Nearly twenty years of brussels sprout innovation later, children continue to have an almost a priori intuition against them. Is it the look? The smell? The texture? All of the above, most likely. With its nutty, crunchy flavor, brussels sprouts for kids should be a no-brainer; instead, convincing a child to eat them can be bang-that-brain-on-the-table level frustrating. It shouldn’t be this hard.
That’s why we’ve come up with a simple way to get kids to eat brussels sprouts that leverages ingredients they already like–blueberries, anyone?--and a preparation you’re sure to like as well. The taste is sweet, with a little tangy thrown in; the crunch-soft texture kids like is here in spades. If you can get them to try it–and that’s the big ask here–we think you can get them to love these brussels sprouts for kids, too.
Why steam the Brussels sprouts before roasting them?
Steaming the sprouts for just three minutes breaks down the tough interior core so they roast up remarkably tender inside while staying beautifully crisp on the outside, which is much easier for young children to chew.
Can I make this recipe if I don't have balsamic vinegar?
Yes! You can mix two tablespoons of maple syrup, one tablespoon of soy sauce, and one teaspoon of mustard. Pull the sprouts out at the 20-minute mark, toss them in this maple-soy mixture, and return them to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes to glaze.
How do I make the crispy leaf chips?
Don't throw away the loose outer leaves! Scatter them across your baking pan after removing the cores, then pop them back into your warm oven for 5 to 8 minutes until they turn brown and crackly.
Are raw blueberries safe to serve alongside warm roasted vegetables?
Yes, fresh blueberries add a sweet, tart contrast that kids love. For younger toddlers, be sure to cut the blueberries into quarters or halves to prevent choking.
How should I present this to a picky eater who is hesitant to try it?
Assembly makes a big difference. Try serving a single piece of Brussels sprout topped with half a blueberry and a sprinkle of Parmesan, and encourage your child to try it all together as one fun, complete bite.
Can I make the balsamic glaze in advance?
Absolutely. You can reduce the balsamic vinegar ahead of time and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Just warm it slightly before tossing with the freshly roasted sprouts.
Check out all of our great toddler vegetable recipes!
These sweet and savory roasted Brussels sprouts for kids feature a rich balsamic glaze and a surprising blueberry twist. Steamed and roasted to crisp-tender perfection, this dish turns a challenging veggie into a fun, kid-approved favorite.
This is one of those classic “they’ll like it if they try it” situations, so the key is presenting it as something intriguing enough to . Our recommendation: place the brussie on bottom, then top with a half of blueberry and shower on some cheese; have them eat it as one bite.
Don’t have balsamic? Mix two tablespoons of maple syrup with one tablespoon of soy and one teaspoon of mustard; pull brussel sprouts from the oven at the twenty minute mark, toss the sprouts in the maple-soy mixture, and return to oven for 3-5 minutes.
Servings 6
Serving Size small serving
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
