60 Vegetarian Recipes for Kids – Make Mealtimes Fun!
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You know how much we love vegetarian recipes for their big flavors and exciting new recipes, but that can make it pretty difficult to find vegetarian recipes for kids.
The issue is that kids tend to prefer familiar foods and simple flavors over spicy indian sauces or chewy halloumi that the grown ups around here love.
While that doesn’t go for all kids, we wanted to help parents out by coming up with a list of vegetarian recipes for families. (Or recipes for the vegetarian university students out there looking for comfort food, we won’t tell).
This compilation of vegetarian recipes for kids covers every meal from breakfast recipes, like pancakes or scrambled eggs, to dinner recipes, like cucumber sandwiches and pizza.
ALL of these vegetarian meals for kids are so delicious your kids probably won’t even notice.
We also have a list of vegetarian lunch ideas for school, if that’s more what you’re looking for.
Why are kids picky eaters?
First things first, being a picky eater as a kid is totally normal.
BUT it can be hard for parents to find recipes for picky eaters, especially if you’re trying to stick to a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Often, kids are just naturally more sensitive to taste, scent or texture. If not, it might be a way to gain control over mealtimes.
Changes, like shifting a whole family to a vegetarian diet, can be especially tough because kids tend to like familiar foods.
That’s why we’ve included twists on some classics like vegan nuggets to replace chicken nuggets, and veggie burgers to replace beef burgers, in this list of vegetarian recipes for kids.
We’re just trying to make mealtimes a little smoother for all the parents out there, so if that’s what you’re looking for, read on!
Breakfast
Bonus: mega healthy, tasty and super-quick
Bulgur porridge completely revitalises the morning rush – with a naturally sweet (and incredibly tasty) whole grain breakfast – it’s vegan, too!
Low Carb Breakfast Egg Muffins (25 Minutes, Vegetarian)
Check out the recipe hereBonus: simple, mega delicious and high-protein breakfast
Delicious and Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins. Simple recipe, great taste. Low carb and high in protein. Perfect as a full meal or filling snack.
Bonus: easy, quick, tasty and full of nutrients
Our take on the tried and true combo of egg on Avocado Toast. It’s high-protein and delicious with just a hint of spice! Feel free to swap the sriracha for your favourite sauce!
Bonus: healthy, sweet yet savoury, smooth yet slightly grainy
A classic homemade Jamaican breakfast made vegan and more nutritious – and bursting with the same sweet and scrumptiously savoury taste!
Bonus: mega quick, easy and tasty
This vegan French toast should be on every food radar. Our simple guide with the dos and don’ts of French toast means breakfast has never been easier!
Bonus: quick, easy, flavourful and high in protein
Vegan Breakfast Potatoes – the best way to start the day. Animal-friendly, high in protein and even higher in taste. Yes please!
Bonus: fast, nutritious, healthy and tasty
This yogurt parfait is rich with fruits and nuts and is a deliciously quick way to start the day. Never get bored of breakfast again!
Bonus: incredibly quick, tasty, simple and nutritious breakfast
Make the best scrambled eggs you’ve ever had with our quick & easy but simple to follow recipe – so good you’ll never look elsewhere again!
Bonus: easy, light, tasty and fluffy 🙂
These no egg pancakes are easy, light and fluffy. Perfect for savoury or sweet toppings, look no further if you need pancakes without egg!
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: FoodMeanderings
Bonus: easy, delicious and beautiful breakfast 🙂
This Bagel Toad in a Hole breakfast is an easy recipe kids can make on their own for Mom on Mother’s Day or for themselves on any day, using either the stove or microwave. Made to look like a flower with an egg in a hole bagel middle, fruit (pineapple and raspberry) petals and a green onion stem, this healthy vegetarian recipe is a fun and simple breakfast or brunch!
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: super easy, nutritious and yummy 🙂
A beautiful mix of bananas, cacao powder and peanut butter for this oatmeal. All three ingredients are known for their “affinity” to each other.
Ready in: 7 minutes
Recipe by: HomeCookedHarvest
Bonus: so simple, quick, delicious and full of nutrients meal
Omelet in a Mug is a hearty and healthy meal, filled with protein and vegetables. This Mug Omelet is a quick breakfast that will help keep you energized and full until lunch.
