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.

toddler smoothies in jars with produce

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!

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.

4 cups with veggie smoothies for kids with produce on a cutting board

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.

produce for smoothies on a cutting board

Ingredients You Need

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.

making chocolate smoothie in blender

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.

sweet potato smoothie in blender

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

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.

toddler-smoothies-on-counter-with-produce

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can babies have smoothies?

After a baby is eating solid foods, they can start smoothies almost right away. Avoid using sweetened milks and opt for a plain unsweetened nondairy milk instead. And serve on a spoon, in a very small open cup or in a reusable pouch. (You just don’t want to substitute it for breastmilk or formula.)

How can you hide vegetables in smoothies?

If you have a kid who won’t eat many vegetables, veggie smoothies can be a great option since the veggies are served in a slightly sweet drink that tastes like a milkshake. Resist the urge to add more of any vegetable than my recipe below because that may impact the flavor or texture. And be sure to blend them very, very well.

And try some of the combinations below that aren’t green first, since pink, orange, purple, or even white smoothies are often much less alarming than green ones. Then, once you have a smoothie fan, try offering a green one!

What’s the best fruit for kids smoothies?

Frozen banana and mango make smoothies very smooth and creamy. Then you can add in almost any other fruit to make a delicious flavor combination

What can I add to boost nutrition?

You can add hemp seedschia seeds, yogurt, avocado, fish oil, and/or nut or seed butters in small amounts to smoothies.

(I don’t add things like bee pollen or collagen or protein powder because while I know that some swear by these types of smoothie boosts, I find them to be expensive and not very accessible for most people. If you like them or want to try them, by all means, go for it!)

toddler-drinking-green-smoothie

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!

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toddler-smoothies-in-mason-jars

Favorite Healthy Toddler Smoothie (with Veggies!)

Learn to customize yummy smoothies for your toddler by starting with one simple recipe, then adjusting based on which fruit and veggies you'd like to use.
4.93 from 109 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Breakfast
Calories 354kcal
Servings 1 -2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk (I prefer nondairy)
  • 1 small banana (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen fruit (such as blueberries, strawberries, mango, apple, or kiwi)
  • 1/2 cup veggies (such as kale, spinach, raw fresh or frozen chopped cauliflower, raw fresh or frozen sliced zucchini, raw fresh or frozen sliced summer squash, roasted sweet potato, roasted butternut squash, steamed diced beets)
  • Optional add ins (pick 1-2: 1 teaspoon hemp seeds, chia seeds, or ground flaxseed 1 tablespoon nut butter 2 tablespoons avocado 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup 1 tablespoon rolled oats)

Instructions

  •  Add chosen ingredients to a blender.
  • Blend until very smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl and adding more liquid if needed.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

 Flavor combinations:
  1. Blueberry Cocoa: Milk, banana, blueberries, spinach, cocoa powder
  2. Strawberry Banana: Milk, banana, strawberries, raw cauliflower, hemp seeds
  3. Mango Coconut Sweet Potato: Coconut milk, avocado, mango, sweet potato (cooked and cooled)
  4. Honey Peach: Milk, banana, peaches, raw summer squash, flaxseed
  5. Creamsicle: Yogurt, banana, orange, butternut squash (cooked and cooled)
  6. Tropical Greens: Milk, banana, kiwi, kale, chia seeds
  7. Cocoa Banana: Milk, banana (1 whole), spinach, cocoa powder, nut butter
  8. Tangy Peach: Kefir (instead of milk), banana, peach, honey, raw cauliflower
  9. Cinnamon Apple: Milk, banana, apple, raw summer squash, dash cinnamon
  10. Strawberry Beet: Milk, avocado, strawberries, raw beets (or leftover cooked), maple syrup
TIPS
  • 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.
  • You can use raw cauliflower, zucchini, beets, and summer squash. (Or you can freeze those raw veggies and add them frozen.)
  • You can add fully cooked and cooled sweet potato, butternut squash, and beets. (Any kind work, even leftover puree, as long as it’s not seasoned or salted.)
  • Blend really (really!) well to get a very smooth consistency, adding a little more milk (or even water) as needed to thin.

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal, Carbohydrates: 62g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 150mg, Potassium: 994mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 34g, Vitamin A: 5132IU, Vitamin C: 27mg, Calcium: 309mg, Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

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Comments

  1. Read this post and subscribed right away. Can’t wait to put vegetables in my toddler’s smoothie tomorrow. Thanks for sharing these recipes. Looking forward to know more interesting and healthy recipes.

  2. 5 stars
    We have some leftover jars of Beech-Nut baby food (like corn & peas). Do you think those would we good frozen and added in, nutrition-wise?

    1. Yes! Baby food purees make smoothies extra creamy. I’d do maybe 2 tbsp-1/4 cup and one flavor at a time. (I actually added leftover baby food carrot puree to my berry smoothie this morning and it was so good.) I’m not sure how yours is frozen, but if it’s in small amounts (like the size of an ice cube or less) that is fine to add straight to a blender. Otherwise I think you should let it thaw in the fridge and then add it in with the rest of the ingredients. Taste the blended smoothie before serving to make sure it’s sweet enough.

  3. 5 stars
    Yum!
    I made the banana/blueberry with spinach and the strawberry/banana with cauliflower and they both were delicious. I can hardly wait to try them out on my three year old grandson.

  4. 5 stars
    Hita, thank you for this. Will definitely give this a try. One question please. Once made, will store in fridge but how long do we have to use all up? Two to three days?
    Thank you.

    1. Most smoothies are best right after they’re made as they can separate. You can store for a few hours, but you’ll need to stir and they may not be quite as creamy since the frozen fruit will thaw.

  5. 5 stars
    Adored this recipe.
    Really appreciate how you broke it down so we can customize based on our own preferences.
    And there’s no way those colours are blah. That’s what smoothies look like, especially with a milk base. Omit the milk and colours would be brighter I think. Your responses are so patient and informative
    Thank you!!

      1. 4 stars
        Sorry I have a dumb question. The sweet potatoes or butter squash do you add them raw or cooked

        Thank you greatly appreciated

    1. It can be a full meal or a snack, though we often offer a simple carbohydrate on the side such as piece of toast or a mini muffin. It may depend on the child and their hunger level.

  6. I don’t know if anyone has mentioned, but in the extras dates are a great addition as well and add sweetness. Thank you for these great base recipe ideas!

  7. Hi Amy!
    I can’t wait to try these but I was wondering why you can’t freeze them? I saw someone asked you said you shouldn’t just curious as to why?

    Thank you!

    1. You could try but the texture would be maybe a little off since it would be hard to thaw them to normal smoothie texture. And they might separate a bit depending on the ingredients. If you put them in a reusable pouch though it’s possible the kiddo wouldn’t know the difference!

  8. 5 stars
    Hi Amy!
    what if I am not comfortable with using seeds such as hemp, flax and chia? My son is only 18 months but he has a severe food aversion and has major sensory issues. So the ONLY thing he eats is dry cereal and crackers. His OT wants him to start drinking smoothies so he gets his vitamins and minerals . His main nutrition right now is milk. Oh and how do I add some sort of protein because he doesn’t get that either. Do I need a protein powder? Is there a safe baby protein out there? I know he will like the smoothies because he LOVES my banana almond milk smoothie. I’d appreciate your feedback. Thanks in advance.

    1. Hi! You can simply omit the seeds. You don’t need to add extra protein. Nut or seed butter will add protein and milk would have protein too. If you want to change up the milk from what he drinks straight, look for a milk like Ripple or a plant based one with protein. Silk makes one too. Then be sure just to blend super smooth!