Baked Chicken & Veggie Meatballs for Baby (and Kids, Too!)
These 5-Star Baked Chicken Meatballs are a perfect first finger food for your baby, but don’t be surprised when the rest of the family starts popping them in their mouths as well! Filled with ground chicken, carrots, spinach, and applesauce – these meatballs are a healthy (and completely addictive) food for babies, toddlers, kids, and the entire family!
Chicken Meatballs for Baby
One meal. All ages. Zero complaints.
Enter: these juicy chicken meatballs with hidden veggies.
I made the first batch when my daughter was 8 months old and just starting to explore real food. The OG version was just ground chicken and breadcrumbs—super basic. But then I started playing around…
A handful of spinach here. Some shredded carrot there. A scoop of applesauce to lock in moisture.
Boom. We had a winner.
Fast-forward 10 years, and I’ve made this recipe hundreds of times. They show up on pasta, in lunchboxes, inside pita sandwiches, or straight up with some fruit and cukes on the side. The baby loves them. The big kids love them. And yep—I do too.
Ground Chicken Meatballs Video
#momhack – I like to make a double batch so you can eat some and then freeze some for later. I like to bake mine before placing them into a zip-lock baggie and freezing them until needed. I then simply pop them into the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until they are warm all the way through.
Let’s Get Baking
Fun Combos
The best part of this recipe is that it is totally adjustable to what you have on hand. Keeping the base ingredients you can switch out the carrots and spinach for anything you have on hand. Just make sure it is finely chopped.
Here are a few ideas for you –
- spinach & leeks
- broccoli & cheddar
- red peppers & feta
- carrots & sweet potato
Get the recipe: Baked Chicken & Veggie Meatballs for Baby (and Kids, Too!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken (or ground turkey)
- 1/4 cup applesauce or apple puree, no sugar added
- 1/2 cup carrot, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup spinach, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, silicone mat or tin foil.
- In a large bowl, place all of the ingredients. Gently fold together with your hands or spatula until everything is well incorporated. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Roll meat mixture into 1″ balls. I find it helps to wet your hands throughout the process.
- Place the meatballs onto the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and gently browned.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @babyfoode on Instagram and hashtag it #babyfoode!
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
152 Comments on “Baked Chicken & Veggie Meatballs for Baby (and Kids, Too!)”
I made these meatballs for my 10 month old. I used ground beef instead of turkey and turned out great. I made two batches and cooked one for 18 mins, one for 12 mins. Cooking for 12 mins was better, as the outside was a bit tough to bite into when cooked longer.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Every oven is different unfortunately so this feedback is great for everyone! xoxo
So excited to try this! Curious what the dipping sauce in the picture is or if you have a recommendation of what to dip it in?
Hi Dani! The dipping sauce is 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt. 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tsp BBQ sauce and 2 tsp of honey (for kiddos over 1 year). Hope you enjoy! xo, Michele
Hi! Is there a substitute I can use for egg? My little one has an egg allergy.
You can try adding more applesauce and breadcrumbs as binders to compensate or you can try the chia egg replacement. Since I don’t know the age of your little on, if you have any concerns, please consult your pediatrician. xo, Michele
Hi quick question: What sauce do you serve with these (in your pictures?) Thanks!
Hey Sheila! The dipping sauce is 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt. 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tsp BBQ sauce and 2 tsp of honey (for kiddos over 1 year). Hope you enjoy! xo
I’ve just gone to make these and realised there’s a picture of olive oil in the recipe description but it’s not mentioned in the ingredients or recipe. How much should be used, and at what stage?
Hi Alex! Sorry about that. It’s been added to the ingredients and instructions. Thanks for catching that! xo, Michele
Hi! I’d love to make this for my 10mo baby!
He is allergic to egg. What can I substitute with? And thanks for the recipe!
Hi! You can try the chia egg replacement or you can add a bit more applesauce and breadcrumbs to get the mixture to hold together without the egg. Let me know how it turns out. xo, Michele
Hi! These are amazing. One question though – how do you recommend defrosting/preparing these after they’ve been frozen?
Thanks!
We usually eat them right away. I would take them out of the freezer and place them in the fridge to thaw overnight. Then heat them up in a skillet on low until warm throughout. Enjoy! xo, Michele
I have already made these meatballs a handful of times and they always come out so moist and tasty. My little loves them and they are so easy to add to a pasta or in a quesadilla, the possibilities are endless.
Hi Stephanie! So happy to hear your little one loves these meatballs as much as my girls do! xo, Michele
LOVE THIS RECIPE – have been making these for me son since he started eating and he’s now a picky toddler and these are still a favourite!!!!!
Hi Emily! That’s so great to hear! Thank you for sharing. xo, Michele
This recipe has really served us well. Started around 8 months and now at a little over 2, this is one of the few things our daughter will consistently eat with veggies. We call them garbage meatballs bc whatever veggies we have on hand on the fridge goes in (leftover broccoli, zucchini (squeeze out water), etc). Just need 1 1/4 cups of total veggies. We generally make it with ground turkey and have mixed up the spice too (subbing garam masala when out of cumin). Such a great, flexible recipe!
OMG I love “garbage meatballs”! lol Great ideas for other readers, too! Thanks for sharing Caitlin!
