28 Easy And Tasty Side Dishes That Your Kids Will Love

Finding full meals that your kids love or even just like may seem impossible. While they enjoy burgers, pizza, and fries, they don’t always like the idea of broccoli and zucchini. 

However, eating new foods and experiencing new flavors is an exciting part of life. In this article we share over 25 recipes that help you meet your kid in the middle. They eat new food and you aren’t left arguing over a wasted dinner. 

Want to know more about these delicious kid-friendly side dishes? Check them below! You never know what they’ll try and love!

1. Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes are delicious on their own. And with their fun bright orange color, they tend to be a rather exciting dish for kids. 

Make them taste even better by tossing them in maple syrup, butter, and lemon juice. Roast them in the oven or air fryer until soft and golden. Take something ordinary and make it delicious for your kids to enjoy. 

Serve with chicken, beef, steak, or your favorite veggie dish. 

2. Parmesan Broccoli Bites

Making broccoli exciting can be a rather tricky task. But with this recipe all you need is almond flour, seasoning, and parmesan cheese. 

The almond flour makes these delicious bites crunchy and wonderful. Roast them in the air fryer for an added crunch or slow roast in the oven for a more tender texture. Regardless, broccoli tossed in cheese is sure to be a winner. 

Serve with a small serving of ketchup. They may even replace the regular fries!

3. Quick Cucumber Kimchi

Does your little one like something with a little bit of heat? This cucumber kimchi recipe is perfect. 

Make sure to soak your cucumber in salt to let excess water come out. Then coat your cucumber in soy sauce, garlic, fish sauce, and Korean chile powder. 

You will want to make this dish ahead of time to let the cucumber soak in all of those flavors. We recommend serving this side dish with all of your favorite Asian inspired dishes. 

It’s even incredible as a snack!

4. Avocado Fries With Sriracha Aioli

Avocados are a breakfast staple in the homes of almost every family across the country. But, you can also include them in your lunches and dinners!

This Avocado Fries recipe is the best way to introduce your kids to the wonders of avocado. Coat your avocado slices into an egg and panko breadcrumb batter before cooking in the oven. 

We especially love these fries done in the air fryer. Makes them irresistibly golden and crunchy. 

Serve with homemade sriracha aioli for a truly incredible side dish or appetizer. 

5. Garlic And Rosemary Smashed Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the easiest sides to make delicious. This new take of roasted potatoes keeps things exciting and interesting at the dinner table.

Bar-boil your potatoes, let them cool, then take the bottom of a glass and smash each potato. Cover in your garlic and rosemary mixture for a truly exceptional flavor. 

You can really serve these smashed potatoes with any dish you make. They are especially good on a cold winter’s night with meatloaf or roast chicken and gravy. 

6. Cheesy Pull Apart Cauliflower

Nothing makes dinner exciting quite like pulling apart foods. With this dish your kids can really get in there and pull this cauliflower apart for a delicious, fun way to eat. 

Start by placing your cauliflower into the oven until the center is tender. While your cauliflower cools, mix mozzarella cheese and pesto. Once cooled, separate florets and spoon in your pesto mixture then return to the oven. 

Once cooked and cooled enough to touch, serve with pesto and watch your little ones dig in. 

7. Mixed Vegetable Rice

When trying to get your kids to eat more vegetables, mixing them with something they love works like a charm. 

This Mixed Vegetable Rice recipe is super quick and easy. Simply make your rice fluffy and soft as normal then mix in a mix of different vegetables. From corn to peas, your kids will love it!

You can make things even easier by using pre-mixed, frozen vegetables. Serve with a bunch of different dishes to add some extra color and nutrition!

8. Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots

In a rush during the week? Getting dinner on the table does not have to be a grand feast but you still want it to be utterly delicious. 

These Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots are the perfect addition to any meal. Simply add your ingredients to the slow cooker in the morning, pop on low, and they will be ready when everyone sits down for dinner. 

Tender, sweet, and absolutely tasty. Everyone will love them!

Perfect for Sunday family dinner or even Thanksgiving dinner. 

9. Mac And Cheese Bites

Hosting a kids party and in need of some food ideas? These Mac and Cheese Bites will make your kids party the hit of the year!

This super quick recipe can be made in under an hour. You can even have everything prepped and ready to go. So all you need to do is pop them in the oven half an hour before serving. 

The key is to use a good quality hard cheese. This acts as your binder instead of eggs. 

These bites are fun, easy to make and delicious!

