19 Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes (2024)

Give your kids something they will actually like! From extra crispy tofu nuggets to creamy mac & cheese, these recipes are kid-approved.

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  • Vegan Recipes for Kids

When I was a kid, I hated everything - especially sauces. Today, I give ketchup and well-rounded, plant-based recipes a pass.

Took me awhile to get there.

According to WebMd, children may be picky eaters, or now known as “selective eaters,” due to smell, texture, or taste sensitivities.

Keeping that in mind, every kid will have their own preferences, dislikes, and their fondness for familiar foods.

It’s a great idea to experiment, using dishes they already like and making small tweaks along the way.

For example, if they love mac and cheese, maybe throw in veggie bacon made of mushrooms.

Or, if they can never get tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, opt for natural peanut butter, crushed raspberries, and a drizzle of honey or date syrup.You can even keep it simple with a side of toasted baguette and a garlic butter dip.

Additionally, if you’re concerned your child is not consuming a well-rounded diet, speak with your child’s pediatrician to check for nutritional deficiencies.

Vegan Recipes for Kids

10-Ingredient Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese

Insanely creamy, rich, and a dish that just keeps on giving - this plant-based mac and cheese recipe will have your kids asking for more! Who would have thought, raw cashews are the best base for any plant-based, homemade cheese sauce.

Oil-Free Vegan Fried Rice

Oooh, gimmie! A kid-crowd-friendly dish that uses affordable and accessible ingredients.Yeah, this is the kind of recipe anyone can get behind. The best part about this recipe is that it’s adjustable.

Black Bean Tofu Burger Recipe

Mushy, flat, and reeks of “healthy food”? Nope!This one has a variety of textures and a depth of flavor. Using tofu, beans, and mushrooms - this is the veggie burger your kids have been thinking about. Just make sure to pile on the fries on the side.

Vegan Puerto Rican Spaghetti

If you and your family are into Puerto Rican flavors, they're going to love this recipe! It's incredibly taste, while adding plant-based protein with vegan ground "beef."

Easy Vegan Mushroom Bacon

Kids are craving something savory, crispy, that can perfectly co-exist with a mountain of scrambled tofu? Give ‘em mushroom bacon. Before you say, “ahh but it’s mushroom.”Yes, it’s mushroom, but it’s hands-down the best veggie bacon I have ever had. And it takes just 5 ingredients. Smoky, peppery, with a touch of maple, everyone’s going to enjoy this one.

Baked Zucchini Fries

Potato fries are cool, but if you’re looking to switch things up and get a crisp out of veg, zucchini fries are definitely the way to go.Give the kids their favorite sauces and dips and let ‘em dunk their zucchini fries. You get to give them veggies and they get to have their fun dips - sounds like a win-win to me.

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

The best way to get your kids to eat vegetables? Well, cover in something that makes it look like something else. These buffalo cauliflower wings are perfectly tender inside and crunchy on the outside.

Quick and easy, here’s a PB&J sandwich that’s perfect for lunchtime or as a snack. My advice: use natural peanut butter, thick slices of whole wheat bread, and homemade raspberry jam.We’re taking the traditional PB&J sandwich and making it even better.

Vegan Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Thinking about introducing something new to your kids? This might be a good start. The veggies and spices are blended into a thick, creamy sauce that they’ll never even suspect.Opt for a side of brown rice for a touch of fiber and added nutrients.This easy Indian recipe will give your kids something new to test their palates.

Extra-Crispy Baked Tofu Nuggets

Baked, crispy, and dunkable - these tofu nuggets are that meal that everyone can get behind. Because they are mild in flavor, they can be tossed and dipped in anything you want. Personally, I still go for a pool of ketchup.

How To Make Vegan Banana Pancakes

The texture of bananas can be offputting, I totally understand. If they aren’t blended, whipped into ice cream, or fried...they can be a bit mushy.So, just like everything else here, let’s just throw them into a stack of thick, gluten-free pancakes made of oat bran.

Oat Bran Pancakes

If you're craving something sweet for breakfast, go for a stack of fluffy & soft Oat Bran Pancakes made with just 8 ingredients. 100% plant-based and easy to make!

19 Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes (12)

3-Ingredient Strawberry Mint Popsicles (Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free)

Homemade strawberry mint popsicles are the perfect summertime treat! We’re making these refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegan & with only 3 Ingredients.

Mushroom Lentil Loaf

Let’s crank on the oven for an umami-blasted Mushroom Lentil Loaf made with plant-based ingredients! Made with juicy mushrooms, protein-packed lentils, spices, and topped with a sweet-and-savory glaze

3-Ingredient Plant-Based Applesauce

This sweet treat is 100% plant-based using ingredients including crispy, red fuji apples, dates, and a dash of cinnamon.Have it warm or cold - the choice is theirs.Personally, I like to have it warm during the colder seasons and chilled during the summer.

