9 Healthy Snack Recipes for 1 to 2 Year Olds Without Frying or Sweeteners

Finding healthy snacks for kids sounds easy until your toddler rejects the banana they happily ate yesterday because, apparently, bananas are no longer acceptable on Tuesdays. We see these wonderfully unpredictable food phases all the time at Apple Tree Pre-School BSD, located at Educenter bsd, so we understand why parents want snack ideas that are nutritious, practical, and realistic.

For children between 12 and 24 months, snacks can complement regular family meals as their appetite and eating skills develop. WHO recommends nutritious complementary foods with increasing variety and age appropriate textures, with one or two additional snacks offered as needed.

The good news is that you do not need deep frying, added syrup, sugar, or complicated ingredients. These nine recipes use familiar foods that Indonesian families can easily find, including banana, tempeh, sweet potato, chicken, corn, tofu, pumpkin, mung beans, fish, rice, and spinach.

Healthy Snacks for Kids Aged 1 to 2 Years

At this age, children are gradually becoming more confident with family foods, but texture still matters. WHO recommends adapting food consistency to each child’s developmental abilities, while safety guidance emphasizes avoiding foods that may create choking risks.

We keep these healthy snacks for kids soft, manageable, naturally flavorful, and free from added sweeteners. You should still adjust every portion and texture according to your child’s individual chewing and eating skills.

1. Steamed Banana Oat Cups

Banana gives these little steamed cakes natural sweetness, so you do not need sugar or honey. Oats provide carbohydrates and fiber, while egg adds protein.

They are soft enough for younger toddlers and convenient to pack when you need an easy snack outside the house.

Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Fork
• Spoon
• Steamer
• Small heatproof cups

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons full fat milk
• A small amount of cooking oil for greasing

How to Make It

1. Wash your hands, prepare clean equipment, and preheat the steamer until a steady flow of gentle steam appears.
2. Mash the ripe banana in a bowl until smooth, leaving only tiny soft lumps your toddler can manage comfortably.
3. Add the egg and stir thoroughly until the banana and egg combine into a smooth, evenly colored mixture.
4. Stir in the oats and milk gradually, making sure every oat is moistened and no dry pockets remain.
5. Let the mixture rest for five minutes so the oats soften and create a tender texture after steaming.
6. Lightly grease small heatproof cups, then divide the batter evenly without filling each cup completely to the top.
7. Place the cups inside the hot steamer, cover securely, and steam until the centers become firm and cooked.
8. Remove the cups carefully, then allow them to cool until they are comfortable enough for little hands.
9. Cut each steamed cake into soft bite sized pieces, checking the texture before serving them to your child.

2. Sweet Potato and Tempeh Bites

Sweet potato and tempeh make a very Indonesian combination that works surprisingly well as a toddler snack. The sweet potato keeps everything soft, while tempeh contributes plant protein.

There is no frying involved. We simply steam the ingredients, shape them, and steam them again until everything holds together.

Tools

• Steamer
• Bowl
• Fork
• Knife
• Cutting board

Ingredients

• 100 grams sweet potato
• 40 grams tempeh
• 1 small egg, beaten

How to Make It

1. Peel the sweet potato, rinse it well, and cut it into small cubes so every piece cooks evenly.
2. Steam the sweet potato until completely tender and easily crushed with gentle pressure from the back of a fork.
3. Cut the tempeh into small pieces, then steam it separately until hot, soft, and thoroughly cooked throughout.
4. Mash the sweet potato until smooth, then crumble the steamed tempeh finely so no firm chunks remain.
5. Combine both ingredients with the beaten egg, mixing thoroughly until the mixture becomes moist and easy to shape.
6. Shape small flattened bites with clean hands, keeping them soft and appropriately sized for your toddler’s eating ability.
7. Arrange the bites on a heatproof plate, then steam until the egg is fully cooked and everything holds together.
8. Cool completely before serving, then break one open to confirm the center is soft, moist, and safely cooked.

