Getting your kids to eat anything at all can be battle enough, but getting them to eat vegetables can be downright impossible at times. What if you could get your kids to eat vegetables without knowing it and without any complaining, whining or a single tantrum? Sound too good to be true? It’s not! While hiding them isn’t the most ideal way to get your kids to eat vegetables, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Here are 11 recipes, each with at least one sneaky vegetable, that will please both parent and child.
1. Veggie Breakfast Scramble: Make a batch of these breakfast muffins and stick them in the freezer for busy mornings. You’ll have time to get ready and your toddler will be eating quinoa, zucchini, tomatoes and egg with every bite and have no idea. Win-win! (via Becky’s Best Bites)
2. Black Bean Brownies: If your kids insist on dessert, make it something you can feel good about too. These sneaky brownies are made with a can of black beans for an extra punch of protein. (via The Pretty Bee)
3. Secret Green Rice: Not only is this rice a cool color, but it’s also hiding THREE veggies in there. So while your kid thinks they’re just devouring their favorite color, you know they’re really eating cauliflower, spinach and avocado. (via My Fussy Eater)
4. Smoky Vegetable Penne: Pasta is the perfect family-friendly meal, especially when the sauce is full of vegetables like carrots, mushrooms and corn. (via Baby Centre Blog)
5. Sweet Corn Fritters: These corn fritters are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike. Store any leftovers in the freezer and reheat as needed for a grab-and-go snack with some substance. (via Annabel Karmel)
6. Chicken + Veggie Nuggets: Sometimes just making the food into a fun shape is enough to entice little ones to try a bite. It doesn’t hurt that these nuggets are filled with an entire bag of frozen mixed veggies either. Shine on, Mom. (via Cheeky Kitchen)
7. Cauliflower Pizza Bites: Watch your kids’ eyes light up when they find out they’re having pizza for lunch. Go ahead and pat yourself on the back as they devour the cauliflower crust without hesitation. (via A Healthy Slice of Life)
8. Veggie Mac and Cheese: You’ll be happy to oblige when your little one asks for another bowl of mac and cheese when you know they’re actually eating summer squash too. (via Super Healthy Kids)
9. Spiced Butternut Squash Muffins: These are so good you’ll be snacking on them right alongside your picky eater. Way to lead by example, Mom. (via My Custard Pie)
10. Chocolate Avocado Pudding: Score extra points with the whole family by serving heaping bowls of chocolate pudding for dessert. Just make sure you dispose of the avocado skin before anyone sees it, because that’s the only way they’ll ever know it was there. (via Forgiving Martha)
11. Veggie Lasagna: Please even the most stubborn carnivore with this easy-to-put-together lasagna that has a hidden layer of diced zucchini and mushrooms in the middle. (via Hello Splendid)
How do you plan on upping your kids’ veggie intake? Will you give any of these recipes a try? Dish it up and leave us a comment!