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: easy, creamy, healthy and tasty meal
Our delicious vegan take on the trendiest cafe food of the moment, Mushrooms on Toast. It’s perfect for everything from a savory breakfast to a light dinner.
Bonus: crunchy, sweet, full of taste and so healthy breakfast!
Quinoa Breakfast Porridge with Hot Blueberry Drizzle. A beautiful union of delicious but easy to find spices and fruits in a simple and satisfying breakfast.
Bonus: super simple to make, incredibly healthy and so yummy!
34g of natural protein. Just three ingredients: Cottage cheese, eggs and oats. 12 minutes from start to finish. You won’t be disappointed!
Bonus: simple, quick, healthy and so delicious
Our Chia Breakfast Pudding calls for just 5 ingredients. Excellent for all those who don’t like to chow down on a big bowl of oats every morning!
Bonus: quick to make, cheap ingredients, high protein meal and yummy 🙂
Easy Tomato Omelette. There is a trick to making the perfect omelette – and it’s weirdly easy. We’ll show you how. You’re gonna love this one!
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: PickyEaterBlog
Bonus: simple, easy to make, satisfying and full of important nutrients
Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal is a brilliant way to start the day! This healthy and satisfying breakfast is filled with rolled oats, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, coconut sugar, milk, and naturally sweet strawberries. It’s hearty, vegan-friendly, ready in just 20 minutes, and sugar-free!
Bonus: mega simple, delicious and nutritious meal
This world’s simplest pancakes recipe contains just two ingredients (egg and banana) and is super quick – just minutes from bowl to plate! Simple and tasty.
Lunch
Bonus: easy, nutritious and so tasty burger
A black bean burger recipe that doesn’t fall apart, tastes awesome and can even be made vegan! What could be more BBQ perfect?
Bonus: easy to make, cheesy and delicious pizza!
These pizza pancakes are perfect for lunch or dinner – super simple and full of the most exciting base and taste combos make it the best of both worlds!
Bonus: quick, creative, easy and tasty
This mega quick lunch recipe from ace chef Jansen Schouten is bound to please – it’s tasty, nutritious and most importantly – a break from the norm!
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: JollyHomeMadeRecipes
Bonus: mega quick, healthy, crispy, yet creamy sandwich
A simple, healthy and colourful sandwich, combined with the creaminess of mayonnaise ensures that kids will fall in love with these easy Carrot and Beetroot Sandwich.
Bonus: simple ingredients, tasty, healthy and nutritious
Make these sweetcorn fritters your new go-to recipe with ingredients you’ll always find in your kitchen. They’re vegan-friendly, too!
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: ItsNotComplicatedRecipes
Bonus: quick, fresh, healthy and so satisfying
Pea, Mint and Feta Frittata is simple to prepare and full of fresh, bright flavours. Made with the popular combination of pea and mint, it is a versatile dish, and there are many ways in which to enjoy it.
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: easy, mega delicious, nutritious and versatile dish
The vegetarian Christmas dilemma is solved with these amazing sides – Christmas feasts are better and more vegetarian than ever!
Ready in: 52 minutes (just 5 minutes prep)
Recipe by: NoSweatVegan
Bonus: quick, easy, versatile, flavorful and perfect for dipping
If you’ve been searching for an easy and delicious vegan Chick-fil-A style nugget recipe, then you’re in luck. These nuggets combine agave sweetness and briny pickle juice for a unique yet familiar flavor. Plus everything is oil-free! Perfect for dipping in a honey mustard dipping sauce.
Bonus: super simple, delicious and full of important nutrients
Tomato Mozzarella Bread. Easy to make Italian tomato and mozzarella bread. High in calcium and Mediterranean flair. Delicious.
Bonus: simple, creamy, fresh and soft sandwiches
The ultimate guide to cucumber sandwiches. Know the traps to avoids and the tricks to making the best cucumber sandwiches available in polite society.
Bonus: quick, light, warming and comforting soup
Irresistible Pea and Mint Soup, the classic British dish that’s fresh, light and with the promise of summer yet to come!
