One of the small unexpected benefits of cooking for toddlers, especially if you occasionally eat like one yourself, is how foods that are otherwise side dishes can take and own the spotlight as a full-on meal. Mac and cheese is the obvious exemplar of the form, but the otherwise pedestrian fried rice has the makings of a most glorious dinner if you go big and embrace the carbiness of it all, stuffing the rice with vegetables, eggs, and other goodies. Which is precisely what we’ve done here: a fried rice for toddlers – but likely mostly consumed by you – that is a meal onto itself.
Now, this fried rice for toddlers is not some cutesy adaptation, with the color and/or ingredients of fried rice but tasting like baby food; it’s the real thing, using many of the same tricks an American Chinese restaurant would in its rendition. You, for sure, will want to eat it (and will); your child will want to know what the heck it is (and may or may not eat it, at first). The one accommodation we have made is with the texture of the rice: by gently poaching and steaming it, the finished product is a little softer, a little more supple than what you’d get for takeout. You won’t mind the change; your child won’t know the difference. It all works out, for everyone.
Ingredients Overview
This fried rice for toddlers leans on simple, toddler-friendly staples—soft jasmine rice, gently cooked eggs, sweet vegetables, and a light soy-oyster pan sauce. Poaching the rice in chicken broth gives it a richer flavor and a softer texture that’s easier for toddlers to chew, while peas, carrots, and corn add natural sweetness and color without overwhelming picky eaters.
Steps Summary
- Cook the rice: Rinse well, soak in broth and water, then gently steam until fluffy and soft.
- Prep the vegetables: Chop green onions; dice baby carrots; thaw/steam peas and corn.
- Scramble the eggs: Lightly cook the beaten eggs over low heat, keeping them soft.
- Stir-fry: Add rice to the eggs, then mix in vegetables. Toss everything over high heat.
- Add the sauce: Drizzle soy sauce + oyster sauce around the pan to coat evenly.
- Finish: Add green onions, toss, and serve warm in a small mound or ramekin-shaped scoop.
FAQ
Can I use day-old rice instead of freshly cooked rice?
Yes—day-old rice works beautifully and is even more traditional for fried rice. But for toddlers, your softer steamed version is often preferable because it’s easier to chew and mixes smoothly with the eggs.
How do I add extra protein?
Thin strips of chicken breast, diced beef, or finely chopped shrimp can be stir-fried right after the vegetables. You can also stir the egg directly into the rice to make “golden rice” if your child dislikes visible egg pieces.
Is the soy sauce too salty for toddlers?
Using low-sodium soy sauce keeps the sodium well within toddler-appropriate limits. You can also reduce the soy sauce by half and add an extra teaspoon of broth for a softer, milder flavor.
Can I make this without oyster sauce?
Absolutely—just substitute an equal amount of soy sauce and add a small splash of broth. The flavor will be lighter but still delicious.
How should I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container for 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave with a teaspoon of water to re-soften the rice.
Recipe Links
What to Serve With Fried Rice For Toddlers
- Cashew Chicken – A savory, high-protein pairing that complements the mild flavors of the rice.
- Beef and Broccoli – Another classic Chinese American protein dish that pairs well with fried rice
- The Best Broccoli For Kids– A rich and savory broccoli to complement the rice.
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This
- Umami Buttered Noodles – Turn simple noodles into a flavor-packed pasta for the whole table.
- Peanut Butter Noodle Soup – A similar stir-fried dish with mild flavors and toddler-friendly textures.
- First Stir-Fry – Here’s another way to get protein, vegetables, and rice to the table in one flavor-packed dish.
Easy And Delicious Vegetable Fried Rice For Toddlers
Description
This easy fried rice for toddlers is a quick, flavorful way to get protein, veggies, and carbs into one kid-friendly bowl. It cooks fast, tastes delicious, and is gentle enough for even picky eaters.
Ingredients
Prep the Rice
Stir Fry the Rice
Instructions
Prep the Rice
-
Rinse rice 4-5 times, or until the water runs clear. Place rice in pot and fill with the chicken broth and one cup of water; cover and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes. (Note: you can leave it like this for hours, too.)
-
When ready to cook, bring the contents of the pot to a boil; once the water is bubbling, reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cover. Cook until all liquid has evaporated, roughly ten minutes; then turn off the heat and allow the pot to sit, fully covered, for another 5-10 minutes.
-
Remove lid and fluff with a fork; allow to cool for at least five minutes before finishing the dish.
Stir Fry the Rice
-
Prep the vegetables: dice the green onions into small rings, halve and then vertically dice the carrots to create tiny coins.
-
If using frozen vegetables, add them and the carrot pieces to a microwave-safe bowl; add 1/3rd cup of water to the bowl and heat for two minutes. Drain excess water.
-
In a small bowl, beat the eggs and a pinch of salt until fully blended. In a separate small bowl, mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chicken broth
-
Heat a wok or large pan on High; add two tablespoons of vegetable or sesame oil to the wok/pan and swish around.
-
Once the pan is quite hot, turn the heat to Low and add in the eggs. Allow the eggs to cook for 30 seconds, pushing gently on them–and chopsticks are great for that–to spread out across the bottom. Add in the rice and cook for two minutes, stirring and chopping to mix the egg and rice. (Be sure and scoop up the egg on the bottom of the pan to ensure it’s blended in with the rice.)
-
Add in the vegetables and return the heat to High; vigorously stir and flip to mix everything together. Cook for another two minutes.
-
Drizzle sauce all around the perimeter/edge of the wok or pan; again, stir and flip to coat everything. Allow to cook for another two minutes, stirring frequently. Turn off heat and toss the green onion slices all over.
Serve
-
If this is your child’s first time trying fried rice, set aside a small serving of white rice so your child has a backup and/or an incentive to try a new rice dish. For visual interest, we also like to make a neat round of rice on the plate, which you can do by stuffing the rice into the smallest bowl or ramekin you have, then pressing down on the top with the back of the fork until the grains stick together; flip the bowl over onto your child’s plate and pull back.
Adapt
-
To add protein, just cut small and thin strips of chicken breast or beef and add to the pan after cooking the vegetables for a few minutes. If your child is likely to abhor the sight of chopped up scrambled eggs in their rice–doubtful, but let’s go with it–try soaking the rice in the egg mix and cooking them together. Voila: golden rice.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1 small bowl of fried rice
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 160kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4.5g7%
- Sodium 200mg9%
- Potassium 135mg4%
- Total Carbohydrate 22g8%
- Protein 6.5g13%
- Vitamin A 690 IU
- Calcium 33 mg
- Iron 1 mg
- Folate 30 mcg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