3. Chicken and Corn Steamed Egg Cups

These savory egg cups combine chicken, corn, carrot, and egg in one soft little portion. They are handy when your child wants something more substantial between meals.

We chop everything finely because giant corn kernels and dramatic chicken chunks are not invited to this particular toddler snack party.

Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Steamer
• Small heatproof cups

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 30 grams cooked chicken
• 2 tablespoons sweet corn
• 1 tablespoon grated carrot
• 2 tablespoons full fat milk

How to Make It

1. Finely mince the cooked chicken, checking carefully that no bones, skin, or tough pieces remain in the meat.
2. Steam the corn until tender, then chop or mash the kernels so their skins are easier to manage.
3. Crack the egg into a clean bowl, then whisk it gently until the white and yolk are combined.
4. Add the chicken, corn, grated carrot, and milk, then stir until the ingredients are distributed evenly throughout.
5. Pour the mixture into small heatproof cups, leaving a little space at the top for gentle expansion.
6. Bring the steamer to a steady simmer before carefully placing the filled cups onto the steaming rack.
7. Cover the steamer and cook until the egg mixture becomes fully set, moist, and no longer runny.
8. Insert a clean spoon into the center to check that the chicken egg mixture has cooked completely through.
9. Remove the cups carefully and allow them to cool before loosening the edges with a clean spoon.
10. Serve in soft spoonfuls or small pieces, adjusting the texture and portion according to your child’s chewing skills.

4. Soft Tofu and Carrot Egg Custard

Tofu is mild, soft, and easy to combine with familiar ingredients. Here, we mix it with egg and carrot to create a savory steamed custard.

The result is soft enough to scoop with a spoon but firm enough for older toddlers to practice picking up small pieces.

Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Grater
• Steamer
• Heatproof bowl

Ingredients

• 50 grams soft tofu
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon finely grated carrot
• 2 tablespoons full fat milk

How to Make It

1. Drain the soft tofu thoroughly, then mash it in a clean bowl until smooth and free from large lumps.
2. Peel and finely grate the carrot, keeping the pieces very small so they soften properly during steaming.
3. Crack the egg into another bowl, add the milk, and whisk gently until everything is completely combined.
4. Add the mashed tofu and grated carrot to the egg mixture, then stir until the texture looks uniform.
5. Pour everything into a shallow heatproof bowl so the custard cooks evenly without developing an overly firm center.
6. Place the bowl inside a prepared steamer, then cover and cook over gentle heat until fully set.
7. Check the center carefully with a clean spoon, making sure there is no liquid egg remaining underneath.
8. Remove the custard from the steamer and let it cool until comfortably warm before cutting or scooping.
9. Serve soft spoonfuls to younger toddlers, or cut the custard into manageable pieces for confident self feeders.

5. Pumpkin and Potato Soft Bites

Pumpkin brings natural sweetness and a lovely orange color, while potato creates a soft texture that toddlers can manage easily. A little cheese adds flavor without needing sweeteners.

Choose pasteurized cheese and look for a lower salt option when possible. Pasteurized cheese can be included as part of a varied diet for young children.

Tools

• Steamer
• Bowl
• Fork
• Grater
• Baking paper

Ingredients

• 70 grams pumpkin
• 70 grams potato
• 1 small egg
• 1 tablespoon finely grated pasteurized cheese

How to Make It

1. Peel the pumpkin and potato, rinse them thoroughly, then cut both ingredients into evenly sized small cubes.
2. Steam the vegetables together until extremely tender and easy to mash without needing much pressure from your fork.
3. Transfer the cooked vegetables into a bowl, then mash them thoroughly while they are still pleasantly warm.
4. Add the egg and finely grated cheese, then stir until the mixture becomes smooth, thick, and evenly combined.
5. Shape the mixture into small flattened bites, using damp clean hands if the mixture feels slightly sticky.
6. Arrange the bites on baking paper inside a steamer, leaving a little space between each individual portion.
7. Steam until the egg is completely cooked and the bites hold their shape while remaining soft inside.
8. Cool before serving, then gently break each bite if necessary to match your child’s current chewing ability.