10. Baked Sweet Potato Tater Tots

Tater Tots are one of the best inventions in the kitchen. Deep fried, crunchy, fluffy bites of potato. It’s no secret that kids love them. 

However, having Tater Tots every night for dinner may not be the best choice when it comes to getting all those essential nutrients. Give your kids what they love only slightly healthier. 

These Baked Sweet Potato Tater Tots are baked in the oven making them crispy and fluffy without the use of oil.  Or baked them in the air fryer for an even more delectable crunch with every bite. 

This recipe is vegan, paleo, and can even be made gluten free. 

11. Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad

Often kids love the sweet taste of fruits. So why not make them this delicious Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad as the perfect sweet accompaniment to any meal. 

With a hint of mint, honey, and like this dish is fresh and perfect for keeping the kids full. 

You can easily serve this salad as a dessert, side dish, or as a snack. Meaning you might want to have it stocked in your fridge at all times. 

This dish is perfect to add to any picnic or just to enjoy in the backyard on a summer’s day. 

12. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Asparagus is a veggie that can take an acquired palette to enjoy. Meaning kids are more likely to scrunch up their face than dig in straight away. 

Wrapping it in bacon? They are to at least give it a smell before completely dismissing the dish altogether. 

Perfect for Christmas and Thanksgiving, this Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is crunchy, salty, and of course tasty. 

Kids and adults alike can enjoy their veggies with the wonderful taste of smoked bacon. 

13. Smiley Fries

Making a food that looks intriguing is one of the simplest methods to draw children, right? And these cheerful fries can satisfy this crucial requirement. These fries have the shape of a smiley face, as their names imply.

Eggs, potatoes, milk, parmesan cheese, and other essential elements are included in this delicacy. To make this recipe more suited to your appetite, you can also add oregano or chili powder in addition to the specified additional flavors.

Bake in the oven or fry until crispy and golden brown. Don’t forget the ketchup!

14. Quinoa Fried Rice

Do your kids love the taste of fried rice? Well, this Quinoa Fried Recipe is the perfect way to add some more health to their favorite dish. 

Packed full of protein and other essential nutrients this dish is topped with peanuts, sesame seeds, and cashews. Delightful if your little one loves an added crunch. 

If you want to boost the nutritional value of the dish, add more chicken breast, turkey, or other types of proteins to the frying pan.

Since the flavors of your food won’t be much impacted, switching the vegetarian elements is also an option.

15. Green Bean Fries

Coat your trimmed green beans in flour and panko bread crumbs before baking and frying for a healthy, colorful take on regular potato fries. 

Whether you serve them at dinner or add them to your kids lunch box, they won’t be disappointed.

Serve with a dipping sauce your kid loves. We love these Green Bean Fries paired with Italian dressing. 

16. One Pot Creamy Pasta

Keeping things simple is one of the best ways to get your fussy eater to enjoy their meals. And this One Pot Creamy Pasta doesn’t get any simpler. 

Boil your noodles, add in butter, seasoning, milk, and shredded cheese for a delicious creamy pasta dish!

Serve alongside any main dish for a filling, tasty meal. 

17. Baked Cheesy Mashed Potato Cups

Mashed potatoes and cheese is a combination that no one can resist. Pop them into muffin tins for a bite sized version and you have a magical side dish or snack for everyone to enjoy. 

Simple pantry ingredients like mashed potatoes (fresh or leftovers work great), crumbled bacon, and other seasonings are all that are needed for this dish.

Cheddar cheese is also called for in this delicious dish, but feel free to substitute any other sort of cheese you have on hand.

They are sure to disappear in seconds. 

18. Cheesy Broccoli

In a bit of a rush? This Cheesy Broccoli recipe can be made in just 20 minutes and turn out perfect every time. 

Start by steaming your broccoli florets until tender. As they steam, create your cheese sauce. Add extra seasonings for a unique flavor that your kids are sure to devour. 

Combine everything together and watch as your kids instantly shovel it into their mouths. This is the perfect way to sneak in some much needed veggies into your kids meals. 

Make throughout the week or as a treat on the weekend to keep your kids full, healthy, and happy. 

19. Sweet Potato Quinoa Fritters

You can do so much more than just roast your sweet potatoes. And this Sweet Potato Quinoa Fritter recipe is the best way to shake things up. 

Combine all of your ingredients, squish into a patty shape, and fry in a shallow pan. Healthy, crunchy, and delicious. 

Serve with regular or sriracha ketchup at breakfast, lunch or dinner. These 15 minute fritters can even be a tasty after school snack. 

