Nutrition, Wellbeing
Nutrition
Zucchini recipes for fussy eaters
13 March, 2025
Feeding children fresh, nutritious food gives them the energy they need to play all day and grow big and strong. Good food feeds their muscles and bones and also their developing brains. So long as they actually eat it! While some kids eat everything they’re offered, others can take longer to become comfortable with and ready to try new foods. Nutritionists recommend offering children small servings of new foods again and again because it can take 10-15 times before they’ll accept new flavours. To help you succeed, we’re sharing our favourite zucchini recipes to tempt young tastebuds.
Baked Zucchini Fries
Toddlers love finger food. Being able to pick food up themselves and explore the texture and temperature helps them to familiarise themselves with new foods before they try them. The crispy panko crumb coating gives these baked zucchini fries a delightfully crispy crunch, which is a fun contrast to the moist and tender zucchini inside. Serve them with the creamy basil yoghurt dip or whatever sauce you’ve got in the cupboard.
Chocolate, Bran and Zucchini Muffins
Chocolate may not be top of the list of nutritious foods, but this recipe sneaks in a whole lot of goodness too. These muffins include a whole zucchini (grated, so they won’t even notice it) and All Bran cereal for extra fibre. These soft, airy muffins are nut-free and can easily be made dairy free by swapping out the milk for a dairy-free alternative. They’re really simple to make – you won’t even need to get out your beaters, which means less washing up too!
Pizza Toast
This super easy recipe is a delicious, nutritious dinner that can be thrown together in a flash. It takes hardly any preparation and there’s almost zero washing up afterwards – perfect after a big day of play. Pureed tomato, grated carrot and zucchini tick the veggie boxes and the protein in the bacon and cheese will keep little tummies feeling full (and grown-up tummies too).
Fluffy Zucchini Pancakes
Sneaking veggies into breakfast is a great way to start the day and these fluffy pancakes are the perfect disguise. Grated zucchini has such a neutral flavour – it blends right in and gives the pancakes a lovely, moist texture. Little hands will love picking them up and dipping them into apple sauce or yoghurt. Slightly older children will find they’re perfect for a first go at eating with a (child’s) knife and fork. And the best news – they freeze well, so make up a big batch when zucchinis are in season and breakfast is done!
Zucchini Soup
For those times when the little ones are too tired to eat, but we need to fill their bellies so they’ll sleep through the night, homemade soup is the answer. Filled with nutrients and easy to swallow, spoon it into them – or just let them drink it – before getting the bedtime routine underway and tucking them into bed. This recipe can be made in advance and frozen so it’s always ready to go when you need it.
Looking for more healthy recipes for picky eaters? Try these delicious recipes!
