Toddler Weaning Recipes Easy & Quick Nourishing Meal Ideas

Weaning doesn’t end at the first spoonful of purée. For toddlers aged 12 months and beyond, weaning evolves into helping your child explore textures, flavours, and balanced meals. At this stage, toddlers are learning to self-feed, join family mealtimes, and develop a positive relationship with food.

This guide shares practical, easy-to-follow weaning recipes that support toddlers in their transition from baby food to family meals - all while keeping prep time minimal and nutrition front and centre.

Why Toddler Weaning Matters

Between 12 and 24 months, your toddler’s nutritional needs change. Their energy increases, iron and protein requirements rise, and their eating habits start to form more clearly. This is the perfect time to encourage variety, embrace mess, and set the tone for healthy eating long-term.

Key weaning tips for toddlers:

• Offer soft, bite-sized finger foods to support self-feeding

• Include a source of iron (like beans, egg, meat or fortified cereal) at least once a day

• Aim for balance: include carbs, protein, fat and fibre across the day

• Keep mealtimes pressure-free – appetite can vary daily

Read More - How to start weaning

7 Easy Toddler Weaning Recipes

1. Mini Veggie Muffins

Packed with veg and protein, these are great for lunchboxes or on-the-go.

Ingredients:

• 1 grated carrot

• 1 grated courgette

• 1/2 cup frozen peas

• 3 eggs

• 1/2 cup grated cheddar

• 1/2 cup flour (plain or wholemeal)

  Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 180°C.

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

• Spoon into a greased muffin tin and bake for 20–25 minutes.

  
  

2. Banana and Oat Pancakes

Great for breakfast or a snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup oats

  Instructions:

• Mash banana and mix with egg and oats.

• Cook in small rounds on a non-stick pan until golden on both sides.

  
  

3. Lentil and Sweet Potato Dhal

A mild, iron-rich meal full of fibre.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup red lentils

• 1 small sweet potato, diced

• 1/2 tsp turmeric

• 1/2 tsp cumin

• 2 cups water

  Instructions:

• Simmer all ingredients until soft (about 20 mins).

• Mash or blend slightly depending on your toddler’s texture preferences.

  
  

4. Chicken and Veggie Rice Balls

A fun, mess-free way to serve leftovers.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cooked chicken, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup cooked rice

• 1/4 cup cooked mixed veg

• 1 egg (optional, for binding)

  Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients and form small balls.

• Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes or serve cold.

  
  

5. Soft Salmon Patties

Full of omega-3 and toddler-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 1 small cooked potato, mashed

• 1/2 can salmon (skinless, boneless)

• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

  Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients and shape into patties.

• Fry or bake until lightly golden.

6. Avocado and Cream Cheese Wraps

A no-cook lunch option.

Ingredients:

• 1 wholemeal tortilla

• 1/2 ripe avocado

• 1 tbsp cream cheese

  Instructions:

• Mash avocado and mix with cream cheese.

• Spread over the wrap, roll up, and slice into pinwheels.

  
  

7. Pasta with Hidden Veg Sauce

A dinner staple that boosts veggie intake.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chopped carrots

• 1/2 cup courgette

• 1/2 onion

• 1 garlic clove

• 1/2 tin chopped tomatoes

• Small pasta shapes

  Instructions:

• Cook veg until soft, then blend with tomatoes.

• Mix with cooked pasta and serve with grated cheese.

  
  

Toddler weaning is all about progress, not perfection. Some days they’ll eat everything; others, hardly anything. Trust their appetite, stay consistent with variety, and remember: your job is to offer the food; theirs is to decide how much.

For more toddler feeding tips, family meal ideas, and expert support, download the free Carol App today on IOS and Android