferences and dietary restrictions, such as using gluten-free granola instead.
- Add some extras. I like to add some honey to my daughter’s yogurt parfaits, but you could also add chocolate chips or shredded coconut. You can also add a layer of applesauce or jam.
Toddler yogurt parfait recipes from around the web:
Idea #5: Toast or Bagel
This is another toddler breakfast idea that is super easy to assemble and doesn’t require you to cook. You can do so many different things with toast or a bagel – the possibilities are endless.
Again, depending on how old your toddler is, you might need to cut the bread into bite-sized pieces so they can eat it easily.
How to make toddler toast or bagels:
- Toast the bread or bagel. Whether whole-wheat or gluten-free, you can use whatever kind of bread or bagel you want. You can even cut the bread into different shapes, like a dinosaur or butterfly.
- Add some spread. You can do avocado, cream cheese, jelly, peanut butter, almond butter, or even regular or vegan butter.
- Add some toppings. You can add apple slices, diced strawberries, sliced banana, eggs, cheese, chocolate chips, and flax seeds.
Toddler toast and bagel recipes from around the web:
Idea #6: French Toast
While we are on the topic of toast, I thought I would include French toast as its own toddler breakfast idea. It’s a little more involved than regular toast because it does involve a recipe, but it’s still pretty easy to make.
So if you’re feeling adventurous and brave enough to cook for your kids, this is a great option. And it’s a yummy breakfast that your child is sure to love.
Sidenote: I am not a cook. So I am not going to teach you how to make french toast. However, I will give you some tips and tricks for making french toast toddler friendly and nutritious.
How to make French toast for toddlers:
- You can use any kind of bread (gluten-free, egg-free, etc.), but make it fun by using cookie cutters to make the bread into shapes, like stars or hearts. If you’re in a rush, just cut the bread into strips to make french toast sticks.
- If your child is vegan like mine, you can use an egg substitute like Just Egg, plant-based milk, and vegan butter.
- Use real maple syrup. Toddlers love dipping their toast in syrup! Put it in a small container so your kids can add as much or as little as they want.
- To add sweetness and nutrition, include some fresh fruit on top, like berries, bananas, or even applesauce. Banana french toast is a favorite for the entire family.
Kid’s French toast recipes from around the web:
Idea #7: Pancakes or Waffles
Pancakes and waffles are another toddler breakfast idea that is sure to please. They are easy to make, and you can even make them ahead of time and freeze them. Just put them in the toaster when you’re ready to eat, and voila – breakfast is ready.
Also, there is no shame in getting store-bought frozen waffles or pancakes. My daughter’s favorite waffles are the Vans Gluten-free Blueberry Waffles ( I love them too!)
How to make easy pancakes or waffles for your toddler:
- Get store-bought frozen pancakes or waffles (choose the healthier brands!), or premake some yourself and freeze them to be ready for the week.
- Toast the frozen pancakes or waffles in the toaster.
- Add some toppings. You can do butter, jam, real maple syrup, or fresh fruit. My daughter loves vegan butter and jam on her gluten-free blueberry waffles.
Toddler waffle and pancake recipes from around the web:
Idea #8: Eggs
Eggs are a great toddler breakfast idea because they are packed with protein and nutrients. They are also pretty easy to make, although they require more effort than some other toddler breakfast ideas.
You can make scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs, or sunny-side-up eggs. You can do eggs with toast, eggs with fruit, or eggs with a smoothie.
My favorite option is an omelet. It gives you a chance to add in some veggies, and it’s a lot more fun than just plain scrambled eggs.
How to make an omelet for your toddler:
- Use a mini omelet pan or a regular-sized pan and make small omelets.
- Fill the omelet with toddler-friendly fillings like shredded cheese, diced turkey or tofu, and chopped veggies (broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers are good options).
- Pre-chop the veggies on the weekend so they are ready to throw in during the week.
Toddler egg breakfast recipes from around the web:
Idea #9: Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is a great toddler breakfast idea because it can be made ahead of time, and it’s packed with nutrients. It’s also pretty easy to make, and you can customize it with different flavors and toppings.
How to make chia pudding for your toddler:
- You have to make chia pudding ahead of time to sit in the fridge overnight. So don’t forget that if you plan on putting this on the menu for the week.
- Chia pudding consists of mixing together chia seeds and milk (dairy or non-dairy) and then adding your desired flavorings. Some toddler-friendly chia pudding flavorings are cocoa powder, mashed banana, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and diced fruit.
- You can also top chia pudding with toddler-friendly toppings like granola, chopped nuts, diced fruit, and/or a dollop of yogurt.
Chia pudding recipes from around the web:
Idea #10: Fruit and Dip
Look no further than fruit and dip if you’re looking for an extremely easy toddler breakfast idea. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. And it’s a great way to get your toddler to eat some fruit.
Once again, toddlers love dipping things, so this one is also fun! Just cut up some fruit, and put out a dip like a yogurt, cottage cheese, or nut butter. And that’s it. Breakfast is served.
How to make fruit and dip for your toddler:
- Cut up some fruit. You can do apple, pear, or peach slices. Also, strawberries and bananas are good for dipping.
- Then, put out a dip like a yogurt, cottage cheese, nut butter, or honey. Or, for a special treat, every toddler loves whipped cream!
Toddler fruit and dip ideas from around the web:
- Healthy Spiced Apple Dip for Toddlers
- Berry Protein Dip
- Honey Vanilla Cream Cheese Fruit Dip (Honey is only for babies over 1 year)
Idea #11: Rice Cakes
A rice cake toddler breakfast is another great idea that doesn’t require you to cook. It’s just basically another version of toast. Yay for us moms that don’t like to cook!
You can also let your child make it. Just put out some kid-friendly toppings and let them go to town!
How to make rice cakes kids love:
- To make a rice cake breakfast, you need to get some rice cakes and put toppings on them.
- Some good toddler toppings for rice cakes are peanut butter, jelly, cream cheese, Nutella, bananas, and berries.
Toddler rice cake breakfast ideas from around the web:
Idea #12: Cereal
Cereal is the ultimate toddler breakfast with hardly any prep time. I believe it should be used for breakfast sparingly because it’s not a healthy breakfast per se. But it’s good to know it’s always there when we need a quick breakfast idea!
Obviously, it’s best to find a cereal low in sugar and maybe even organic or has some other redeeming qualities.
Our favorite brands of cereal for toddlers:
- Natures Path Organic Envirokidz
- Love Grown
- Three Wishes
- Magic Spoon (only if your toddler eats dairy)
Idea #13: Snack Plate
A snack plate is a great toddler breakfast idea when you just don’t have anything else, you’re in a hurry, or you just want to mix things up. I have a post about healthy toddler snacks with lots of recipes you can premake and have ready for the week.
What’s great about these toddler meal ideas is that they can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Healthy snack plate breakfast ideas for toddlers:
- Fruits: apples, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, oranges, and melon.
- Vegetables: tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, carrots, bell peppers.
- Protein: hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, meat, nut butter, and hummus.
- Grains: toast, muffins, pretzels and crackers, cereal.
- Dairy (or non-dairy): yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, string cheese.
There you have it!
13 toddler breakfast ideas for moms who hate cooking! From chia pudding to rice cakes, there’s something here for everyone. And the best part is that they’re all quick and easy to make. So get cooking (or not)!
What are your favorite toddler breakfasts?
Do you have any fun toddler breakfast ideas to add to the list? Share in the comments below!
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