Toddlers are notoriously fussy eaters. Either they refuse to eat nothing except Goldfish crackers or they refuse to eat anything, period. If you’ve found yourself in this all too common situation, try out these toddler-approved recipes to make cooking and eating fun for your fussy eater.
Scrambled Eggs a la Madeline
Ingredients:
1 Egg per person
½ Tablespoon water/milk per egg
Mix-Ins of your fussy eater’s choice (cut up meat, veggies, and most likely cheese!)
Butter/olive oil to coat pan
Salt and pepper
Tools:
Bowl
Whisk and Spatula
Measuring Spoons
Pan
Directions:
1. Wash hands! Gather all of your groceries and tools. This is the time to ask your fussy eaters which items he/she would like to include. I usually present two options at a time. For example, spinach or ham.
2. Demonstrate how to crack the eggs into a bowl and then let your fussy eater give it a try. If any shells get in, use another shell piece to scoop them out. Add your mix-ins and allow your toddler to whisk, whisk, whisk.
3. Meanwhile, heat your butter or olive oil in a pan over medium/low heat. If you feel comfortable, ask your toddler to stand on a stool and dump the egg mixture and stir using the spatula at a safe distance. I usually stand behind my daughter, so I can control where the spatula goes while still allowing her to do the work. Or you can stir and allow your fussy eater to add in the salt and pepper.
4. When the eggs are cooked through (pale yellow in color and fluffy), remove from pan and serve on plates. Enjoy!
Bread in a Bag
Dada’s Homemade Mac ‘n Cheese
Bread in a Bag
Ingredients:
3 Cups of flour, divided into 1 cup portions
3 Tablespoons of sugar
1½ Teaspoons of salt
3 Tablespoons of olive oil
1 Cup of water
1 Package of rapid rise yeast
Mix-ins (optional): cinnamon, raisins, chocolate chips, chopped ripe banana, nuts
Tools:
Measuring cups and spoons
Gallon-sized Ziploc bag
Parchment paper (optional)
2 Bread pans or baking sheet
Directions:
1. After washing your hands, ask your fussy eater to measure 1 cup of flour and combine with sugar, yeast, and warm water in Ziploc bag. Water should be warm to the touch, but not scalding or else it will kill the yeast. Squeeze all of the air out of the bag and seal.
2. Squeeze and squish all of the ingredients in the bag. This is the fun part!
3. Let the bag rest for at least 10 minutes. You should see bubbles begin to form in the bag.
4. Add 1 more cup of flour, oil, and salt to the bag. Seal and squish again.
5. Add last cup of flour, seal, and squish until all ingredients are well combined.
6. Take dough out of bag and place it on a floured surface (parchment paper optional for less mess).
7. Ask your toddler to knead the dough for 5-10 minutes.
8. Place dough in lightly oiled bread pan or ask your toddler to form balls with the dough and place onto lightly oiled baking sheet. I prefer the latter because my fussy eater loves forming the balls, and then they are the perfect size for snacking or making little sandwiches.
9. Cover lightly with a towel and let rise for at least thirty minutes. The dough should double in size.
10. Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes for a loaf and about 15 minutes for rolls (depending on size).
*Optional: You can add heavy whipping cream to a jar and ask your toddler to shake it while the bread bakes to make homemade butter. This does take quite a bit of muscle, but eventually the cream will separate into buttermilk and butter! Your fussy eater won’t be able to resist this delicious homemade bread and butter.
More recipes for fussy eaters on page 3...
Dada’s Homemade Mac ‘n Cheese
Ingredients:
4 Tablespoons of butter
4 Tablespoons of flour
2½ Cups of milk
1 Box of macaroni
1 Pound of Velveeta cheese
A dash of salt and pepper
Optional: Lil’ Smokies (cut into bite-sized pieces), diced ham, broccoli
Tools:
Large pot for cooking pasta
Saucepan
Large baking dish
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk and large spoon
Large strainer
Aluminum foil
Directions:
1. Wash hands and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Boil water in large pot and cook pasta for 1 minute less than the box directs. I suggest the parent add the pasta and watch the water while you ask your toddler to cut the Velveeta into chunks. This is a very soft cheese and easy to cut with a butter knife. Optional: add broccoli to last minute of cooking. Drain pasta (and broccoli) into strainer (mom or dad’s job!)
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour. Whisk for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the milk and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens. Depending on your comfort level, you can allow your toddler to whisk or keep working on dicing the cheese.
5. Continue whisking while you ask your toddler to hand you the cheese. Add a little bit at a time while whisking.
6. Place macaroni into your favorite ceramic baking dish and mix in cheese sauce. Optional: Mix in any additions like Lil’ Smokies (Dada’s favorite).
7. Ask your little fussy eater to season with salt and pepper, then cover with aluminum foil.
8. Bake for at 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered and an additional 15 minutes uncovered.
For more tips to get your fussy eater excited about mealtime, try making mealtime a fun activity with books and games!