Did you know that nearly 1 in 20 school-aged Aussie kids have a food allergy, with dairy as one of the foods topping the list? If your toddler’s one of them, you’re probably juggling meal ideas that keep them safe and happy. No worries! Ditching dairy doesn’t mean dull dinners. In fact, dairy-free meals can be just as creamy, tasty and packed with the nutrients your little champ needs to grow. 

Let’s explore some fuss-free, toddler-friendly recipes that’ll have your bub licking their plate clean, all without a drop of milk in sight.

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8 Toddler-Friendly Recipes Without Dairy

Mealtimes just got easier (and tastier). These 8 toddler-friendly recipes are full of flavour and goodness, perfect for keeping little tummies happy and parents stress-free.

Baked Green Curry Cauliflower

This easy baked green curry cauliflower is a winner for busy weeknights and perfect for little ones on a dairy-free diet. Just pop everything in the oven and let it cook while you get on with your day. Swap brown rice for microwave rice to save time, and skip the yoghurt topping to keep it completely dairy-free. Toddlers will love the mild, tasty flavours. 

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy Free (If made with tofu)

Serves 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• ½ large cauliflower, chopped
• 1 brown onion, chopped
• 1x 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ¾ of a small jar of green curry paste
• 1x 400g block of tofu or paneer cheese, cubed
• Small bunch spring onions, sliced

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

2. Cook the brown rice over the stove according to packet directions. 

3. Add the cauliflower, onion, and chickpeas to a large baking dish. Add in the green curry paste and stir well to combine. Make sure everything is coated in the curry paste. 

4. Top with the cubes of tofu or paneer.

5. Place the baking dish into the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and give everything a stir.

6. Return the baking dish to the oven for a further 20-25 minutes, until the tofu or paneer is slightly golden, and the cauliflower is cooked through. 

7. Top the baked curry with sliced spring onions. Serve immediately, with a side of brown rice. Enjoy!

Mediterranean Tofu

A simple, tasty Mediterranean-style meal that’s dairy-free and toddler-friendly. Serve with wholemeal couscous for a wholesome, easy dinner the whole family will enjoy. 

Type: Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free

Serves 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes 

Ingredients

• 2 cups wholemeal couscous
• 600ml boiling water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 bunches broccolini, chopped
• 1 red capsicum, chopped
• 400g firm tofu, cut into cubes
• 2x 400g tin tomatoes
• ½ cup pitted whole black olives
• Handful fresh basil leaves
• Handful fresh parsley

Recipe

1. Place the couscous into a large bowl. Pour over the boiling water, then cover and allow to stand for 5-10 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains, then set aside. 

2. Heat a large saucepan over medium to high heat. Add in the olive oil, red onion and garlic. 

3. Cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add in the broccolini and capsicum, followed by the tofu. 

4. Fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the tin tomatoes and the olives, then reduce the heat to medium.  

5. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, uncovered, to thicken. Remove from the heat.

6. Sprinkle with the fresh basil and parsley leaves.

7. Serve immediately, accompanied by the couscous. Enjoy!

 GF DF Banana Loaf

A yummy gluten-free, dairy-free banana loaf that’s perfect for toddler snacks or lunch boxes — delicious, healthy, and allergy-friendly.

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

Makes 1 loaf

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes 

Ingredients

• 3 overripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup soy milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cups almond meal
• ½ cup ground flaxseeds
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ¼ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line a loaf pan with baking paper. 

2. Add the bananas to a large mixing bowl and use a fork to mash. 

3. Add in the eggs, soy milk, olive oil and honey into the mashed banana. Mix well to combine. 

4. Add in the almond meal, flaxseeds, baking powder, cinnamon and walnuts. Fold all ingredients together until well combined. 

5. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Place into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until risen and golden. 

6. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the loaf pan. Cut into thick slices and enjoy! 

Apple Streusel

Warm, juicy apples with a crumbly topping, apple streusel is a tasty snack or dessert your toddler will love. Skip the yoghurt to keep it dairy-free and enjoy it fresh or reheated. Perfect for little ones with dairy sensitivities.

Type: Vegetarian, Contains Nuts

Serves 3-4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes 

Ingredients

• Olive oil spray, for greasing
• 3 pink lady apples, chopped into small pieces
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1 ½ cups rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons almond butter 
• Greek yoghurt, to serve (optional)

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Spray a small loaf tin with olive oil spray and set aside. 

2. In a mixing bowl combine the chopped apple, lemon zest and juice, and half of the cinnamon. Stir to combine. 

3. Transfer the apple mixture into the loaf tin. Spread the apples to cover the entire bottom of the tin. 

4. Add the rolled oats, honey, almond butter and the remaining half teaspoon of cinnamon into the mixing bowl. 

5. Stir well to combine. If your honey and/or almond butter are not liquid enough to stir easily, heat them gently in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until runny. 