6. Banana Mung Bean Porridge

Traditional bubur kacang hijau is usually sweet, but toddlers do not need the added sugar. We use ripe banana instead to provide natural sweetness.

This softer version turns familiar mung beans into a creamy snack that you can serve with a spoon.

Tools

• Saucepan
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Blender or food masher

Ingredients

• 50 grams dried mung beans
• Half a ripe banana
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk
• Water as needed

How to Make It

1. Rinse the mung beans thoroughly, then soak them in clean water to shorten cooking time and improve softness.
2. Drain the soaked beans, transfer them into a saucepan, and cover them generously with fresh clean water.
3. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently until the beans become extremely tender.
4. Add more hot water whenever necessary so the beans remain submerged and continue softening without sticking underneath.
5. Once tender, mash the beans thoroughly with a spoon or blender until no firm whole beans remain.
6. Mash the ripe banana separately until creamy, making sure there are no large pieces that could be difficult.
7. Stir the banana into the warm mung bean mixture, using the fruit’s natural sweetness instead of added sugar.
8. Add unsweetened coconut milk and stir over very low heat until the porridge becomes creamy and evenly warmed.
9. Adjust the consistency with boiled water if needed, keeping the porridge soft enough for your toddler to manage.
10. Cool to a safe temperature before serving, then offer a small portion and refrigerate untouched leftovers promptly.

7. Steamed Fish and Potato Cakes

Fish and potato make a simple savory snack without needing breadcrumbs or frying. You can use fresh fish your family already enjoys, provided every bone is removed carefully.

Potato helps hold the cakes together, while carrot adds another familiar vegetable without overpowering the flavor.

Tools

• Steamer
• Bowl
• Fork
• Knife
• Baking paper

Ingredients

• 80 grams potato
• 40 grams thoroughly cooked boneless fish
• 1 tablespoon grated carrot
• 1 small egg

How to Make It

1. Peel the potato, cut it into small cubes, then steam until completely soft when pressed with a fork.
2. Steam the boneless fish until fully cooked, then flake it carefully into very small, soft pieces.
3. Inspect the flaked fish thoroughly, removing any bones, skin, or firm sections before combining it with other ingredients.
4. Mash the potato in a clean bowl until smooth, then add the fish and finely grated carrot.
5. Add the beaten egg and mix thoroughly until the ingredients bind together without leaving noticeably dry sections.
6. Divide the mixture into small portions, then shape each portion into a soft, slightly flattened toddler sized cake.
7. Arrange the cakes on baking paper inside your steamer, ensuring they do not touch each other while cooking.
8. Steam the cakes until the egg is fully cooked and the center feels firm enough to hold together.
9. Break a cooled cake open before serving to check texture, temperature, and whether smaller pieces would be more suitable.

8. Avocado Banana Yogurt Bowl

Some days you need a snack that does not involve turning on the stove, and we completely understand. Avocado, banana, and plain yogurt come together in minutes.

Choose plain unsweetened yogurt so the sweetness comes naturally from ripe fruit.

Tools

• Bowl
• Fork
• Knife
• Spoon

Ingredients

• Quarter of a ripe avocado
• Half a ripe banana
• 2 tablespoons plain unsweetened full fat yogurt
• 1 tablespoon finely ground oats, optional

How to Make It

1. Choose a ripe avocado and banana that feel soft, fresh, and easy to mash without any firm sections.
2. Cut the avocado carefully, remove the stone, then scoop the soft flesh into a clean serving bowl.
3. Peel the banana, slice it into small pieces, and add those pieces directly beside the avocado.
4. Mash both fruits together until creamy, leaving only soft tiny lumps if your toddler already handles texture confidently.
5. Add plain unsweetened full fat yogurt, then fold everything together gently until the mixture looks evenly creamy.
6. Add a spoonful of finely ground oats if you want a thicker snack with a little additional texture.
7. Serve immediately in a small bowl, allowing your child to practice using a spoon with close supervision.
8. Discard food directly touched by a used spoon, and refrigerate untouched ingredients promptly for another safe meal.

