In my house, we call the period between 5-7pm, ‘peak hour’.
There’s a lot to squeeze in – bath, dinner, book and bed – all when energy levels are fading.
Dinnertime particularly can feel like gridlock, especially if you have a ‘picky eater’ in your household.
So, how do you get little ones to devour tasty and nutritious food – without tears, bribing, or meltdowns?
I’ve scoured the internet and found some stellar recipes that even the most discerning eaters in your house will love!
7 kid-friendly recipes for picky eaters
Freezer dump curry
This one gets a big tick of approval from my kids and me… Batched meals like this delicious ‘Freezer dump’ curry save me time, cash, and lighten my mental load – no more wondering “What should we have for dinner?”. Serve with rice, and top with your fave veggies (and a bit of spice for the grown-ups). Get recipe
Quinoa Chicken Nuggets
Swap out traditional chicken nuggets for a healthier alternative by adding quinoa – a protein-rich superfood. Serve with tomato sauce or relish for a delicious (and guilt-free!) meal. This is a great recipe for the kids to help you make. Get recipe
Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce
While not a complete meal per se, this hidden (or ‘boosted’) veggie pasta sauce is genius! Plus, you can batch cook it, freeze it, and use it as you need. Use it in a pasta dish, add it to burritos, or as pizza base sauce. Get recipe
Sweet Potato, Spinach and Feta Muffins
Sneak in some extra veggies with Sweet Potato and Spinach Muffins. These muffins are a great snack when you’re on the go, and they’re perfect to add to school lunchboxes. They’re suitable for freezing too! Get recipe
Baked Fish Fingers with Yogurt Dip
This recipe comes with a warning: You will want to try ALL of Nagi’s recipes on RecipeTin Eats. This one for fish fingers is a healthier alternative to the store-bought fried version. Paired with a refreshing yogurt dip for lunch, afternoon snacks or an easy dinner. Get recipe
Cheesy Cauliflower Pizza Bites:
These bite-sized delights are a great gluten-free, low-carb option that are loaded with cheesy goodness and a fantastic way to sneak in some veggies – without compromising on taste. While this recipe suggest making sauce from scratch, I like use a pre-made pasta or pizza sauce. Get recipe
Berry Smoothie Bowl
Treat yourself at the end of the day to this nutritious Berry Smoothie Bowl. Packed with antioxidants, this colourful bowl is visually appealing and a delicious way to up your family’s fruit intake. Top with granola or nuts for added texture and healthy fats. FYI, this Donna Hay recipe is a little fancy, but you can use whatever berries or fruits you like. Get recipe
What are your favourite family recipes for picky eaters?
Share them in the comments! And if you need more kid-friendly recipes for picky eaters, take a look at…
Easy meals even fussy eaters love on Kidspot
Donna Hay’s 50 recipes that hide healthy ingredients from fussy eaters
All the recipes on My Fussy Eater
22 family meals that the fussiest kids will eat on Taste