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These Chicken Meatballs for babies, toddlers and kids are soft, delicious and nutritious. They are a great source of protein and are made with added veggies and fruit.
Meatballs are a fantastic finger food for babies, toddlers and big kids. The great thing about meatballs is that you can mix and match the flavours, meats, and serving options.
For example, you can try lemongrass and ginger meatballs for a flavourful twist, or use ground lamb to make these spiced meatballs. You can also serve turkey meatballs in tomato sauce, for a classic and comforting meal.
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Reasons to Love This Recipe
- Nutrition: These chicken meatballs for babies are a good source of protein. They are also packed with nutritious veggies and fruit, providing a range of essential vitamins and minerals.
- Easy to Prepare: and can be made in advance, making these meatballs a convenient meal option for busy parents.
- Exposure to Texture & Flavours: The soft but textured consistency of these meatballs is perfect for introducing babies to new textures and encouraging them to explore different foods.
- Versatile: Serve these meatballs with a smoked paprika dip as a tasty snack, or paired with sides such as pasta, rice and veggies for a complete meal.
Ingredient Information (& Alternative Suggestions)
For the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Chicken Mince (ground chicken): Ground turkey also works great.
- Carrot & Onion: Added for extra nutrition, flavour and texture.
- Pear & Apple: Adds a lovely sweetness to the meatball as well as extra nutrition and texture. You can replace the pear with a second apple and vice versa.
- Breadcrumbs & Milk: Added to produce a lighter, more tender ball. If you or your kid have gluten/dairy allergies then you can miss this out, they will still taste great.
- Smoked Paprika & Parsley: There are many benefits to adding spices and herbs to baby food, but if you prefer you can skip them or replace them with other spices/herbs.
Step-by-Step Instructions (With Images)
- Saute Onion and Carrot - Cook until soft (around 5 mins).
- Soak Breadcrumbs - Let it sit for around five minutes.
- Squeeze Liquid from Pear and Apple - Save the juice for smoothies or if you are cooking with kids then let them squeeze and enjoy the juice straight after.
4. Combine Ingredients - Gently mix with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture.
5. Form Tablespoon-Sized Meatballs - I found the mixture made 28 meatballs.
6. Cook: You can either bake in the oven or pan fry
Tips for Success
- Finely grate the carrots and fruit
If you have a box grater then use the smaller shredding holes designed to finely grate.
A larger grate will still work but the meatball will just be a lot more textured. - Don't overwork the mixture
The amount the ground chicken is handled will have a direct impact on the final texture of the meatballs. For lighter, tender meatballs try not to overwork the mixture.
I find combining all the ingredients before adding the ground chicken can really help with this. - Use damp hands when forming balls
This helps to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands and making the balls hard to form.
Serving Suggestions
When serving chicken meatballs to a baby try not to make the plate overwhelming by adding too much. Add one meatball along with two other foods such as sweet potato wedges and roasted broccoli and offer more if your baby is still looking for more.
For toddlers and older children, the portion sizes will increase and you can serve with a grain of choice, vegetables and some chopped fruit.
If you want to make it a little more fun you could add the meatballs to a kid-friendly kebab stick with some chopped vegetables and fruit. They are also great added to wraps or pitta bread along with some salad.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Allow the meatballs to cool to room temperature. Then freeze the meatballs on a baking tray until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months. Perfect for the nights when you have something for dinner that's not so baby friendly.
Yes, I recommend splitting the mixture and adding some salt to the adult portions before cooking. It is always good for your baby/children to see you enjoy the same meal as you serve your children.
You can just skip the milk and the breadcrumbs. They are added to make a lighter, more tender ball but the meatballs are still great without them.
Yes, you can. I haven't personally made these meatballs in the air fryer but a reader did. She cooked them at 350F (175c) for 10 mins, flipping them halfway. (Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of each meatball. The min safe temp is 165F (74C).)
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Chicken Meatballs for Babies
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion , finely chopped
- 1 carrot , peeled and finely grated
- 40g (¾ cup) breadcrumbs (optional see notes)
- 2 tablespoon milk (optional see notes)
- 1 small pear , peeled and grated
- 1 small apple , peeled and grated
- 2 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 500g (1.1lb) chicken mince (ground chicken)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200c / 400f and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion and carrot, over a low heat, until soft. (For around 5 mins)
- In a small bowl, pour the milk over the breadcrumbs and allow to sit for 5 mins.
- Place the apple and pear onto a clean cloth and squeeze as much juice as you can out of them. (save the juice for smoothies etc)
- Add all the ingredients, apart from the ground chicken, to a mixing bowl and mix with your hands until all the ingredients are mixed together. Add the chicken mince and then gently mix, with your hands, until just combined.
- Shape tablespoons of the mixture into balls and place on the lined baking tray. (I made 28 balls.)
- Place in the oven and bake for approx. 20 mins, until golden and cooked through. Alternatively shallow fry, in batches, for around 6 minutes, until golden on both sides and cooked through.
Video
Recipe Notes
- Breadcrumb and Milk mixture - Added to produce a lighter, more tender ball. If you have a dairy/gluten allergy then you can miss this out.
- Finely grate the carrots and fruit - If you have a box grater then use the smaller shredding holes designed to finely grate. A larger grate will still work but the meatball will just be a lot more textured.
- Don't overwork the mixture - The amount the ground chicken is handled will have a direct impact on the final texture of the meatballs. For lighter, tender meatballs try not to overwork the mixture. I find combining all the ingredients before adding the ground chicken can really help with this.
