4 Veggie Smoothies For Toddlers

Veggie smoothies are my favorite way to get my kids to eat more vegetables! Check out these four recipes for veggie smoothies for toddlers.

4 Veggie Smoothies For Toddlers

Kids Love Smoothies!

They’re delicious, they’re full of fruits and vegetables, and they’re totally customizable. While I’m always encouraging my kids to try whole vegetables, more often than not the veggies go uneaten. Smoothies are the number one way I get my kids to eat vegetables they might otherwise wouldn’t. And I rarely make a smoothie without tossing in a handful of spinach. We have smoothies often for breakfast and sometimes for snack too. 

What’s great about smoothies is the whole family can enjoy them. We often make a giant blender full and simplify our breakfast routine into one dish to clean. Extras can be enjoyed at snack time or after school. And what’s good for toddlers is good for older kids and adults alike! 

Loaded with Nutrients!

Nutritionally speaking, smoothies are a great way to get in a variety of food groups and a rainbow of flavors all in one punch. They are loaded with nutrients to keep those bellies full. I aim to include a fruit (carbohydrates), vegetable, milk (protein), and healthy fat in each cup. Don’t forget about the toppings if you’re kids are old enough to eat smoothies in a bowl! 

Use Fresh Or Frozen

The 4 healthy smoothie recipes below rely mostly on frozen fruit and veggies, but of course use fresh if it’s in season and you have it on hand. 

Easy To Transport

Smoothies are easy to transport to the playground or school, especially if you want to choose something that isn’t consumed with potentially germy hands!

Best Smoothie Cups

For younger toddlers, you can pour these into a reusable pouch or a smoothie cup with a straw. We like these OXO cups for smoothies for age 1-2 and then once they learn how to hold the cup better, I love these stainless cups by Cupkin with a silicone straw that you can either suck up or drink like a coffee with the included lid. These mason jar-style cups are great too!

Put Leftover Smoothies In Popsicle Molds!

One of my favorite hacks is to pour any leftover smoothie into popsicle molds. Then the kids think they’re getting veggies for dessert!

These silicone popsicle molds are great because they minimize drips. And I like these little ball ones for younger toddlers who don’t eat much popsicle in one sitting : ) 

Special Diets

If your child is on a special diet, for example weight gain, constipation, or nut free, you can easily tweak these recipes to boost calories, increase fiber, or change the ingredients.

• We use whole cow’s milk in our house, but for a dairy free option, feel free to use almond milk or soy milk. 
• Use seed butters instead of peanut butter for nut free options
• Add seeds like hemp hearts or flax seeds for increased fiber and a boost of healthy fats.
• Adding greek yogurt to any of these will significantly boost the protein as well. 

Veggie Smoothies For Toddlers

These veggie smoothies for toddlers (and grownups!) are kid approved and tasty for breakfast, lunch, or snack time. 

Instructions

For each smoothie, add ingredients followed by milk of your choice. Blend on high speed in your favorite blender. We have had a Vitamix for over a decade and LOVE it!

Red: Cherry Cauliflower

Frozen cauliflower is my new favorite neutral veg to pop into smoothies! With cherries, banana, and a little almond extract the kids won’t taste it, but it provides a nice boost of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Blend in real almonds instead of if you like. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup frozen cherries
• ½ frozen banana 
• 2-3 pieces frozen cauliflower
• 1/8 tsp almond extract
• ¾ cup milk

Orange: Pumpkin Date 

OK pumpkin might not be a true vegetable, but it makes the list because it’s SO good for you! It’s full of fiber, very high in beta-carotene, and antioxidant packed. Add pumpkin seeds on top!

Ingredients

• ¼ cup pumpkin
• ½ frozen banana
• 1 medjool date, pitted (you could also add a drizzle of maple syrup for sweetness)
• 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• ¾ cup milk

Green: Tropical Spinach

This simple spinach smoothie for kids is a staple in our house. I swap out frozen mango for banana, berries, or peaches depending on what I have on hand. Feel free to use spinach or kale here! Avocado adds creaminess and extra healthy fat. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup frozen mango
• 1 cup spinach
• ½ avocado
• ¾ cup milk

Purple: Blueberry Zucchini

This is mom’s favorite of the bunch! Blueberries are antioxidant jammed, and zucchini gets blended in with a dash of cinnamon and creamy banana for a great flavor-texture combo! 

Ingredients

• ½ cup frozen blueberries
• ½ frozen banana
• 2-3 zucchini slices (½” thick)
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¾ cup milk

Our Favorite Smoothie Gear

What’s your favorite vegetable to add to smoothies?

Photos by Healthyish Appetite