It can be exhausting trying to come up with ideas of nutritious foods to feed your toddler or baby. With this list of the best finger foods for toddlers and babies, I’ve done the work of finding finger food recipes for you!
When you’re first starting to feed your baby finger foods, it can be hard to know what to look for in a recipe. And it can be just downright exhausting trying to come up with new and nutritious recipes, whether you're just starting out or have been doing it for awhile. Sometimes you just need to find those few recipes that will become your tried and true favorites. Especially when it comes to finger foods for toddlers or foods for baby led weaning.
The Recipes
A lot of the recipes that are out there have added sugars and salt. Whenever possible, I recommend reducing or completely eliminating these ingredients. Most babies and toddlers don’t need them for flavor, and it’s great to get them started off on the right foot nutritionally.
With this list, if I recommend any modifications to the recipe I’m linking to, I’ll note it right below the link. Happy eating!
Snacks
Baby Cookies from New Ways Nutrition
This may be my own recipe, but it’s a hit! No need to modify it for babies or toddlers, it can be served right from 6 months.
Banana Oat Cookies by My Kids Lick the Bowl
Fruit Oat Chia Mini Chews by One Handed Cooks
Carrot Muffins by My Kids Lick the Bowl
Fall Blender Muffins by Baby Foode
Leave out sugar and salt. These have a great flavor, but not much substance so they are likely to leave your baby or toddler hungry quickly. Make sure you serve with added nut butter, yogurt, or some other fat to help.
Carrot Oat Energy Bites by My Kids Lick the Bowl
Sweet Potato Banana Muffins by My Kids Lick the Bowl
Sweet Potato Cookies by My Kids Lick the Bowl
Breakfast Foods
Cheese Frittata Fingers by My Fussy Eater
I’d recommend cutting the cheese by at least half for toddlers, and just using a small amount for flavor when making for babies.
Oat Breakfast Cups by Baby Foode
Cut out the maple syrup completely.
Spiced Blender Pancakes by Baby Foode
Sweet Potato Waffles by Baby Foode
Again, cut out the sugar as well as the salt.
Apple Donut by Yummy Toddler Food
This taste great with pumpkin subbed for applesauce, as well.
Banana Oat Pikelets by My Kids Lick the Bowl
Savory Foods
Lentil Spinach Pancakes by Healthy Little Foodies
Make sure you cut the spinach into strips before adding to the recipe, especially for younger kids and babies.
Baked Falafel Sticks by Hello Bee
Reduce the salt by half
Cauliflower Tots by Healthy Little Foodies
Pea Pancakes by My Kids Lick the Bowl
Zucchini Slice by My Kids Lick the Bowl
Broccoli Barley Casserole Cups by MJ and Hungryman
I've made these with many different types of vegetables, it's a great flexible base.
Do you have a favorite finger food recipe that you’ve found for your family? I’d love to hear about it!
Hello – Often I make recipes like this and my kids like them the first time but won’t eat them again. Which recipes would you expect would be the most liked? Which are your daughters favourites? Thanks!
Hi Rachel! TImes and moods of your kids when you offer these items might be coming into play. And each child is different in terms of preference as well. I had great success with each of these recipes. But preferences change with age as well.