21 Recipes That’ll Trick Kids Into Cleaning Their Plates

Have you heard about these 21 recipes that are magic for parents? They make food so fun and yummy that kids eat it with no fuss. And guess what? These dishes are so clever, they’ll trick kids into cleaning their plates without even knowing it!

Cauliflower Nuggets. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

A slice of pecan pie being served on a cake slice.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Pecan Pie Cheesecake’ is the ultimate double whammy dessert: the nutty crunch of pecan pie meets the creamy dreaminess of cheesecake. This dessert will have kids gobbling up their dinner just to get a taste. They’ll be polishing off their plates before you know it!
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cheesecake

25 Minute Black Bean Burger

A black bean burger in a burger bap with relish oozing out over it.
25 Minute Black Bean Burger. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Time for a meal that’s quick and enjoyable? Our 25-Minute Black Bean Burger has got you covered. It’s a hearty, vegetable-packed patty with a surefire kid hit. Count on this simple recipe to get them to clear their plates with enthusiasm.
Get the Recipe: 25 Minute Black Bean Burger

Pizza Rolls

Freshly made pizza rolls stacked on each other.
Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

What better way to have them eat than with Pizza Rolls? Packed with familiar pizza flavors, this is one dish kids won’t help but love. It’s deceivingly packed with nutrients, ensuring even the fussiest eaters finish their meal.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown casserole being served.
Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who doesn’t love crispy hashbrowns? Transformed into a Hashbrown Casserole, it’s a kid-friendly dish that promises clean plates in an instant. Underneath that golden, crispy top is a surprise hit of wholesome ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Tortilla Pizza

Four tortilla pizzas on a wooden cutting board.
Tortilla Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When Tortilla Pizza lands on the table, you bet every slice will be devoured. It’s the fun of pizza with a lighter touch, and kids get to play chef with their toppings. Can dinner get any better? This recipe’s a sure bet for empty plates and full tummies.
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Pizza

Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

A lasagna being dished up.
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna is the sly way to get veggies into the kids. The cheesy goodness with pasta is just too tempting for them to resist, and before you know they have finished their meal. It’s an absolute winner when tricking kids into cleaning their plates.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

Egg Bites

Egg Bites on a board with a little parsley on top.
Egg Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

For those mornings when cereal just doesn’t cut it, Egg Bites come to the rescue. Load them with cheese and tiny bits of veggies, and suddenly, you’ve got a breakfast recipe that’ll trick any kid into a clean plate. These little bites of goodness make breakfast a sneaky source of nutrition.
Get the Recipe: Egg Bites

Corn Casserole

Corn casserole in a casserole dish with a portion removed.
Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Let’s be real: corn is a crowd-pleaser. Corn Casserole is just the right kind of comfort that can coax a picky eater into a plate-cleaning spree. Simple and savory, it’s a stealthily nutritious recipe, getting kids excited about what’s buried beneath that cheesy, crispy topping.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Mississippi Mud Pie

A slice of Mississippi mud pie on a plate.
Mississippi Mud Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Don’t tell them Mississippi Mud Pie is a treat they can have any day. Layered with rich, chocolatey goodness, each slice is its reason to finish dinner quickly. It’s a trick to have plates clean enough to see your reflection and smiles just as bright.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Pie

Pizza Salad

Homemade pizza salad in a serving bowl with wooden salad servers resting on top.
Pizza Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Salad’s just… salad, unless it’s Pizza Salad. Suddenly, you’ve got a plateful of greens disappearing faster than you can say “More please.” With all the pizza flavors they love, this recipe is your ace for a clean-plate club kinda night.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad

Waffles

Freshly made waffles on a plate with strawberries.
Waffles. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Waffles are a secret weapon for hiding healthy stuff in plain sight. Serve these fluffy stacks and watch kids gobble them down, never guessing they’re made with more than batter. As a recipe that tricks kids into cleaning their plates, they’re golden—not just in color.
Get the Recipe: Waffles

Pineapple Casserole

Pineapple casserole in a casserole dish with a serving spoon in it.
Pineapple Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Talk about a curveball: Pineapple Casserole turns the tables on traditional dinner sides. The sweet taste is a big win with the little ones, and guess what? They’re polishing their plates with a recipe that’s part fruit, part delicious fun. It’s unexpectedly wholesome, and that’s the best kind of sneaky.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

Veggie Pizza

Someone taking a slice of veggie pizza.
Veggie Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who knew that Veggie Pizza could be the ticket to a no-leftovers meal? Cheese, crust, and a rainbow of veggies blend into a perfect pizza that kids can’t get enough of. Kiss those untouched veggies goodbye, because this recipe is all about cleaning those plates with a smile.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pizza

Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

A Copycat Chipotle burrito bowl, filled with rice, fajita veggies, corn salsa, tortilla chips. and topped with a lime wedge.
Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Have you ever met a kid who doesn’t love building their own ‘Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl’? It’s a hands-on dinner that tricks them into a veggie feast. From beans to cheese, they pile it up and chow down; before you know it, it’s all gone—no fuss, no muss.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

Southern Mash

Mashed potatoes on a white plate.
Southern Mash. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

It’s tough to find a kid who doesn’t love mash, especially when it’s Southern Mash. This down-home, nutritious dish is a breeze to whip up and even easier for kids to enjoy. It’s sure to see some sparkling clean plates at dinner time.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash

Vegetable Fritters

Vegetable fritters in a stack.
Vegetable Fritters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Prepare yourself for the week’s surprise hit with Vegetable Fritters. With a mix of veggies and a delicious crunch, this treat is too good for kids to resist. These carefully crafted fritters ensure that the dinner plate is wiped clean.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Fritters

Lemon Pie

A slice of lemon pie sits on a plate next to a pie with a slice removed.
Lemon Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

What kid could resist a slice of Lemon Pie? It’s sweet, tangy, and just the reward for finishing their meal. Be ready to bid farewell to half-eaten meals and say hello to perfectly clean plates.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pie

Mashed Potato Fritters

A stack of mashed potato fritters.
Mashed Potato Fritters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The comforting Mashed Potato Fritters is a dream come true for kids, boasting a crisp exterior with fluffy mashed potato inside. It’s a recipe that’s so delicious, you’ll have to do a double take as kids clean their plates without persuasion.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Fritters

Sweet Potato Cubes

Sweet potato cubes on a plate with a dipping sauce.
Sweet Potato Cubes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Our simple Sweet Potato Cubes are a major game-changer. They’re sweet enough to be enjoyable but packed with vitamins for a health win. Watch kids enjoy this unsuspecting healthy treat while ensuring no morsel is left behind on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cubes

Cauliflower Nuggets

Cauliflower Nuggets. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

You might have thought it impossible to sneak a veggie like cauliflower past the kiddos, but Cauliflower Nuggets have cracked the code. They’re like the usual chicken treat but packed with nutrients. The tasty little trick will have the kids cleaning their plates without a peep. Dip ’em in ketchup and watch them disappear!
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Nuggets

Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie

A slice of Reese's pie sits on a cake slice, ready to be served.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie is on the menu, every child knows that a cleaned plate equals a generous slice of this chocolatey, peanut buttery heaven. Remarkably rich and beyond delicious, it’s a recipe to clear those dinner plates instantly.
Get the Recipe: Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie

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