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!
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
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.
- 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.)
- Add the fruit and veggie.
- Add any optional ingredients.
- Blend the smoothie really well to ensure that it has a very creamy texture.
- 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
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
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.)
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!
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
You can add hemp seeds, chia 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!)
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!
Favorite Healthy Toddler Smoothie (with Veggies!)
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.
Equipment
Notes
- Blueberry Cocoa: Milk, banana, blueberries, spinach, cocoa powder
- Strawberry Banana: Milk, banana, strawberries, raw cauliflower, hemp seeds
- Mango Coconut Sweet Potato: Coconut milk, avocado, mango, sweet potato (cooked and cooled)
- Honey Peach: Milk, banana, peaches, raw summer squash, flaxseed
- Creamsicle: Yogurt, banana, orange, butternut squash (cooked and cooled)
- Tropical Greens: Milk, banana, kiwi, kale, chia seeds
- Cocoa Banana: Milk, banana (1 whole), spinach, cocoa powder, nut butter
- Tangy Peach: Kefir (instead of milk), banana, peach, honey, raw cauliflower
- Cinnamon Apple: Milk, banana, apple, raw summer squash, dash cinnamon
- Strawberry Beet: Milk, avocado, strawberries, raw beets (or leftover cooked), maple syrup
- 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.
You say you prefer non-dairy milk. Would oat milk be a good milk to use in these recipes?
Sure, that will work. (Sometimes whole milk can cause the mixtures to separate with some of the fruits which is why I don’t recommend it here.)
Finally a simple recipe that my toddler likes and doesn’t call for 20 ingredients I don’t have. Thank you!
Tangy peach is insane !!!! That is literally the best smoothie I have ever had!!!!!!! Amazing that there is cauliflower in it, you are a creative genius!
So glad to hear it!
Are these smoothies thick enough to be put into a reusable pouch and be eaten from the pouch?
My toddler won’t touch any veggies except when I buy the baby smoothie pouches, but they’re tiny and cost so much!
So was thinking of batch-making lots of reusable pouches to go in the freezer – could I do this? And then do I just put it in the fridge the day before use to thaw?
(I’m worried it’s gonna have some weird separation after freezing or be too liquidy)
You don’t add ice to it?
I don’t add ice if using some frozen fruit. You can if you’d like.
Big fans of smoothies here. We frequently use blueberries and regular milk and we often freeze and thaw at a later date. My guys have been drinking them since 6-12 months though (can’t remember exact age). No complaints from anyone! Then again, we also use opaque-ish containers for serving and no one has spoken about separation or blueberries here.
Dear Amy, your recipes have been so helpful as I try to feed my son homemade, healthy nomz — thanks for sharing your knowledge!! How long would these keep in the fridge, and is it a possibility to freeze them (premade pouch)? Thank you
Yes you can freeze them. They are best within 24 hours after storing in the fridge. I usually only serve blueberry immediately though since it can separate while sitting.
How do we go about cooking to sweet potatoes and any other things for these smoothies?
Do we just boil them?
For the sweet potatoes, you can use any method you prefer (boiling, steaming, roasting) without salt. Then just let cool before adding to the smoothie.
This is our go-to smoothie recipe that I make for my kids twice a week! Such an easy and delicious way to get Kale into their diets! I wanted to ask – would this translate well into a popsicle if put into a popsicle mold after it’s made? TIA!
For things like the frozen cauliflower, i read on the bag that you need to cook it to a safe temp before consuming. Is it safe to use uncoooked?
I recommend freezing fresh cauliflower yourself to avoid this issue.
I’ve read somewhere that using cow’s milk can curd the smoothie when it has citrus fruit, is this true? If so can I use soymilk?
It may depend on the fruit and the amounts and yes you can use soy milk.
I can’t wait to try these. My son refuses to eat fruit or veggies. But after finding some dinosaur popsicle molds (he’s obsessed with dinosaurs) I plan on making smoothie popsicles in hopes of finally finding a way to get him to eat them. Here’s to hoping they go over well when the molds arrive.
I’ve made your blueberry banana smoothie three times this week and today, I tried banana and mango and it tastes so good! The entire family loves this recipe, including our 15 month old daughter that doesn’t eat any veggies if she sees them. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad!
CAULIFLOWER?! Color me surprised. Doing this immediately.
For seedy berries, would you recommend straining the smoothie before serving/storing? Whenever I make smoothies for myself and I use berries, frozen or fresh, there are so many seeds!
