Feeding your toddler can get pretty complicated. Not to toot our own horns (okay, maybe a little), we feel pretty confident that all of these toddler-friendly and school-friendly lunches could turn any kid into a member of the Clean Plate Club. These delicious lunch ideas just might have your kids asking for seconds, especially when it means they get to have second helpings of baked popcorn chicken, pizzadillas, and air-fryer grilled cheeses.
When it comes to feeding your hungry toddler, we think the easier, the better. It doesn't get any easier than serving up bite-sized, handheld lunches. Personally, we love anything on a stick or in a fun wrap, like our mini corn dogs, PB&J rolls, and cheesy beef empanadas. With lunches this cute and tasty, there's zero chance any bites will end up on the ground.
These highlight everyone's favorite part of grilled cheeses—the crispy, cheesy edge bits. Discover all the other ingenious recipes you can make in your waffle maker.
Skip the freezer aisle selection and make your own popcorn chicken right at home! This easy recipe comes complete with a honey mustard dipping sauce that makes the whole thing addictive and downright irresistible.
These are a great way to sneak extra veggies into the tater tots you already know your kid (and maybe you!) loves. These would also be killer in a tater tot casserole.
We'd take a buttery, flaky crescent roll over sandwich bread any day. These are chock-full of melty Swiss cheese and savory-sweet ham, but could be done with any cheese and deli meat, like turkey and gouda or roast beef and cheddar.
This is a prehistoric recipe with a fun twist! We took classic Dino-shaped chicken nuggets and upgraded them by turning them into a kid-friendly version of chicken Parm.
Even the best grilled cheese makers may struggle to create that picture-perfect, diner-style grilled cheese with edge to edge golden bread and perfectly melted cheese. Enter the air fryer. The convection provided by the air fryer displaces the heat throughout the entire sandwich, creating a crispy exterior and a perfectly gooey interior.
This isn't just a quesadilla filled with mozz and pepperoni. It's topped with the works and looks JUST like an actual pizza. Plus, it's 1,000x easier to make at home.
Could these corn dogs be any cuter? Food on a stick is already a main summertime food group, but these state fair classics have an extra special secret ingredient in the batter: fizzy Coca Cola.
We love using muffin tins for genius hacks like this. The "cups" are pieces of white bread that get molded and then filled with a ground beef mixture that tastes just like a cheeseburger. Don't forget to drizzle with your favorite condiments and top with a pickle chip.
Buttered noodles is the perfectly simple and always comforting dish of our childhood that we never grew out of. You can really use whatever cheese you'd like too. If using softer cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar, add them right when the noodles are piping hot so they can melt smooth right away.
This foolproof, classic baked macaroni and cheese recipe is the only one you'll ever need, and it uses three of our favorite cheeses: cheddar, Gruyère, and Parm. If you're looking to add more vegetables to your life, check out our cauliflower mac and cheese—it makes veggies tolerable.
You don't really need a recipe to make this insanely popular Mexican dish. Top a tortilla with cheese (and whatever else you've got), then fold it in half and cook until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melty. But if you're looking for some guidance, especially in cooking up some quick and easy chicken to stuff inside, this recipe won't let you down.
These can get any kid to eat their broccoli. Tip: Wringing the steamed broccoli out with paper towel or cheesecloth ensures this cheesy bread stays crisp, not soggy.
Got a kid that loves to brunch? We don't blame them. This recipe makes a delicious handheld meal perfect for kiddos and grownups alike. Crumbled butter crackers form a crunchy crust for a tasty ham and cheese omelet, no silverware required.
