19 Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes (2024)

Give your kids something they will actually like! From extra crispy tofu nuggets to creamy mac & cheese, these recipes are kid-approved.

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  • Vegan Recipes for Kids

When I was a kid, I hated everything - especially sauces. Today, I give ketchup and well-rounded, plant-based recipes a pass.

Took me awhile to get there.

According to WebMd, children may be picky eaters, or now known as “selective eaters,” due to smell, texture, or taste sensitivities.

Keeping that in mind, every kid will have their own preferences, dislikes, and their fondness for familiar foods.

It’s a great idea to experiment, using dishes they already like and making small tweaks along the way.

For example, if they love mac and cheese, maybe throw in veggie bacon made of mushrooms.

Or, if they can never get tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, opt for natural peanut butter, crushed raspberries, and a drizzle of honey or date syrup.You can even keep it simple with a side of toasted baguette and a garlic butter dip.

Additionally, if you’re concerned your child is not consuming a well-rounded diet, speak with your child’s pediatrician to check for nutritional deficiencies.

Vegan Recipes for Kids

10-Ingredient Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese

Insanely creamy, rich, and a dish that just keeps on giving - this plant-based mac and cheese recipe will have your kids asking for more! Who would have thought, raw cashews are the best base for any plant-based, homemade cheese sauce.

Oil-Free Vegan Fried Rice

Oooh, gimmie! A kid-crowd-friendly dish that uses affordable and accessible ingredients.Yeah, this is the kind of recipe anyone can get behind. The best part about this recipe is that it’s adjustable.

Black Bean Tofu Burger Recipe

Mushy, flat, and reeks of “healthy food”? Nope!This one has a variety of textures and a depth of flavor. Using tofu, beans, and mushrooms - this is the veggie burger your kids have been thinking about. Just make sure to pile on the fries on the side.

Vegan Puerto Rican Spaghetti

If you and your family are into Puerto Rican flavors, they're going to love this recipe! It's incredibly taste, while adding plant-based protein with vegan ground "beef."

Easy Vegan Mushroom Bacon

Kids are craving something savory, crispy, that can perfectly co-exist with a mountain of scrambled tofu? Give ‘em mushroom bacon. Before you say, “ahh but it’s mushroom.”Yes, it’s mushroom, but it’s hands-down the best veggie bacon I have ever had. And it takes just 5 ingredients. Smoky, peppery, with a touch of maple, everyone’s going to enjoy this one.

Baked Zucchini Fries

Potato fries are cool, but if you’re looking to switch things up and get a crisp out of veg, zucchini fries are definitely the way to go.Give the kids their favorite sauces and dips and let ‘em dunk their zucchini fries. You get to give them veggies and they get to have their fun dips - sounds like a win-win to me.

Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

The best way to get your kids to eat vegetables? Well, cover in something that makes it look like something else. These buffalo cauliflower wings are perfectly tender inside and crunchy on the outside.

Quick and easy, here’s a PB&J sandwich that’s perfect for lunchtime or as a snack. My advice: use natural peanut butter, thick slices of whole wheat bread, and homemade raspberry jam.We’re taking the traditional PB&J sandwich and making it even better.

Vegan Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Thinking about introducing something new to your kids? This might be a good start. The veggies and spices are blended into a thick, creamy sauce that they’ll never even suspect.Opt for a side of brown rice for a touch of fiber and added nutrients.This easy Indian recipe will give your kids something new to test their palates.

Extra-Crispy Baked Tofu Nuggets

Baked, crispy, and dunkable - these tofu nuggets are that meal that everyone can get behind. Because they are mild in flavor, they can be tossed and dipped in anything you want. Personally, I still go for a pool of ketchup.

How To Make Vegan Banana Pancakes

The texture of bananas can be offputting, I totally understand. If they aren’t blended, whipped into ice cream, or fried...they can be a bit mushy.So, just like everything else here, let’s just throw them into a stack of thick, gluten-free pancakes made of oat bran.

Oat Bran Pancakes

If you're craving something sweet for breakfast, go for a stack of fluffy & soft Oat Bran Pancakes made with just 8 ingredients. 100% plant-based and easy to make!

19 Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes (12)

3-Ingredient Strawberry Mint Popsicles (Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free)

Homemade strawberry mint popsicles are the perfect summertime treat! We’re making these refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegan & with only 3 Ingredients.

Mushroom Lentil Loaf

Let’s crank on the oven for an umami-blasted Mushroom Lentil Loaf made with plant-based ingredients! Made with juicy mushrooms, protein-packed lentils, spices, and topped with a sweet-and-savory glaze

3-Ingredient Plant-Based Applesauce

This sweet treat is 100% plant-based using ingredients including crispy, red fuji apples, dates, and a dash of cinnamon.Have it warm or cold - the choice is theirs.Personally, I like to have it warm during the colder seasons and chilled during the summer.

Cannellini Bean Burgers

Cannellini bean burgers are delicious to serve kids and easy to make for you. We're working with pantry-friendly ingredients, meaning we're limiting the prep work!

