Favorite Toddler Smoothie (with Veggies!)

This yummy toddler smoothie method is simple to blend up and even easier to customize for breakfast or snack time. It’s a perfect smoothie for kids since it’s naturally sweet, loaded with nutrition from fruit and veggies, and tastes great! Plus: The one master recipe can be made 10 easy ways.

Healthy Toddler Smoothies

One of the best ways to help your toddler and older kids eat more fruits and vegetables is to pack them into smoothies. By starting with one master smoothie recipe and varying it based on what your kids like (and for any food allergy concerns), you can increase the likelihood that they will actually drink it—which is clearly key!

Reading: toddler smoothies with veggies

This recipe is flexible and versatile.

To be completely honest, my oldest has never been a fan of smoothies. Because of that, I tried very hard to get my second and third kids to like them right from the start. I make them smoothies a few times a week so they are familiar and I’m happy to report that she’s a total fan.

We love smoothies for healthy breakfasts and snacks. And it’s nice that you can keep almost all of the ingredients on hand in the freezer or pantry.

Smoothies for Kids

One of my best tips for helping kids like smoothies is to avoid packing them too full of extras. Because if you go overboard on veggies and things like chia seeds, a kid smoothie can taste like sludge really fast. But thankfully, you can still make a healthy smoothie that’s packed with nutrition if you know how to balance the ingredients.

TIP: If your toddler regularly drinks milk at breakfast, try switching to smoothies some days. This has the benefit of allowing you to fill their bellies with a range of nutrition and flavors.

Ingredients You Need

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There’s one master recipe here, but you can pick which fruits and veggies to use so you can customize it for your child.

Generally you’ll need:

• Milk (I prefer non-dairy)
• Fruit
• Veggie
• Frozen banana
• Optional add-ins

TIP: I like to do half frozen fruit and half fresh fruit to avoid having a smoothie that’s a nice and easy thickness for toddlers to drink.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in making smoothies for kids. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for all of the recipes.

1. Add the milk to the blender. (We prefer nondairy milks since they seem to have a slightly better consistency and less of a tendency to separate after blending.)
2. Add the fruit and veggie.
3. Add any optional ingredients.
4. Blend the smoothie really well to ensure that it has a very creamy texture.
5. Serve it in a reusable pouch, a small open cup, or in a sippy cup depending on what your kid likes best.

TIP: To help ensure a good texture and flavor in our veggie smoothies, we pick just a few ingredients each time and keep the flavors simple.

Smoothies for Toddlers with Food Allergies

If your toddler has food allergies, it’s easy to adjust a smoothie for them. If they are allergic to bananas, use 2 tablespoons avocado instead or try a teaspoon or two of nut butter. Use whichever type of milk you prefer—almond, flax, coconut, rice, dairy, or even kefir.

We tend to use Silk Protein Nut Milk, Ripple Milk, or New Karma Flaxmilk in our smoothies.

Kid-Friendly Constipation Smoothie

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If your toddler has frequent constipation or a sudden bout, a smoothie with hidden veggies can help. Consider adding chia seeds or hemp seeds, and a small spoonful of coconut oil, flaxseed oil, or avocado. You can also use full-fat coconut milk as the base.

The healthy fats can coat the digestive tract, making it easier for food waste to pass through. And, since the foods in toddler smoothies are already blended, it’s much less work for their digestive systems!

TIP: This is my best Constipation Smoothie recipe.

Smoothies for Toddlers to Gain Weight

If your doctor has told you that your toddler needs to gain weight, a smoothie can be a helpful mealtime tool. Consider adding nut butters, avocado, healthy oils (flax, fish), full fat yogurt, hemp seeds, and offering a serving of a toddler smoothie at snack time, mealtime, or as a bedtime snack.

Use those in between times to get in a little extra nutrition and calories (though remember that we can’t impact how hungry our kids feel).

TIP: Find more foods to help toddlers gain weight here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Tips for Success

Here are some tips to consider when making a fruit and veggie smoothie for your kids.

• If you can freeze the greens ahead of time, the finished product will taste much less “green” but will have the same nutrition. Just make sure the greens are dry, then put them into a zip top freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Blend really (really!) well to get a very smooth consistency, adding a little more milk (or even water) as needed to thin.
• You can get a less thick texture in toddler smoothies, which some kids prefer by using fresh fruit rather than frozen—and this is also a good option for winter days when a frozen drink is less than ideal.
• You can use yogurt in place of milk if you add a fruit with a lot of liquid like a clementine or orange.
• Try using half milk and half yogurt for a creamier texture some toddlers may prefer.
• Serve toddler smoothies in a reusable pouch (we like Squeasy Gear!) or in a cup with a straw.
• You can also offer small tastes with a spoon if you have a child who isn’t yet a fan. Consider even a small sampling a success!
• Sprinkle on some granola or a favorite cereal and serve as a smoothie bowl for a fun variation.
• And if nothing else works, freeze them into popsicles!

I’d love to know if you’ve tried this recipe and what your family thinks of it so please rate and comment below!

Filder Under:Baby Food, Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Popular, Recipes, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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