Cannellini Bean Burgers

Cannellini bean burgers are delicious to serve kids and easy to make for you. We're working with pantry-friendly ingredients, meaning we're limiting the prep work!

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

Air fryer tofu has never been easier! If you’re looking for a crunch, you’re in for a treat. With just SEVEN ingredients and air-fried in 20 minutes.

Vegan Creamy Chickpea Pasta with Spinach

A plant-based take on the beloved meat sauce, we’re using mushrooms to achieve a meaty-texture and umami flavor.Use their favorite pasta sauce and hide the veggies! They don’t like a chunky pasta sauce? Blend it up.

Need to take lunch with you? Check out our Vegetarian Packed Lunch Ideas.

Tried a dish from this 19 Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes list?

Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us

19 Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are healthy plant based foods for kids? ›

Vegetables, including potatoes, green beans, carrots, and peas, are all good choices. They should be thoroughly cooked and mashed. Fruits, such as mashed bananas, avocados, peaches, or applesauce.

How to eat a plant-based picky eater? ›

How can I get my picky eater to eat plant based
  1. Get Your Kids Involved in the Kitchen! ...
  2. Offer Options...but not too many. ...
  3. Share the Responsibility to Take the Pressure Off. ...
  4. Always Serve a “Safe Food” ...
  5. Introduce a “No Thank You” Plate. ...
  6. All in all - don't get discouraged!

What whole food is plant based for toddlers? ›

Top 10 Best Foods for Plant-Based Toddlers
  • Chia seeds. Chia seeds are an excellent source of several important nutrients. ...
  • Avocado. Avocado is a super healthy source of omega-3 fats, necessary for a developing brain and body. ...
  • Soy foods. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Legume pasta. ...
  • Sprouted grain bread. ...
  • Nut or seed butters. ...
  • Strawberries.
Aug 10, 2020

Can children thrive on a plant-based diet? ›

What About Kids? It's perfectly healthy for infants, toddlers, and older children to eat a plant-based, vegetarian, or vegan diet.

What are 5 plant-based foods? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier! Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber.

What happens to your body when you only eat plant-based food? ›

Plants are high in fiber.

Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it's great for good bowel management.

Can you live off of plant-based food? ›

With good planning and an understanding of what makes up a healthy, balanced vegan diet, you can get all the nutrients your body needs. If you do not plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients, such as calcium, iron, vitamin B12, iodine and selenium.

What is the one bite rule for picky eaters? ›

'One bite' tactic

Pushing children to eat all the food on their plate or enforcing the "one bite" rule isn't recommended. Instead, parents should let children learn to eat in their own way. Keeping mealtime tactics consistent is also important.

What do vegan toddlers drink? ›

#1 Best plant-based milk for children = Soy

The winner is SOY MILK! As a mum and nutritionist, I recommend using soy milk for toddlers, children and mothers. It is packed with protein, calcium and the one we buy is fortified vitamin B12, A, D and vitamin Bs. It also tastes great and milky.

What is the only plant food that qualifies as a complete protein for children and adults? ›

Complete proteins contain all the essential amino acids in adequate amounts, meeting the body's requirements for making protein. Although complete proteins are mostly found in animal products, soy and quinoa are two plant foods that offer complete proteins. Incomplete proteins lack one or more essential amino acids.

Can kids drink plant based milk? ›

Can babies have almond milk? Almond milks, and other nut milks, are not recommended as a complete replacement for dairy or soy milk for children under 5 years because they are low in protein.

Are any lunchables vegan? ›

These vegan lunch kits are available in three varieties: Plant-Based Ham & Cheese, Plant-Based Pepperoni Pizza, and Plant-Based Turkey & Cheese.

Is it OK to raise kid as vegan? ›

A vegetarian and vegan diet can offer the necessary nutrients for kids with an extra focus on B12, calcium, zinc, Vitamin D and iron. Here are vegetarian and vegan foods that have the nutrients that kids need: Vitamin B12: Dairy products, eggs for vegetarian diets.

What are plant-based foods for kids? ›

Including energy and nutrient-dense foods such as avocados, vegetable oils, seeds, nut butters or ground nuts, tofu and pulses (beans, lentils, soya beans, chickpeas, hummus) can help increase the nutrient and energy density of vegan diets for children.

What foods are good for kids gut health? ›

You may not realize it, but the fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and yogurt you eat are directly fueling your overall health, but especially that of your gut microbiome.” While some parents may worry that their kids will complain about a plate full of veggies, it's vital to offer them.

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