Listen, we get it: you’re still out here trying to get your child to eat straight-up vegetables; you’re still out here trying veggie fries to make it happen–that’s probably how you ended up here. You’ve probably tried a bunch of similar recipes from another site already; we know they’re just…okay? There is only so much you can do without a deep fryer; a vegetable, no matter how well prepared, is never going to have the visual and gustatory appeal of a french fry. It’s never going to be an easy sell.
So, let’s be honest about what’s ahead: this is just another veggie fries recipe–but it’s also a better one. Have we changed the game, come up with some innovation that will convert you and your toddler to give up french fries forever? Ha. What we can say is that we’ve made the appropriate tweaks necessary to both get your kid to eat veggie fries and make it practical enough for you to cook it on a semi-regular basis–and that’s plenty enough for a Wednesday night, right? That’s why we like to call them “second fries” or “surprise fries”: maybe they’re not quite the same, but these veggie fries are a nice bonus to/on an otherwise fry-less–and, perhaps, vegetable-less–night.
Looking for a great french fry recipe for kids? We've got the best air fryer french fries!
These toddler zucchini fries are the perfect crunchy, veggie-packed snack when you want something healthy, fun, and easy to eat. Coated lightly with flour, egg, and a flavorful panko/Goldfish/garlic breadcrumb mix, they bake beautifully golden and crispy—ideal for tiny fingers. Serve with a milder dip like yogurt ranch or applesauce, and watch them disappear!
Q: Can I air‑fry them?
Absolutely! Cook at 375–400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway. A basket-style fryer yields great crispiness.
Q: How do I make them toddler-safe?
Cut into short, wide sticks (~½ inch thick), and always supervise while eating.
Q: Gluten/Dairy/Egg-free swaps?
Use gluten-free flour and panko. Swap egg for flax egg or vegan binder like mayo. Omit dairy or use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
Q: Storing/Leftovers?
Store in an airtight container with paper towels. Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
A simple, can't-fail approach to veggie fries that your kid will gobble up every time.
Hit with a spritz of lemon and side with a creamy sauce (i.e., ranch, yum-yum). Pro tip: don’t feel like you have to hide the fact that there are veggies underneath the coating; rather, if you need to sell ‘em instead focus on the crunch and the, well, dip-piness of them.
About the only vegetable that you can do a 1:1 substitution here is eggplant, and we recommend doing those at 350 for 10 minutes. If you want to employ carrots here, try our carrot fries recipe.
Servings 4
Serving Size 3 fries
* 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.
