Veggie smoothies are my favorite way to get my kids to eat more vegetables! Check out these four recipes for veggie smoothies for toddlers.
4 Veggie Smoothies For Toddlers
Kids Love Smoothies!
They’re delicious, they’re full of fruits and vegetables, and they’re totally customizable.
While I’m always encouraging my kids to try whole vegetables, more often than not the veggies go uneaten.
Smoothies are the number one way I get my kids to eat vegetables they might otherwise wouldn’t. And I rarely make a smoothie without tossing in a handful of spinach.
We have smoothies often for breakfast and sometimes for snack too.
What’s great about smoothies is the whole family can enjoy them.
We often make a giant blender full and simplify our breakfast routine into one dish to clean.
Extras can be enjoyed at snack time or after school.
And what’s good for toddlers is good for older kids and adults alike!
Loaded with Nutrients!
Nutritionally speaking, smoothies are a great way to get in a variety of food groups and a rainbow of flavors all in one punch.
They are loaded with nutrients to keep those bellies full. I aim to include a fruit (carbohydrates), vegetable, milk (protein), and healthy fat in each cup.
Don’t forget about the toppings if you’re kids are old enough to eat smoothies in a bowl!
Use Fresh Or Frozen
The 4 healthy smoothie recipes below rely mostly on frozen fruit and veggies, but of course use fresh if it’s in season and you have it on hand.
Easy To Transport
Smoothies are easy to transport to the playground or school, especially if you want to choose something that isn’t consumed with potentially germy hands!
Best Smoothie Cups
For younger toddlers, you can pour these into a reusable pouch or a smoothie cup with a straw.
We like these OXO cups for smoothies for age 1-2 and then once they learn how to hold the cup better, I love these stainless cups with a silicone straw that you can either suck up or drink like a coffee with the included lid.
These mason jar-style cups are great too!
Put Leftover Smoothies In Popsicle Molds!
One of my favorite hacks is to pour any leftover smoothie into popsicle molds. Then the kids think they’re getting veggies for dessert!
These silicone popsicle molds are great because they minimize drips. And I like these little ball ones for younger toddlers who don’t eat much popsicle in one sitting : )
Special Diets
If your child is on a special diet, for example weight gain, constipation, or nut free, you can easily tweak these recipes to boost calories, increase fiber, or change the ingredients.
- We use whole cow’s milk in our house, but for a dairy free option, feel free to use almond milk or soy milk.
- Use seed butters instead of peanut butter for nut free options
- Add seeds like hemp hearts or flax seeds for increased fiber and a boost of healthy fats.
- Adding greek yogurt to any of these will significantly boost the protein as well.
Veggie Smoothies For Toddlers
These veggie smoothies for toddlers (and grownups!) are kid approved and tasty for breakfast, lunch, or snack time.
Instructions
For each smoothie, add ingredients followed by milk of your choice. Blend on high speed in your favorite blender. We have had a Vitamix for over a decade and LOVE it!
Red: Cherry Cauliflower
Frozen cauliflower is my new favorite neutral veg to pop into smoothies!
With cherries, banana, and a little almond extract the kids won’t taste it, but it provides a nice boost of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Blend in real almonds instead of if you like.
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen cherries
- ½ frozen banana
- 2-3 pieces frozen cauliflower
- 1/8 tsp almond extract
- ¾ cup milk
Orange: Pumpkin Date
OK pumpkin might not be a true vegetable, but it makes the list because it’s SO good for you! It’s full of fiber, very high in beta-carotene, and antioxidant packed. Add pumpkin seeds on top!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup pumpkin
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 medjool date, pitted (you could also add a drizzle of maple syrup for sweetness)
- 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¾ cup milk
Green: Tropical Spinach
This simple spinach smoothie for kids is a staple in our house.
I swap out frozen mango for banana, berries, or peaches depending on what I have on hand.
Feel free to use spinach or kale here! Avocado adds creaminess and extra healthy fat.
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen mango
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ avocado
- ¾ cup milk
Purple: Blueberry Zucchini
This is mom’s favorite of the bunch! Blueberries are antioxidant jammed, and zucchini gets blended in with a dash of cinnamon and creamy banana for a great flavor-texture combo!
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- ½ frozen banana
- 2-3 zucchini slices (½” thick)
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup milk
Our Favorite Smoothie Gear
What’s your favorite vegetable to add to smoothies?
Photos by Healthyish Appetite
Elizabeth says
Not just for toddlers, but these ideas are great for anyone trying to feed picky eaters! My adult son has autism and his pickiness has been a long struggle for us to ensure he’s getting proper nourishment. Thanks for these recipes!
Kath Younger says
Totally agree – we drink them too! I just had to pick an “ideal audience” 🙂 🙂
Kori Daniel says
I love the look and sound of all of these! Your photography is beautiful, and I love how you paired the corresponding straws. So eye-catching.
Kath Younger says
Thank you!! Leanne did the photos and I agree they are beautiful!
TeriLyn says
ah, perfect timing! Thomas is teething and smoothies and bread are about the only thing he’ll eat! Thanks!
Kath Younger says
Smoothies are my kids’ #1 nutrition source : )
Kathryn says
Cauliflower..
What a great idea Kath.
Learned 2 weeks ago you can freeze kale.
Who knew?
K~
Kate says
When you have question marks for the number of teaspoons, what does that mean? Your own discretion? Is there a recommended amount? Love the photos, these look delish!
Kath Younger says
Thanks for letting me know – those are 1/8 tsp that somehow did not format the fraction correctly!
Kendall says
Thank you for this! You just inspired a smoothie taste test activity at my house. 🙂
Emily J says
Almond extract! Never tried in a smoothie! That with the cherry sounds great. Question: the zucchini raw? Thanks.
Kath Younger says
Yes it’s raw!
Ria says
Are all the veggies to be used raw in the recipes ? Thank you for sharing
Kath Younger says
I believe they all are yes.
Zareen says
Even the pumpkin?! Does raw zucchini really blend or does it stay gritty? Thanks!
Kath Younger says
It blends if you have a good blender : )
Kaye says
Did you peel the zucchini?
Kath Younger says
Nope!
Laura Catherine says
Wow! I’ve been making veggi/fruit smoothies for years but have never thought of adding zucchini and pumkin. What a great idea! That will definitely give me more to play around with. Thank you.
Alaine says
Is the zucchini cooked or raw?
Kath Younger says
Raw!
Elizabeth says
These are the first recipes I’ve found that sound like something my son might actually enjoy – love the combos!
Curious if these can be prepped ahead of time to just add milk when blending? Or would that make it to icy/slushy?
Kath Younger says
I think you could freeze in bags ahead with some of the ingredients but I wouldn’t pre-blend.