Feeding a 12 month old can feel like a guessing game some days. One minute they’re devouring broccoli tots, the next they’re throwing toast on the floor because it was “too toasty.” Sound familiar?
If you’ve been Googling lunch ideas for 12 month olds or wondering what to feed your 1 year old for lunch, I’ve got you covered.
These are real lunches I’ve served my daughter Vanessa—simple, healthy toddler meals that have actually worked for us.
This post includes 20 toddler lunch ideas total. So far I’ve photographed 14 of them, and I’ll be updating this post with new photos as I make the remaining six.
Be sure to save or pin this post so you don’t miss the updates!
And just a quick note: I’m super paranoid about choking, so I tend to cut Vanessa’s food into smaller bites than most people might.
Every baby is different, so please check with your pediatrician to find out what size pieces are safe for your toddler.
📌Pin it for later!
💡I love this plate for how simple and aesthetic it is. It’s the perfect portion size for toddler meals. It does have a suction base, but in my experience, the suction isn’t super strong—Vanessa is usually able to lift it off her highchair tray pretty easily. So if strong suction is a must for you, this might not be the best fit, but it still works great for us.
What Can a 12 Month Old Eat for Lunch?
By 12 months, babies are usually eating a mix of soft solids and finger foods—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to figure out what to serve them.
At this age, toddlers are still learning how to chew, swallow, and explore new textures, so lunch ideas need to be simple, safe, and balanced.
I try to aim for a little bit of protein, a veggie, some fruit, and something filling like toast, pasta, or rice. Nothing fancy—just food that’s soft enough to chew, cut small enough to be safe, and packed with nutrients to keep her full and happy.
You’ll see a mix of meals in this post, from leftovers to easy toddler favorites, and even a few fun new combos I threw together on a busy day.
Just remember: what works for one baby might not work for another, so don’t stress if your toddler skips a few ingredients here and there.
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure here.
20 Easy 12 Month Old Lunch Ideas
Lunch Idea #1: Broccoli Cheddar Tots with Boiled Egg & Berries
This one’s a favorite around here—especially when I’ve got a stash of broccoli cheddar tots in the freezer. I paired them with some soft-boiled egg slices for protein and a quick fruit side of chopped strawberries and blueberries.
What’s on the plate:
- Homemade broccoli cheddar tots
- Boiled egg (sliced into quarters)
- Chopped strawberries and blueberries
Lunch Idea #2: Pea & Parmesan Pasta with Watermelon and Carrots
This one’s such a simple win. Soft pasta tossed with a quick blend of peas purée and Parmesan for an easy veggie-packed main. I added a side of steamed carrots and some juicy watermelon chunks to round it out with color and variety.
What’s on the plate:
- Pasta tossed in puréed peas and grated Parmesan
- Steamed carrots (softened for easy chewing)
- Diced watermelon
Lunch Idea #3: Pita & Hummus with Cucumber and Kiwi
This one is super light, fresh, and fast to put together. I chopped up a whole wheat pita and served it with a generous scoop of hummus, plus sides of diced cucumber and sweet kiwi. It’s such a fun mix of textures and flavors, and Vanessa devoured it!
What’s on the plate:
- Whole wheat pita (cut into bite-sized strips)
- Hummus
- Diced cucumber
- Diced kiwi
Lunch Idea #4: Deli Turkey with Ezekiel Bread, Tomato & Avocado
This is a great little lunch when you’re short on time but still want to serve something wholesome. I used shredded deli turkey, a torn slice of Ezekiel’s flourless bread, and paired it with diced tomato and avocado for a simple, balanced plate.
I like using Ezekiel bread instead of regular whole wheat because it’s made from sprouted grains, which are easier to digest and packed with nutrients. It also has no added sugar, which is a big plus for toddler meals. It’s hearty, super clean, and a great way to get in some extra protein and fiber.
What’s on the plate:
- Shredded deli turkey
- Ezekiel’s flourless bread (torn into bite-sized pieces)
- Diced tomato
- Diced avocado
Lunch Idea #5: Avocado Toast with Steamed Carrots & Watermelon
Avocado toast is always a hit in our house! I used Ezekiel bread again here, spread with mashed avocado and cut into easy-to-grab strips. I served it with soft steamed carrots and sweet, juicy watermelon for a colorful, refreshing meal.
What’s on the plate:
- Ezekiel toast with mashed avocado
- Steamed carrots
- Diced watermelon
Lunch Idea #6: Meatballs with Marinara, Mashed Cauliflower & Buttered Toast
This one was definitely a comfort meal! I served chopped meatballs with a little marinara and a sprinkle of Parmesan, along with creamy mashed cauliflower and some buttered Ezekiel toast torn into bite-sized pieces.
What’s on the plate:
- Chopped meatballs with marinara and grated Parmesan
- Mashed cauliflower
- Buttered Ezekiel toast (torn)
Lunch Idea #7: Zucchini Fritters with Sweet Potato & Raspberries
These zucchini fritters came out so soft and fluffy—perfect for little hands and easy chewing. I served them with roasted sweet potato pieces and a few fresh raspberries to add a touch of color and sweetness.
What’s on the plate:
- Zucchini fritters (pan-fried until golden)
- Roasted sweet potato
- Fresh raspberries
Lunch Idea #8: Chicken & Kidney Beans with Clementines & Peas
This lunch is a great mix of protein, fruit, and veggies, quick to throw together and always a hit. I used canned kidney beans (rinsed and halved), shredded chicken, a peeled clementine, and some soft green peas.
