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Instant Pot Recipes for Picky Eaters

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Feeding picky eaters is hard! Make things easier with these toddler-friendly Instant Pot recipes for picky eaters. Lots of super kid-friendly recipes here, such as pasta, rice, tender shredded chicken, as well as snacks and desserts. 

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If you're new here, this blog is chock-full of tips for how to help parents of toddlers overcome picky eating. Make sure you click here to get started with all the resources I have on the website.

If you have a picky eater, you know how challenging it can be to come up with meals for them. Luckily the Instant Pot makes is super easy to make a wide variety of toddler-friendly meals.

(And by the way, if you're not here to feed toddlers but are just looking for general Instant Pot recipes for picky eaters - you're definitely welcome to look at the recipes below! They are all recipes that I love and eat as an adult, so they're not JUST for toddlers.)

Cooking for kids with the Instant Pot

While cooking in the Instant Pot isn't always faster than stove-top (it sometimes takes about the same amount of time), it is always easier. Being able to dump in the ingredients, push a button, and walk away is a life-saver when you have little kids at home.

This collection of kid-friendly Instant Pot recipes below is filled with meal ideas that many toddlers would actually eat, such as toddler-friendly pastas, simple rice recipes, apple sauce and other snacks, and tender meats.

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What size Instant Pot you need for your family

Deciding which size Instant Pot to get is not hard - no matter which size you choose you will get good use out of it. And I know people who have two or three Instant Pots because they use them so much.

If you are a family of 2 or 3, then you can definitely get away with the 6-quart of the 3-quart one, depending on how much you cook and what you plan on cooking in it. You can cook all these recipes in the mini 3-quart Instant Pot except for the pancake bites, because the mold won't fit into the small Instant Pot. 

The 6-quart will be enough to cook pasta, rice, chicken, oatmeal, etc., for a family of 3-5. But if you have the counter space, then you can't go wrong with the 8-quart one. That's what we have, and I loved it even when I was cooking for just my husband and myself. 

It is great for making large batches of rice for pot lucks and for large batches of homemade chicken broth and veggie stock.

Basically, you can't go wrong with any of these. All depends on how big your recipe batches are and whether you like to cook enough to have leftovers. Most recipes out there are written for the 6-quart Instant Pot.

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Will all kids like these Instant Pot recipes?

As a mom of a picky eater, I completely understand that some kids will refuse to eat some of these things. Maybe your kid doesn't eat pasta. Maybe your kid hates the texture of rice. Just because most toddlers like those things doesn't mean yours does. 

And that's OKAY. I've been there.

If that's your kid, that's even more reason to poke around this website and look at all the resources I have, such as reading about feeding therapy for picky eating or about food chaining, which might help your child try new foods.

Just because your kid won't eat these things today, doesn't mean that you should never serve them these foods. In fact, you should try to expose them to as many foods as possible. Start with these simple Instant Pot recipes. Your kids might surprise you!

Instant Pot Recipes for Picky Eaters

Check out these easy Instant Pot recipes that might just help you get meals ready quickly for your kiddos!

Chicken and pork

The Instant Pot is amazing for cooking meats, like chicken and pork, fast without having to keep an eye on it. It comes out tender every time, and texture is to important for picky eaters.

Rice recipes

Rice is often a preferred food for many picky toddlers and picky kids. Luckily, the Instant Pot makes perfect rice every time. I've NEVER went back to my rice cooker after making rice in the Instant Pot.

Here are a few toddler-friendly rice recipes to make in the Instant Pot once your child is willing to eat more than plain white rice.

Pasta and mac and cheese recipes

Many toddlers love pasta - whether it's plain noodles, saucy pasta, or mac n cheese. Here are some toddler-friendly Instant Pot pasta recipes, including an amazing gluten-free pasta option.

Breakfast and snack recipes

The Instant Pot is also great for effortless breakfasts, such as oatmeal or pancake bites. Plus you can make homemade applesauce!

Got other recipes you make in the Instant Pot for your picky kids? Drop a link or describe the recipe in the comments below, I'd love to add them to this list!

Know someone who needs to see this list of recipe ideas? Use the share buttons below to share this post! And don't forget to save it for later on Pinterest:

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Chichi

Wednesday 22nd of July 2020

Hi Kate! I love everything about this post. Just pinned it. Thank you for including one of my recipes.

Kim

Saturday 4th of July 2020

This is a great collection of recipe ideas for picky eaters! I wish the Instant Pot would've been around when my son was little. He was somewhat picky, but it would've been a huge help in the kitchen.

Kate

Thursday 9th of July 2020

Thanks Kim! Yea I know, I use mine pretty much every day to help make dinner without losing my mind, since I often still have to cook at least 1 separate thing for my son... even though he's eating more food lately.

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