My son HAS to have his peanut butter and banana at some point during the day. And because my mind always goes to “how can I add more variety?” this mama got creative. Turns out there are SO many fun meal and snack ideas with banana and peanut butter as the main ingredients that you can add to your rotation . And today, it’s all about sandwiches. Let’s get to it, shall we? Easy toddler lunch ideas
The Classic Version
Peanut butter + banana + buttered bread = heavenly. You can also add some honey and/or cinnamon.
Fun variations to try
If you find yourself serving the classic pb and banana day in and out, here are some simple and delicious ways to shake things up!
With Carrots
With cheese
Again, this may sound like a really odd combination, but trust me. It’s delicious! Simply add grated raw carrots along with peanut butter. Add as much or as little as you wish. Even just a tablespoon can be great exposure for your child. You can also try with raw grated zucchini, cucumber, or cooked and mashed sweet potato, butternut squash or potato! I’ve even tried adding broccoli sprinkles, and to my utter surprise, my son loved it. If you feel uncertain about trying these “weird” combinations, check out these banana recipes for kids. It may help shift your mindset. I also highly encourage you to have your child help make it. They will be more excited to try something they’ve created! I like cheddar, but it’s tasty with all types of cheese. Ricotta and cream cheese are great, too!
Other toppings
Try adding shredded coconut, hemp seeds, chia seeds, etc. to help boost nutrition. And if your child refuses to eat eggs (more common than you may think!), try adding some scrambled eggs! If that’s just too weird for you, then you can dip the sandwich in whisked eggs and cook until golden brown – like French toast!
Step-by-Step Instructions
And here’s another way to invite more fun and novelty – Cook in a heated pan OR try it in a panini press or waffle maker! If your child is anything like mine, they will get so excited seeing those pressed marks. It’s the little things that can make a HUGE difference.
Serving Suggestions for Toddlers
Other Peanut Butter Recipes to Try
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! You can also try adding new toppings to half of the sandwich or a smaller section (as you see in the Instructions section above). That way, if they don’t want to try the new food combination, they can enjoy the rest of their sandwich and you don’t have to cook something different. Your toddler may struggle with a large piece so instead of serving the sandwich whole or halved, try cutting into strips or bite-sized pieces.