Bonus: easy, amazingly delicious and great for any occasion
Elevate any party with the ultimate party food – tomato butter. Just keep your eye on it – it’ll be gone in seconds!
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: HomeCookedHarvest
Bonus: easy, comforting, creamy, so healthy
This Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup still has all the flavor of the decadent version, but with way less calories. This Broccoli Cheese Soup is loaded with lots of fresh broccoli and carrots.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieDesserts
Bonus: fast, easy and full of goodness
With these veggie hot dogs, I’ve pureed the lentils and veggies so they have a finer and more ‘veggie dog’-like texture. The smoked paprika and garlic powder give them that classic hot dog aroma and taste, but they’re full of goodness from pulses and veggies. I’ve made them with plain flour, but gluten-free flour works well if required.
Bonus: quick, high in protein and absolutely delicious
This tempeh sandwich is THE new vegan sandwich. Mega tasty and super nutritional, it sets the new bar for all sandwich lovers out there.
Dinner
Bonus: so easy, delicious, healthy, can be stored in the fridge
Hands down, the best gluten-free pizza alternative out there. Your kids will never feel like they’re missing out again!
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: TheHealthyToast
Bonus: super versatile, delicious and so gorgeous!
Enjoy the last of summer peaches with this summer-inspired twist on an easy weeknight dinner classic!
Bonus: cheap ingredients, creamy, easy to make a big pot and absolutely loved by kids
The simple yet incredibly effective aromatised oil makes these vegan mashed potatoes better than any of their contemporaries. Creamy without the cream. Fun to let the kids help make it, too!
Bonus: easy, healthy and tasty salad
This classic creamy cucumber salad has been passed down for good reason – it’s incredible! It’s also simple and quick, just the way it should be.
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: FoodMeanderings
Bonus: simple, tasty, cheesy
This Dill Pickle Pizza is made with Alfredo sauce, dill weed and garlic for a rich and creamy pizza sauce that pairs perfectly with pickles! It’s carnival food at its finest and tastes just like the Pickle Pizza at the Calgary Stampede.
Bonus: quick, healthy, versatile and delicious meal
These awesome high-protein vegetarian lentil patties can be used as lentil burgers or fritters, and even made vegan, too!
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: MrsJonesKitchen
Bonus: cheesy, comforting, very tasty
This meat free pesto lasagna is made from layers of pasta, béchamel sauce and a basil spinach pesto. It’s rich and creamy, and perfect cool weather comfort food.
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: KetoVegetarianRecipes
Bonus: simple, healthy and sooo tasty
A low carb pizza made from spaghetti squash is a delicious vegetarian meal. It has a slightly sweet taste and is a creative way to enjoy spaghetti squash.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: Cooktoria
Bonus: quick, tasty, tender, and healthy
These light, golden-brown Broccoli Fritters make a delicious vegetarian dinner or lunch — and kids love them, too! Ready in less than 30 minutes.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: AllThatsJas
Bonus: quick, easy, tasty and affordable dish
An easy stovetop dish, this Spanish pasta frittata with mushrooms and spinach is a great solution for a fast vegetarian comfort meal.
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: DebraKlein
Bonus: simple, crispy and super fun
This Gluten-free Vegan Flatbread Recipe is super easy to make, uses just a few simple ingredients and makes the perfect healthy appetizer or dinner. Crispy pizza crust that uses no yeast so it’s ready in minutes.
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: KitchenSanctuary
Bonus: vibrant, tasty, and full of cheesy crunchiness
My crispy-coated cheese-filled veggie burgers are so tasty! Even meat-eaters will love them! A great way to get the kids to eat more veg.
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: WhataGirlEats
Bonus: so simple, yet so delicious and creamy!
A simple yogurt, garlic and butter sauce over pasta.
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: so easy, quick, high in protein and tasty recipe
Melted cheese and baked beans is a UK favourite when it comes to baked potatoes – and we have the perfect recipe and cooking instructions!
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: WhiteCoatPinkApron
Bonus: quick and mega healthy side dish, can be frozen in a freezer
These kid-friendly Broccoli Tots with chickpeas are full of fiber and protein, and are completely vegan! With only 4 ingredients and minimal prep, there’s no reason not to try them.
