Healthy Meatballs (with Veggies)
These Mini Chicken + Carrot Meatballs are a perfect first finger food for 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 mini meatballs are a healthy (and completely addicting) food for baby and the entire family!
The first time I made these mini meatballs was when baby Parker was first starting on finger foods. Small and moist, these mini meatballs are a perfect food for baby to pick up and attempt to eat on their own.
But then the rest of us had to try them…
and we ended up polishing the rest of the meatballs off! <—— so rude of us, I know!!
So, I had to make more and quick! These balls are that addicting!
The very next morning, I braved the store with both girls and got the only two ingredients I needed to make these meatballs again – ground chicken and a bottle of wine. Well, you know the wine isn’t needed but it is always a good idea to have some on hand!
We had them again for dinner that night (adding some feta, which isn’t in the recipe, but totally gets a big YES in our books) and I served them over some basil pesto pasta with a side salad (for the adults) and a berry finger salad for the kiddos!
All of our plates were scraped clean! Yummmmmmmm!!!
But my addiction didn’t stopped there, I have made these meatballs into a sandwich filled with even more spinach, garlic-chive aioli and a ton of feta cheese pilled onto a ciabatta bun, used as the filling for lettuce wraps, and of course I have made them into patties and grilled them for some finger licking good chicken burgers (made with even more feta pilled on top as well as wayyyyyy too many slices of avocado).
A baby meal turned into a family meal! Score!!
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 + asparagus
- red peppers + strawberries (make sure to press the juices out of the strawberries in-between paper towels)
- fennel + kale
- feta + feta 🙂
- golden beets + apple
- pear + chard
Get the recipe: Mini Chicken + Carrot Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
- 1/4 cup applesauce or apple puree
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 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
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133 Comments on “Healthy Meatballs (with Veggies)”
This recipe looks amazing! At what age can you start feeding these? My baby is 8 months old – maybe if I cut them in half before serving?
Hello Michelle,
You can totally start feeding these anytime after 6 months, but they do need some pincher grip and teeth to eat them, so most likely around 8-10 months depending on your baby:) And yes, you can totally cut them up if they are still too big for baby at the beginning.
xo, Michele
This recipe looks amazing! At what age can you start feeding these? My baby is 8 months old – maybe if I cut them in half before serving?
Hello Michelle,
You can totally start feeding these anytime after 6 months, but they do need some pincher grip and teeth to eat them, so most likely around 8-10 months depending on your baby:) And yes, you can totally cut them up if they are still too big for baby at the beginning.
xo, Michele
Hi Michele,
This recipe looks brilliant, cannot wait to try it out. Quick question regarding freezing: How do you reheat the meatballs once frozen? Can you microwave them or would you put them back in the oven?
Hello Marion,
I just use the microwave and heat for roughly 1-2 minutes depending how many meatballs are on the plate. You can also use the oven, 10-15 minutes at 350. Such a great recipe to double and freeze half for quick meals!
xo, Michele
Hi Michele,
This recipe looks brilliant, cannot wait to try it out. Quick question regarding freezing: How do you reheat the meatballs once frozen? Can you microwave them or would you put them back in the oven?
Hello Marion,
I just use the microwave and heat for roughly 1-2 minutes depending how many meatballs are on the plate. You can also use the oven, 10-15 minutes at 350. Such a great recipe to double and freeze half for quick meals!
xo, Michele
I made these tonight and they were delish! Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be making these again for sure 🙂
Hello Jenna!
So glad you liked them!!!
xo, Michele
I made these tonight and they were delish! Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be making these again for sure 🙂
Hello Jenna!
So glad you liked them!!!
xo, Michele
My LO is allergic to eggs. Do you think I can leave that out or do you recommend a substitute? Thanks!
You can just leave it out. They will still be super moist.
xo, Michele
My LO is allergic to eggs. Do you think I can leave that out or do you recommend a substitute? Thanks!
You can just leave it out. They will still be super moist.
xo, Michele
My son is allergic to wheat. Can I leave out the breadcrumbs or is there a substitute?
