21 Kid-Approved Fall Meals Picky Eaters Will Eat

Getting picky eaters to try new foods is hard enough without adding fall vegetables into the mix. These recipes sneak seasonal ingredients into familiar dishes that kids already love. Most of them hide the vegetables or make them taste like dessert which is basically cheating but it works. The key is making fall flavors familiar and not scary looking.

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

This looks just like regular mac and cheese but has pumpkin puree mixed in. Kids can’t even taste it – they just think the cheese sauce is extra creamy. The pumpkin makes it more nutritious without changing the flavor much. You can use any box mac and cheese and just stir in some canned pumpkin. Way easier than convincing them to eat actual pumpkin. Find the recipe here.

Sweet Potato Fries with Chicken Nuggets

Sweet potato fries are basically regular fries but orange and slightly sweeter. Most kids will eat them especially with ketchup or ranch dressing. Pair with their favorite chicken nuggets and its a complete meal they’ll actually finish. The key is cutting them thin so they get crispy. These are way more nutritious than regular fries but kids don’t care about that. Find the recipe here.

Butternut Squash Grilled Cheese

The butternut squash gets pureed and mixed with cheese so it just tastes like extra creamy grilled cheese. Kids love grilled cheese already so this is an easy win. The squash adds vitamins and makes the filling more substantial. Use good melty cheese like cheddar or american. Serve with tomato soup for dipping if they’ll eat it. Find the recipe here.

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

These taste like dessert for breakfast which kids obviously love. The apple pieces get soft and sweet while cooking. You can grate the apples really fine if your kids don’t like chunks. Top with syrup and butter like regular pancakes. Perfect for weekend mornings when you got time to make something special but still want them to eat it. Find the recipe here.

Pumpkin Spice Waffles

Waffles are already a hit with kids and these just taste like cinnamon sugar waffles with a slight pumpkin flavor. The spices make them smell amazing which gets kids interested before they even try them. Freeze extras for quick weekday breakfasts. Serve with whipped cream or syrup. These work for dinner too if your kids are into breakfast-for-dinner. Find the recipe here.

Maple Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

Kids love eating with their hands and drumsticks are perfect for that. The maple glaze makes them sweet and sticky which appeals to kid taste buds. Bake them until the skin gets crispy and the glaze caramelizes. Way easier than dealing with forks and knives. These reheat well for school lunches too. Find the recipe here.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

The cheese sauce covers up most of the broccoli flavor and the rice makes it filling. Cut the broccoli really small so its not as obvious. This is comfort food disguised as a vegetable dish. You can make it ahead and just heat it up when dinner time gets crazy. Most kids will eat anything covered in enough cheese. Find the recipe here.

Mini Meatballs with Sweet Potato Mash

Kids love mini versions of everything and meatballs are already popular. The sweet potato mash is like regular mashed potatoes but sweeter and orange. Some kids actually prefer it to regular mashed potatoes once they try it. The mini meatballs are fun to eat and you can hide vegetables in them too if you want to be sneaky. Find the recipe here.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast

This is basically dessert disguised as breakfast. Use actual cinnamon rolls instead of bread and dip them in egg mixture. They get all custardy inside and crispy outside. Top with syrup or powdered sugar. Kids will beg for this on weekends. You can prep it the night before and just cook in the morning. Find the recipe here.

Harvest Vegetable Quesadillas

Quesadillas are kid-friendly and you can hide lots of vegetables in them. Roast fall vegetables until they’re sweet and soft, then mix with cheese. The tortilla holds everything together and makes it handheld. Cut into triangles for easier eating. Serve with sour cream or salsa if they’ll use it. These work hot or at room temperature. Find the recipe here.

Apple Butter Grilled Cheese

Apple butter is like jam but made from apples and it tastes amazing with cheese. The sweetness balances the salty cheese perfectly. Use mild cheese so it doesn’t compete with the apple flavor. This is like having apple pie and grilled cheese at the same time. Great for lunch or light dinner with some soup. Find the recipe here.

Pumpkin Ravioli with Butter Sauce

Store-bought pumpkin ravioli takes all the work out of this. The butter sauce is just butter, garlic, and parmesan which most kids can handle. The pasta is familiar even if the filling is different. Start with just butter sauce – you can always add garlic later if they like it. This feels fancy but is actually pretty simple to make. Find the recipe here.

Sweet Potato Tots

These are like tater tots but made from sweet potatoes instead. Kids love the tot shape and they get crispy outside just like regular ones. The inside is sweeter and more colorful but the texture is similar enough that most kids will try them. Serve with ketchup or ranch for dipping. Way healthier than regular tots. Find the recipe here.

Maple Sausage Breakfast Bowls

Everything in a bowl is easier for kids to eat. Use breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, and whatever else they like. The maple syrup ties it all together and makes it taste cohesive. You can prep these ahead and reheat for busy mornings. Add cheese or hash browns if that’s what gets them to eat it. Find the recipe here.

Cheesy Cauliflower Bites

These are like mini grilled cheese but with cauliflower instead of bread. The cauliflower gets roasted until its soft then covered in cheese and baked until melty. Kids focus on the cheese and barely notice the vegetable. Cut them small so they’re not intimidating. These work as a side dish or snack. Find the recipe here.

Apple Cheddar Grilled Sandwich

The combination of sweet apples and sharp cheddar is classic for a reason. The apples get soft and jammy while grilling. Use thin apple slices so they cook through properly. This is sophisticated enough for adults but familiar enough for kids. Serve with chips or apple slices on the side. Find the recipe here.

Pumpkin Soup with Goldfish Crackers

Regular pumpkin soup might be too fancy but serve it with goldfish crackers and suddenly its kid food. The crackers float on top and make it fun to eat. Make the soup mild and creamy – save the spices for adult versions. Some kids will eat soup if you call it “orange cheese soup” and don’t mention pumpkin. Find the recipe here.

Baked Sweet Potato Wedges with Dip

Cut sweet potatoes into wedge shapes like steak fries. They get crispy outside and fluffy inside. The natural sweetness appeals to kids more than regular potatoes. Serve with ranch, honey mustard, or even ketchup for dipping. These are substantial enough to be a meal with some protein on the side. Find the recipe here.

Fall Veggie Pizza

Pizza is always a win with kids. Use butternut squash, caramelized onions, and mild cheese on top of regular pizza sauce. The vegetables get sweet and soft so they don’t taste “vegetable-y”. You can pick them off if needed but most kids will eat them when they’re mixed with cheese and sauce. Make individual pizzas so everyone can customize. Find the recipe here.

Cinnamon Sugar Acorn Squash Rings

These look like onion rings but are made from acorn squash sliced into rings. Coat with cinnamon and sugar then bake until crispy. They taste like sweet potato fries but in a fun shape. Kids love the ring shape and the cinnamon sugar makes them taste like donuts. These disappear fast once kids try them. Find the recipe here.

Apple Pie Oatmeal Bowls

This tastes like apple pie filling but its actually a healthy breakfast. Cook oats with diced apples, cinnamon, and a little brown sugar. Top with whipped cream or ice cream if you want to go all out. The apples get soft and sweet and the cinnamon makes it smell amazing. Way better than sugary cereal and keeps them full longer. Find the recipe here.