13 Healthy Carrot Recipes for Kids

Getting toddlers and young children to eat vegetables can be particularly challenging, but creative approaches can make a big difference. One of the most nutrient-rich vegetables is the carrot, a versatile and colorful addition to any meal. Regular consumption can improve eyesight, boost immunity, and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. To make carrots more appealing to kids, try fun and tasty carrot recipes for kids, such as carrot muffins, carrot sticks with dip, or carrot-apple smoothies. Additionally, involving children in cooking simple, kid-friendly carrot recipes can spark their interest in nutritious foods while making mealtime more enjoyable for the whole family.

Delicious Carrot Recipes for Children

Carrots are very versatile and can be incorporated into both sweet and savoury dishes. Here are some tasty and healthy carrot recipes that are super-easy to make:

1. Carrot Salad

This is a simple recipe that incorporates carrots for kids. It is both nutritious and delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 shredded apples
• 3 cups of shredded carrots
• 200 grams crushed pineapples
• 3 tablespoons raisins
• ¼ cup vanilla flavoured yogurt
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• creamy cottage cheese
• salt to taste

Method

1. Drain some of the pineapple juice and mix the shredded apples in it.
2. In a big bowl, mix the carrots, apples, raisins, and pineapple pieces.
3. In a bowl, mix the lemon juice, cottage cheese, yogurt and salt.
4. Add the carrots and fruit mixture to this and mix thoroughly.
5. Refrigerate for ½ an hour. Serve chilled.

2. Carrot Soup

This is one of the simple and tasty carrot recipes for toddlers. Your little one will love this carrot soup!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• one stalk of celery
• one chopped onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 5 cups of chopped carrots
• 1 sprig of chopped parsley or coriander
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Add butter and oil to the pan. Add the onions and celery once the butter melts and saute until they are cooked.
2. Add the garlic and parsley and cook them for a few seconds.
3. Add the chopped carrots, the water, the vegetable broth, and the salt and pepper.
4. Simmer for ½ an hour until the carrots are soft.
5. Puree this in a blender to make it smooth. Serve it warm.

3. Carrot Smoothie

You can make a smoothie with carrots or use it in a carrot juice recipe for kids. Both carrot juice and carrot smoothie are healthy and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of shredded or chopped carrots
• ½ a cup of sliced banana
• ½ a cup plain thick yogurt
• ½ a cup milk
• ½ a cup of chopped pineapple
• 1 tablespoon toasted walnuts
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• a pinch of nutmeg

Method

1. To make the smoothie, blend the carrots, banana, yogurt, milk, pineapple, walnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a blender until smooth.
2. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

4. Carrot Muffins

Carrot muffins make a healthy and flavoursome breakfast snack for kids.

Ingredients

• 2 cups white whole-wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon each of ginger and nutmeg
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• ½ a teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups grated carrots
• ¼ cup grated coconut
• ½ cup pineapple pieces
• 2 eggs
• 170 g of thick yogurt
• ¼ cup milk
• 1/3 cup coconut oil

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. In a big bowl, add the spices, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Stir well and add the coconut and carrots. Set this aside.
3. In another bowl, mix the eggs, yogurt, milk, and coconut oil until they are blended thoroughly.
4. Add the carrot mixture to this and combine well.
5. Spread this batter into the muffin tray.
6. Bake for 21 minutes at 400 degrees F. Cool and serve.

5. Carrot Rice

This delicious creamy carrot rice is a great lunch or dinner-time dish for toddlers.

Ingredients

• 1 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup of carrot juice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ an onion
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup long grain rice
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons parsley or coriander

Method

1. Mix the broth, carrot juice and 2 cups of water in a pan. Bring this to a simmer on low heat.
2. Melt some butter and add onions to it on another pan. Saute the onions and add salt and pepper.
3. Add the rice to this and cook for 4 minutes. 
4. Add half a cup of the broth mixture to this and stir until it gets absorbed. Repeat this step by adding cups of the broth mixture until the rice is well-cooked.
5. Add a teaspoon of butter and the grated cheese and mix well.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve it warm.

6. Carrot Pudding

This is a simple, yet tasty recipe that is suitable for both babies and adults.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons rice
• 2 medium carrots
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons palm sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cardamom
• 6 cashews
• 6 almonds
• 1 teaspoon raisins
• 2 teaspoons ghee

Method

1. Soak the rice in water for 15 minutes.
2. Soak cashews and almonds in water for 10 minutes, peel the almond skin off and set aside.
3. Chop the carrots.
4. Grind the carrots, cashews, almonds, and rice together with water into a coarse paste.
5. In a pan, add milk and heat. Add the crushed cardamom.
6. Add the carrot rice paste to this and cook on a low flame for 15 minutes.
7. Add sugar to the same and cook until the sugar dissolves and the pudding thickens.
8. Lightly sauté the raisins in ghee and add them to the pudding.
9. Serve this warm or chilled.

