Toddler Breakfasts Made Easy
Whether you’re jetting to daycare drop-off, a playdate, or an adventurous day with your little one, chances are you’re very familiar with the busy morning rush…and the challenge of trying to serve your sleepy and squirmy toddler a healthy breakfast. While it sure is tempting to grab a drive-through doughnut or a sugary cereal bar and be on your way, these foods fail to offer your tot the nutrition and energy they need to have a great day. But don’t worry! You can whip up a healthy breakfast at home that—get this—your toddler will love and is quick and easy to pull together. Seriously. Read on for easy-to-make toddler breakfast trios that’ll make everyone’s morning (and day) better.
Easy Toddler Breakfast: Serving-Size Need-to-Know
Before diving into what to feed your toddler, let’s look at how much. Because toddlers have small tummies, they only need small serving sizes. And giving your child the right portion size can make mealtimes way less overwhelming. Bonus: When served properly-sized helpings, kiddos often feel more comfortable trying new foods. And if they want more, don’t worry…they’ll let you know! Let their tummy be the guide!
Toddler serving sizes
Meat: 1 ounce, shredded
Beans: 3 tablespoons
Vegetables: 1 to 2 tablespoons
Fruit: 1 to 2 tablespoons
Bread: ? or 1/2 slice
Dry cereal: ? cup
Cooked cereal: 4 tablespoons
Plain yogurt: ? cup
Milk: ? cup
Easy Toddler Breakfast: The Breakfast Trios Rule
A balanced toddler breakfast always consists of three key ingredients: a whole grain, a protein, and a fruit or veggie. When you offer your tot a breakfast trio, you’re doing more than serving up good nutrition…you’re helping to shape your child’s positive relationship with food. Here’s a breakdown of some toddler-friendly options for you:
Toddler-Friendly Whole Grain Options
Look for 100% whole grain on the label to ensure you’re offering your child the healthiest grain possible.
Whole grain toast
Whole grain pita
Whole wheat English muffin
Corn or whole grain tortilla
Whole grain waffles, French toast, pancakes
Whole grain cereal
Oat granola
Oats
Quinoa
Toddler-Friendly Protein Options
Cream cheese
Cottage cheese
Shredded cheese
Tofu, cubed
Beans
Hummus
Eggs, scrambled, hard boiled, egg muffins
Plain yogurt
Cow’s milk (whole for ages 1-2)
Unsweetened soy milk
Nuts, ground
Nut butter, thinly spread
Shredded chicken
Chicken or turkey sausage, crumbled
Turkey or Canadian bacon, crumbled
Toddler-Friendly Fruit and Veggie Options
There are so many produce choices for toddlers, so shoot for a variety and make sure they’re prepared in a way that makes them safe and yummy. Keep these rules in mind:
Apples, bananas, peaches, nectarines, pears: Thinly sliced
Cherries, grapes, plums: Sliced or smushed, pitted if needed
Orange or grapefruit sections: Cut into small pieces
Dried fruit: Cut and pitted, if necessary
Carrots, green beans: Well-cooked and diced
Cauliflower, broccoli: Steamed and cut
Sweet potatoes: Cooked and diced
Peas: Mashed
Spinach, greens: Steamed and pureed
Here’s more info on food preparation and toddler safety.
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #1: Breakfast Quesadilla
Quesadillas for breakfast? Yes, please! This one offers calcium (shredded cheese), iron (spinach), and plenty of B vitamins (whole grain corn tortilla). To make, layer your ingredients on one side of a halved tortilla, fold, and microwave for 15-30 seconds:
? slice of corn tortilla
? cup shredded cheese
Chopped spinach (1 tablespoon per year of age)
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #2: Fruit Pizza
This sweet breakfast treat is sure to be a crowd favorite. Start with a fiber-rich whole wheat pita and top with protein-packed and tummy-filling cottage cheese that’ll help keep your kiddo full. Finally, add a medley of chopped berries and peaches for an antioxidant fueled finish.
? slice whole wheat pita
? cup of cottage cheese
? cup of chopped berries and peaches
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #3: Tot’s Pancake Breakfast
Ditch the boxed pancake mix for this easy-peasy recipe: 1 egg, 1.5 cups milk, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, 3 teaspoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1.5 cups white whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour has just as many health benefits as regular whole wheat flour, but it’s softer and easier to eat. (This recipe makes eight pancakes. Freeze the extra!) Crown each pancake with a thin spread of nut butter, brimming with healthy fats. Add a side of unsweetened applesauce to boost vitamin C, and your pancake breakfast is complete!
? slice pancake
1.5 teaspoons of nut butter (spread thinly to prevent choking)
? cup unsweetened applesauce
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #3: Morning parfait
Brighten your child’s morning with this easy-as-can-be breakfast: All you need to do is layer oat granola (healthy whole grains), plain yogurt (protein and calcium), and a mix of orange fruits and veggies (vitamin A and fun color).
? cup of oat granola
? cup of plain yogurt
? cup chopped mandarin oranges
Chopped steamed carrots (1 tablespoon per year of age)
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #4: Toddler Trail Mix
Trail mix is not just for snacks! Simply combine a whole grain cereal of your choice, like a puffed rice, Cheerios, Kix, or Rice Chex, with chopped dried fruit, and ground nuts. Use a knife to finely chop your nuts into a powder or pulse with a food processor. (Whole nuts are a choking hazard and not appropriate for children under 4.)
? cup of whole grain cereal
? cup ground cashews
? cup chopped dried cranberries
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #5: Egg-ocado
Lightly toast 100% whole wheat bread and top with mashed avocado—a great brain-booster. (If you kiddo prefers, simply cube avocado on the side.) Serve alongside an iron-rich hard boiled egg. You’ll know it’s fully cooked when the white and yellow parts are both firm.
? slice 100% whole wheat bread, lightly toasted
? hard boiled egg
? cup mashed or cubed avocado
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #6: “English” Breakfast
This open-face breakfast sandwich will surely leave your tot smiling. Top a fiber-rich whole wheat English muffin with a schmear of whipped cream cheese (protein and calcium), and follow with a thinly sliced potassium-rich banana. You can even add a drizzle of honey for a gobble-worthy garnish. (Honey is only for children over 1 year old.)
? 100% whole grain English muffin
1 tablespoon of whipped plain cream cheese
? banana, sliced thin
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #7: French Toast Plus
Slice 100% whole wheat bread into strips and dredge in a mix of eggs and milk before cooking. (To heat from frozen, microwave for 90 seconds.) Pair sticks with chopped turkey sausage for a bump of protein—and a side of roasted diced sweet potatoes for oodles of vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese. Make sweet potatoes ahead of time by dicing and roasting at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
? slice whole grain french toast, sliced into sticks
1 turkey sausage link, chopped into small pieces
Diced sweet potato (1 tablespoon for each year of age)
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #8: Veggie Eggy Breakfast
Thanks to the secret ingredient (quinoa!), this veggie egg breakfast is bursting with essential amino acids and fiber. Plus, eggs offer choline, which is great for your toddler’s brain development…and this packed scramble is an excellent vehicle for fiber-, iron-, and vitamin C-rich broccoli! Simple fold the prepared quinoa and broccoli into the scramble.
4 Tablespoons of cooked quinoa
? scrambled egg
Cooked broccoli, finely chopped (1 tablespoon for each year of age)
Easy Toddler Breakfast Idea #9: Oat of This World Oatmeal
As nourishing as it is budget-friendly, filling oatmeal is a wonderful source of fiber that’s great for your kiddo’s heart health. Add some pears for a sweet, fiber, and vitamin C boost. Heat the ingredients together in the microwave for about 90 seconds.