- Use damp hands when forming balls - this just helps to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands and making the balls hard to form.
Anna G
I've made these twice so far and my 11 month old loves them! I freeze them and reheat in the microwave as needed for a quick lunch or dinner. I love batch cooking and having different options in the freezer for my baby. Makes it easier so she isn't eating the same thing everyday. Thanks for this great recipe. I think it will be a staple for us!
Amy Whiteford
Thanks Anna, I'm so happy to hear your little one is enjoying the meatballs! Batch cooking is such a lifesaver! Amy
Lauren
These turned out great. I used a piece of sourdough soaked in milk as the breadcrumbs and they turned out super soft. Great texture - Even for an anxious feeding mum like me.
Amy Whiteford
So glad to hear they turned out well, Lauren. Thanks so much for taking the time to rate and leave a comment, Amy
Nanny Mel
Have now made a batch of these and they turned out well. Nice and moist even though I just used 20g of breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of milk and omitted the salt. I've made them to freeze for my 2 year old Grandson. We did however have them for our dinner today. Grandad and I really like them! I would just like to know how to reheat them once they have been defrosted please.
Amy
Hi, thank you for taking the time to rate and comment. To reheat in the oven, place them on a single layer on a baking sheet / baking dish and cover with foil to reduce the chance of them drying out. Bake at a lower temp of around 150C / 300F until properly heated throughout. (Around 15 mins but timings may differ depending on oven.). Alternatively you could microwave, place in a microwavable bowl, cover and heat for 2 mins. Remove, stir them/move them around and cook for a further 1-2 mins until piping hot throughout. Again times may vary depending on microwave.
Victoria
Loved these! Was just wondering how long these stay good in the refrigerator for? Thank you!
Amy
Hi Victoria, I'm delighted that you enjoyed the meatballs. Sorry for the delayed response, you can store the meatballs in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 days. For longer storage you can freeze for 2 months.
Elizabeth
My nine month old loved these! I froze some of them, what is the best way to defrost?
Amy
Hi Elizabeth, I'm so happy your little foodie enjoyed these! You can defrost them, overnight, in the refrigerator 🙂
Claire
Skip the paprika! It ruins the flavor.. maybe cumin instead?
Amy
That is the great thing about these meatballs, you can add or mix up the spices used. My kids have always loved the flavour of smoked paprika, especially with chicken but everyone is different. Was it smoked paprika you used or paprika?
Rachel Hurley
Loved! I made mine a little smaller (made 32) with a medium apple, no pear, 2 carrots, and little Mozzarella cheese, plus a little sea salt and black pepper, and baked in 400/209 degree air fryer for 8ish mins and FANTASTIC! I paired them with a roasted veggie cottage cheese sauce and will be making again!
Amy
Thanks for the air fryer instructions Rachel, great to know. Glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Polina
Made these today, a double batch, and could not be happier. My only concern was that my two year old ate 15 of those in one go! 🙂
Amy
Fantastic! Thank you 🙂
Shirley
My 2 year old doesn’t like meat much (she really prefers very soft meats, like slow-cooked meat, sausages etc) so I tried this recipe to get her to eat more. Worked a treat! They were lovely and soft and very tasty even with a small amount of salt added. Winner! I enjoyed them too! I have now frozen them to keep for quick healthy meals or for lunch boxes.
Nicole
Hey there! Can I make the recipe without apple and pear? Will the meatballs still hold? Thank u!
Amy
Hi Nicole, yes they should still hold up. You could always add a little extra grated carrot instead.
Shannon
What is the recipe for the dip you prefer to make with these?
Amy
Hi Shannon, I think I used this smoked paprika dip.
Annabel
made these today and they're so tasty! can't wait for my baby to try them. Just wondering how long they can stay in the fridge for?
Amy
Hi Annabel, I'm glad you enjoyed them. I would store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 days.
Kelsey
Made these today and they are delicious! I hope my toddler agrees as well. For those that use the baking method and found their meatballs to be tough or cook too fast, try adding an oven safe cup with a little bit of water and set onto the tray. Helps keep the moisture in the meatball and making it soft and fall apart-y in your mouth (if you like softer balls).
LovingMomof3
We loved this recipe. Do you think I could make these in the air fryer?
Amy
I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipe. I'm sure these would work great in the air fryer but as I haven't tested it I can't give any cooking instructions, sorry.
Lauren S
9 month old loved them! Can you add air fryer instructions?
Amy
Thanks Lauren, I have never tried them in the air fryer. I'll have to get it out and test, good idea 🙂
Selena ng
Hi,
Can I check if it’s possible to omit the grated apple in this recipe? Should I add more vegs to Make up for the apple or it’s okay to just leave it out? Thanks!
Amy
Hi Selena, either will work 🙂
Helena
Absolutely delicious! Best recipe for picky eaters so far. Thank you! Is it ok to substitute chicken with turkey?
Amy
Thanks Helena, I'm so happy they were a hit. Yes, you can sub with turkey.
Duygu
Hi,
Can I use oat flour instead of breadcrumbs (due to salt) and milk (our lo is 11m and cannot have milk yet)
Amy Whiteford
Hi Duygu, You can include small amounts of milk in cooking at this age, it’s just not recommended as a main drink until 12 months. If you’d prefer, you can also use your baby’s usual milk instead.
You can swap the breadcrumbs for oat flour if needed, but keep in mind that oat flour absorbs more moisture and can make the meatballs a little denser and less airy. If using oat flour, start with a smaller amount and add extra liquid if needed.