Transform plain ol' banana with these super fun and easy breakfast or snack ideas that you can make with your child! These banana recipes are perfect for baby led weaning, too.
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I don't know about your family, but we go through A LOT of bananas. And I'm ever so thankful they are cheap and nutritious!
And so versatile! Since my daughter is not 2 years old yet, we haven't introduced any added sugars yet, so banana works beautifully as a substitute in SO many ways.
Go ahead and freeze some bananas so you will always have them on hand when you need them.
I am sharing some of my most popular baby and toddler friendly banana recipes that can double as fun food activities to pique the interest of even the pickiest eater.
Related: When Can Babies Have Sugar?
Peanut Butter Banana Bites or Logs
Sure you can just serve banana plain. But why not dress it up with a nutrition booster spread like peanut, nut, or seed butter, yogurt, or even ricotta?
For toddlers and kids, you can set up a toppings bar! Some suggestions include chopped fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, coconut, and granola. Simply lay them out and allow your child to add as much or as little as they wish.
Be sure to include a food that your child is learning to like. Engaging them in fun activities like this can encourage them to try foods they may not have otherwise.
While you may think adding vegetables to bananas is weird or off-putting, remember - this is a learned food habit/preferences.
If your child sees veggies incorporated into "unexpected" food combinations from early on, they will learn that it is "normal" to have let's say carrots with peanut butter and banana. Just food for thought ;).
Your child may decide not to add any veggies, and that's totally fine, too! Remember, pressuring doesn't work!! Constant exposure and role modeling do!
Even just seeing or touching a food your child is learning to like counts as exposure. I encourage you to play the long game.
Is your toddler becoming picky?
Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!
Peanut Butter Banana Roll Ups
You can keep it super simple by adding just banana and rolling it into a log or go a step further and add those mix-ins.
Either spread all the toppings evenly on top of the peanut butter or line them up as you see pictured.
Yes yes. Here I go again, encouraging you to seize every opportunity to expose your child to vegetables. If you need someone to keep pushing you to do so, join my newsletter (and enjoy a FREE cookbook).
Again, enlist the help of your little sous chef! Depending on their age, they can help spread on the tortilla (or bread), sprinkle on those toppings (allowing them to have full control over how much to add or not), add the banana, and roll.
If you'd rather make these by yourself, start by adding a small amount of your child's new/disliked topping(s). Small enough that your child will notice but not freak out. And gradually increase as your child learns to enjoy it more and more.
These roll ups makes for a great addition to school lunch boxes as well!
See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.
A Master List of Sandwich Ideas for Toddlers
Banana Peanut Butter Sandwich
Invite fun and variety to the classic peanut butter sandwich by grilling and adding banana, cheese, and even carrots!
Banana French Toast
This French toast is such an EASY breakfast to whip up! Take any bread, soak in the banana egg mixture, and cook to golden brown perfection.
Banana Cookies
Did you know that you can make the most delicious cookies with just 3 ingredients?! Yup, it's true!
If you've never baked with your child before, this will be a perfect one to start with.
Banana Bread
When you have overripe banana, you gotta make bread, right? My recipe is made with minimal ingredients and no added sugar. It’s perfect for babies 6 months and up.
Fun fact - So many families have used this recipe for their smash cakes by baking in a round pan and covering with yogurt.
You may be interested in: Healthy First Birthday Cake
Banana Pancakes
You actually can make an awesome baby-friendly banana pancakes with just bananas and eggs!
Simply mash 1 ripe banana and combine with 2 lightly beaten eggs. You need to be pretty careful when flipping as the pancakes are fragile.
OR
Add oats (or flour of choice) for firmer pancakes, as well as ricotta, and hemp seeds for a boost of protein! Here's the delicious recipe!
You may enjoy: Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Toddlers
Banana Chia Pudding
4 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time are all you need to make this banana chia pudding. It's seriously the perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack that's packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats!
Muffins with Banana
Have overripe bananas? Make these eggless banana muffins!
And here are plenty of baby and toddler muffins that use banana as a natural sweetner.
Banana Milk
This easy banana milk is made with real ingredients, no dyes or artificial flavors, and has just the right amount of sweetness. All you need are 4 ingredients and a blender!
Banana Milkshake
Craving something creamier than milk or smoothies? Then you must try this banana milkshake! You will be surprised by how thick it gets even without ice cream!
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Healthy Banana Recipes for Babies and Kids
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Banana Roll Ups
- 1 (8 inch) soft tortilla
- 2-3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- 1 banana (see note)
- optional: grated or finely chopped vegetables, fruits, seeds, coconut, granola, honey, ricotta (see note)
Instructions
- Spread peanut butter evenly on tortilla. Add whatever mix-ins, if using. You can either spread on all the toppings in a uniform layer or line them up as you see pictured.
- Place peeled banana at one end of the tortilla and roll it up! Trim the ends and slice into small pieces for young kids. If the individual pinwheel opens up, simply apply some more peanut butter to help it stick.
Notes
- Some great vegetables to try are: carrots, zucchini, cucumber
- Fruits - mangoes, strawberries, apples, pears
- Seeds - hemp, chia, flax
- Ricotta or yogurt
- Shredded coconut
- Honey (NOT for under age 1) or maple syrup
Amy says
What type (or even brand) of tortillas do you use? We typically just give my son flour tortillas when we have things like tacos for dinner, but I'd like to try something different when making a roll-up like this.
Min says
Our grocery store makes tortilla in-house so we usually get those but any tortilla labeled "soft" will work. You can warm slightly in the microwave before rolling too!