How to Cook For and Feed Infants and Toddlers

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Two chicken tacos

RecipeTips and Techniques

The Best Toddler Ground Beef Recipes

Updated on March 17, 2025September 13, 20242 Comments

So you’d like to get out of the rut of serving the same two or three boring meat dishes but …

toddler noodle dish

The Best Toddler Pasta Recipes

April 11, 2025April 11, 2025Leave a Comment

Perhaps because toddler pasta dishes are so omnipresent everywhere parents of a young child tend to go–on the kids menu …

Yogurt bark is one recipe for leftover blueberries in our collection.

Toddler Recipes For Leftover Blueberries

Updated on March 26, 2025March 26, 2025Leave a Comment

We can’t help but notice that blueberries are getting bigger–not just in the size of individual berries but the package …

Two empanadas filled with lamb keema sloppy joes are examples of easy puff pastry recipe for toddler that utilize frozen dough.

FoodTips and Techniques

Easy Puff Pastry Recipes + More Ways To Turn Frozen Dough Into Dinner Gold

Updated on March 26, 2025March 26, 2025Leave a Comment

Somewhere between capital-C Cooking and giving up (i.e., whatever-is-in-the-freezer-is-dinner) is what you might call remixing: taking a bit of premade …

Healthy banana pudding, featuring layers of banana cream, banana slices, and graham cracker crumbs

Toddler Cottage Cheese Recipes: High Protein Deliciousness

Updated on March 20, 2025March 21, 2025Leave a Comment

Cottage cheese is a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with protein, calcium, and essential vitamins that support children’s growth and development. …

A bowl of chicken rice porridge

The Best Toddler Soup Recipes

Updated on March 17, 2025March 12, 2025Leave a Comment

Sure, you could serve the stuff straight from the can–and you should!–but if you want to get your kid the …

New Dad’s Kitchen Featured On NBC 5 Chicago!

Updated on February 24, 2025February 24, 2025Leave a Comment

Dr. Sarah Alexander talks up three of New Dad’s Kitchen’s favorite nutritious and delicious snack(y) recipes on the February 24 …

Toddler sandwich

Five Great Toddler Sandwich Ideas

Updated on March 18, 2025February 7, 20252 Comments

Dads, embrace the sandwich. It’s a small but mighty tool in your cooking (or not cooking) for toddlers toolkit, and …

no-bake protein cookies

The Best Toddler Healthy Snacks and Treats

Updated on March 26, 2025February 3, 20251 Comment

You already know (or are about to find out): young kids love snacks. And if it’s sweet, it’s even better–and …

Carrot Cake Bar

The Best Toddler Carrot Recipes

Updated on January 29, 2025December 12, 2024Leave a Comment

It’s easy to see why carrots are a defining vegetable of a child’s early years: incredibly adaptable, they can be …

pumpkin and chocolate oat balls

The Best Toddler Pumpkin Recipes

Updated on January 29, 2025November 19, 2024Leave a Comment

A tale of two worlds for but one ingredient: for adults, pumpkin is a purely seasonal and selective ingredient that …

newdadskitchen

Recipes and advice for fathers–and the family members who love them!–who want to learn how to cook for their children.

This week’s Substack (free, ofc) covers #pasta f

This week’s Substack (free, ofc) covers #pasta for #toddlers. Check out link in bio for more! #toddlerfood #toddlerfoodideas #cookingforkids #dadlife #dadcooks #toddlermeals

Three snacky but healthy recipes from New Dad’s

Three snacky but healthy recipes from New Dad’s Kitchen were featured on @nbc5chicagobrandstudio this morning. Check out the video and see the link in bio for links to recipes. And stay tuned for new content this week—and check out our Substack for the latest recipes and advice! #toddler #toddlerfood #toddlermom #cookingforkids #hearthealthyfood #hearthealth #dadlife

See food? Seafood for #toddlers is the focus of th

See food? Seafood for #toddlers is the focus of the latest post of our substack (free!). Link in bio. #toddlerfood #toddlerfoodideas #toddlerdinner #cookingforkids #kidsdinner #dadlife #dadcooks

Moving over to Substack: come check us out (free,

Moving over to Substack: come check us out (free, ofc). See link in bio! #cookingforkids #cookingforfamilyandfriends #toddler #toddlerlife #toddlermeals #toddlerfood #toddlerfoodideas #kidsfood #kidsfoodideas #recipesforkids

Want to make a #cheeseburger for your little one?

