9 Healthy Fall Recipes for Kids (that they'll actually enjoy) (2024)

9 Healthy Fall Recipes for Kids (that they'll actually enjoy) (1)

Fall is in the air, and there’s nothing like a cool weather that gets me excited about cooking. Slow cooker meals, soups, stews, you name it – it’s all good for fall.

With all the junk that comes along with this time of year (Halloween candy, baked goods for the holidays, etc.) it’s good to figure out some meals that are not only healthy but that the whole family, especially the kids, will enjoy.

So, we took a deep dive into all the healthy fall recipes for kids and came up with a good list to share with you.

Let’s go!

9 Healthy Fall Recipes for Kids (that they’ll actually enjoy)

Here are some of our favorites (in no particular order):

#1 One Pan Sausage, Butternut Squash and Apples

9 Healthy Fall Recipes for Kids (that they'll actually enjoy) (2)

This is a super easy, healthy meal that you can throw together in a matter of minutes (depending on how fast you can chop). I love one pan meals – similar to slow cooker meals, you just throw everything together and let it cook.

This is also one of those recipes where you can easily substitute a different meat or different vegetables and it still works.

Source: What Molly Made (get the full recipe here)

#2 Beef Vegetable Soup

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Fall weather = soup weather here. This is a great Instant Pot recipe (we love the Instant Pot).

This recipe also allows you to substitute ground turkey for ground beef if you want to make it a bit healthier.

Source: Eating on a Dime (get the full recipe here)

#3 Feel-Good Apple Muffins

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Eating healthy doesn’t mean you can’t throw in a little sweetness. These muffins are a great way to give your kids a delicious snack that tastes like it’s a treat, but not unhealthy like most snacks they’d probably be eating otherwise.

Grab one of these with your morning coffee too.

Source: Pinch of Yum (get the full recipe here)

#4 Breadless Butternut Stuffing

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Breadless stuffing? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Sure enough, that’s what this is.

If you’re trying to cut back on carbs, but love stuffing and want a healthier alternative, this is it. Kids will love it too.

Warning: this one calls for a lot of ingredients, so if you’re anything like me, you’re probably running out to the store to pick up a few things before you can make this one.

Source: Rachael Ray (get the full recipe here)

#5 Healthy Apple Crisp

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A good apple crisp is definitely one of my weaknesses. Hard to believe you could make a healthier version it, but that’s exactly what we have here (you just can’t put any ice cream on top).

What makes this recipe healthy? No butter, no refined sugar. But yet, it’s still sweet enough to enjoy as a dessert.

Source: What Molly Made (get the full recipe here)

#6 Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken

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The best part of fall cooking is the slow cooker. And this slow cooker meal has all the good stuff.

Cheese, garlic, chicken, potatoes – it’s fall comfort in a bowl.

Source: Delish (get the full recipe here)

#7 Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes

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I’m normally not the biggest fan pumpkin-flavored foods, but this time of year I’m willing to try and enjoy them.

This is a great pancake recipe that that oozes fall flavor. I probably wouldn’t ever touch something like this in the summer, but in the fall/winter, it’s perfect.

Source: Wholesome Recipe Box (get the full recipe here)

#8 Healthy Caramel Dip (for apples!)

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Apples are a staple for fall recipes, but sometimes you just want to eat the apple by itself.

Here’s a dip you can make that tastes great and is healthier than your traditional caramel dip. There’s no added sugar. And the key ingredient? Dates.

Source: Vegan Family Recipes (get the full recipe here)

#9 Easy Minestrone Soup

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We’re going to end this round up with another soup recipe. Because we can’t get enough soup in the fall.

This is a great one for kids because it has a fairly mild flavor (not spicy or anything else that might turn some kids off).

Source: Know Your Produce (get the full recipe here)

Those are our healthy fall recipes for kids!

We’ve barely scratched the surface on some of the best healthy fall recipes for kids, but these should be enough to get you started.

It’s sad to say goodbye to summer, but we’re happy to say hello to the delicious smells and warmth of these fall home cooked meals. And hopefully the kids are too.

What are some of your favorite healthy fall recipes for kids? Leave a comment below!

9 Healthy Fall Recipes for Kids (that they'll actually enjoy) (11)

9 Healthy Fall Recipes for Kids (that they'll actually enjoy) (2024)

FAQs

How to make food fun for kids? ›

Turn vegetables or fruit into race cars, fish, or flowers. Nut butters and honey make great “glue.” Graham crackers become mini pizzas topped with yogurt and fruit. Whole grain crackers or bagels come to life when you use fruits and veggies to form a funny face with eyes, a mouth, a nose, and hair.