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ElkeLiving
Bonus: delicious, versatile and high-protein meal
These vegetarian baked taquitos make the perfect quick dinner or party food! These crispy little tacos are full of flavor and crunch!
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: ScrummyLane
Bonus: easy, versatile and ridiculously delicious
Try this meal once and it may become one of your go-to meals! Pan fry gnocchi until golden and crispy, then toss in a simple but very tasty cherry tomato and basil sauce. The icing on the cake is a sprinkle of tangy feta cheese!
Snacks
Bonus: quick, delicious and so versatile
Quick White Bean Spread (vegan pâté). A super fast recipe that works as an appetizer, snack or as a party dip for your kids!
Bonus: quick, tasty and energizing snack
2 Ingredient Cookies. Just mix bananas and oats and bake them for 15 minutes. Perfect for when your kids need a healthy snack. Enjoy!
Bonus: fast, healthy, naturally sweetened and tasty
Delicious Date Smoothie – this an impressively tasty and animal friendly smoothie that’s packed with omega 3s!
Bonus: easy, quick, tasty and much healthier than regular from shops!
2 Ingredient Peanut Butter. Just peanuts and oil for this natural peanut butter that’s perfect as a sauce or topping. Vegan, healthy and ready in 3 minutes.
Ready in: 12 minutes
Recipe by: EatingByElaine
Bonus: super easy, delicious, versatile and so nutritious
Get ready to make everyone at your table happy with these Vegan Sweet Potato Quinoa Tots. They are gluten-free, nut-free and refined sugar-free. With just a couple ingredients, these simple and flavorful tots are going to become a fast favorite.
Bonus: mega quick, simple ingredients, nutritious and fun for kids
Banana Mug Cake. The ideal snack for beating sugary cravings in a healthier way. Very easy and quick to make – from cupboard to sofa in less than five minutes!
Bonus: simple, healthy, quick and absolutely delicious
All the taste and all the goodness – without the fish. The new kid on the vegan block is even tastier than the original!
Desserts
Bonus: quick, mega tasty and healthy dessert
Cinnamon Baked Pears. They are super simple to make, take only five minutes of preparation, 25 minutes of baking, and always turn out great.
Bonus: easy, healthy, delicious and high-protein
Incredibly easy high-protein ricotta pancakes. Your first and foremost stop for all things tasty and high-protein – we know what we’re doing.
From fresh yogurt parfaits to baked potatoes to quesadillas, these vegetarian recipes for kids should cover something that pleases your whole family (without boring your taste buds too much)!
If you need more help settling into a vegetarian lifestyle and vegetarian meals for kids, check our guide on how to go vegetarian.
If your little ones love one of these kid friendly recipes in particular, let us know in the comments below!
You claim that these are vegetarian recipes, however a true vegetarian does not use animal products such as eggs or dairy.
Hi Jo, we use the terminology ‘vegetarian’ as in ‘ovo-lacto’ – includes eggs and dairy. For no animal products at all we call it ‘vegan’. It makes it a lot simpler. Cheers.
Thank you!!! We are trying to increase our veggie intake, but finding kid friendly recipes has been frustrating . This will be a nice way to start.
You’re very welcome Antonia! I hope you find something for you all to enjoy together! Bon Appetit!
Oh Thanks! Super excited to try these out with the kiddos this summer!
Happy to help! Yes, lots of fun getting them involved, too. Enjoy! 🙂
My husband and I have recently made the change in our lifestyle to eat more plant based. I thought the issue was going to be the change with my 6 kids………. They are adapting amazingly without any picky eating or complaints. I am was only changing out a week day at a time, first week one plant based meal, second week two plant based meals etc. they now eat 6 veggie based meals a week. The carrot and lentil based hot dog and the crunchy chess veggie burgers from this site we’re an amazing hit. I even got told “this hot dog is the best hot dog I’ve ever had”.
All in all. Thank you for sharing these recipes.
We’re so happy for your amazing experience with veggie food, especially when your little ones have enjoyed it! Awesome!! 🙂