I’ve made this recipe a number of times over the past two years and it doesn’t disappoint. Most recently we tried turkey instead of chicken and may have liked it even more. It’s also fun to ask my 3-year-old which spices he’d prefer to add- cumin, curry, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika- it’s a versatile recipe! Thank you so much!
What a great way to get your little one involved in the kitchen! We enjoy them with turkey too! xo, Michele
My 17 month old absolutely loves these chicken meatballs! Thank you so much for the recipe!!! So easy to make too.
Thank you for the amazing review! I am so happy to hear your little one loves these meatballs!
I see an egg in the pictures but not listed in the ingredients. Should I use one or not?
Yes, this recipe calls for 1 egg. Which is listed in the recipe card. I hope that helps.
My baby loves these!!! Thank you! Have you ever made this into a meatloaf to make it easier? If so, any adjustments?
I have not made these meatballs into a meatloaf. If you try it, please let us know how it turns out.
My little one LOVES these! He’s 10 months old but the first time we gave these was at around 8 months I think. And I think they taste great too even without salt!
Thank you for the 5-star review! I am so happy to hear that your little one loves these meatballs!
Please be warned…these are ADDICTIVE! So moist and full of flavour (didn’t even add any salt. I stewed my own apples with a bit of water). My 10 month old, husband and I loved them. Thank you for this lovely recipe 🙂
So happy to hear that your entire family loved these meatballs! Sorry if they are too addicting! lol
LOVE! These are so good. I freeze them on a baking sheet then throw them into a bag. They’re perfect to heat up quick. I’ll throw them in the microwave for 1 minute and they’re ready. Serve them with veggies, zucchini fries, or chop them up and add them to macaroni and cheese. My 11 month old is a big fan, and I think they’re pretty tasty too!
Thank you for sharing all the ways you serve these meatballs – super helpful! I’m so happy that your little one is a big fan of these meatballs ❤️
Would frozen spinach work too, if thawed first?
I haven’t tried using frozen spinach in this recipe. But I think it would work if you thawed and then drained any excess liguid. If you try it, please let us know how they turn out.
These were terrific and perfect for my little one! Thank you! (Hubby and I ate them for dinner, too!)
So glad the entire family liked these meatballs and had dinner together!
A+ A+ my baby loves these so much, it’s all she wants to eat! Ignores her veggies for bite after bite of meatball!
Will almond flour work instead of breadcrumbs?
I have not tried using almond flour in this recipe. If you are going to try it, I would start out with 1-2 tbsp of almond flour, as it is very absorbant, and add more from there.
My son loves these mixed with a side of mashed sweet potatoes. We started serving when he was around 10 months. Now he is 2 and loves to help me make them- we just made a double batch today. We don’t use cumin, but season with garlic powder, onion powder and Tabitha Brown’s Sunshine seasoning. They taste and smell so yummy!
These are amazing and yes so addicting. We planned to eat them with feta but they were so good, we just popped them in our mouth. 15 month old loved them too!
So glad you enjoyed these meatballs!
The picky eaters loved them, the adults had a hard time leaving some for the littles! Great recipe, making another double batch to freeze!
So happy to hear the entire family loved these meatballs!:)
Substituted onion powder for scallions. Made 3/4 inch round balls and steamed for 10 min to avoid tough outer layer that can result from baking.. They were amazing, soft outer layer, tender all around, and best of all, delicious! I cannot thank you enough.
I love the idea of steaming these! So glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
Hi, made these for the first time and reheated them today in the microwave. They came out horribly dry and baby wouldn’t eat them 🙁 any tips on reheating these so chicken doesn’t dry out? Thanks!
I usually heat my meatballs in a small skillet on the stove with a tablespoon of water. Maybe that would help keep them moist.
This is my daughters favorite food, so easy and great to have a whole weeks worth of lunches. Thanks so much for this recipe!
So happy to hear this recipe was such a big hit! yay!
Is it possible to cook these in a broth (on a low simmer or boil) rather than bake? My LO is picky with texture if they are too crispy on the outside.
I haven’t tried cooking the meatballs this way, but it’s worth a try. Let us know how they turn out.
Made them with turkey meat, it was amazing.followed the recipe, quite easy actually. Thank you so much!
My 10 month old looooves these! So they have been a go to for us as part of the weekly rotation. I’ve always made them with ground chicken but I happen to have some ground pork in the freezer. Would that also work?
So happy to hear that your little one loves these! Yes, you can use ground pork in these.
This recipe was quick and easy! I’ll def be making it again!
So happy to hear you liked this recipe!
My baby is almost 18mths old is it suitable for him still? And he is allergic to eggs, is there any substitution?
Yes! My entire family loves these meatballs. For an egg substitute, you can try a “flax egg” or 1/4 cup applesauce, mashed banana or sweet potatoes. Eggs are used in meatballs to bind them together, so you are looking for something that will do that. Let me know what you use and if it works.
Just made these tonight, they are delicious and moist! I didn’t have green onion so I subbed for some chopped up steamed broccoli I had leftover. Also added a pinch of onion powder and garlic powder. I ate them plain and cold while putting them away! Will make again, thank you.
Love the addition of adding the broccoli!