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 plant-based foods for kids? ›

Steamed veggies: favourites include carrots, peas, corn, green beans and broccoli. Mashed potato or sweet potato. Whole grains and whole grain products, including brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta and whole grain breads. Plant proteins: beans (well cooked), lentils, tofu, and veggie burgers.

What are examples of plant-based meals? ›

41 Easy Plant-Based Recipes You'll Make Again and Again
  • Green Bean Pasta with Cashew Pesto. ...
  • Thai Rice Salad Bowls. ...
  • Tex-Mex Pita Pizzas. ...
  • Chickpea Flour Pizza Crust (Gluten-Free), Plus Topping Ideas. ...
  • Sneaky Chickpea Burgers. ...
  • Lentil Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Kale Arrabbiata-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. ...
  • Hearty Vegan Red Bean Chili.
Oct 31, 2022

What is a healthy vegan diet for kids? ›

A well planned vegan diet rich in beans, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables, whole grains such as oats, rice, cereal based foods such as breads, and pasta along with fortified foods and supplements may provide all the nutrients needed for good health.

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.

What are the most filling plant-based foods? ›

Plant-based foods you can add to your meals to help improve satiety
  • Lentils. Lentils are an economical and readily available ingredient that are used as staples in most plant-forward meals. ...
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Walnuts or Almonds. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Avocado.

Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

Are plant-based kids healthier? ›

Other kids and teens may decide to become vegetarian or vegan because of concern for the environment, animals or their own health. Vegetarian diets have proven to provide health benefits, such as a lower risk for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, to both kids and adults.

What is the best protein for vegan kids? ›

Some of my top sources for meeting protein needs come from legumes, grains, nuts and seeds. Certain types of beans provide slightly more than others but for the most part beans are a great source of protein.

Do vegan children grow less? ›

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 a 10 year old allowed to cook? ›

10- to 12-year-olds and up

This age group can use a chef's knife and start working independently in the kitchen with an adult in the house. Before they can graduate to cooking without close supervision, however, they should be assessed to see how careful they are with heat, sharp tools and food safety.

Is it OK for 10 year old to cook? ›

With an adult supervising, a 10-year old should be able to scramble eggs, stir fry vegetables or flip a pancake on an electric stovetop (you may want to wait longer if you have a gas range). Safety tip: Be sure to teach them to tie back long hair and never wear loose clothing around the stove.

Is plant-based food good for 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.

Are eggs part of a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

What are the most common plant-based foods? ›

List of Whole-Food, Plant-Based Foods
  • Nuts and seeds.
  • Starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, squash, and peas.
  • Fruits such as berries, apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, figs, bananas, and kiwi.
  • Whole grains such as oatmeal, buckwheat, quinoa, and rice.
  • Legumes such as chickpeas, beans, and lentils.

What are 2 plant-based foods? ›

Plant-based foods that are rich in iron include kidney beans, black beans, soybeans, spinach, raisins, cashews, oatmeal, cabbage, and tomato juice. Iron stores may be lower in individuals who follow a plant-based diet and consume little or no animal products.

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