Sorry for the delay..
you can use gluten free breadcrumbs or gf oat flour (grind down oats until a corse meal consistency).
Hope that helps,
Michele
My son is allergic to wheat. Can I leave out the breadcrumbs or is there a substitute?
Sorry for the delay..
you can use gluten free breadcrumbs or gf oat flour (grind down oats until a corse meal consistency).
Hope that helps,
Michele
Do you think cumin is ok for a 10 mos old
Yes! Cumin can be added from the very first bite!
xo, Michele
Do you think cumin is ok for a 10 mos old
Yes! Cumin can be added from the very first bite!
xo, Michele
My daughter is allergic to eggs- do you think this will stay together without the egg? maybe put more applesauce? Thanks!
It should work without eggs, but if it’s not holding together (the egg is the glue) then you can use either applesauce or plain Greek yogurt (roughly 1/4 cup). Let me know how it works.
xo, Michele
Disregard my post. You answered it here. Cheers
Glad you saw the earlier post:)
Michele
My daughter is allergic to eggs- do you think this will stay together without the egg? maybe put more applesauce? Thanks!
It should work without eggs, but if it’s not holding together (the egg is the glue) then you can use either applesauce or plain Greek yogurt (roughly 1/4 cup). Let me know how it works.
xo, Michele
Disregard my post. You answered it here. Cheers
Glad you saw the earlier post:)
Michele
Can I use organic beef or is it better to give chicken or turkey? My babe is 8 months and has six teeth.
Yes! You can use any ground meat you prefer!!
xo, Michele
Can I use organic beef or is it better to give chicken or turkey? My babe is 8 months and has six teeth.
Yes! You can use any ground meat you prefer!!
xo, Michele
My baby is allergic to egg, what would you suggest I use as a substitute?
Before we decided to give our baby egg, I had looked at vegan recipes for ideas and saw a recipe for flax egg substitute. Never tried it but acts as a binder.
Love this idea!
My baby is allergic to egg, what would you suggest I use as a substitute?
Before we decided to give our baby egg, I had looked at vegan recipes for ideas and saw a recipe for flax egg substitute. Never tried it but acts as a binder.
Love this idea!
My baby is allergic to egg, what would you suggest I use as a substitute? Thanks in advance!
My baby is allergic to egg, what would you suggest I use as a substitute? Thanks in advance!
My baby is allergic to egg, what would you suggest I use as a substitute? Thanks in advance!
Would you freeze these after baking or unbaked after rolled into balls? Thanks!
Would you freeze these after baking or unbaked after rolled into balls? Thanks!
Would you freeze these after baking or unbaked after rolled into balls? Thanks!
Hi. About the storage, you store it before baking it, right? Sorry if my question sounds stupid. I don’t really cook but wanted to give it a try. Just wanted to clarify it. hehe. 😀
I usually bake my meatballs first and then either store in the fridge for a couple of days or freeze for use later.
Hope that helps.
xo, Michele
Hi. About the storage, you store it before baking it, right? Sorry if my question sounds stupid. I don’t really cook but wanted to give it a try. Just wanted to clarify it. hehe. 😀
I usually bake my meatballs first and then either store in the fridge for a couple of days or freeze for use later.
Hope that helps.
xo, Michele
Hi. About the storage, you store it before baking it, right? Sorry if my question sounds stupid. I don’t really cook but wanted to give it a try. Just wanted to clarify it. hehe. 😀
I usually bake my meatballs first and then either store in the fridge for a couple of days or freeze for use later.
Hope that helps.
xo, Michele
Was wondering if you think I could sub the breadcrumbs for baby oatmeal … (I read a previous comment that you mentioned subbing breadcrumbs for grounded up oats) and if yes, then how much?
Really looking forward to trying these with baby!!! TIA
I haven’t tried using baby oatmeal, but I bet you could. I would try using half of the amount for the breadcrumbs and adding more in if the meat mixture feels too wet still.