Want to make a #cheeseburger for your little one? Stuff it. Recipe link in bio. #toddlerfood #toddler #cookingforkids #burger #juicylucy #kidfriendlymeals #kidfood #toddlermealideas #kidsmeals #toddlerdinner #toddlerrecipes

IYKYK. Recipe link in bio. #chili #cinnamoroll #

IYKYK. Recipe link in bio. #chili #cinnamoroll #toddlerlife #toddler #toddlerfood #toddlerfoodideas #toddlerrecipes #toddlermeals #toddlermealideas #toddlerdinner #toddlerlunch #cookingforkids #kidsmeal #kidsmeals

One of the great unsung heroes of the Mexico City

One of the great unsung heroes of the
Mexico City food scene is the #costra, aka a #taco with a cheeseskirt; it has champion potential in your toddler’s dinner rotation, too. Provided your child’s teeth are coming in as planned, an 18-20 month old or older should have no problem taking on this crunch monster, which you can make from cut-out tortillas or mini “street” ones—the crispy/soft interplay lands somewhere between a quesadilla and an empanada, only richer. Just don’t forget the toddler touch: seal the top so your kiddo can easily pinch and hold, keeping the meat from spilling out. See video for technique, or get the link in bio. #toddlerfood #toddlermeals #toddlerdinner #toddlermealideas #cookingrecipesrepost #cookingforkids #familymeals #dadlife #dadcooks #dadtime #newdad #firsttimedad #easyrecipes #easymeals #toddlerlunchideas #tacos #tacorecipe

#shawarma. For #toddlers. (And especially for #dad

#shawarma. For #toddlers. (And especially for #dad.) Perfect in pita; just as awesome on its own. Easier done than said. Link in bio. Video next week. #shawarmarecipe #toddlerfood #toddlermeals #toddlerdinner #toddlermealideas #cookingrecipesrepost #cookingforkids #familymeals #dadlife #dadcooks #dadtime #newdad #firsttimedad #easyrecipes #easymeals

Of course you can serve a burger—a GOOD one—to

Of course you can serve a burger—a GOOD one—to your infant and toddler! To do so, you’ll need both moistness and texture, and the key to that, my friend, is fat, dear and lovely fat. Any ground meat with a fat content less than 20%—so any poultry and lots of ground beef—is lacking it; you’ll need to add it back in. Our solution is twofold: avocado and...mayo. Oh yeah. Black beans are here for a bit more nutrition. High heat and a strong wrist do the rest. https://newdadskitchen.com/recipe/burger-for-infants-and-toddlers/ INGREDIENTS (enough for four; halve or quarter if only child is eating)
1⁄4 can black beans (can also use refried beans; see recipe link)
1 Avocado
1 tbsp Mayonnaise
1 lb ground Turkey
Panko Breadcrumbs (can also crush up 10 Goldfish or Cheez-It crackers)
Soy Sauce (optional)
Assorted dried seasonings (recommended: garlic, chives, cilantro) DIRECTIONS
1) Place beans, avocado, ground meat, a dollop of mayo, a handful of breadcrumbs, and your seasonings into a bowl; if your child is around or over one year of age, add a splash of soy sauce, too.
2) Mash the ingredients with your hands or a spoon so that the avocado is broken up and mixed in and everything is all melded together. If you can, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3) Heat a large pan w/cooking oil to Medium High. When the pan is hot, place large spoonfuls of the meat mixture into the pan and smash the patties down with a spatula to flatten.
4) Cook for two minutes, smashing repeatedly; flip, then cook for another two minutes—smashing once or twice—until golden brown on both sides. For a toddler, serve on a bun with his/her favorite condiments; for infant, spritz with a bit of lemon or lime and serve in small strips. https://newdadskitchen.com/recipe/burger-for-infants-and-toddlers/ #toddlerdinner #babyledweaning #pickyeaters #firsttimeparents #toddlerfood #toddlers #toddlermeals #toddlerrecipes #cookingfortoddlers #toddlerfoodideas #familymeal #cookingforkids #toddlermealideas #toddlerfoodideas #toddlerlife #easycooking #dad #dadlife #dadcooks #dads #dadgoals #dadtobe #dadtime #firsttimedad #newdad
#burger