It may depend on your blender. The only berries I find this to be an issue with is raspberries and blackberries, so you could strain them (though with a thick mixture like a smoothie, that might be a little tricky) or just blend a little longer on the highest speed. I hope that helps!
Did not think strawberry beet would work, but it was so yummy!
Hi should the sweet potato be measured cooked cubed or just cooked scraped out of the skin…kinda mashed like.
Thank you for this recipe I’m using it to help replace a similar formula that I can no longer get ahold of for my special need son.
Hi- mash it into the measuring cup. I hope it works for him!
Love these smoothie ideas! What size smoothie is best for a one year old (as one serving)?
It really depends on the child, their appetite, and if it’s being served on it’s own or along with another food. With a baby or a one year old, 4 ounces may be the right fit. For an older kiddo, they could drink 8-12 ounces. We usually start with less and add more as needed in their cups to avoid waste.
Is using frozen butternut squash from the grocery freezer section okay or does the butternut squash need to be cooked first ?
That is almost always raw in the package so I think you’d need to cook it first as I’m not sure it would blend smooth if it’s used raw
This tasted great! My daughter only drank about 1 cup in a serving. What’s the best way to store in freezer for easy use next couple of days. Anything that saves me preparation on another day is pure gold 🙂
I’m so glad! You could freeze it in a reusable pouch if you have one or in an ice cub tray, then you could transfer the cubes to a cup the night before you plan to serve it and let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
Thanks, a few questions:
1. Which nondairy milk provides the best consistency?
2. For how long can I storage the smoothie in the fridge after blending the ingredients to make sure its still good to drink?
3. Which fruits or veggies should I avoid to prevent separation after blending?
Most nondairy milks offer a nice consistency. Ripple is super creamy, as is the protein milk from Silk. Smoothies are best consumed right after drinking. They are fine if stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours but they will not be as thick since they won’t be as frozen. I would not try to store a smoothie with blueberries as that tends to separate no matter what else is in it.
I really hate the taste and smell of banana. Is this something you can taste/smell in the smoothies, or is it kind of hidden like the veggies? Also wondering, if you can smell/taste it, can you replace it with mango for all the smoothies above? I noticed you mentioned that to someone else.
If you hate banana, I would use mango. You’ll likely be able to taste the banana in these.
Thanks for this. I love the benefits of cocao powder but I worry that it has caffeine. Do you know if the amount you suggest above would have impactful amount of caffeine? Thank you!
As far as I know the amounts are not concerning but if you are worried, you can reduce them or wait to use that ingredient.
I was looking for recipes to sneak more veggies into my 4 year old’s diet. Great idea with the frozen cauliflower – you can’t taste it at all. Thank you!
I’ve had good luck with packing my Ninja blender as full as possible with raw spinach, adding a can of coconut milk, about 16 ounces of almond milk or coconut water, blending, then topping up with frozen berries and an avocado. My toddler loves these (and hates just about everything it seems). I started making them for myself and we ended up sharing.
Has to be frozen fruit? I use fresh and water my baby is only 10 month old
You can use fresh. It will just be a little less thick.
Hi 👋 do you pack the veggies? For example, 1/2 cup of spinach, is that a packed 1/2 cup?
You can lightly pack the spinach!
Do I need to cook the spinach prior? My baby is 1 yo.
No, you can use fresh raw spinach
My baby is allergic to banana .., What can I replace with banana .., thank you
Mango works well instead.
How long can you store them for in the fridge?
Most would be best within 24 hours. You can also freeze leftovers into a popsicle mold too.
Just curious if there is any thoughts on this lasting until lunch time at school? My son needs to gain weight and improve his food options and is starting kindergarten. He loves smoothies but I want to serve them often since the only veggie he will eat is peas. Trying to figure out if I can stick one in the lunch box.
It should be fine if you pack it in an insulated lunchbox/bag. Blueberries often cause smoothies to separate when stored, so that’s the only fruit I would avoid. I hope he has a good start!
We LOVE our Yummy Toddler Food recipes! My question is when using fresh zucchini or summer squash do you peel first? Is there a benefit to NOT peeling? I’ll be making these for my 10 mo. and 3 year old!
Thank you!
Hi! We do not peel both because it’s easier not to and because you get extra fiber if you leave the peel on. I hope that helps!
Can You use frozen vegetables from bag ? Like put directly into the blender with the fruit ? Or it has to be thawed and cooked ?
Technically, frozen veggies are meant to be cooked to eliminate any risk of food borne illness. I often freeze fresh veggies (like I put raw cauliflower into a freezer bag and I freeze fresh greens) to use in smoothies.