6. Sprinkle the oat streusel mixture over the top of the apples in the loaf tin. Place the loaf tin into the oven and bake for 25 minutes until golden. 

7. Divide the apple streusel into serving bowls, and top with a dollop of yoghurt. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Trail Mix

Looking for a healthy, dairy-free snack your toddler can munch on anytime? This easy trail mix is perfect! Make a batch, portion into small containers, and you’re all set for grab-and-go goodness. 

Type: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Snacks, Contains Nuts

Makes approx. 8 serves

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes 

Ingredients

• 2 cups of raw nuts (we used a combination of almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts)
• ¼ cup raw seeds (we used pepitas and sunflower seeds)
• ¼ cup dried fruit e.g. goji berries, dried figs, sultanas (optional)

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C. Prepare 2 baking trays. 

2. Add the nuts and seeds onto the baking trays. Ensure they are spread out in a single layer. 

3. Place into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Stir the nuts around the trays halfway through cooking to ensure they roast evenly. 

4. Once the nuts are toasted and golden, remove from the oven. Allow to completely cool on the trays. 

5. Once cooled, mix through the dried fruit (optional). 

6. Transfer the trail mix to an airtight container. Enjoy!

Pecan Pie Granola

Crunchy and packed with warm pecan pie flavours, this dairy-free granola is perfect for breakfast or a quick snack. It keeps fresh for up to a month in an airtight jar — easy, tasty, and toddler-approved.

Type: Vegetarian, Dairy Free, Contains Nuts

Makes approx. 3 cups 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes 

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup pecans
• ¼ cup pepitas
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Sprinkle of allspice 

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.  

2. Place the oats, pecans and pepitas into a large bowl and stir to combine. 

3. In a small bowl add the olive oil, honey, almond butter, cinnamon and allspice. Stir well to combine. 

4. Pour the olive oil mixture into the rolled oats mixture. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are combined. 

5. Pour the oats mixture out onto the baking tray. Spread the mixture so that it is as flat as possible and covers the whole tray. 

6. Place into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Use a spoon to stir the oat mixture to ensure it cooks evenly. Return the oats to the oven and bake for a further 10-15 minutes until crisp and golden. 

7. Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking tray. 

8. Once the granola is cooled, transfer to an airtight container. Enjoy!

Apple Slice 'Donuts'

A fun, healthy after-school snack the whole family will love. For a dairy-free twist, swap yoghurt for peanut butter or try other nut-free toppings like granola, sunflower seeds, or dark choc chips. Easy, tasty, and perfect for little hands. 

Type: Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Contains Nuts, Kid Friendly

Makes 10 ‘donuts’

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes 

Ingredients

• 2 large pink lady apples
• 3 tablespoons natural 100% peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons of assorted toppings

Recipe

1. Use an apple corer to remove the core of each apple. 

2. Place the apple on its side so that the empty core is parallel to your chopping board. Trim off both ends of the apple, then slice the apple into 5 even slices.  

3. Place the apple slices cut side facing up onto a flat chopping board or plate. 

4. Spread the top of each slice with peanut butter. 

5. Sprinkle the assorted toppings on top of the peanut butter. 

6. Serve the apple ‘donuts’ immediately and enjoy!

Pesto Frittata 

Quick, easy, and totally dairy-free, just use a dairy-free pesto or make your own. This is p erfect for a toddler-friendly lunch alongside a fresh rocket salad or potato salad.

Type: Vegetarian, Dairy Free, Gluten Free

Serves 3

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes 

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons green pesto (dairy free)
• Handful fresh parsley 
• Handful fresh dill
• 1 large zucchini, chopped
• 1 tomato, sliced into thin circles

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Find a large rectangular loaf tin to bake the frittata in. 

2. In a medium sized mixing bowl whisk together the eggs and pesto. 

3. Stir in the parsley, dill, and chopped zucchini. 

4. Pour the egg mixture out into the loaf tin. Arrange the tomato slices on top of the egg mixture. 

5. Place into the oven and bake for 30 minutes until risen and slightly golden on top. 

6. Allow to cool before cutting into slices. Serve and enjoy!

Looking to expand your toddler’s dairy-free meals with more veggie-packed, meat-free options? Check out these 5 easy and tasty meal ideas for toddlers without meat, perfect for keeping mealtimes fun, nutritious, and allergy-friendly.

Summing Up

Feeding toddlers dairy-free doesn’t have to be tricky or boring. With these simple, tasty recipes, you can keep mealtimes fun, nutritious, and stress-free, all while catering to your little one’s needs. Give these dishes a go and watch your bub enjoy delicious meals that are kind to their tummy and packed with flavour!

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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.