What’s on the plate:
- Shredded chicken and halved kidney beans
- Diced clementine pieces
- Steamed peas
Lunch Idea #9: Carne Asada Steak with Mashed Cauliflower & Buttered Toast
This was a leftover win from carne asada tacos the night before. I chopped up the steak into toddler-sized bites and served it with mashed cauliflower and buttered Ezekiel toast. Quick, filling, and packed with flavor.
What’s on the plate:
- Leftover carne asada steak (chopped small)
- Mashed cauliflower
- Buttered Ezekiel toast (torn)
Lunch Idea #10: Toddler Burrito Bowl with Chicken, Avocado & Brown Rice
This one came together from our family burrito bowl night! I used brown rice with black beans and corn as the base, and added some shredded chicken and diced avocado on the side. It’s easy to adjust the textures and portions depending on your toddler’s stage.
What’s on the plate:
- Brown rice with black beans and corn
- Shredded chicken
- Diced avocado
Lunch Idea #11: Spaghetti with Peas & Buttered Toast
This was one of those “use what we have” lunches that totally worked. I served a small portion of spaghetti with marinara and Parmesan, paired with buttered Ezekiel toast and a side of soft peas. Easy, comforting, and toddler-approved.
What’s on the plate:
- Spaghetti with marinara and grated Parmesan
- Steamed peas
- Buttered Ezekiel toast (torn)
Lunch Idea #12: Carrot Mac & Cheese with Blueberries & Ezekiel Bread
This one’s a cozy, veggie-loaded favorite. I made carrot mac and cheese (a little puréed carrot stirred into the sauce), and served it with sliced blueberries and some torn Ezekiel bread on the side. Easy, colorful, and toddler-approved.
What’s on the plate:
- Carrot mac and cheese (diced pasta with carrot-infused cheese sauce)
- Sliced blueberries
- Ezekiel bread (torn into bite-sized pieces)
Lunch Idea #13: Avocado Toast with Chickpeas & Strawberries
This was such a simple and filling combo. I spread mashed avocado on Ezekiel toast and cut it into strips, then added some sliced chickpeas for protein and chopped strawberries for a sweet touch.
What’s on the plate:
- Avocado toast on Ezekiel bread (cut into strips)
- Sliced chickpeas
- Diced strawberries
Lunch Idea #14: White Bean Toast with Pineapple & Peas
This one is simple and nourishing. I mashed white kidney beans onto Ezekiel toast and cut it into strips, then added a side of peas and chopped pineapple for a sweet and savory balance.
What’s on the plate:
- Ezekiel toast with mashed white kidney beans (cut into strips)
- Canned pineapple (cut into small pieces)
- Steamed peas
Lunch Idea #15: Zucchini Carrot Muffin with Pear and Green Beans
A soft, naturally sweet veggie muffin made with shredded zucchini and carrot—no flour or added sugar. Serve with diced pear and soft steamed green beans for a colorful, balanced plate.
What’s on the plate:
- Zucchini carrot muffin (sugar-free, no flour)
- Diced pear
- Steamed green beans
Lunch Idea #16: Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla with Tomato and Olives
This toddler-sized quesadilla is made with a whole wheat or almond flour tortilla, shredded chicken, and melted cheese. Add chopped tomato and sliced black olives on the side for extra flavor and color.
What’s on the plate:
- Chicken and cheese quesadilla (cut into strips)
- Chopped tomato
- Sliced black olives
Lunch Idea #17: Salmon, Roasted Beets & Diced Mango
Flaky salmon, roasted beets (steamed first for softness), and diced fresh mango make a nutrient-packed lunch idea for 12 month olds full of color and flavor.
What’s on the plate:
- Flaked cooked salmon
- Soft roasted beets
- Diced mango
Lunch Idea #18: Lentil Patties with Applesauce and Steamed Broccoli
Soft lentil patties made with cooked lentils, finely shredded carrot, and a dash of garlic powder. Serve with unsweetened applesauce and chopped steamed broccoli.
What’s on the plate:
- Lentil and carrot patties
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Steamed broccoli florets
Lunch Idea #19: Baked Sweet Potato Wedges with Chicken and Grapes
Soft roasted sweet potato wedges (skin off), shredded chicken breast, and halved grapes make a sweet and savory combo toddlers love.
What’s on the plate:
- Sweet potato wedges
- Shredded chicken
- Halved grapes
Lunch Idea #20: Cottage Cheese with Peaches and Whole Grain Crackers
Cottage cheese is a great source of protein and pairs perfectly with diced ripe peaches. Add some soft whole grain crackers or teething-friendly puffs to round it out.
What’s on the plate:
- Cottage cheese
- Diced peaches (fresh or unsweetened canned)
- Soft whole grain crackers
Final Thoughts
Coming up with lunch ideas for 12 month olds can get repetitive fast, but I hope this list gave you some fresh inspiration to keep things simple and stress-free.
These meals are all about soft textures, nutritious ingredients, and real food that toddlers actually eat.
Whether your little one is in a big eating phase or starting to get picky, it’s totally okay to stick with the basics and rotate what works.
I’ll be adding more photos soon, so be sure to pin this post or save it for later!
And if you try any of these or have a favorite lunch idea of your own, I’d love to hear it in the comments.