Can the squash be raw or does it have to be cooked?
I do it raw!
Love this! Is it ok to refrigerate leftovers and use the next day or is it only good for one time use?
It should be fine a day later, just the consistency may change slightly. (Blueberry smoothies may separate when stored but the rest should be fine!)
Does banana go in all them or just the ones listed with banana?
It’s listed in all but the mango flavor (but you can use it there too if you want!)
Very helpful and yummy for kids of all ages. That’s what I’ve been looking for.
Thanks for providing such great recipes! Just what I was looking for!
Hi. i am loving tonread all the recipes. They bseem so delish. I however have a query. Would it be recommended to give raw spinach, cauliflower, citrus & milk combos, to my 1.5year old? Would it given her stomach bugs???? Please i am looking forward to trying the recipe s but wamted a quick approval
It should not give stomach bugs.
Is there any reason I can’t just freeze extra smoothie for an easy toddler treat for later?
I tried to make the cocoa banana smoothie but I added some strawberries as well. It was not sweet at all and 2 out of 3 of the kids enjoyed it. It has a bitter taste and even after adding a little honey the flavor got no better. I added kale in place of spinich, I did 1/2 milk 1/2 plain yogurt, and added some nut butter. Anything I should had not done or any way to make it differently next time?
It’s possible that the combination of strawberries, kale, and cocoa powder added the bitterness. Spinach is much milder in flavor and strawberries are often not super sweet in a smoothie. I would be sure to use the banana and if it’s brown or very ripe, that will help.
Hi um, I think I left a comment already but I can’t see so Ijust wanted to tell and ask you I am 12 years, so which smoothie would you recommend.
Maybe one with cocoa powder if you like that flavor?
Um, hi I am 12 year old, do you have any recipes that you would recommend for me, since I can’t seem to pick any.
Hi! Excited to try some smoothies for my picky toddler who does not eat fruits and vegs. I had 1 question- can I substitute blueberries/strawberries in your recipes for raspberries/ cranberries/ blackberries?
Thanks!
Do you recommend yellow squash or zucchini where you said to use summer squash?
Either will work. If making a lighter color smoothie, the yellow squash color will blend in nicely. You can also peel the skin if you’re worried about the green color with a lighter color, but they essentially both work the same.
1 Orange, 1/2 cucumber, 1 red apple, 1/2 sliced carrot, 1/2 peeled tomato
When serving these smoothies for breaks fast, do you serve alone or offer something else in addition? My toddler struggles with breakfast foods, and I, in turn, struggle with trying to figure out what to offer him that is nutritious enough.
It depends on the child and their appetite. We often have smoothies alongside a piece of whole grain toast or a muffin or dry cereal like Kix or Cheerios.
This might be a silly question but for the Honey Peach recipe , no honey is listed to add in. I assume I can add 1-2 tsp to taste?
Yes! (sorry!)
Thanks Amy.! My little one loved this! She’s a good eater but wanted to change it up a bit for her. I ended up adding an Avocado to the Honey Peach recipe and it was delish!!
I’m so glad to hear that!
Thanks for this Amy. It made… and although my five-year-old son is not YET a fan, I loved it!! It will definitely be added to our breakfast meal options… And I will certainly be trying your other smoothie recipes with our family. Delicious!! 🙂
Excellent!
My picky 3 year old won’t eat meat, eggs, beans, lentils. I need to get more iron into him and he loves smoothies. Do you have any recipes that cater to this?
Any smoothie with spinach and citrus will be a great option—so either add some spinach to one with orange or mango or strawberries, or make a green smoothie with any of those fruits!
Hi! Is it possible to make smoothies from fresh ingredients and freeze them? Then maybe when you’re wanting one, just blend it up with milk / yoghurt etc.?
You can make smoothie packs with all of the ingredients except the liquid added to a freezer bag and frozen, then yes, add it to the blender with the liquid and blend.
Hey Trish, just a note: iron is less absorbed when combined with dairy, so you may want to consider using a non dairy yogurt or milk instead.
My son didn’t like almond yogurt at all, i haven’t tried coconut yogurt but it might be good. He didn’t mind flax milk so far, but not the biggest fan of almond milk.
My understanding is that iron absorption becomes an issue if the child is drinking more than 16-24 ounces a day.
Hello,
I see the recipe calls for fresh or from frozen, but is it okay to steam the vegetables first? I would be using zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower in different smoothies for my toddler. I just want to be sure this will keep most of the nutritional value. Thanks
That would but I would caution against using broccoli as I think that flavor may be hard to mask in a smoothie. Maybe I’m wrong, but cauliflower and zucchini work well. (They have the same nutrition if added raw if you want to save yourself a step!)
