I’ve been talking lots about sugar and young children recently. As our little ones grow and get exposed to more sugary foods, they can start to request more sweet options at home (something I’ve certainly found with Raffy!). So, to coincide with Sugar Awareness Week, I wanted to share with you all my favourite low sugar recipes for kids.
Now, if you read my recent blog about chocolate for babies and toddlers, you’ll know that sugar is one of the big topics parents and carers ask me about. I also have another blog all about sugar recommendations for young children, so do check that out if you’d like to read more. Another blog you might find useful is all about why I offer fruit alongside meals to Raffy and Ada.
With all this in mind, I wanted to share sweet options you can easily make at home but that are LOWER in sugar, or have NO added sugar. These recipes are perfect for those who want to keep an eye on how much sugar their little ones are consuming. But they’re also great options for adults, too!
Let’s get to the recipes…
Low sugar recipes for Babies and Toddlers
1. Baby Scone Recipe
This scone for babies recipe has been super popular on my blog for a while. It contains no added salt and sugar, apart from that naturally present in the fruit and milk ingredients, so is perfect for babies. The grated apple adds flavour as well as some extra nutrients! These scones can be served with strawberries and yogurt for a yummy snack.
2. Figgy Porridge Fingers
Got some leftover porridge from breakfast? These figgy porridge fingers are perfect for using up the morning leftovers! This recipe is SO simple, and super versatile, so you can add different fruits to mix it up. They make a great on-the-go snack for toddlers and are also a fab option for baby led weaning. They’re fairly soft so are suitable for babies with few teeth.
3. Biscuits for Babies and Toddlers
I did lots of experimenting to make these yummy low sugar biscuits. They contain no refined sugar and are sweetened with a little apple juice, making them suitable for all ages. I originally created this recipe for Easter, but these can be enjoyed at any time of the year. This recipe can be adapted to be dairy free and egg free, too.
4. No Sugar Apple Crumble
Who doesn’t love an apple crumble?! It’s a favourite in my house, and this recipe has NO added sugar. Instead, this no sugar apple crumble has chopped dates which give it a lovely sweet flavour, along with cinnamon and orange zest. This is a great recipe to make for all the family, that both adults and young kids will enjoy.
5. Easy Baby and Toddler Pancake Sheet Recipe
Anyone who follows me on Instagram knows what a big hit pancakes are in my home. It’s one of our favourite breakfasts, but also one the kids enjoy as a snack too. This pancake sheet recipe is super easy to make, and the raspberry ripple makes it a naturally sweeter option. It’s also baby-friendly and perfect for baby led weaning. You can also see my other baby pancake recipe if you’d like some variety.
6. Healthy Fruity Ice Lollies
Ice lollies don’t have to be loaded with added sugars. In fact, these healthy ice lollies for kids are full of fruit, adding lots of nutrients as well as helping keep little ones hydrated. These ice lollies are best for older babies and/or toddlers who are confident with firmer textures. They can also be made vegan and dairy-free – just use fortified plant-based alternatives to the yoghurt.
7. Baby Friendly Oatie Blueberry Muffin Recipe
This recipe is sweet, delicious and super easy to make – one you can even try baking with the kids! I actually created these Baby-Friendly Oatie Blueberry Muffins for Allergy Awareness Week and so they’re egg and dairy free. The blueberries, banana and lemon zest combine to give them a lovely, fruity flavour. They’re soft and perfect for babies, too.
8. Cranberry & Pistachio Spiced Biscuit Recipe
Here’s another tasty low sugar biscuit recipe for you. These Cranberry and Pistachio Spiced Biscuits are perfect to make around Christmas time. They combine with a delicious Forest Fruit dip, and have a variety of yummy spices in them. These biscuits are suitable for babies who have had most of the ingredients (such as pistachios) before, and who are a little more advanced with their biting and chewing skills.
9. Lower Sugar Banana Bread Recipe
I LOVE a banana bread recipe, and really wanted to make one with much lower sugar than the many recipes already out there – so here’s my Lower Sugar Banana Bread Recipe! I found that by using ripe bananas, it’s actually really easy to make a delicious and sweet-tasting bread that the whole family will love.
10. Healthy Birthday Cakes for Babies and Toddlers
For Raffy’s first birthday, I made him a fruit tower cake which he absolutely loved. Since then I’ve made lots of different types of birthday cakes using foods the kids love (and without too much sugar) – so, check out my Healthy Birthday Cakes for Babies and Toddlers. In this blog you’ll find my Healthy Birthday Cake Pancake Stack Recipe – one both Raffy and Ada love!
So there you have it, ten of my favourite low or no sugar recipes for kids.
Please let me know if you use these recipes over on Instagram, and tag #SRNutritionRecipes!
You can also find lots of easy, low-sugar (but tasty!) recipes for young babies in my book How to Wean Your Baby.
Charlotte’s Book!