Easy whole grain food ideas for kids

Golden oat and banana cookies packed with whole blueberries, scattered on white baking paper with a few crumbs.

Nutritious meals and snacks the kids will love. Discover simple and kid-friendly whole grain food ideas and recipes. Don’t be surprised if you start making some of these for yourself, too.

Homemade muesli bars coated in desiccated coconut, sliced and arranged on light green greaseproof paper.

Breakfast slice

It’s easy to add whole grains into a number of their favourite foods, especially at breakfast. Nourishing oats lend themselves nicely to porridge and even pancakes. For a simple grab and go brekkie, try this fruity slice made with oats, wholemeal flour and sweet potato.

A blue lunch box filled with a tuna and avocado sushi sandwich, half a kiwi fruit, cucumber slices and cheese stars.

Sushi burrito bento box

Shake up your usual lunch box ideas with a sushi burrito that swaps white rice for brown rice. You can even make the burritos together as a fun activity and try out different fillings like chicken or smoked salmon.

Berry quinoa cookies

With the goodness of quinoa and oats and the natural sweetness of bananas and blueberries, these cookies make a healthier treat. Make a big batch at the start of the week to have on hand for an easy snack on the run.

A blue lunchbox compartment containing a schnitzel and red cabbage sandwich, a peeled mandarin and a tub of yoghurt.

Pork katsu bento box

This tasty sandwich is served on wholemeal bread and also comes with a hearty serve of vegetables. Along with the red cabbage filling, the pork is crumbed with cauliflower and sweet potato. Or try these fun flying saucer sandwiches or this Mexican quesadilla traybake made with whole grain wraps.

A vibrant rice salad packed with cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, sugar snap peas, red onion and pumpkin seeds in a tin.

Veggie rice salad

This nutritionally approved salad makes a quick and easy lunch. Kids will love the burst of freshness from the tomatoes and crunch of the snowpeas and cucumber. If you’re making it in advance, store the dressing in a separate container. For a warming take on veg, try this vibrant Asian chicken stir-fry.

A paper bag spilling popcorn, apple slices, cucumber pieces, grated cheese and pumpkin seeds onto a yellow surface.

Cheesy popcorn and veggie snack mix

Popcorn is the whole grain no one suspects, which makes it perfect in snacks like this. This recipe puts a twist on regular popcorn, with the addition of carrot, cucumber, apple, seeds and cheese. It’s the perfect mix of savoury and sweet.