9. Soft Chicken and Spinach Rice Bites

Rice is already familiar to most Indonesian toddlers, so transforming it into soft little bites can make snack time more interesting. Chicken contributes protein, while finely chopped spinach adds variety.

We deliberately make these bites soft and flattened rather than tightly packed into hard balls.

Tools

• Saucepan
• Steamer
• Bowl
• Knife
• Heatproof plate

Ingredients

• Half a cup cooked soft rice
• 30 grams cooked chicken
• 1 tablespoon cooked spinach
• Warm water as needed

How to Make It

1. Cook the rice with extra water until very soft and slightly sticky, making it easier to shape gently.
2. Finely mince the cooked chicken, removing every piece of bone, skin, gristle, or noticeably tough meat.
3. Wash the spinach thoroughly, steam until soft, then chop it very finely to avoid long stringy pieces.
4. Place the warm rice in a bowl, then add the chicken and spinach while everything remains easy to mix.
5. Stir thoroughly and gently mash the mixture so the ingredients bind without making the rice excessively dense.
6. Add a spoonful of warm water if necessary to keep the mixture moist, soft, and comfortable to chew.
7. With damp clean hands, shape small flattened rice bites rather than firm round balls that may be harder.
8. Arrange the bites on a heatproof plate, then steam briefly so everything becomes hot and securely bound together.
9. Cool the rice bites completely, then test one with your fingers to confirm it breaks apart with gentle pressure.
10. Serve an appropriate portion while supervising closely, and adjust the size whenever your child’s chewing skills change.

Simple Ways to Make Toddler Snack Time Easier

Even the best healthy snacks for kids can fail spectacularly when a toddler simply decides that eating is less interesting than examining a spoon for seven minutes.

We try not to turn snack time into a battle. Responsive feeding means noticing children’s hunger and fullness cues while encouraging eating without unnecessary pressure.

A few habits can make snack time easier:

• Offer manageable portions first.
• Keep textures suitable for your child’s abilities.
• Introduce different foods repeatedly without forcing them.
• Let your toddler practice self feeding.
• Serve water alongside snacks.
• Keep added sugar and overly salty foods out of everyday snacks.
• Always supervise children while they eat.

Whole nuts and other hard foods can present choking risks to young children, so preparation and texture matter just as much as ingredients.

Healthy Snacks Can Be Simple

When parents hear healthy snacks for kids, it is easy to imagine expensive ingredients and complicated meal preparation. In reality, familiar foods such as banana, sweet potato, tempeh, egg, tofu, mung beans, fish, chicken, rice, and vegetables already give you plenty to work with.

You can rotate these nine recipes instead of preparing something completely different every day. Toddlers often appreciate familiarity, and we suspect parents appreciate not washing seventeen different cooking utensils before breakfast.

Little Everyday Habits Grow Into Bigger Skills

At Apple Tree Preschool BSD, we see everyday routines as opportunities for children to develop confidence and independence. Learning to sit together, communicate preferences, use a spoon, follow routines, and interact with friends can all become part of growing up.

Our Singapore based curriculum includes English, Mathematics, Chinese, Creativity, Social Studies, Science, Bahasa, Moral, Music, Physical Education, and Phonics. Through our programs, we welcome children from our Toddler classes through Kindergarten 2.

Our school is located inside the Educenter BSD Building, making it convenient for families around BSD who are looking for a warm learning environment. We want children to grow smart and happy together with parents, one little milestone at a time.

These healthy snacks for kids are a reminder that small everyday choices can be simple, nourishing, and enjoyable. The same idea applies to learning, because children often grow through repeated experiences that feel safe, playful, and meaningful.

If your little one is ready for the next stage, we would love to welcome your family to Apple Tree Preschool BSD.

Come play and learn with other children!

Chat with us on WhatsApp

Phone: +62 888 1800 900

Explore our classes, find the program that matches your child’s age, and register when you are ready to begin a happy learning journey with us.