As any parent of a toddler has lived and (maybe not) learned, it’s easy to end up with a plethora of fruit or vegetables with no clear or feasible plan on how to consume it all before it goes to waste. But have no fear, my fellow fruit and/or veggie hoarder: there are plenty of clever, toddler-friendly ways to make the most of leftover fruit—including for and at dinner. Indeed, with a little creativity–and we’ve provided some options below–those bits and pieces of leftover fruit can become part of your toddler’s next favorite meal, minimizing waste while maximizing nutrition and fun.
–Toddler Salad(oranges and berries)
–Blackberry Toddler Chicken Wings
–Mango Curry
–Clementine Cake
–Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes
–Butternut Squash Pasta
-Sweet Potato Cornbread
Of course, you also don’t have to even follow a formal recipe. One of the simplest ideas is to use fruit in smoothies. Overripe bananas, soft peaches, and squishy strawberries can be blended with a bit of milk or yogurt for a snack that feels like a treat. It’s an easy way to introduce new fruit combinations and sneak in added nutrients like spinach or chia seeds, all while keeping it toddler-approved. Another great option is turning leftover fruit into frozen snacks. Mashed fruit can be spooned into silicone molds or ice cube trays and popped into the freezer for mini popsicles. These are ideal for teething toddlers or warm-weather refreshment. Kids love the novelty of food in fun shapes, and parents love having a healthy option on hand that doesn’t involve added sugar.
Leftover fruit is also perfect for mixing into other everyday toddler foods. Chopped fruit can be stirred into oatmeal, yogurt, or even pancake batter. This adds natural sweetness and variety to familiar foods, which can help picky eaters stay interested. You can also mash fruits like banana or pear to mix into applesauce or cottage cheese for a new flavor twist.
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Great ideas for using up leftover fruit! It’s amazing how versatile fruits can be, especially when it comes to feeding toddlers. I love the idea of turning them into frozen snacks—it’s both fun and practical. Mixing fruit into oatmeal or pancakes is such a clever way to add nutrition without much effort.
Great ideas for using up leftover fruit! The smoothie and frozen snack suggestions are brilliant and were so easy to make.
My toddler never finishes all the berries I buy her, so these are great toddler recipe ideas for us!