What is unhealthy food for kids? ›

What is junk food? Junk food is unhealthy food that includes sweet drinks, lollies, chocolates, sweet snacks, chips and crisps, crunchy snack foods, biscuits, cakes, most fast foods, pies, sausage rolls, jam and honey.

What food makes kids happy? ›

Dark leafy greens are high in Vitamin B-12, B9 (also known asfolate) and other B-vitamins. B-vitamins get an “A+” when it comes to producing natural brain chemicals that positively affect mood and other brain functions. Common leafy greens that you can grow in your garden include kale and spinach.

What foods do picky kids like? ›

Our Favorite Meals for Picky Eaters
  • Baked Potato Bar. With a serve-yourself baked potato bar, your little ones can assemble their own dinner creations! ...
  • Pizza Bagels. ...
  • Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower. ...
  • Chicken Fajitas. ...
  • White Bean Burgers. ...
  • Peas & Cheese Tortellini. ...
  • Veggie Wraps. ...
  • Chicken Bites, Mashed Yams & Green Beans.
Sep 14, 2018

What foods do 11 year olds eat? ›

Feeding Your Child - Ages 10-12
Food GroupSuggested Servings
Milk/Dairy Milk Yogurt Cheese4 daily
Meat/Protein* Beef, Pork, Fish, Poultry Eggs Peanut Butter4 daily
Fruit/Vegetables Fruit Fruit Juice Vegetables4-6 daily
Breads/Cereals Whole grain bread Hot cereal, rice, pasta Ready-to-eat cereal Crackers6-11 daily
2 more rows

What is an ideal meal for a child? ›

Aim to make half of their plate fruits and vegetables, one-quarter whole grains like bread or whole-wheat pasta, and one-quarter protein like eggs, meat, cheese, beans or nuts. Offer variety. Remember that your job as the parent is to offer a variety of food; it's your child's job to eat it.

What makes a good kids menu? ›

The Elements of a Good Kids Menu

Nutritious Options – Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into the menu. These elements provide essential vitamins, minerals, and energy for growing bodies.

What foods make kids feel better? ›

5 Foods to Feed Your Kids When They're Sick
  • Fluids: Above all else, hydration is most important when your child has an acute illness. ...
  • Broth/Soup: Broth and soup can feel good on a sore throat or upset stomach while offering hydration and fluids. ...
  • Juicy Fruits or Veggies: As you can tell, hydration is key!
Feb 15, 2023

What party food do kids like? ›

Kids' party recipes
  • Loaded potato skins. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer chicken nuggets. A star rating of 4.9 out of 5. ...
  • App onlyHummus veggie patch. ...
  • Chocolate sandwich cookie ice cream cupcakes. ...
  • Easy sausage rolls. ...
  • App onlyStrawberry lemonade cake. ...
  • Marshmallows dipped in chocolate. ...
  • Rice cake cress faces.

What foods do most kids like? ›

One child's favorite foods may be unheard of to another child! In the United States, little ones often ask for cheeseburgers, pepperoni pizza, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, hot dogs with ketchup, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tacos or macaroni and cheese.

What is messy food play for kids? ›

Messy Food Play Ideas

Filling up plastic cups with dry cereal, porridge oats, and breadcrumbs, and knocking them over with skittles. Pushing toys around in dry foodstuff. juice, tomato ketchup, fromage frais or to touch texture e.g. dates (sticky) apples (smooth) biscuits (hard) marshmallows (soft) and yoghurt (wet).

What is healthy eating for a child? ›

Healthy eating in childhood reduces your child's chance of developing health problems as they get older. A healthy, balanced diet includes foods from all 5 food groups: fruit, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy. Foods high in sugar, saturated fat and salt aren't necessary for a healthy diet and should be limited.

What is the healthiest lunch for kids? ›

To help give you some inspiration, here are 51 great healthy kids lunch recipes your little ones won't be able to resist.
  • Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup. ...
  • Easy Baked Broccoli Tots. ...
  • Puff Pastry Strudel with Vegetables and Cheese. ...
  • Sandwich Kabobs. ...
  • Ham and Cheese Pinwheels. ...
  • Sesame Noodle Salad.
Nov 2, 2023

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