23 Kid-Friendly Meal Prep Recipes
When you’re exhausted after a long day, coming up with healthy dinner ideas — and getting motivated to actually cook them — can be tough. Add picky eaters into the mix, and you’ve got an even bigger challenge. That’s where meal prep comes in: With a little planning and prep work, you can make sure your fridge is stocked with healthy, wholesome, reheat-and-eat meals the whole family will love. Here are 25 kid-friendly meal prep recipes you can make in advance and enjoy all week.
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1. Sheet Pan Eggs
Sheet pan eggs are a serious time-saver. Instead of cooking individual omelets for everyone, just pop these in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Each serving has less than 100 calories and provides 7 grams of protein, and you can store your leftovers in the freezer for an easy breakfast option when you need it.
Get the recipe at Little Sunny Kitchen.
2. No Bake Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bites
Made with simple ingredients like banana, oatmeal, coconut flakes, and peanut butter, these wholesome no-bake bites are a healthy afternoon snack your kids will love.
Get the recipe at The Simple Cooking.
3. Easy Freezable Applesauce Waffles
Instead of buying packaged waffles, whip up a batch of these gluten-free, vegan applesauce waffles and store them in the freezer. Top a toasted waffle with fresh fruit for an easy, nutritious breakfast.
Get the recipe at Strength & Sunshine.
4. Vegetable Pasta Sauce
Loaded with seven different veggies and legumes, this rich and creamy pasta sauce is as delicious as it is healthy. It’s also vegan and gluten-free, with 9 grams of fiber, 9 grams of protein, and only 4 grams of sugar per serving.
Get the recipe at My Pure Plants.
5. Baked Lentil Veggie Nuggets
Even picky eaters will love these dippable nuggets, and you’ll love that they’re loaded with lentils, zucchini, carrots, peas, and corn. Store some in the fridge and reheat them when you need a quick and nutritious lunch idea — each serving of four nuggets provides 11 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber.
Get the recipe at This Healthy Kitchen.
6. Socca Bread (Chickpea Flatbread)
A popular street food in France, Socca bread is made from chickpea flour, water, and seasoning — can’t get much simpler than that! Freeze it for later and use it as a gluten-free pizza base or dip it in hummus.
Get the recipe at This Healthy Kitchen.
7. Pumpkin Zucchini Bread
With 3 grams of fiber per serving and nutrients from two types of squash, this easy pumpkin zucchini bread recipe is a great meal prep snack option.
Get the recipe at Openfit.
8. Easy Red Lentil Sloppy Joe
A healthier take on the classic kid-friendly main dish, these Sloppy Joes are made from a mix of soybean meat crumble and red lentils. Store it in the freezer for easy meals all week!
Get the recipe at Bad to the Bowl.
9. Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Thighs
Kids will love the sweet and slightly spicy flavor of these grilled chicken thighs. They only take 40 minutes to make — including prep, marinade, and grill time — and have a whopping 50 grams of protein per serving.
Get the recipe at The Delicious Spoon.
10. Spinach Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Made with sweet potato and spinach, these cheesy tots are nutrient dense and toddler friendly. Each serving contains 11 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, so they’re a healthy lunch idea for adults, too!
Get the recipe at Bucket List Tummy.
11. Chickpea Veggie Patties
These tasty vegan patties are loaded with aromatic spices like turmeric, chili powder, and Italian mixed herbs. Make them in bulk and store the extras in the freezer for a burger alternative or a dippable snack.
Get the recipe at Flavours Treat.
12. Vegan Mexican Chili Mac
Ready in under 30 minutes, this yummy chili mac — made with beans, pasta, veggies, and spices — is a kid-friendly meal prep dinner your kids will beg you to make. Sub in whole-grain pasta, bean-based pasta, or zoodles for an even healthier version.
Get the recipe at Cass Clay Cooking.
13. Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut
When you or your kids need a quick and easy snack, this tropical salad takes fresh fruit up a notch with a mix of pineapple, blueberries, kiwi, and shredded coconut.
Get the recipe at Openfit.
14. Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Quesadilla
Need a zero-effort dinner idea? These creamy quesadillas are made with just two ingredients — tortillas and roasted red pepper hummus. Jazz them up by adding any leftover veggies from Meal Prep Monday!
Get the recipe at Stacey Homemaker.
15. Carrot Cake Blender Muffins
Looking for kid-friendly meal prep ideas that’ll appeal to the youngest members of your family? These toddler-approved muffins are made with carrots, medjool dates, Greek yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, and rolled oats. Whip up a dozen and freeze them for up to three months for an easy breakfast or snack option.
Get the recipe at MJ & Hungryman.
16. Kid Friendly Pasta Salad
Fun pasta shapes and colorful veggies make this vibrant pasta salad a hit with kids. (For a healthier take, make it with whole-grain pasta, bean-based pasta, or zoodles.) It only takes 15 minutes to make a big batch your family can enjoy all week long!
Get the recipe at Little Sunny Kitchen.
17. White Bean Chicken Chili
For busy parents, an Instant Pot pressure cooker can be a serious lifesaver. In just one hour, you’ll have a healthy chili with 35 grams of protein per bowl — and only one pot to clean!
Get the recipe at Openfit.
18. Raw Carrot Coconut Truffles
Made with carrots, coconut flour, honey, and flax seed meal, these sweet truffles — spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg — are a healthy snack disguised as a dessert.
Get the recipe at Dani’s Cookings.
19. Healthy Vegan Fudgesicles
With less than 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar per serving, these vegan chocolate and avocado fudgesicles only take a few minutes to prep, and your kids (and you!) can snack on them all week.
Get the recipe at Meals With Maggie.
20. Banana Cranberry Muffins
Muffins are an easy meal prep snack, but they can be loaded with added sugar. Not this recipe — it’s sweetened only with bananas, and it has plenty of yummy flavor from walnuts and dried cranberries. Skip the optional honey and cranberry toppings to keep the sugar content down.
Get the recipe at Dani’s Cookings.
21. Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos
Kids will love this shredded chicken recipe in a taco or quesadilla, and there are so many tasty ways to use the leftovers throughout the week. Add it to a salad, mix it into a casserole, or put it on a sandwich for a quick lunch idea.
Get the recipe at Skinny Comfort.
22. Butternut Squash Fries
If your family loves fast food, make a batch of these butternut fries instead — they’re just the right amount of crispy and salty, and they can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
Get the recipe at Openfit.
23. Healthy Vegan Tofu Scramble
Made with tofu and cauliflower rice, this yummy vegan scramble is perfect for a “breakfast for dinner” night and can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Use the recipe as a base, and let your kids add their favorite veggies!
Get the recipe at Openfit.
