The Best Zucchini Recipes for Kids
Zucchini is one of the most versatile and easy to use vegetables. Here is a big list The Best Zucchini Recipes for Kids. Zucchini is great in baked goods like muffins and cookies as well as in savory recipes like burgers and meatballs. You can really enjoy zucchini any time of day –breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert!
Have a Picky Eater? Some kids are opposed to seeing green specs in their food. In that case, you can peel the outer skin off of the zucchini before grating it or using it in recipes. I don’t recommend hiding veggies from kids because it can make them distrust the food you are serving them. This can really backfire. However, if they still know it’s in there, peeling can help them be less hesitant about trying the recipe.
Tips for making the Best Zucchini Recipes for Kids:
- Shred! Grating zucchini is one of the best ways to incorporate the green veggie into all kinds of dishes. I usually use a box grater (This one is my favorite) to shred up the amount of zucchini I need for a recipe. However, you can also use a food processor with a grating blade if you are shredded up a large amount of zucchini at one time. Zucchini has a very high water content! Be sure to squeeze out the excess moisture in a clean dish towel or a few layers of paper towel before using in a recipe.
- Freeze! Have an excess of zucchini? I often dice up zucchini I’m not going to use right away and store it in a freezer bag. Once frozen, zucchini is great blended into smoothies. You can’t taste the zucchini and it makes the smoothie extra creamy. I have a great chocolate smoothie recipe with zucchini in my free ebook, Smoothie Lab.
- Raw or Cooked? It might sound unusual, but zucchini is delicious raw too. I really enjoy it chopped up small in a salsa with tomatoes and seasonings. You can also cut it into sticks and serve it with ranch dressing or your child’s favorite dip. Make it a fun game and taste test different ways to prepare zucchini with your family. Do you like it roasted, grilled, raw, or sautéed best?
Simple Ideas for Using Zucchini:
- Pancakes: Make your favorite pancake batter (from a mix or homemade) then stir in some shredded zucchini. Add some chocolate chips too. So yummy! (Be sure to squeeze out the shredded zucchini first so it doesn’t make the batter too wet.
- Savory Waffles or Pancakes: Similar to above, but the cheesy version! Combine some pancake batter (not adding any extra sweetener) with shredded zucchini and shredded cheese. Cook up in a waffle maker or scoop into pancakes.
- Oatmeal: Stir some shredded zucchini into your favorite oatmeal. Cinnamon and raisins make a delicious addition. Or you can make a chocolate version by stirring in some cocoa powder and sweetening with maple syrup.
- Smoothies: Freeze diced zucchini and use in place of ice cubes in any smoothie! You can’t taste the zucchini and it makes the smoothie extra creamy. I have a great chocolate smoothie recipe with zucchini in my free ebook, Smoothie Lab.
- Popsicles: Freeze that smoothie in popsicle molds and you’ve got nutritious and yummy frozen treats! Also, there’s an additional recipe linked below.
- Meatballs and Burgers: No recipe needed. Just add about a cup of grated and squeezed zucchini to any burger or meatball mixture you like. I love combining ground turkey, shredded zucchini, and pesto for a delicious and flavorful meatball combo. However, zucchini works well in ground beef recipes too.
- Salsa: Stir finely diced raw zucchini into your favorite jarred salsa. Or make your own homemade salsa with fresh tomatoes. Serve with chips!
The Best Zucchini Recipes for Kids:
Baked Goods:
Zucchini Cottage Cheese Muffins
Filled with whole grains and protein packed cottage cheese, these little muffins are a nutritious snack for toddlers and kids. Zucchini Cottage Cheese Muffins are egg-free and nut-free and can easily be made gluten-free as well.
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread Bars
A healthier baked good that’s naturally sweetened, full of whole grains, and has added veggies? Yes! These Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread Bars are easy to make and a great way for veggie skeptics to get on board with zucchini. These treats are lower in added sugar and naturally sweetened with banana and maple syrup. However, if you are cooking for toddlers or younger kids, you can omit some or all of the chocolate chips to reduce the added sugar even more. My family really enjoyed this recipe and I hope your family will too!
Zucchini Brownie Bites
Little “two bite” brownies filled with deep chocolate flavor and tons of grated zucchini. These are a treat loved by kids and adults alike. Full recipe HERE.
Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, flavorful cookies wholesome enough for breakfast and snacks, but delicious enough to crave any time of day. These Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies come together in one bowl! They are naturally egg-free, dairy-free, whole grain, and low in added sugar. Kids will love to help bake these up too!
Frozen Zucchini Recipes:
Chocolate Zucchini Fudgesicles
Zucchini blends really well into smoothies so why not make a creamy, nutritious combo and freeze it into popsicles? These frozen treats are made from 6 simple ingredients, dairy-free, and are naturally sweetened with dates. Full recipe HERE.
Chocolate Protein Shake:
Freeze diced zucchini and use as ice cubes in any smoothie! You can’t taste the zucchini and it makes the smoothie extra creamy. I have a great chocolate smoothie recipe with zucchini in my free ebook, Smoothie Lab. The smoothie also include tofu, which gives the smoothie a huge boost of natural protein.
Savory Zucchini Recipes for Kids:
These crispy, flavorful baked zucchini sticks are a crowd pleaser. We call them “pizza” zucchini fries because when my 5-year-old dipped one into marinara sauce and gave the zucchini fry a try he exclaimed, “Yum! They taste like pizza!” The zucchini is coated in breadcrumbs flavored with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and some Parmesan cheese. Therefore, the veggie “fries” aren’t bland or soggy at all. We love to have tomato sauce for dipping but a dunk in ketchup can also be a great way for kids to enjoy this veggie side dish.
Pesto Turkey Burgers (with Zucchini)
This healthy and quick dinner recipe is perfect for grilling season. Easy Pesto Turkey Burgers are packed with flavor and green veggies. Adding chopped spinach and grated zucchini to the ground meat not only makes these burgers really nutritious, but also ensures they never dry out. Store-bought pesto is my secret, shortcut ingredient, making this delicious dinner only have 4 ingredients. Serve burgers on buns, on a salad, or cut up into small pieces for toddlers.
Also, try this Pesto Zucchini Meatball recipe that I’ve only shared on Instagram HERE.