This play on a #baleadas, a Central American taco

This play on a #baleadas, a Central American taco analogue, is soft and supple enough that an older #infant —and #toddlers, too—can join you for #taconight. Add or sub out other ingredients—say, ground meat—at your leisure! INGREDIENTS
1⁄4 can Black Beans
1 small Avocado
small Flour Tortillas (ie, street tacos”)
1/2 Plantain, ripe
Queso Fresco (or shredded white cheese) DIRECTIONS
1. Mash the black beans with a bit of lime and dried cilantro.
2. Slice the plantain into thick coins; cook until just slightly caramelized and soft, roughly 2 minutes per side.
3. Smash down innards of the avocado until it forms a chunky puree (or make guacamole with it).
4. Spread the black bean mix over one side of the tortilla and avocado on the other; place a few plantain slices and crumbled or shredded cheese in between.
5. Drape one side of the tortilla onto the other and press down to adhere to the ingredients.
6. Heat a pan to Medium, adding a bit of cooking spray or oil if needed; when hot, place stuffed tortilla in and cook until outside is just starting to crisp, roughly 20 seconds; flip and do the same for the other side. https://newdadskitchen.com/recipe/taco-for-infants-and-toddlers/ #taconight #cookingforkids #kidsmealideas #kidsdinnerideas #weaningrecipes #toddlerrecipes #cookingfortoddlers #toddlerfood #toddlermeals #toddlerdinnerrecipes #toddlermealideas #easytoddlerrecipes #dadcooks #newdad #familymealideas #dadswhocook

Just because your infant or toddler has moved on f

Just because your infant or toddler has moved on from purees and #blw doesn’t mean he/she can’t still have #bananapancakes—but they, too, need to grow up. This version does just that, using rolled oats for heft and yogurt or cream cheese for a creamy hit of protein. The result tastes just like warm banana bread, just in handy breakfast/pancake form, the better for little ones to grip, rip, and dip. You can introduce these by 11-12 months; expect them to stick around as a breakfast favorite for many more months thereafter. INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
1/2 banana
1 tsp baking powder
Vanilla extract
Cinnamon
Salt (add a pinch if using yogurt) DIRECTIONS
1. Blend all ingredients into a blenderuntil smooth.
2. Heat large pan to Medium; melt and swirl butter all around.
3. Pour in dollops of batter all around the pan; cook until brown on bottom and beginning to set on top, roughly 2-2.5 minutes. Flip and cook for two more minutes. https://newdadskitchen.com/recipe/toddler-banana-pancakes/ #babyledweaning #toddlerbreakfast #toddlerbreakfastideas #recipesforkids #kidsbreakfast #toddlerrecipes #toddlermeals #easyrecipes #toddlermeals #breakfastforkids

The Persian meat patty dish known as kotlet is, es

The Persian meat patty dish known as kotlet is, essentially, what happens if a hamburger woke up one morning and decided to be a potato pancake. Sure, it’s just a meat patty, but it’s a darn good one. INGREDIENTS
1 medium potato
1 LB ground beef or lamb
1⁄2 onion
1 large egg
Turmeric Powder
Garlic Powder
Cinnamon
Cilantro 1. Poke holes all around the potato and microwave it on High for roughly five minutes.
2. Once cool, remove skin and smoosh contents of potato in a large bowl. Grate or dice half an onion into the bowl, then crack in and mix an egg. Toss in the meat and generous pouring of each spice, then mix all ingredients together until integrated. Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes, if you can.
3. Put a generous pool of oil in a large pan and set to Medium High. Grab a clump of meat mixture and flatten it into your palm, such that it creates a round patty; place the patty into the pan, then repeat until you fill the pan.
4. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook until both sides have a brown and caramelized exterior, about another four minutes on the other side. https://newdadskitchen.com/recipe/kabobs-for-toddlers/ #toddlerdinner #babyledweaning
#pickyeaters #toddlerfood #toddlers #toddlermeals
#toddlerrecipes #cookingfortoddlers #toddlerfoodideas #familymeal #cookingforkids #toddlermealideas #toddlerfoodideas #toddlerlife #easycooking #dadcooks #dadtime #firsttimedad #newdad #toddlerfoodie

