No one is going to accuse or mistake this one for healthy, but if you’re looking for an instant classic at lunchtime, something your kid will not only want but ask for (and multiple times a week), this is your huckleberry. Croissant? Check. Cooked French toast style? Check? A cream cheese-and-jelly sando variant of what you likely ate growing up? Oh yeah. Hits all the kiddo dopamine marks, this one: sweet, creamy, crispy. It’s the one. Best toddler lunch ever.
You know that ultra-simple sandwich you grew up on—warm, soft, just sweet enough? That’s exactly what this is, but toddler-approved. It’s a warm croissant with turkey, cream cheese and jelly, and it hits all the right notes:
This one’s perfect for lunch at home, preschool, or packing along for a park picnic. Prep it fresh, wrap it tight, and let your tiny critic chow down.
Check out our other great sandwich recipes for toddlers!
That’s it! Just three ingredients.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
Sure—just keep components apart (croissant separate from cream cheese/jelly) and assemble within an hour for best texture.
Q: My kid doesn’t like croissants—substitute?
Go for soft dinner rolls, brioche buns, or even a fluffy pancake—sticking to the cream cheese + jelly intro keeps the vibe. Our toddler's favorite variant involves making the turkey, jelly, and cream cheese the filling for these french toast roll-ups.
Q: Any healthier add-ons?
Slide in thin apple slices or mashed banana between layers for a touch of fruit without fuss.
Q: Toddler can’t handle warm foods?
Serve the croissant at room temp. Still tasty, just cooler.
No one is going to accuse or mistake this one for healthy, but if you’re looking for an instant classic at lunchtime, something your kid will not only want but ask for (and multiple times a week), this is your huckleberry. Croissant? Check. Cooked French toast style? Check? A cream cheese-and-jelly sando variant of what you likely ate growing up? Oh yeah. Hits all the kiddo dopamine marks, this one: sweet, creamy, crispy. It’s the one.
when pressed, the sandwich should be quite compact and easy to eat; you can cut into small squares for individual bites, or serve in larger chunks to provide some practice biting and consuming different sized portions. Because the sandwich is a meal onto itself, keep it light if you do end up serving it with something: cuts of crisp vegetables (carrots, cukes, etc), veggie chips, berries, etc.
Servings 1
Serving Size 1/2 sandwich
* 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.
