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Home Recipe Index

30+ Kid Friendly Freezer Meals

Updated: 6/16/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Look no further for kid friendly freezer meals that you can stock up on. These 30+ recipes are well-tested on our own families and many of our readers’ families, as well. A must have resource for the future!

Color foil pans for kid-friendly make ahead freezer meals

A few days ago, my three year old threw a 15 minute tantrum at the kitchen table. The reason for the unrest? A broken banana. I wish I were joking. As I was peeling it for him, it broke in half. My attempts to explain that it would taste just the same fell on deaf ears.

‘

If you’ve had young children, you are well aware that they can love something one day and consider it a crime that you would even consider putting that food on their plate again. Their fickleness about food can be maddening–especially if you’ve worked hard to make a homemade meal.

Colorful freezer containers in a freezer

Because we are well acquainted with the struggle of finding meals that kids will like, we’ve tested and rounded up over 30 kid-friendly freezer meals. We’ve included instructions to make ahead and freeze every single recipe. This means if you are a wise mama, which I’m sure you are, you should probably double the recipe and freeze one for later. 

30+ Kid-Friendly Freezer Meals

BREAKFAST RECIPES:

Breakfast may well be the most important meal your child eats all day, so why not prep some healthy freezer meal breakfast options to have on hand?

Freezer Breakfast Burritos

Can be frozen and thawed individually for a grab-and-go meal.

Freezer Breakfast Burritos

Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

What kid doesn’t love a muffin? This one’s tasty and healthy.

Whole wheat banana chocolate chip muffin

Freezer Smoothie Packs

Having a stash of smoothie packs is such a fun, unique idea for kids! Use our printable labels to help keep them organized too.

Breakfast Casserole Muffins

Have these on hand for hearty, grab-and-go breakfasts.

egg casserole muffins on a white plate; freezer meal for kids

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal

Rachel bakes one of these most weeks and her kids mow through it. Serve warm with a little milk on top. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal - freezer meal for kids

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes

Did you know you make a large batch of pancakes ahead and freeze them? These are a reader and kid fave!

whole wheat pumpkin pancakes

Chocolate Zucchini Waffles 

A chocolately way to pack in some extra veggies. Make extras and freeze for later.

Chocolate Waffle recipe with zucchini - kid friendly freezer meal

SLOW COOKER RECIPES:

Slow cooker meals that picky kids will eat? We’ve found them! P.S. Did you know we published a whole cookbook with family-friendly freezer meals that work in the slow cooker?!

Slow Cooker Balsamic Shredded Beef

One friend’s child confessed, “This is better than candy!” True story. Serve over mashed potatoes or polenta or on it’s own.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Shredded Beef recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sliders

A simple mid-week recipe that can easily be prepped ahead of time and ready to throw into the slow cooker (or try this Instant Pot version).

Slow cooker chicken parmesan sliders on a cutting board

French Dip Grilled Cheese

This is one of the most popular recipes from our newest cookbook, From Freezer to Cooker. We’re excited that our publisher gave us permission to share this one with you! Your family is going to love this drop-and-go meal.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Cheese Taquitos

These go directly from freezer to oven to table in minutes! A family favorite among our readers.

Slow cooker chicken and cheese taquitos - kid friendly freezer meal

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Can’t go wrong with pulled pork! Kids and parents alike love this freezer meal.

Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Beef Sandwiches

If your kids prefer shredded beef over shredded pork, then give this freezer meal recipe a try.

Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Beef Sandwiches
 

CASSEROLE RECIPES:

Most casserole recipes can be prepped and frozen. They are a great way to stock the freezer for busy nights! 

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Hands down our most popular recipe on Thriving Home. Serve “as is” or over your child’s favorite pasta.

Chicken parmesan casserole
Beefy Baked Ravioli

This fake-out lasagna is hearty and delicious!

Beef baked ravioli
 

Baked Penne Pasta

This baked pasta makes a TON! Tip: Split it between two 8×8 inch casserole dishes and freeze one for later!

Baked Penne Pasta
 

Mac and Cheese with Sneaky Sweet Potato – Vegetarian freezer meal

Rachel’s made this baked mac and cheese for years for her little ones as a way to add in some extra veggies. The sweet potato is pureed (read: hidden) and gives it that orangey color they like. 😉 

Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups – Vegetarian freezer meal

Kids love the individual rolled up lasagna noodles. Don’t worry, the sneaky spinach is tucked away inside the cheesy goodness. 

Spinach Lasagna Rolls

MORE KID FRIENDLY FREEZER MEALS

We’re not even close to done! Here are some more make ahead meal ideas that kids will love!

Smoothie freezer packs

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

A great weeknight meal that all ages love.

Crispy Baked Drumsticks– These Crispy Baked Drumsticks have the texture and taste of fried chicken without all the fat and mess of frying. What a great fake out! I’ve also included a simple and delicious recipe for a Honey-Mustard Sauce for dipping, which adds a little tangy-sweetness to the meal.

crispy baked drumsticks

Italian Baked Chicken Thighs – So easy and so delicious!

Baked Italian Meatballs

Serve with a side of sauce for dipping, or over spaghetti, or on mini buns with provolone cheese. Delicious!

Baked meatballs on a white plate with marinara sauce

Gourmet Chicken Sandwiches

Marinate and grill up these flavorful chicken breasts for some delicious sandwiches that everyone will love.

 

Ham & Cheese Sliders

These are my go-to meal for groups. Kids LOVE them.

Hand lifting a ham & cheese slider from a white dish

Mini Meatloaf Muffins

We have parents tell us all the time that they make these for their kids. Great way to sneak in extra veggies, too.

meatloaf muffins on a white serving platter

Totally Tasty Taco Bar

What kid doesn’t love a taco in some form? I mean, I guess there’s one out there somewhere but most love a crunchy or soft shell taco with some meat and cheese in it. The beauty of a taco bar is that they can customize it however they like their taco.

The Best Kid-Friendly Freezer Meal Resources

Although we love the recipes above, we actually spent years painstakingly developing, testing, and retesting freezer-friendly recipes for our cookbooks! You can find them at all major booksellers. Check out the reviews to see what readers are saying!

Freezer meal cookbooks - ideas for kid-friendly freezer meals

 

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Polly Conner

Polly Conner

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

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  1. AvatarDonnarae Meuer says

    Posted on 1/27/21 at 9:53 pm

    I looked in this group of 30 recipes only to see stromboli and it is not there!

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 1/28/21 at 11:46 am

      Here is our pizza stromboli freezer meal recipe, if that’s what you are looking for. I hope that helps! https://thrivinghomeblog.com/pizza-stromboli/

      Reply
  2. AvatarDebra Magerkurth says

    Posted on 2/26/20 at 8:20 pm

    Im looking for kid friendly healthy freezer meals to make for a new mom with 3 little girls.

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 2/27/20 at 10:52 am

      Hi Debra. Be sure to check out this our list of recipes for new moms, too. Hopefully that will help. https://thrivinghomeblog.com/101-meals-to-take-to-new-moms/

      Reply
  3. AvatarScarlet says

    Posted on 3/2/19 at 8:39 am

    I love all these ideas! Freezer meals are so nice to have on hand for when you know you will be out of town or gifting to friends who are going through something tough.

    Reply
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