There’s no great secret to getting toddlers to eat veggies: make ‘em crunchy, make ‘em sweet (or not tasting of, you know, earth); make ‘em not a vegetable. Look across our recipes for broccoli, asparagus, and zucchini and you’ll see the same set of tricks: texture changes, familiar additions (say, Goldfish crackers), and sauces that add the right amount of tangy kick. As we see it, getting kids to embrace vegetables is not a kind of impossible magic; it’s just dinner. Treat it like a science, not an art.
This toddler green bean recipe follows suit: breadcrumbs, miso (or mustard), and cheese come together as a tangy breading that pairs perfectly with the natural crispiness of the green stuff. Toss it all in a bowl; toss it all into your air fryer; watch ‘em toss into your child’s mouth. It’s that easy.
Check out our other great toddler vegetable recipes!
Let’s be honest: you’d rather give your toddler a houseplant than another mushy green veggie. Yet here’s the miracle—you’ve found the toddler green beans recipe that might just break their veggie strike. Easy, unpretentious, and with just enough flavor to distract from the fact that it’s…well…green.
Q: My toddler hates green beans—will this really work?
A: These aren’t plain beans anymore. With crunchy breadcrumbs, a tangy miso or mustard kick, and cheese, these toddler green beans look more like snack food than punishment.
Q: Can I swap miso for something else?
A: Totally. Honey mustard works, or even a bottled mustard sauce. The key is the sticky coating to help breadcrumbs cling.
Q: Do I really need parmesan, or can I use the canned stuff?
A: Use whatever parmesan is in the fridge. If it’s green-can cheese, so be it—toddlers aren’t grading authenticity.
Q: What dips actually work?
A: Ketchup and ranch are safe bets. But honestly, these toddler green beans can hold their own with just a squeeze of lemon.
If well-coated, the green beans should look similarly enough to other breaded items (i.e., nuggies) that your child won’t mean mug them the second you set a plate before him or her; if additional encouragement is needed, both ketchup and ranch work just fine with the green beans. But a spritz of lemon is really all they need.
This same approach can be applied to other vegetables, particularly asparagus and zucchini; if doing it with broccoli, cauliflower, or brussel sprouts, be sure and steam the vegetable for two minutes before dressing and cooking.
Servings 4
Serving Size 3 or 4 green beans
* 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.