Let me know how it turns out.
xo, Michele
Was wondering if you think I could sub the breadcrumbs for baby oatmeal … (I read a previous comment that you mentioned subbing breadcrumbs for grounded up oats) and if yes, then how much?
Really looking forward to trying these with baby!!! TIA
I haven’t tried using baby oatmeal, but I bet you could. I would try using half of the amount for the breadcrumbs and adding more in if the meat mixture feels too wet still.
Let me know how it turns out.
xo, Michele
Was wondering if you think I could sub the breadcrumbs for baby oatmeal … (I read a previous comment that you mentioned subbing breadcrumbs for grounded up oats) and if yes, then how much?
Really looking forward to trying these with baby!!! TIA
I haven’t tried using baby oatmeal, but I bet you could. I would try using half of the amount for the breadcrumbs and adding more in if the meat mixture feels too wet still.
Let me know how it turns out.
xo, Michele
I’ve been cooking these for months! One of the only way I can get my toddler to eat veggies. They are so good! What is the trick to getting them not to burn on the bottom though? I’ve tried a greased pan, an ungreased pan, and using foil. I’ve tried cooking less time too but no matter what, they always burn on bottom. Any suggestions? I end up just cutting off the bottom burned area, but seems like a bit of a waste. Thanks and thanks for these delicious bites!
I am so glad you little one likes them!
I have never had my burn before. Do you flip them halfway through the cooking time?
I’ve been cooking these for months! One of the only way I can get my toddler to eat veggies. They are so good! What is the trick to getting them not to burn on the bottom though? I’ve tried a greased pan, an ungreased pan, and using foil. I’ve tried cooking less time too but no matter what, they always burn on bottom. Any suggestions? I end up just cutting off the bottom burned area, but seems like a bit of a waste. Thanks and thanks for these delicious bites!
I am so glad you little one likes them!
I have never had my burn before. Do you flip them halfway through the cooking time?
I’ve been cooking these for months! One of the only way I can get my toddler to eat veggies. They are so good! What is the trick to getting them not to burn on the bottom though? I’ve tried a greased pan, an ungreased pan, and using foil. I’ve tried cooking less time too but no matter what, they always burn on bottom. Any suggestions? I end up just cutting off the bottom burned area, but seems like a bit of a waste. Thanks and thanks for these delicious bites!
I am so glad you little one likes them!
I have never had my burn before. Do you flip them halfway through the cooking time?
Hi Michele
Would you freeze them before (raw) or after baking them in the oven?
Thank you
Followed the recipe exactly as it calls and these meatballs were amazing. They had enough flavor and could be used in a few different staple recipes to sneak in protein and veggies!
Is there any substitute for apple sauce if I don’t want them sweetened?
They are a cook time of 20 minutes with a prep time of maybe 10 minute for me. Using a cookie scoop to form the balls really saves you time.
I had a bit of an issue with the temperature being too high. Less than halfway through the cook time the bottoms of my meatballs were pretty burnt. Next time I make this recipe, definitely going to decrease the temperature and bake for longer instead! Great versatile recipe!
Can you add ground zucchini to it?
yes! that would be great added in! I would try to press out some of the moisture between some paper towels before adding it in.
Is there any substitute for apple sauce if I don’t want them sweetened?
You can use carrot puree or yogurt instead of the applesauce.
If I wanted to take out the carrot and add apple for example, would I grate the apple and drain the liquid before adding it into the mixture?
I’ve made this full recipe with the turkey before and my 10 month old son loves it!
I haven’t tried using apple (even though it sounds delicious) but this is totally how I would try adding it in;)
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!
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.
This recipe was quick and easy! I’ll def be making it again!
So happy to hear you liked this recipe!
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.
Made them with turkey meat, it was amazing.followed the recipe, quite easy actually. Thank you so much!
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.
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!
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.
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! 🙂
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!:)
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!
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.
A+ A+ my baby loves these so much, it’s all she wants to eat! Ignores her veggies for bite after bite of meatball!
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!
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.
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 ❤️
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
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!
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.
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 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’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
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!