Switch up your veggies for something unexpected every Sunday!

20. Fresh Cucumber Salad

With cucumbers being mainly water, they are a great veggie to include in salads for your kids to try. 

With the bite of the online and some fresh dill, this salad is creamy, tasty, and not too overpowering. 

Add some salt or vinegar to really dry out of those cucumbers and to make them extra crunchy. 

You do have to leave this dish to marinate for at least 3 hours so you are going to want to prepare it at least a day in advance. Great for school lunches or dinner parties!

21. Homemade Potato Wedges

Yes, you can create your own wedges or fries at home. All you need are potatoes, oil, seasoning, and an oven or air fryer. 

These Homemade Potato Wedges are going to turn out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. All of the reasons your little ones love them. 

Bake in the oven or in the air fryer for a gorgeous, golden brown skin and a cloudy middle. Serve with ketchup and sprinkle of salt for a side dish perfect for burgers, pizza, or even enchiladas!

With less oil they are healthy and delicious!

22. Microwave Corn On The Cob

Find corn on the cob to be a chore to make? Take all of the time and effort out of it by preparing it in the microwave. 

You can even use frozen corn on the cob to make your life even easier. We love removing the husk meaning it takes less time and no mess. 

Don’t forget to smother in butter before serving with a napkin. Kids and adults are sure to go crazy over this simple side dish!

23. Texas Roadhouse Rolls

This restaurant inspired dish is perfect for parties or a quick dinner. Never made bread before? This recipe takes you through every step from making the dough to serving. 

These buns are definitely to die for when they are served warm and slathered with honey cinnamon butter. They are not only flavorful but also unbelievably soft and fluffy.

Although they have a faint salinity that balances the flavor making them sweeter than most rolls.

24. Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

Carrots are full of so much natural flavor that there is no need to add a bunch of extra ingredients to make them even more delicious. 

This simple Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots is simple, sweet, and all things tasty. This side dish is sure to keep adults and children happy at the table. They may even fight over the last carrot!

Add them to everyone’s plate for an added sweetness and to make sure everyone is getting at least one of their 5 a day. 

25. Sauteed Mushrooms

Due to their squishy texture, mushrooms are often pushed to the side before the plate is even set on the table. But this recipe is here to make them take center stage. 

This recipe is vegan and gluten free making it perfect for a whole range of peoples diets. With mushrooms, fresh herbs, olive oil, and lemon juice this recipe is fresh, zesty, and full of flavor. 

Perfect for getting those fussy eaters to try something new. Easily put these mushrooms into your favorite pasta dishes, curries and so much more!

26. Creamed Kale

Raw kale is one way to make your kids simply hate their greens forever. It has little flavor and can often leave you craving something sweet. Not exactly ideal when wanting healthier options. 

This Creamed Kale recipe makes a rather bland ingredient delicious. The use of heavy cream and butter makes this leafy green melt in your mouth and is sure to keep your kids licking their plate clean. 

You can also swap the kale for other leafy greens such as spinach. Simply purchase whatever is on sale and you have a nutritious, stunning side dish for the week. 

Swap the heavy cream for creme fraiche to keep things light. Serve alongside any meal, especially roast chicken or beef. 

27. Roasted Chickpeas With Parmesan Cheese

If you live a vegetarian lifestyle then chickpeas will be a staple in your diet. They can be used to create a variety of dishes and offer so much flavor. 

But getting your kids to eat them? You will have to be a culinary mastermind. This recipe makes them much more enjoyable. 

Roasted in the oven with a mix of seasonings to be served with shaved parmesan. Nothing could make them better. 

Make this recipe vegan by using a vegan cheese substitute!

28. Easy Guacamole

Do you love whipping up a range of Mexican dishes. Tacos, Nachos, Enchiladas, or even tostadas? Well none of them are complete without a helping of a delicious guacamole. 

Finding a guacamole recipe that your kids will love can be difficult. But this Easy Guacamole recipe is full of ingredients your kid will love and eat. 

Creamy, flavorful, and healthy. Guacamole is a necessity for a range of dishes, this homemade version keeps things mild and tasty. 

Try it out this weekend!

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Getting your kids to eat can be difficult. One day they decide they love carrots, the next they can’t even look at them!

We have compiled this list of recipes that are full of tasty treats for your kids to enjoy. Whether you are serving a quick dinner or are hosting a party, your kids will be full and happy. 

Pick one and try it out today! You never know what they’ll love.