Some kids love fruit. Others act like you've offered them a lemon every time you suggest a banana. If you're dealing with a little fruit dodger, you're not alone. As it turns out, only 4% of Aussie kids aged 2–17 eat the recommended daily amount of fruit and veg.

The good news? You don’t need fancy recpes or hours in the kitchen to change that. These quick snack ideas are simple, fun, and most importantly—picky-eater approved. Stick around for fruity combos that actually get eaten and not left to go mushy in a lunchbox.

Power Up Snack Time with Fuss-Free Fruit Ideas

If your child turns up their nose at fruit, it could be why their energy dips throughout the day. Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids by Dr Nick Fuller, Australia’s leading childhood nutrition expert, shares easy ways to introduce more variety into your child’s diet, so even picky eaters get the nutrients they need for steady energy and growth.

Want practical tips that go beyond snack time? Grab your copy of Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids today.

8 Quick Fruit Snack Ideas For Picky Eaters

Fruit isn’t always a hit with picky eaters, but the way you serve it can really help. Research shows that kids are more likely to try fruit when it’s cut up into fun, bite-sized pieces, especially if it comes with something familiar like a dip. These quick fruit snack ideas make it easier to sneak in some nutrients without the mealtime battle, helping you hit those daily goals without the stress.

Strawberry Banana Muffins

These fruit-filled muffins are perfect for a quick snack at home or on the go, and they're a great way to tempt picky eaters with familiar flavours. The mix of banana and strawberry adds natural sweetness and moisture, making them a tasty, fuss-free option for snack time. You can keep a batch in the fridge for up to two weeks—ready whenever your child needs a fruit boost. 

Type: Vegetarian, Can be made Gluten Free by substituting a gluten free flour

Makes 12 medium or 24 mini muffins

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 medium overripe bananas
• 125ml Greek Yoghurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup (approx. 100g) Strawberries, chopped into small pieces
• 1 ¾ cup Wholemeal Self-Raising Flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C 
2. Mash bananas in a large bowl. Add Greek yoghurt, honey and eggs and mix well. Mix in chopped strawberries.  
3. Add wholemeal flour, baking powder and cinnamon to the wet ingredients and fold to combine. Ensure there are no lumps of flour but be careful not to overmix as this will result in tough muffins. 
4. Spoon the mixture into a non-stick 12 hole muffin pan. Bake for 20 minutes until slightly golden and cooked through. 

Grilled Summer Fruit

This snack idea is perfect for using up ripe or slightly bruised fruit, especially during summer when fresh produce is abundant. Grilling brings out the natural sweetness in stone fruit and other varieties, making them more appealing to picky eaters. Serve with a dollop of yoghurt for a refreshing snack, or add it to oats for a fruity breakfast upgrade. 

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Snacks, Breakfast

Serves 2

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 large figs, halved
• 1 large nectarine, halved and seed removed
• 2 plums, halved and seed removed
• ½ teaspoon honey
• 2 tablespoons Greek yoghurt

Recipe

1. Preheat the grill on the top of your oven to high and line a baking tray with baking paper. 
2. Arrange fruit on the tray with the cut side facing up. Use a pastry brush to dip into the honey and thinly spread over the cut side of the fruit.
3. Place the tray into the oven under the grill. The fruit will take approximately 5-10 minutes to caramelise but keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly if left in too long.
4. Serve fruit warm with Greek yoghurt and enjoy!

Fruity Fig Toast

Ripe figs are a naturally sweet way to introduce new fruit to picky eaters, especially when they're in season. This recipe works beautifully as a sweet, fruit-forward breakfast or can be halved for a quick and satisfying snack. It's a simple way to offer variety while still keeping flavours soft and familiar. 

Type: Vegetarian, Breakfast, Snacks

Serves 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 slices wholemeal sourdough, or dark rye bread
• 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
• 2 small ripe figs, sliced
• Honey, to serve
• Chia seeds, to serve

Recipe

1. Toast the bread, then spread each slice with the cottage cheese.  
2. Arrange sliced figs on top of the cottage cheese. Drizzle the figs with a small amount of honey and sprinkle a pinch of chia seeds over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy! 

Papaya Boats

Papaya is a naturally sweet tropical fruit that’s both satisfying and gentle on the stomach—great for encouraging picky eaters to try something new. This easy recipe pairs it with high-protein yoghurt for a refreshing snack or light breakfast option. It's a fuss-free way to add variety and nutrition to your child’s fruit intake.

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Breakfast, Snacks, Contains Nuts

Serves 2-4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 large papaya
• 1 lime
• 4 heaped tablespoons yoghurt
• Handful toasted muesli (e.g. IWL Morning Muesli or Nutty Tahini Granola)
• Handful pepitas

Recipe

1. Using a large knife, slice the papaya in half. Use a spoon to scoop out all the black seeds in the middle of the papaya. 
2. Squeeze the lime juice over the papaya halves. 
3. Fill the hollow space in the papaya halves with the yoghurt.
4. Sprinkle the toasted muesli and pepitas over the top. Serve immediately and dig in!