I have only made the blueberry cocoa smoothie far, and my PICKY toddler loves it! It is more sugar than she is used to (only because she generally won’t eat ANY fruit , so she only has a small mini-portion right now! We call it her chocolate milk. Can’t wait to try the other combos! Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that!
What else could combine with tomato in a smoothie ? We have plenty from garden
I’ve never used it in a tomato so I am not sure!
Are all the veggies supposed to be cooked before using?
No many can be used raw. It’s specified in the ingredient list. If something says “roasted” or “steamed” they would be cooked in that way.
I’m just starting to try these with my 22month old, I cut the recipe in half kind of but it’s still too much for her to finish right away. Do you think it’d still be good after sitting in the fridge for a couple of hours, not days, just a couple hours, like less than say 4? I can’t see why it wouldn’t be but I’d love to know what others think
It should be fine in the fridge, you just may need to shake it up a bit since some fruits can separate. It will be thinner. You can also freeze it in an ice cube tray for another day.
Should whole milk be used the first year for brain development?
Whole milk is recommended after a baby turns one, yes, due to the fats that they need for brain development.
I have a 3 year old Great Grandaughter that has drinking my smoothies for two years now. I use a Nutri Bullet mixer. Organic ut Milk: Almonds, cahews, pumpkin seeds. Organic Frozen Blue Berries , Strawberries and Black berries . Bannana slided with the peel, Cinnamon, Ginger Beet powders and Protien powder , Cocao powder, Gogi powder . All organic in this smoothie. One carrot, Celery stick, some Kale and 1 tsp of Spirulina powder. 2tsp chia seeds . fill to line on container with Filtered water and mix. Thre times a week. She downs a 16 oz cup of this blend and is totally hooks, I do this because I feel her diet at home lacks the Nutrition she deserves. Im 74 and she is three. I feel that we both need a similar Combination of nutrition . Shes growing and Im just wanting to stay alive for another 20-30 years. Make Sense?
Can the milk be substituted for Greek yogurt?
You can do half yogurt and half milk (or even orange juice), but you need some liquid in with the yogurt to get the blender going.
You mention Roasted Butternut Squash and sweet potato. What is your process for roasting these veggies to go in th smoothie? Can they be frozen after roasting for easy use for the next smoothie?
Here’s a recipe for the squash and one for the sweet potato. And yes, once cooled, simply store any leftovers in a freezer bag in the freezer and add to future smoothies.
I tried the blueberry coco and banana coco and peanut butter and it was a hit with my 14 month old! She loves it and I’m so happy because she’s quite picky. I will be making more on the list. Thank you for such a wonderful delicious recipe! 🙂
This blog about 10 Toddler Smoothies with Hidden-Veggies (Big
Kids Will Love Too!) has helped me a lot, is very well written.
Kiss you All!
Do you have to add in the veggie and add in option or can you do just fruit only? Do you add ice?
You could double the fruit and leave out a veggie. I don’t add ice since one of the fruits is recommended to be frozen. You can add ice if you use fresh fruits though.
What kind of cocoa powder is best? Also, recommendations on the most nutritious nut butter?
For nut butters, I like to alternate between peanut and almond to get a variety of nutrition. For cocoa powder, I use regular Dutch process. Any will work since it’s a small amount.
Very helpful information. It gave me something to learn about the fruits I can add to my smoothie. I can’t wait to give it a try .
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.
Love your recipes Amy!!!
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?
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.
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.
I hope he enjoys them too!
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.
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.
Your patient replies to everyone give me faith in humanity. Thanks for the recipes!
I try! 🙂
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!!
These colors look BLAH!
It varies and may be brighter or less vivid depending on the ingredients.
I like you, you’re reasonable. Had to be said.
Sorry I have a dumb question. The sweet potatoes or butter squash do you add them raw or cooked
Not dumb! Cooked and cooled is best.
Sorry I have a dumb question. The sweet potatoes or butter squash do you add them raw or cooked
Thank you greatly appreciated
Will the smoothie be considered as a meal or still offer other food?
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.
Thank you for breaking this process down! Toddler loved it.
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!
Good tip, thanks for sharing!
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!
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!
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.
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!
What type of cocoa powder is used?
Any kind will work!
Can you freeze these recipes if you make them in large batches?
I wouldn’t recommend freezing finished smoothies, but you can freeze all of the ingredients for one smoothie EXCEPT the milk in a plastic baggie. Then add the milk and the components of the bag to the freezer and blend. You can prep a bunch of smoothies at once this way and they’re ready almost instantly.
