Looking for quick and easy toddler recipes and getting your toddler to eat their vegetables like beetroot? I got you! I was in a phase where my son would refuse anything I offered except for berries and bread! Ugh it was super frustrating! That when I started to look out for easy toddler recipes that is quick to make and is also super balanced. Thats the reason, I started to sneak in veggies in roti veggies and Yes, you don’t have to sweat to make these easy and quick toddler recipes that I am sure would be your toddler approved as well! I tried these four recipes and it always worked for me! It is vibrant, nutritious, and utterly kid friendly veggie!
Enter the beetroot!
Packed with essential nutrients, beets can be a fantastic addition to your toddler’s diet! In this blog post, I have shared four quick, easy and tasty beetroot recipes that even a pickiest eater like my son has approved!
So Why Beetroot?
Before we dive into these five yummy beetroot recipes, let’s quickly highlight why beetroot is a great choice for toddler meals:
- Nutrient Powerhouse: Beets are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C, and iron, all of which are crucial for a growing toddler.
- Natural Sweetness: Beets have a natural sweetness that appeals to young taste buds, making them more likely to embrace this veggie.
- Gut Health: Beets are good for the gut due to their dietary fiber content. When combined with probiotic-rich yogurt, it’s a winning combination for digestive health.
- Versatility: Beets can be incorporated into various recipes, from savory to sweet, allowing you to experiment and find your toddler’s favorite.
Now, let’s get cooking!
Recipe 1: Beetroot Pesto Pasta
OH, when I tried this beetroot recipe, I loved it so much! yes, most of the food I make for my toddler, I end up loving too! I guess that was balance is! Haha
Ingredients:
- 2 boiled beetroot
- 1 cup cooked pasta
- Juice of half lemon
- 1-2 small cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup crushed walnuts
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (or Parmesan cheese)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a food processor, combine all the ingredients mentioned above to make a smooth sauce like consistency. You can add water to adjust consistency.
- Thats it, your sauce is ready!
- Now just add cooked pasta to this sauce and garnish with freshly grated cheese!
- You won’t believe how the beets perfectly disguise themselves in this pasta dish!
Tip
Avoid using regular pasta. Swap it for high protein pasta that is not just healthier but makes your meals more balanced without feeling the mom guilt! I love both Banza and Barilla Pasta. Banza is made with chickpea and Barilla is made with Red lentils.
Recipe 2: Beetroot Raita (Beets + Yogurt)
Ok, this is a recipe that was super viral cause of Alia Bhatt and I don’t blame her! It is so simple and quick to make ! So yes, it is not just a toddler friendly meal but we can enjoy it too with some nice phulkas or rotis too!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled and grated beetroot
- 1 cup thick yogurt (Greek yogurt or strained yogurt works well)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon ghee or unsalted butter
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of asafoetida or Hing (optional for digestion, omit for younger toddlers)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the grated beetroot and yogurt until well combined.
- In a small pan, heat the ghee or butter. Add the cumin seeds and asafoetida (if using) and sauté for a minute until fragrant. Be sure to eliminate chili if making this for toddlers.
- Pour the ghee-cumin mixture over the beetroot-yogurt mixture. Add a pinch of salt and stir well.
- You can servve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes if you are having it! haha
Tip
Using Strained yogurt keep the consistency thick and is easier for toddler who are just learning to scoop easier and less messier. I use cheesecloth to squeez out water. This cheesecloth has over 15,000+ reviews! You can skip this step if you don’t have time!
Recipe 3: Beetroot Paneer Cutlet
Who doesn’t like cutlet? Honestly, when my toddler started to throw tantrums, I realized he was more like to avoid tantrums around found when it wasn’t gooey or liquidly! So I tried most dry recipes and I think I make pattice or cultet pretty often now! That how this beetroot panner cutlet came to me! Hoenstly Panner is a staple in my house now, I sneak it in whatever recipe to get that protein in! (by the way I make my own paneer at home – if you are interested here is the link)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled and mashed beetroot
- 1/2 cup crumbled paneer (Indian cottage cheese)
- 2 tablespoons bread crumbs (can swap with oat flour too)
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala (omit for very young toddlers)
- Salt to taste
- Oil or Ghee for shallow frying
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed beetroot, crumbled paneer, bread crumbs (I prefer using oat flour), and garam masala (if using). Add salt to taste.
- Mix everything until it forms a dough-like consistency.
- Divide the mixture into small portions and shape them into flat, round cutlets.
- Heat a pan with a small amount of oil or ghee for shallow frying. Place the cutlets in the pan and cook until they turn golden brown on both sides.
- Remove from the pan and let them cool slightly before serving.
Note:
Make your own oat flour by blitzing it in the food processor. I use this Braun Blender/chopper. I have made oats flour, hummus, smoothies and what not, and it hasnt failed me once! So it is a good investment cause it for everything! And honestly, once you have a kid, chopping veggies and meal prepping becomes so easy if you have something like this! Also, it comes out to be lot more cheaper and better than the store bought one!
But if you are short on time then Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Oat Flour is really good! I think it is a staple brand for most flours cause it has is really good! ‘
Recipe 4: Beetroot and Oat Pancakes
Oh the sunday pancakes! Yes, pancakes are loved my pretty much everyone. So why not sneak in a vegetable and swap your regular all purpose flour with wheat flour to make it a wholesome balance meal? That is now this beetroot oat pancake came to be!
Ingredients:
- 1 small boiled beetroot
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or dairy-free)
- 1 egg (omit for a vegan version)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- A pinch of salt
- Coconut oil or butter for cooking
Instructions:
- In a blender , combine beetroot, oats, whole wheat flour, egg and milk and blend it all in
- Now add, pinch of salt, baking powder and vanilla extract (if using)
- Check for consistency and add more milk if needed.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with coconut oil or butter.