Mini Banana Pancakes

These mini pancake bites make a fun, kid-friendly snack that pairs perfectly with fresh fruit, honey, or yoghurt. They're best served warm and freshly made. Mini banana pancakes are ideal for turning snack time into a chance to introduce small portions of fruit in a way picky eaters might enjoy.

Type: Vegetarian, Kid Friendly, Baby Friendly

Makes approx. 30 mini pancakes

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 15 minutes 

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• ½ cup wholemeal self-raising flour
• Sprinkle of cinnamon
• Olive oil cooking spray 
• 2 bananas, sliced into around 1 cm pieces

Recipe

1. In a mixing bowl whisk together the eggs and milk. Add in the flour and cinnamon, and whisk until no lumps remain. 
2. Spray a large frying pan with olive oil spray. Heat the frying pan over medium heat. 
3. Use a fork to dip the banana pieces into the pancake batter and drain off a little of the excess, then place into the frying pan. Fry for 2 minutes until the mini pancakes start to bubble, then flip over and cook for 1-2 minutes on the other side. Remove from the pan. 
4. Continue cooking the mini pancakes in batches until all of the banana slices and pancake batter have been used. 
5. Serve pancakes and enjoy

Berry Frozen Yoghurt Drops

This frozen fruit snack is a refreshing make-ahead option that’s perfect for warmer days. It’s a great way to offer berries or other seasonal fruits in a fun, chilled format that picky eaters might find more appealing. 

Type: Vegetarian, Kid Friendly, Baby Friendly, Snacks

Makes approx. 30 

Prep Time: 5 minutes (+ 2 hours freezing time)

Cooking Time: 0 minutes 

Ingredients

• ½ cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries – frozen also works, just allow to defrost slightly)
• 1 cup Greek yoghurt

Recipe

1. Prepare 2 flat baking trays by lining with baking paper. 
2. Add the berries and the yoghurt to a small blender. Blend well until smooth.
3. Use a teaspoon to dollop spoonful’s of the yoghurt mixture onto the baking trays. Continue until all the yoghurt mixture has been used. 
4. Carefully transfer the trays into your freezer, ensuring that they are sitting flat and level. 
5. Allow to freeze for at least a couple of hours. Once frozen, remove the yoghurt drops from the trays and place into a container, then return to the freezer. 
6. Serve the yoghurt drops frozen and enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

These strawberry oats get their fun pink colour from the fruit, making them an eye-catching, snack-friendly option for picky eaters. You can mix things up with other red or pink fruits like raspberries or cherries, and even add a sprinkle of granola or nuts for texture. It’s a playful way to make fruit more appealing at breakfast or snack time. 

Type: Vegetarian, Kid Friendly

Serves 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Cooking Time: 0 minutes (+overnight refrigeration)

Ingredients

• 6 large strawberries, plus extra to serve
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup Greek yoghurt
• Handful granola or roasted nuts, to serve (optional)

Recipe

1. Chop the strawberries into small pieces. 
2. In a large bowl combine the chopped strawberries, oats, milk, and yoghurt. Stir well to combine. 
3. Cover and place into the fridge overnight.
4. In the morning, divide the oats between 2 serving bowls. 
5. Slice the remaining strawberries and arrange on top of the oats. Sprinkle with granola or roasted nuts (optional). 
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Sparkling Fruit Stars

These sparkling star snacks are a fun, festive way to get kids involved and interested in eating more fruit. They're healthy, hands-on, and a great option for picky eaters who enjoy playful presentation and a bit of sparkle during snack time. 

Type: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Kid Friendly 

Makes 6-8 stars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes 

Ingredients

• One quarter of a watermelon
• One half of a rockmelon
• One half of a Honeydew melon
• Assorted star shaped cookie cutters (choose smaller sized cutters as they are easier to use)
• Toothpicks

Recipe

1. Cut each of the melons into thick slices, approximately 1-2cm thick. You want to create slices with as much surface area as possible, to result in the most area for cutting out stars. 
2. Remove the skin and seeds. 
3. Use the star shaped cutters to cut out various sized melon stars. 
4. Arrange the largest stars on a serving platter. Top with medium sized stars, followed by the smallest stars on top. 
5. Secure the sparkling star stacks with a toothpick. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Want to help your child try new fruits beyond apples and bananas? These 6 simple exotic fruit recipes are a fun way to add variety and boost their nutrition without the usual fuss.

Summing Up

Fruit snacks don’t have to be boring or a battle. With a little creativity, you can turn everyday fruits into fun, tasty, and fuss-free options that even picky eaters will be excited to try. From freezer-friendly treats to colourful breakfast bites, these ideas make it easier to boost your child’s fruit intake and support their energy, focus, and growth—one snack at a time.

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Meet Dr Nick Fuller

My Story

As a father, I know first-hand that raising healthy and happy children is tricky. Children are fussy, particularly at the end of the day when they are shattered. We also live in a society where companies seek to profit from what we feed our kids; incorrect and damaging advice is pushed on us and marketed towards our children, and we have no time.

But with these recipes and resources, you and your children can enjoy simple and well-founded food and lifestyle choices for lifelong health.