If you’ve got five minutes, we have three differ

If you’ve got five minutes, we have three different ways to get soft and creamy eggs into your kid’s pie hole: 1) One Minute Eggs: mix one egg, a splash of milk, and a dash each of salt and pepper. Heat a small pan on Medium High until blazing, roughly 3-5 minutes; pour in a generous glug of olive oil. Immediately pour in your egg and begin stirring and twirling until egg is cooked, roughly 20-30 seconds; remove from heat. 2) Two Minute Eggs: mix one egg, a splash of water, and a dash of salt and pepper. Heat a small pan on Medium until hot, add a bit of oil at center, and add egg mix. Immediately push egg to center, creating folds and clumps (ie, the fluff); as soon as you do, lower the heat and cover the pan. Let steam for 30-45 seconds, or until set; remove from heat. 3) Egg Sando: we do this McMuffin style, so you’ll need an egg ring to create a patty. Mix one egg, a splash of milk, and a dash each of salt and pepper. Heat a small pan to Medium, placing the ring at center; once hot, spray the pan and the sides of the ring. Pour egg mixture into ring, then dump a tablespoon of water around the ring; immediately cover the pan. Cook for two minutes, making sure not to take off the lid until egg is set. Place on bun, biscuit, or toast; top with cheese and condiments as desired. https://newdadskitchen.com/how-to-cook-eggs-for-toddlers-101-scrambled/ #toddlerbreakfast #babyledweaning #toddlerfood #toddlers #toddlermeals
#toddlerrecipes #cookingfortoddlers #toddlerfood toddlerfoodideas #familymeal #cookingforkids #toddlermealideas #toddlerfoodideas #toddlerlife #easycooking #dadcooks #dadgoals #dadtime #firsttimedad #newdad

The Cautlet is not a recipe; it is an essential an

The Cautlet is not a recipe; it is an essential answer to two of your most pressing questions: can I bread and “fry” basically everything? (Yes!) and is there a way to stick/hide vegetables in there? (Probably!) The cutlet is the form that aids that first part; riced cauliflower solves the second. 1⁄2 lb Ground Pork (can also use sausage meat)
2 oz Cauliflower Rice (i.e., about one-fourth of a package of frozen cauliflower rice)
1 Egg Panko Breadcrumbs and/or Unseasoned Breadcrumbs (recommended: bit of both)
Teriyaki sauce or marinade INSTRUCTIONS
1. If frozen, allow ground pork to thaw. Cook the frozen cauliflower rice for approximately half of the time listed on the instructions—ie, thawed but not quite steaming. Allow to cool.
2. Add the pork to a large bowl, breaking apart if in clumps or pressed together; break apart and then add cauliflower rice and a glug of the teriyaki to the bowl. Mix and blend bowl contents together with your hands until meat and rice are combined in one big heap. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
3. Once cold, take out the pork-cauliflower mixture and one large and flat container. Grab a chunk of the meat-cauli mixture and, in the palm of one hand, flatten the meat with the other hand until you have a thin and round patty; place in your container. Repeat for the remaining mixture. Can chill again.
4. When ready to cook, line up two flat and shallow containers next to one another. In the first, crack in the egg and whip until blended; in the second spread your breadcrumbs.
5. Take out your pork-cauliflower mixture and place it next to the container with the egg. Dip each patty into the egg mixture, letting excess egg drip off; then roll the patty through the breadcrumbs until coated. Transfer patty to a pan; repeat for remaining meat mixture.
6. Heat in your air fryer for seven minutes at 400. Can serve as a sandwich or on its own. Be sure and squeeze a little lemon over the top of each patty before serving. https://newdadskitchen.com/recipe/hide-vegetables-toddler-cutlet/ #dadcooks #dadfood #toddlerdinner #toddlermeals #toddlerrecipes #toddlerdinnerideas #easycooking #cookingforkids #toddlermealideas #dadtime #today

For full instructions + cooking time chart, go her

For full instructions + cooking time chart, go here (or click link in my bio): https://newdadskitchen.com/how-to-cook-chicken-for-toddlers/ Lots more recipes and videos—including more tutorials on cooking essential foods for #toddlers—coming soon! #toddlerfood #toddlermeals #toddlerdinner
#babyledweaning #pickyeaters #firsttimeparents
#toddlerrecipes #cookingfortoddlers #toddlerfoodideas #familymeal #cookingforkids #toddlermealideas #toddlerfoodideas #toddlerlife #easycooking
#dad #dadlife #dadcooks #dads #dadgoals #dadtobe #dadtime #firsttimedad #newdad

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