22 Toddler Breakfast Ideas and Tips That Will Make Your Mornings Easier
Breakfast is often the most overlooked meal – especially for picky eaters like toddlers. But it’s essential for little ones to get a healthy start to their day, and making sure they have fun, tasty breakfast options can help keep them energized even on those days when getting out of bed seems impossible.
Since I usually rush to work in the morning and get my toddlers ready for daycare, I need easy and fast breakfast options! I also want my toddler to get the nutrition he needs to support all the playing and learning he will do throughout the day.
My go-to meals tend to be oatmeal, egg muffins, whole wheat bagels, and fruit, but there are so many great breakfast ideas that your toddler can enjoy.
What Makes a Good Breakfast Meal for Toddlers?
Because active and energetic toddlers need adequate nutrition to support their growth and development. It can also help them focus better on their learning and play activities.
You can set your toddlers up for success with a good breakfast meal that includes a combination of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats. Plus, it should be something that your toddler will eat!
Delicious protein options include eggs, nuts, nut butter, yogurt, or cheese. Carbs can come from whole grain toast, oatmeal, muffins, or pancakes.
Healthy fats can come from avocados, seeds, or seed butter. I also like to sneak in vegetables like spinach or avocado to make my kids’ breakfast more nutritious.
Your toddler will remain fueled and focused throughout the day with a healthy breakfast.
Toddler Breakfast Ideas
Here are some of my favorite easy and delicious toddler breakfast ideas that even picky eaters will happily devour:
Avocado Toast
Start by toasting a slice of your favorite whole-wheat bread. Then top with mashed avocado and flavor with a sprinkle of salt, lemon/lime juice squeeze, or your kid’s favorite toppings (mine loves Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning). This can be served with a side of fruit or yogurt for a complete meal.
Mini Breakfast Burritos
Microwave some breakfast sausage (or use beans if your little one doesn’t like meat). Scramble in an egg, add some cheese, and wrap it in a soft flour tortilla. These delicious burritos can be served with salsa if your toddler likes to dip things.
French Toast Sticks
Dip thick slices of whole-wheat bread in an egg and milk mixture, then coat both sides with some ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Then fry them up in a skillet until they’re golden brown. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or top with some fruit for added sweetness.
Breakfast Quesadilla
Spread mashed avocado, grated cheese, and cooked bacon onto a whole-grain tortilla. Then add in some scrambled eggs and wrap it up. Grill the quesadillas in a skillet until they’re golden and serve with a side of yogurt or a fruit smoothie.
Oatmeal
Combine rolled oats, some warm milk, and a dash of cinnamon into a pot on the stove. Let it cook until the mixture thickens, and then serve with your favorite toppings like berries, nuts, or dried fruits.
Whole Wheat Pancakes
Whisk the milk, oil, egg, and honey or maple syrup in a separate bowl. Then, pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Be careful not to overmix, or your pancakes will be tough! Pour or scoop the batter onto a lightly oiled griddle and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Serve warm with fresh fruit, yogurt, or whipped cream.
Fruit Smoothie
Blend fresh or frozen fruit, yogurt, and a bit of honey and pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour it into a cup and serve with a spoonful of granola for added crunch.
Egg Muffins
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Grease a muffin tin with cooking spray, then crack an egg into each cup. Top with cheese, spinach, bacon, or your favorite ingredients, and bake for about 20 minutes. Serve them warm with a side of toast or a fresh fruit salad.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
For a healthy and delicious treat, bake a batch of apple cinnamon muffins using whole-grain flour, unsweetened applesauce, and cinnamon. These muffins make the perfect breakfast or snack!
Scrambled Eggs With a Whole-Grain Toast
A simple breakfast of scrambled eggs with whole-grain toast can provide the protein and fiber your toddler needs. Add diced vegetables like tomatoes, mushrooms, or spinach to the scrambled eggs for nutrition.
Yogurt Parfait
Layer plain Greek yogurt with chopped fruits and whole-grain cereal or granola for your toddler’s healthy and tasty breakfast. You can also add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
Spread natural peanut butter on whole-grain bread and top with sliced bananas for a quick and easy breakfast. Added bonus: this meal provides protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to energize your toddler.
Cottage Cheese and Fruit Bowl
Cottage cheese contains nutrients and protein! Top a bowl of cottage cheese with diced fruits like peaches, mangoes, or kiwis to make it toddler-friendly.
Time-saving tips for making quick breakfasts
It takes work to make a quick breakfast for a toddler on the go. So here are some tips to save you time and energy in the morning:
- Plan: Create a weekly meal plan for your toddler’s breakfast menu and prep ingredients in advance. For example, you can chop fruits, cook grains like oatmeal or quinoa, and pre-cook eggs to save time in the morning.
- Use a slow cooker: Slow cookers are great for making oatmeal or other hot breakfast dishes overnight. This way, you can wake up to a hot and nutritious breakfast for your toddler.
- Make-ahead breakfasts: Prepare make-ahead breakfasts like muffins, egg cups, or breakfast burritos on the weekends and freeze them for a quick and easy breakfast during the week.
- Keep it simple: Focus on simple breakfasts that can be prepared quickly, like Greek yogurt with fruits or peanut butter toast. This will save you time in the morning and ensure your toddler gets a nutritious breakfast.
- Supplement with store-bought breakfast items: Kids’ yogurt tubes, granola bars, and breakfast biscuits are all great options for those mornings when you just don’t have the time to make something from scratch.
- Involve your toddler: Start getting your toddler involved in preparing breakfast. For example, let them add toppings to their yogurt bowl or help stir the pancake batter. This can make breakfast time more fun and engage for both of you (and get your child used to helping)!
Tips To Get Picky Eaters to Eat Breakfast
Getting a picky eater to eat a healthy breakfast can be one of the most frustrating parts of your day. So here are a few more tips to help your toddler try new foods:
- Make it fun: Toddlers are more likely to eat something if they enjoy it. So make breakfast fun and interactive by serving it creatively or playing music while cooking.
- Be patient: Don’t get discouraged if your toddler doesn’t eat a healthy breakfast right away. It may take some time for them to get used to it. Be patient, and don’t give up.
- Don’t force it: If your picky toddler refuses to eat their breakfast, don’t force them. This will only make them more resistant to eating healthy foods in the future. Toddlers are more likely to eat something if they have a say in what it is. So, instead of forcing them to eat something they don’t want, try offering them a variety of foods and let them choose what they want.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed these tasty and nutritious breakfast ideas that your toddler will love! From healthful smoothies to fun avocado toasts, providing nourishing meals at the start of the day is a great way to ensure your little one has the energy they need to grow and stay healthy.
Don’t forget to be creative and make sure you give your little one something new to try every once in a while – there are so many delicious breakfast options for toddlers, so get imaginative and have fun with it.
With some planning and effort, you can ensure your toddler starts their day with a nutritious breakfast that will give them the energy they need to explore and learn.