- Pour small portions of the batter onto the skillet to make mini pancakes (yes it would almost be bite sized for adults). Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve the beetroot and oat pancakes with a drizzle of honey or a dollop of yogurt for added flavor and protein!
Recipe 5: Beetroot Paneer Paratha Recipe
Who doesn’t like parathas?! Honestly I didn’t know parathas can be easy to make! Instead of stuffing it and struggling to roll, this recipe made it super convenient to make parathas that your picky toddler would enjoy!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 small beetroot, boiled and grated
- 1/2 cup grated paneer (Indian cottage cheese)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mango powder (amchur)
- Salt to taste
- Water (as needed)
For Rolling and Cooking:
- Whole wheat flour for dusting
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Instructions:
Preparing the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, grated beetroot, grated paneer, cumin powder, chaat masala, dry mango powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Mix all the dry ingredients well.
- Gradually add water only if needed, a little at a time, and knead the mixture into a smooth and pliable dough. Be cautious not to make the dough too sticky. If it feels dry, you can sprinkle a bit of water to help bind it together.
- Once the dough is ready, cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes.
Beetroot Paneer Parathas:
- Divide the dough into equal-sized portions and roll them into balls.
- Take one dough ball and flatten it slightly with your hands.
- Dust it with a little whole wheat flour to prevent sticking.
- Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough ball into a circle of your desired thickness. Make sure it’s neither too thin nor too thick.
- Heat a griddle or a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, place the rolled paratha onto the griddle.
- Cook the paratha on one side until you see small bubbles forming on the surface.
- Flip the paratha to the other side and spread a little ghee or oil on top.
- Press the edges with a spatula to ensure even cooking .
- Cook until both sides turn golden brown
Tips for Making Mealtime Fun and Nutritious:
Now that you have these fantastic beetroot recipes that you can make for your toddler , here are some additional tips to make mealtime more enjoyable and nutritious for your toddler:
Get Them Involved: Encourage your little one to participate in meal preparation. Whether it’s mixing the yogurt for the raita, sprinkling cheese on the pasta, or helping shape the cutlets, involving them in the process can make them more excited about eating.
Colorful Presentation: Toddlers are often drawn to vibrant colors. Use colorful plates and utensils like spoons and forks to serve the beetroot dishes. You can even create fun shapes or faces with the food to pique their interest. I really like these stainless stell cutters, you also get cute animal fruit stamps!
Be Patient: It’s common for toddlers to be hesitant about trying new foods. Don’t be discouraged if they initially refuse. Offer the beetroot dishes consistently, and over time, they may develop a taste for them.
Mix and Match: Pair the beetroot dishes with familiar favorites. For example, serve the beetroot raita alongside their favorite rice or chapati, or include some pasta shapes they love with the beetroot pasta.
Be a Role Model
Ah I can’t emphasize on this enough! Before I used to get super frustrated when my son wouldn’t finish his meal that I offer. But slowly I had to let it go (both cause of my anxiety and the frustration I was giving him! ) So I just started eating along with my son and when it is not possible, I make sure I have at least one meal a day in front of him. That way he knows what I am eating, He is more open to trying new things when he sees me eating! If they see you enjoying these these recipes, they’re more likely to give them a try. Trust me on that!
Offer Variety: While these beetroot recipes are fantastic additions to their diet, don’t forget to introduce a wide variety of foods. Toddlers need exposure to different flavors and textures to develop a diverse palate.
Respect Their Preferences: Every child is different, and their taste buds vary. Respect their food preferences, and don’t force them to eat something they dislike. Instead, keep offering a variety of healthy options.
- Encourage Independence: As your toddler grows, encourage them to feed themselves and make choices. This fosters independence and helps them develop a healthy relationship with food.
Balanced Diet
While these beetroot recipes are nutritious, remember to maintain a balanced diet for your toddler. Include a variety of foods from all food groups to ensure they get the necessary nutrients.
Making Mealtime Memorable
As a parent, you play a crucial role in shaping your toddler’s eating habits and attitudes towards food. Here are some additional strategies to create memorable and positive mealtime experiences:
Set a Routine:
Establishing a consistent mealtime routine can help toddlers feel secure and understand when it’s time to eat. Aim for regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedules, with healthy snacks in between.
Create a Pleasant Atmosphere
Make mealtimes pleasant by ensuring a calm and enjoyable environment. Turn off distractions like TV or screens, and sit together as a family. Encourage conversation and bonding over meals.
Be Patient with Picky Eaters:
Many toddlers go through phases of picky eating. If they refuse a particular dish, avoid power struggles. Instead, reintroduce it at a later time or in a different form. Sometimes it just takes time for them to accept new foods.
Stay Hydrated:
Don’t forget about hydration. Water is essential for your toddler’s overall well-being. Offer water regularly, especially during and after meals.
Seek Professional Advice:
If you have concerns about your toddler’s eating habits, growth, or nutrition, don’t hesitate to consult a pediatrician or a registered dietitian. They can provide personalized guidance and address any specific concerns.
Conclusion:
Mealtime with toddlers can be both fun and challenging. With patience, creativity, and the right approach, you can navigate the picky eating phases and introduce nutritious foods like beets into their diet. sometimes even Remember that fostering a positive attitude towards food and mealtime is just as important as the ingredients themselves.
These beetroot recipes offer a fantastic way to introduce the health benefits and flavors of beets to your toddler. Continue exploring new recipes and food adventures with your little one. The journey of discovering new tastes and preferences is an exciting part of their growth and development.
Beetroot Recipes for Picky toddlers include, Beetroot Pesto pasta, Beetroot Raita, Beetroot Cutlet, Beetroot Pancakes and Beetroot Paratha.
