Best Kid Friendly Vegan Recipes for Healthy Family Meals

Updated On: October 5, 2025

Finding delicious and nutritious vegan meals that kids love can sometimes feel like a challenge. But with the right recipes, you can introduce your little ones to vibrant, plant-based foods that are both fun to eat and packed with wholesome ingredients.

Whether you’re catering to picky eaters or simply want to incorporate more veggies into your family’s diet, these kid-friendly vegan recipes offer a perfect balance of taste, texture, and nutrition. From colorful wraps to sweet treats, each recipe is thoughtfully designed to appeal to young palates while ensuring they get essential nutrients for healthy growth.

In this post, you’ll discover a handful of the best vegan dishes that children will actually ask for again and again. Each recipe uses accessible ingredients and simple steps, making them ideal for busy parents and caregivers.

Ready to make mealtime exciting, easy, and colorful? Let’s dive right in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These kid-friendly vegan recipes are specifically crafted to be both appealing and nourishing for children. You’ll appreciate how they:

  • Use wholesome, plant-based ingredients that support healthy development.
  • Feature fun shapes, vibrant colors, and familiar flavors to entice kids.
  • Are easy to prepare with minimal fuss, perfect for busy weekday meals.
  • Incorporate hidden veggies to boost nutrition without compromising taste.
  • Offer a variety of textures, from creamy to crunchy, to keep kids interested.

Plus, these recipes can be enjoyed by the whole family, encouraging everyone to eat more plants together. If you want to explore other creative vegan treats, don’t miss our Julie Marie Eats Recipes for more inspiration.

Ingredients

Recipe Key Ingredients
Vegan Rainbow Veggie Wraps
  • Whole wheat tortillas
  • Hummus (store-bought or homemade)
  • Shredded carrots
  • Sliced cucumbers
  • Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), thinly sliced
  • Baby spinach leaves
  • Avocado slices
Sweet Potato Chickpea Nuggets
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and boiled
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water (flax egg)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil for baking
Banana Oat Pancakes
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • Maple syrup for serving

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (medium and large)
  • Food processor or blender (especially for the pancakes and nuggets)
  • Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  • Non-stick skillet or griddle
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula
  • Whisk or fork for mixing

Instructions

Vegan Rainbow Veggie Wraps

  1. Lay out a whole wheat tortilla on a clean surface.
  2. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of hummus evenly over the tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.
  3. Arrange a colorful mix of shredded carrots, cucumber slices, bell peppers, spinach leaves, and avocado slices in the center.
  4. Roll the tortilla tightly, folding in the sides as you go, to form a neat wrap.
  5. Slice the wrap diagonally into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
  6. Serve immediately or wrap in foil for packed lunches.

Sweet Potato Chickpea Nuggets

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Make the flax egg: combine ground flaxseed with water, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes until gelatinous.
  3. In a food processor, blend the boiled sweet potato and chickpeas until smooth but still slightly chunky.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the flax egg, breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  5. Form small nugget shapes using your hands, about 1.5 inches long.
  6. Place nuggets on the baking sheet and lightly brush or spray with olive oil.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crispy.
  8. Allow to cool slightly before serving with ketchup or a vegan ranch dip.

Banana Oat Pancakes

  1. In a blender, combine ripe bananas, rolled oats, almond milk, baking powder, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
  2. Blend until you get a smooth, pourable batter. Let it rest for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
  3. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it.
  4. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the skillet.
  5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook another 2 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Serve warm with maple syrup and fresh berries if desired.

Tips & Variations

“Sneaking in veggies is easier than you think — try finely shredding or pureeing vegetables into sauces, batters, or spreads.”

For the veggie wraps, swap hummus for other spreads like guacamole or vegan cream cheese depending on your child’s preferences. You can also add cooked quinoa or black beans for extra protein.

When making nuggets, feel free to experiment with different root vegetables like carrots or parsnips in place of sweet potato. For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free cereal or almond meal.

Banana oat pancakes can be jazzed up by adding blueberries, vegan chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of chia seeds for added nutrition. For a savory twist, omit the cinnamon and vanilla and add chopped herbs or nutritional yeast.

To keep kids interested, involve them in the preparation process — they often enjoy assembling their own wraps or shaping nuggets. This also builds their confidence and curiosity about plant-based foods!

Nutrition Facts

Recipe Calories (per serving) Protein Fiber Fat
Vegan Rainbow Veggie Wraps (1 wrap) 250 kcal 6 g 6 g 7 g
Sweet Potato Chickpea Nuggets (5 nuggets) 220 kcal 7 g 5 g 4 g
Banana Oat Pancakes (3 pancakes) 320 kcal 8 g 5 g 6 g

Serving Suggestions

  • Pair the Rainbow Veggie Wraps with a side of fresh fruit or a small bowl of low-sodium hummus for dipping.
  • Sweet Potato Chickpea Nuggets are perfect served with baked sweet potato fries or steamed green beans for a balanced meal.
  • Serve Banana Oat Pancakes with a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dollop of coconut yogurt for extra creaminess.

For more kid-friendly vegan recipes that are just as tasty and nutritious, check out Kid Friendly Asian Recipes or try your hand at the fun and versatile Magic Dough Recipe for playful mealtime creativity.

Conclusion

Introducing vegan meals that children enjoy is all about balancing flavors, textures, and colors to make food exciting and approachable. These kid-friendly vegan recipes prove that plant-based eating can be fun, delicious, and satisfying for the whole family.

By using simple, accessible ingredients and straightforward steps, you can prepare meals that support your child’s health and foster a positive relationship with food.

Remember, the key to success is variety and involvement — encourage your kids to help in the kitchen, try new foods without pressure, and celebrate every small victory. With these recipes in your repertoire, you’re well on your way to creating happy, healthy mealtime memories.

For more inspiration, explore our Leche De Pantera Recipe, a sweet treat to satisfy any plant-based sweet tooth.

📖 Recipe Card: Best Kid Friendly Vegan Mac and Cheese

Description: A creamy, cheesy vegan mac and cheese that kids love. Made with simple plant-based ingredients for a nutritious meal.

Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT30M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for 2 hours)
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric (for color)
  • 2 tbsp tapioca starch

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions, then drain.
  2. Drain soaked cashews and add to a blender with almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, olive oil, turmeric, and tapioca starch.
  3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour sauce into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.
  5. Mix the sauce with the cooked macaroni thoroughly.
  6. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition: Calories: 400 kcal | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 18 g | Carbs: 45 g

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Photo of author

Marta K

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