Toast wasn’t made for butter and jam only! There are SO many toppings that can transform toast into a super quick, easy and balanced meal for kids at any time of the day! These ideas are not just for babies and toddlers but perfect for older children – and us adults too!
I’ve come up with ideas that include a protein source and some fruit/veg making these options nutrient-rich. I’ve also made sure they’re pretty easy options for busy parents (like me!) These should all take around 5-10 minutes, tops! There are also some vegan options that offer a source of protein/iron & B vitamins too, for babies and young kids who have more of a plant-based diet.
Let’s get to it! Here are my top 10 toast topper ideas!
- Tuna Avocado – My Tuna and Avocado Toast Recipe is a good one for adding fish to your baby’s diet, with added healthy fats from the avocado if you offer that too. Just be sure to buy the tuna that’s tinned in water and not brine to avoid the unnecessary added salt.
- Butterbean Hummus – You might have seen me share this butterbean hummus a few times, but I just LOVE it! It’s a nice, creamier alternative to chickpea hummus and only takes 5 minutes to whip up. I find that homemade versions last longer than the shop-bought ones, but of course, if you’re really short on time, shop-bought every now and then is fine too! Beans are not only a source of plant protein but contribute towards your 5-a-day too so it’s a win-win!
- Classic Beans on Toast – Throw in some drained haricot beans with some tinned tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes before serving up. For younger babies smash the mixture onto the toast with the back of a fork. If you want to use tinned baked beans you can use reduced salt and sugar versions instead if you prefer (see my blog on salt recommendations for babies)
- Peanut Butter with Squashed Berries – Spread on your peanut butter and then squash some berries over the top with the back of a fork. You can also stick with a classic version and do this with banana. Any nut butters are fine as long as they are 100% nut with no added salt or sugar & ideally smooth for young children. If your child has nut allergies but is ok with sesame you can always swap nut butters for tahini.
- Sardines and Tomatoes – Mash together some tinned sardines with some tinned tomatoes. Sardines do contain very soft small bones, but they should easily flake between your fingers and thumb. Give them a good mash before offering them to your baby, but they are a good source of non-dairy calcium. You can also buy sardines in tomato sauce, but just check the back of the label for no added salt and sugar. I like to sometimes make it like this as it really takes no time at all.
- Avocado with Scrambled Eggs/Tofu – Who doesn’t love eggs and avocado? Scrambled eggs can be made in just a few minutes either on the hob or in the microwave. If you’re looking for an egg-free option you can opt for Tofu instead.
- Melted cheese & tomato – There is something very comforting about melted cheese on toast. I tend to add some chopped cherry tomatoes too for those added nutrients and flavour. You could add some shredded spinach too.
- Veggie pâté – veg pâtés are so easy to make, and you can make them with virtually ANY vegetable. Mushroom, aubergine or sweet potato are all great options! Simply cook the veg, blend it with some herbs, and spread it on to your toast. There are some delicious Raffy and Ada-approved veggie pâté recipes in my book which are a big favourite in my house.
- Marmite and Mushrooms – Cook some chopped mushrooms in a little marmite for a few minutes until the mushrooms are soft. Marmite is a salty one, so it’s best to use sparingly when offering to babies and toddlers and probably from around 1 year old too. For younger children and those not used to mushroom, you can blend the topping. If you fancy you could also add a little plain yoghurt/fortified yoghurt alternative. Alternatively I have a mushroom toast recipe on my blog AND a really creamy, delicious one in my book too.
- Smashed Edamame Beans and Peas – One for the weekend or when you have a little more time – whizz up cooked shelled edamame beans and some peas with a little olive oil. Edamame beans are a great source of complete plant-based protein. For children who eat dairy, you could also mix in some ricotta or cream cheese for some added nutrients.
For real variety and flavour add some herbs and spices to these options or a squeeze of lemon or lime. Cinnamon is FAB on sweet options and there are SO many herbs and spices to choose from – fresh or dried they really can lift a meal and expand your baby’s pallet.
And although I have given you my top ideas you can just make it up and turn any veggies into a veg spread just by mashing or whizzing them up. You could also combine it with hummus, tahini, cream cheese or anything you prefer so it’s spreadable. I usually do this when I have leftover veggies from the day before.
One question that pops up quite a lot is “can I give my baby bread?”. It does contain added salt (the amount varies depending on the brand) but if you’re offering a variety of carbohydrates in your child’s diet then you’re probably fine. Read my full blog on Bread for Babies.
And don’t forget, you don’t just have to use these on your standard loaf. Get in that variety and try some of these ideas with:
- Crumpets
- English muffins
- Pitta bread
- Crackers
- Rice cakes
- Oatcakes
- Chapatti
- Fruit bread
For more meal and snack ideas for babies and toddlers, join me on Instagram.
If you make any of these toast creations, be sure to use the hashtag #SRNutritionRecipes so I can find you!
Charlotte’s Book!