7. Carrot and Cheese Balls

These make a wonderful and healthy evening-time snack for kids.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of finely grated raw carrots
• 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese

Method

1. Combine the grated carrots and cheddar cheese in a bowl.
2. Roll them into little balls. Serve!

8. Carrot Pancakes

These savory carrot pancakes are a healthy and delicious breakfast or snack option, packed with fresh veggies and mild spices.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pancake or crepe batter (can use a mix of all-purpose flour and water for a simple version)
• ½ cup grated carrots
• 1 small piece chopped ginger
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
• a few springs of coriander finely chopped
• ½ an onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp oil or butter (for cooking)
• salt to taste

Method

1. In a bowl, mix the batter with grated carrots, ginger (if using), cilantro or parsley, and onions. Add salt and any optional seasonings.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with oil or butter.
3. Pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan and spread it into a thin, round pancake.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and crisp.
5. Flip and cook the other side for another minute until fully done.
6. Serve warm with ketchup, yogurt dip, or a mild salsa for a kid-friendly meal.

9. Carrot and Cheese Sticks

This is a great snack for kids, and you can give it to them in those between-meal times when they want something to munch on.

Ingredients

• ½ cup grated carrots
• 2/3 cup grated cheese
• 1 cup flour
• 50 g butter
• 4 tablespoons water

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C and line a baking tray with paper.
2. Mix butter and flour together until it looks like breadcrumbs.
3. Add a few drops of water at a time to make it into a smooth dough.
4. Combine carrots and cheese into the dough.
5. Place the dough on a surface and roll it flat. Cut this into sticks 5 cm long and 1 cm wide.
6. Put them on a tray and bake for 15 minutes. Cool and serve!

10. Carrot Cake

This carrot cake kids recipe is scrumptious and very easy to make.

Ingredients

• 400 g grated carrots
• 400 g flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 300 ml olive oil
• 250 g sugar
• 150 g desiccated coconut
• 6 teaspoons cinnamon powder
• 2 teaspoons soda bicarbonate
• 1 cup raisins
• 120 ml water

Method

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees C.
2. Add all the ingredients into a food processor except raisins.
3. Mix well, adding water as required making it a batter that has an ice cream-like consistency. Add the raisins.
4. Put it in a cake tin and bake for 45 minutes.
5. Cool and serve!

11. Maple-Glazed Carrot Coins with Toasted Pecans

A refined side dish that appeals to all ages.

Ingredients

• 1 lb young carrots, cut into uniform 1/4″ coins
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1/4 cup pecans, lightly toasted and chopped
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Method

1. Blanch carrot coins in salted boiling water for 2 minutes, then shock in ice water.
2. Heat butter in skillet over medium-high. Add carrots and sauté until lightly caramelized (4-5 mins).
3. Reduce heat, add maple syrup and cook until glaze forms (1-2 mins).
4. Remove from heat, toss with pecans, thyme, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
5. Serve warm as an elegant side to roasted chicken or fish.

12. Carrot and Chickpea Fritters with Yogurt Dip

A protein-packed vegetarian option!

Ingredients

Fritters

• 2 cups grated carrots (squeezed dry)
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas, lightly mashed
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Olive oil for pan-frying

Dip:

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Combine all fritter ingredients except oil in a bowl.
2. Form into 2″ patties about 1/2″ thick.
3. Heat oil in skillet over medium. Cook fritters 3-4 mins per side until golden.
4. For dip: whisk all ingredients together.
5. Serve warm with dip and lemon wedges.

13. One-Pan Carrot & Chicken Drumsticks

A complete meal with minimal cleanup!

Ingredients

• 4 chicken drumsticks (skin-on for crispiness)
• 3 large carrots, cut into thick sticks
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil.
2. In a large bowl, whisk oil, honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
3. Add chicken and veggies to the bowl, toss to coat evenly.
4. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet (chicken skin-side up).
5. Roast 35-40 minutes until chicken is cooked through and carrots are tender.
6. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

FAQs

1. Can carrots be too sweet for kids’ taste preferences?

While carrots contain natural sugars, their sweetness is balanced by earthy notes. Some children may prefer milder varieties (like young spring carrots) over stronger winter carrots. Roasting can intensify sweetness, while raw or lightly steamed carrots offer a more subtle flavor.

2. Do different colored carrots (purple, yellow, white) offer unique nutritional benefits?

Yes! Purple carrots contain anthocyanins (antioxidants), yellow carrots have lutein (good for eye health), and white carrots are the mildest in flavor. Mixing colors can make dishes visually appealing while providing varied nutrients.

Try these healthy and tasty carrot recipes to get your fussy toddlers to eat. Carrots can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes to make delicious food that young children will love!

References/Resources:

1. Scientific Research Publishing – Nutritional and Health Benefits of Carrots and Their Seed Extracts

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture – Carrots, mature, raw

3. Cleveland Clinic – Can Eating Too Many Carrots Turn Your Skin Orange?

Also Read: 

Delicious Mango Recipes for Children
Easy Mushroom Recipes for Kids
Healthy Pasta Recipes for Kids
Easy Vegetarian Recipes for Children