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

Air fryer tofu has never been easier! If you’re looking for a crunch, you’re in for a treat. With just SEVEN ingredients and air-fried in 20 minutes.

Vegan Creamy Chickpea Pasta with Spinach

A plant-based take on the beloved meat sauce, we’re using mushrooms to achieve a meaty-texture and umami flavor.Use their favorite pasta sauce and hide the veggies! They don’t like a chunky pasta sauce? Blend it up.

Need to take lunch with you? Check out our Vegetarian Packed Lunch Ideas.

Tried a dish from this 19 Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes list?

Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us

19 Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are healthy plant-based foods for kids? ›

At 6 to 8 months, you can begin introducing other plant-based foods: Vegetables, including potatoes, green beans, carrots, and peas, are all good choices. They should be thoroughly cooked and mashed. Fruits, such as mashed bananas, avocados, peaches, or applesauce.

How to eat a plant-based picky eater? ›

Some suggestions to start: black beans (of course!) and rice, black bean soup, spaghetti sauce and pasta, refried bean burritos, and tomato bisque. For other meals: nut butter with whole grain bread, vegan whole grain waffles, fruit smoothies and muffins.

What whole food is plant-based for toddlers? ›

Young Eaters: 1-4 years old

The good news is that many of the foods that children commonly enjoy in early childhood are plant-based. Foods like oatmeal, pasta, rice, fruits, crunchy veggies like carrot sticks can all be boosted with extra plant power through adding beans, seeds, or chopped vegetables.

How to go vegan as a kid? ›

How to Go Vegan: A Kid's Guide
  1. Talk to your grown-ups about going vegan. ...
  2. Make vegan versions of your favorite meals. ...
  3. Stock up on vegan meats and dairy alternatives. ...
  4. Take note of all of the restaurants that have vegan options. ...
  5. Make sure your teacher and your friends know about your new lifestyle.

What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

What could 30 plant points look like?
  • Green beans.
  • Beetroot.
  • Rocket.
  • Sweet potato.
  • Courgettes.
  • Carrots.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Red pepper.
Mar 3, 2023

What are 5 plant-based foods? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier! Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber.

Can you live off of plant-based food? ›

With good planning and an understanding of what makes up a healthy, balanced vegan diet, you can get all the nutrients your body needs. If you do not plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients, such as calcium, iron, vitamin B12, iodine and selenium.

What is the one bite rule for picky eaters? ›

'One bite' tactic

Pushing children to eat all the food on their plate or enforcing the "one bite" rule isn't recommended. Instead, parents should let children learn to eat in their own way. Keeping mealtime tactics consistent is also important.

Why does my stomach hurt on plant-based diet? ›

Switching to a plant-based diet, especially if done abruptly, can lead to digestive discomfort. The increased fiber intake from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can cause gas, bloating, and changes in bowel habits as the gut adjusts to the new dietary pattern.

What are plant foods for kids? ›

If your child is vegetarian or vegan, they can get protein from beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, nuts and wholegrains. For example, your child could eat legume-based dishes like dahl, or you could add nuts to salads. If your child is vegetarian but not vegan, they can also get protein from dairy foods and eggs.

What do vegan toddlers drink? ›

Soy milk is one of the most long-standing and commonly available non-dairy milk alternatives. In terms of protein, fat and calories, unsweetened soy milk is a nutrient-dense option for toddlers and kids. Depending on the brand, a cup of unsweetened fortified soy milk contains about (1): 7 grams protein.

What is the only plant food that qualifies as a complete protein for children and adults? ›

Complete proteins contain all the essential amino acids in adequate amounts, meeting the body's requirements for making protein. Although complete proteins are mostly found in animal products, soy and quinoa are two plant foods that offer complete proteins. Incomplete proteins lack one or more essential amino acids.

Do vegan children grow slower? ›

Children on vegan diets had about 5 per cent lower bone mineral content and were on average 3cm shorter in height. This is important, as the higher the bone mineral content, the higher the bone mineral density.

Is it OK to be vegan at 14? ›

A vegan diet can offer complete nutrition for anyone at any age and can be easy to follow. As a growing teen it is safe to switch from a vegetarian to a vegan diet. To stay healthy, it is important that you eat a variety of foods daily and focus on specific nutrients that help teens grow.

What age is most vegan? ›

Vegans tend to be younger than the general population, with the majority falling between 18 and 34.

Is a plant-based diet healthy for children? ›

What About Kids? It's perfectly healthy for infants, toddlers, and older children to eat a plant-based, vegetarian, or vegan diet. Milk-based drinks: When it comes to milk-based drinks, babies should only drink breast milk or formula in their first year.

What are some healthy plant-based foods? ›

Vegetables: kale, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, peppers, etc. Starchy vegetables: potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, etc. Whole grains: brown rice, rolled oats, farro, quinoa, brown rice pasta, barley, etc. Healthy fats: avocados, olive oil, unsweetened coconut, etc.

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