Really tasty and the kids thought they were having such a treat! Will make this again.
25g of sugar per serving? Is this accurate?
The smoothie will make 1-2 toddler servings. There’s around 14 grams of natural sugar in a small banana. And about 8 in a cup of milk. So even without any other foods you get close to 25. It’s all natural sugars.
Thanks for these recipes it’s a good combinations. But do I have to cook or steam the kale, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower before blending them in the fruits juice or it’s okay to give them as a raw veggies to a year and half old toddler? Thanks
You can do the veggies raw!
Fatima, yes!! Please so not give your child saw vegetables. Steam them and then add them to the smoothie.
Hi, Amy I was looking for a smoothie with alot of calorie for my toddler is is under weight and the doctor recommended more calories .
Hi! You could add coconut oil, additional nut butter, or avocado to any of these to add more calories.
I’m curious to know what happens during winter. can you heat them up?
I wouldn’t recommend that you heat them up but you can use less frozen fruit so they aren’t quite as cold if you want to.
I’m so excited to start these for my 2 year old as she’s gone off her veggies. How do I know what is the right amount. What is a serving size for her? She eats a lot of fruit already. Thanks!
A serving size might be 1/2 cup to 1 cup, though she might start at 1/4 cup or even a few sips if she’s new to smoothies. I’d start smaller at first to let her get used to it if she’s not regularly drinking smoothies right now. My two year old likes these out of a 4 oz reusable Squeasy Gear pouch (and drinks the most that way, versus a cup). Fingers crossed she’s a fan!
Came across this site while researching healthy kid-approved smoothies because my 10 year old is having major dental work done soon. We’re excited to try these! Thank you!!
I hope these help and that the dental work goes smoothly!
I just made the mango (used light, canned) coconut milk sweet potato smoothie with flax added in. I enjoyed it and so did my girls ages 6 and 10. Not just a good smoothie for toddlers! It’s an all age deliciously healthy smoothie ?
I’m so glad to hear that, thank you for sharing!
Can you freeze all of the fruits and vegetables that you listed?
Yes!
Just came across this post last week and my toddler has been LOVING the smoothies!! He just wants more and more! How long do the smoothies stay good in the fridge? So far I’ve only made them on the weekends but would like to prep some ahead of time and leave them in the fridge so the babysitter can give them to him throughout the week. How many days do you think they’d stay good for?
I’m glad these are working for you! I wouldn’t suggest making them more than a few hours ahead and leaving them in the fridge since the texture can get weird. (Smoothies with blueberries are best consumed right after—I’m not sure why, but if left to sit, they get really gloppy!) But three ideas: You could make one in the morning and leave it in the fridge or the sitter. Or you could make them ahead on the weekend and freeze in an ice cube tray or baby food container (like the silicone ones) and then take one or two out to thaw to use that day. Or you could make up little freezer bags or small jars with the ingredients for each smoothie except the milk, store in the freezer, and have the sitter blend one up fresh adding in the milk. I hope that helps!
The freezer idea is great!! I’ll definitely do that. Thanks for the help!
Absolutely my pleasure!
Hi,
Your recipe also works great for irritable, ultra picky 12 year olds.
I just made made mine a smoothie with spinach and she asked if she could have one for breakfast. Nice, easy way to get some extra veggies in her diet!
Thank you for sharing ; )
That’s so great to hear, thank YOU for sharing!
Love veggie smoothies. Don’t forget that cocoa powder is healthy and yummy but has caffeine. 12mg in a tblsp
That’s a good tip to keep in mind, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this, very helpful for picky eaters. the combination suggestions are helpful too
I’m so glad that the post is helpful Neel!
I am on my way to the store! These look great, both for my toddler grandson and for his Gaga-nanny. Thanks for coming up with things that provide real nutrition and not a ton of sugar!
Thank you for the link to the reusable pouches as well. We use the ones you buy at the store as treats, but they are awfully expensive and our little one can devour one in 30 seconds!
And one more thing, re: getting toddlers to try new things. If he balks, I tell him it must go on the plate, but he doesn’t have to eat it. He usually gets around to at least trying it. If he really doesn’t like it, I just say, things like, “Asparagus is an acquired taste. Maybe next time.” We have a NO-PRESSURE policy, and it works for us. We provide only healthy foods, so whatever he eats (or doesn’t) is okay.
I love hearing about your no-pressure policy Suzy—such a good reminder that even getting kids used to seeing and trying foods is a continual process!!