Almost every time I share a video cooking up breakfast for my kids I get a flood of DM’s asking me what I’m making for them. What kind of pancakes are those? How do you get your kids to eat oatmeal? The truth is (and many parents will relate) finding nutritious breakfast recipes that your kids (especially toddlers) will actually eat can be quite the challenge.
BUT you’ve come to the right place! I put together 35 super nourishing, easy, kid-friendly breakfast recipes that my kids are truly obsessed with. As in these are their absolute FAVORITES! It was hard to narrow it down because I have so many breakfast recipes, but I’ve included my go-to muffin recipes, oatmeal bakes, savory breakfasts, smoothies, and more that I like to rotate for them based on what I have available and how much time I have.
Bonus: I’ve included tons of ways you can really customize these recipes in ways that will make your kiddos enjoy them even more, plus easy ways to freeze them. No more early morning scrambling to get breakfast on the table — make a couple of recipes, freeze some for later, and enjoy a warm breakfast right when they wake up!
Tips for making kid-friendly breakfast recipes
We all know that kids can be picky. One day they’re all about muffins and the next they’ll only eat savory breakfasts. Instead of making them a 5-course buffet breakfast to choose from every morning (um, who has the time?!), there are a few ways I like to save time and also serve them breakfasts that will keep them interested and satisfied.
- Make things mini. Kids love little bite-sized treats and breakfasts because they’re easy for them to grab and eat. You’ll find instructions for making mini pancakes and mini muffins in the sections below.
- Try different mix-ins. So your kid loved blueberries yesterday, but now won’t touch them? Try mixing in other fruits, nuts, or even a few mini chocolate chips to muffins, breads, baked oatmeal, and pancakes. You could also let them choose some fun toppings! My kids love these dye-free sprinkles.
- Add more nutrition in. You’ll notice that lots of these breakfast recipes sneak in veggies like zucchini, carrots and even spinach. Kiddos won’t even notice they’re there but you can feel good about giving them a wonderful nutritional boost. Nutritional boosters are great for adding to smoothies, too — more on that in the smoothie section!
- Freeze them for later. I love to make a few different breakfast recipes like a batch of muffins and a baked oatmeal and freeze individual portions. That way if we have a particularly busy week I can just heat breakfast in the microwave, serve, and go.
Freeze these breakfasts for later
What I love about breakfast recipes in general (and breakfasts for kids) is that they can easily be frozen for later. You can really stock up your freezer with plenty of kid-friendly breakfasts to heat and serve during busy weeks!
- For pancakes: place the pancakes on a baking sheet so they aren’t touching and place in the freezer for 30 minutes, then place them in freezer safe containers or reusable bags (like these stasher bags!) and freeze for up to 3 months. Once ready to reheat, simply add pancakes to a plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds or until warm.
- For muffins, breads & baked oatmeal: allow the baked goods to cool completely and store individual muffins, oatmeal cups, slices of bread or baked oatmeal in a freezer-safe airtight bag like Stasher bags for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, microwave the individual servings for 45 seconds – 1 minute until warm.
- For smoothies: I have three amazing methods for prepping and storing smoothies right in your freezer. You’ll learn the ice cube tray method, the mason jar method and the freezer pack method. Get all of my tips and tricks here!
- For savory breakfast items: just like you would with muffins & breads, let the egg muffins, sausage patties, etc. cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Simply reheat in the microwave and enjoy!
I’ve included a few diet-specific indicators for each recipe below, but please remember to go through the full recipe blog post for easy ways to customize to different diet needs.
GF = gluten free
DF = dairy free
V = vegan
Pancakes
- To make mini pancakes: I love making these pancakes mini for the kiddos! Simply drop just 1 tablespoon of batter onto your greased griddle at a time.
- Choose your mix-ins & toppings: as always, feel free to include or omit mix-ins like fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips. The same goes for toppings like maple syrup, butter, yogurt, nut butter, etc. It’s up to you and what your kiddos like!
