25 Vegetable Side Dish Ideas Kids Will Actually Like (2024)

We're always looking for new vegetable sides for family meals. Of course, what's appealing to one child might not be for others. I have two kids: One loves spicy foods and puts hot sauce and kimchi on everything. The other is always asking if ketchup can count as his vegetable. We try to meet somewhere in the middle and keep offering new foods and flavors because you never know what they will try and love. These kid-friendly vegetable recipes are healthy and easy—perfect for weeknight dinners!

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Maple Roasted Carrots

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Roasting brings out the inherent sweetness in carrots—but add a little maple syrup and butter, and you have a caramelized vegetable your kids (and you!) will actually want to eat seconds of.

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Kid-Friendly Salad

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Make salad something your kids will actually want to eat with this kid-friendly crudités plate. Put it out before dinner and watch them eat all their veggies without a fuss!

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Broccoli Casserole

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This lightened-up broccoli casserole is sure to be a hit. Learn how to make this classic side dish healthier.

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Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

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In this healthy side dish recipe, sweet potatoes are tossed with maple syrup, butter and lemon juice and roasted until tender and golden brown. The delicious glaze that forms on these maple-roasted sweet potatoes transforms this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.

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Parmesan Broccoli Bites

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Almond flour (aka almond meal) makes the coating on these broccoli fries extra-crunchy and flavorful. Find it in the gluten-free section of large supermarkets and natural foods stores.

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Mashed Butternut Squash

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For this mashed butternut squash recipe, we start by roasting the squash, which really intensifies its flavor and sweetness. That means you don't need to add much—just a few pinches of spices and a little butter and salt—to make the perfect healthy side dish for any fall meal. If you want to dress it up more, add some honey and warm spices, like cinnamon, for a sweet profile; for a savory profile, add a teaspoon or two of rosemary, sage or thyme (or a combination) and sprinkle with Parmesan. Or go sweet and savory, with bacon fat (or bacon crumbles), maple syrup and additional cayenne.

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Quick Cucumber Kimchi

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This cucumber kimchi recipe gets its flavor from garlic, fish sauce and a hint of Korean chile powder. Make this side dish ahead of time to let the flavors absorb into the cucumbers.

Oven Sweet Potato Fries

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Baking sweet potato fries in the oven brings out their inherent sweetness.

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Cheesy Zucchini Tots

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Not one, not two, but three kinds of cheese combine to make these low-carb cheesy zucchini tots live up to their name. Bake them in the oven or fry them in your air fryer for a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted center. Don't use pre-shredded cheese here; shred it fresh for the best and creamiest results. Serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.

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Mary's Zucchini with Parmesan

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Simple and delicious, in this recipe the almost caramelized zucchini are topped with a Parmesan crust. Serve the zucchini like a wedge of pizza, straight from the pan, with the cheese side up. We named this recipe Mary's Zucchini after the mom of one of our former Test Kitchen managers. It's perfect for just-picked zucchini.

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Ginger-&-Miso-Glazed Broccoli

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A touch of maple or honey balances the flavor of umami-laden miso while thickening the sauce to coat this stir-fried broccoli.

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Parmesan Roasted Corn on the Cob

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Savory Parmesan cheese and sweet corn team up in this easy corn on the cob recipe that's good for every season. Wrapping the corn in foil keeps in the flavors of smoked paprika, garlic powder and thyme. Pair with roast chicken, steak or pork, or serve as part of a vegetarian meal.

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Brown Butter & Sage Acorn Squash

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We like acorn squash because its skin is tender enough to eat (which saves you the hassle of peeling), but any winter squash will work for this nutty, maple-drizzled side.

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Kale Chips

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Not a fan of kale? These crispy baked kale chips will convert you! For the best result, don't overcrowd the pans.

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Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

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This healthy recipe is a savory riff on the traditional brown-sugar-and-pecan-topped sweet potato casserole so often found on Thanksgiving tables. Crispy baby kale leaves make a stunning garnish, but any green or herb that suits you will look great, fried or not.

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Skillet Cauliflower Gratin

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Nonfat milk and a bit of sharp Cheddar combine to make a rich sauce without all the butter usually found in gratins.

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Avocado Fries with Sriracha Aioli

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Creamy avocados are a delicious foil to crunchy breading in this healthy oven-fried avocado fries recipe. Dip into spicy Sriracha dipping sauce for a flavor explosion. Save your ripe avocados for guacamole or toast—only firm ones will do when making these fries.

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Edamame with Ginger Salt

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Add zing to convenient frozen edamame with easy homemade seasoning. You'll have leftover ginger salt—try a sprinkle on steamed or roasted veggies.

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Brown Sugar-Glazed Beets

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Try a sweet glaze on beets or other root vegetables to help balance their earthy flavor. This easy recipe will work with steamed carrots, turnips or rutabaga too.

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Honey-Mustard Smashed Carrots

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Smashing carrots increases their surface area, allowing them to crisp up beautifully under the broiler with a sweet mustardy glaze. Choose carrots that are on the thicker side for the best results.

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Cheesy Pull-Apart Cauliflower with Pesto

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A combination of pesto and mozzarella cheese is tucked into a whole head of cauliflower. The florets "pull away" revealing the ooey-gooey cheese beneath for a fun and festive appetizer or side dish.

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Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Vegetables

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Give your plate a pop of color with these healthy sheet-pan veggies.

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Garlic-Rosemary Smashed Potatoes

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A combination of baked, mashed and roasted, these crusty, garlicky smashed potatoes are a healthy and creative alternative. Serve alongside a seared steak or roasted pork tenderloin and green beans.

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Air-Fryer Onion Rings

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These air-fryer onion rings are a great alternative to traditional deep-fried onion rings. The homemade dipping sauce adds to the savory flavor and adds a creamy note to counter the crispy coating.

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Garlic-Butter Cauliflower Bites

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These garlic-butter cauliflower bites are inspired by the crowd-pleasing flavors of classic garlic knots. Here we ditch the bread in favor of cauliflower and use a combo of butter and extra-virgin olive oil for roasting that helps keep saturated fat in check. The combination of garlic and Parmesan cheese delivers on the classic savory flavor. Serve this easy side with roasted chicken or pork or enjoy as an appetizer with a side of marinara for dipping.