Sidney’s 4-Ingredient Banana Pancakes GF, DF
Healthy Apple Pancakes (made right in the blender!) GF, DF
Carrot Cake Pancakes GF, DF
Healthy Banana Oatmeal Pancakes (made right in the blender!) GF, DF
Fluffy Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread Pancakes DF
Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes GF, DF
Cottage Cheese Banana Oatmeal Protein Pancakes
Get all of my pancake recipes here.
Muffins
- Make any muffin into bread: simply pour the muffin batter into an 8×4 inch loaf pan greased and lined with parchment paper. Bake for 40-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make any muffin into a mini muffin (my kids’ favorite!): pour the batter into a mini muffin tin lined with mini muffin liners and sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean!
- Choose your mix-ins & toppings: feel free to include or omit mix-ins like fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips. The same goes for toppings like a frosting, glaze, butter, or nut butter.
Blender Banana Spinach Muffins GF, DF
Morning Glory Zucchini Carrot Muffins GF, DF
Chunky Monkey Zucchini Banana Muffins DF
The Best Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins GF, DF
Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins GF, DF
Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins with Cream Cheese Glaze DF (omit glaze)
Blender Double Chocolate Spinach Muffins GF, DF
Oh So Fluffy Vegan Banana Oatmeal Muffins V
Good Morning Healthy Maple Blueberry Zucchini Muffins DF
Skinny Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins DF
Get all of my muffin recipes here.
Breads
- Make any bread into muffins: divide the bread batter evenly between 12 greased muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F until a tester comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
- Choose your mix-ins & toppings: as always, feel free to include or omit mix-ins like fruit, nuts or chocolate chips. The same goes for glazes and frostings.
Nourishing Almond Flour Banana Bread GF, DF
Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze GF, DF (omit glaze)
Best Ever Healthy Banana Bread Recipe DF
Get all of my bread recipes here.
Oatmeal
- Make any oatmeal bake into cups: divide the oatmeal bake batter into a greased muffin tin — you should get around 10-12 oatmeal cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the oatmeal cups are set.
- Make oatmeal cups into a bake: pour the oatmeal cup batter into a greased 9×9 inch baking pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the edges are slightly golden and the middle is set.
- Choose your mix-ins & toppings: feel free to include or omit mix-ins like fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips. The same goes for toppings like a frosting, glaze, maple syrup, or nut butter.
Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal GF, DF
Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups GF, DF
Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal Bake GF, DF
Vanilla Brown Butter Pear Baked Oatmeal GF, DF
Chunky Monkey Banana Baked Oatmeal GF, DF
Get all of my oatmeal recipes here.
Smoothies
- Add nutritional boosters: feel free to blend in hemp seeds, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, protein powder, and even a handful of spinach to add an extra boost of fiber, protein, vitamins, and more to these smoothies!
Peanut Butter Blueberry Banana Smoothie GF, V
Get Your Greens in Smoothie (the best green smoothie!) GF, V
Peanut Butter Strawberry Banana Smoothie GF, V
Ridiculously Good Wild Blueberry Muffin Smoothie GF, V
Get all of my smoothie recipes here.
Savory Breakfasts
- Pair these with a sweet option: if your kiddos like both sweet and savory breakfasts (or can’t seem to decide) try serving any of these savory breakfast recipes with a few pancakes, a muffin, a slice of baked oatmeal, etc. so that they have options.
Savory Chicken Sausage, Egg and Cheese Muffins GF
Perfectly Crispy Roasted Breakfast Potatoes GF
Maple Blueberry Turkey Sausage Breakfast Patties GF
Chaffles (Cheese & Egg Waffles) GF
Get all of my savory breakfast recipes here.
Fun Breakfast Options
Peanut Butter Strawberry Banana Quesadilla GF
Nutrition-Rich Omega 3 Blueberry Breakfast Cookies GF, V
The French Toast I Can’t Stop Eating GF
Get all of my breakfast recipes here.
I hope you (and your kiddos) love these kid-friendly breakfast recipes! If you make any of them be sure to leave a comment and a rating on the recipe so I know how you like it. Enjoy, xo!