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Introducing kids to Indian food can be such an important part of their upbringing. Besides the numerous nutritional benefits of home-cooked, veggie-packed Indian meals, it also teaches them about their culture. This big list of 50+ Indian recipes that kids will enjoy will come in handy as you look for easy meal ideas that the whole family can enjoy.
It was very important for me that my kids experience Indian culture through food (along with the values, language and festivals). Everything from ingredients (lots of turmeric and chili powder!), to the method of eating (sometimes without cutlery), serves kids well to learn about their heritage.
My youngest is still one, so she has been eating a lot of wholesome vegetarian foods such as khichdi. She has also been enjoying all the food we eat regularly, just with a little less spice.
I believe in giving toddlers and preschoolers these same options. Just make sure the food is bite-sized, so they can pick or enjoy easily. Small pieces of paneer or chicken, and mildly-spiced curries work well. It may help to take a portion out for the kids separately, and then add heat in the tempering. I do this a lot with dals.
Most of the recipes I’ve included are healthy, one-pot recipes which are easy to make, and perfect to include in lunch boxes. Many of the vegetarian recipes I’ve included can be made vegan with simple ingredient switches. In other words, this post is bound to contain at least a few recipes that fits your schedule, kid’s diet, and tastes!
My older daughter loves to help me make roti (indian flatbread), and chop fruits & veggies with her Kid-Friendly Knife. When you include kids in the cooking process, they are much more inclined to eat the food, and even enjoy it!
Adjust the spice level for kids
Many times it happens that the kids don’t eat Indian food as it is too spicy for them. For such cases, I suggest to skip or reduce green chili pepper and/or red chili powder used in any recipe.
I totally get that you don’t want to be cooking separately for kids and adults in the house. Who has the time for that?? My simple trick in this case is to initially make a curry or dal less spicy. Take out a portion for kids and then add spice with the addition of red chili powder just by itself or along with tempering, especially in case of dals.
Note for the adults who love spicy food in the house: We have also been using the Chili Onion Crunch from Trader Joes on top of dal. Also don’t forget the variety of Indian pickles that are a great way to add spice to your meal. Here is one of our homemade favorites – Ginger Chilli Pickle.
Let the kids feed themselves
I understand that many times Indian food can be hard to pick and eat for the kids. They don’t always understand or want to scoop the curries or dals in the roti/paratha and khichdi/rice can be hard to eat for themselves initially.
Here is what I try to do for the little one, I scoop the curry or dip the roti in dal and then leave bites on her plate. So she gets the opportunity to feel and pick the food herself. If it is possible, then keep bites sized pieces of the paneer or veggies in her plate. eg. okra (bhindi), taro (arbi), beans. I love this suction plate that sticks to the table.
For rice, I do have to feed the one-year old with a spoon. She is already showing interest in using a spoon, so hopefully we can change that soon too.
Young kids want to explore food and are willing to try. But as they get older, they might not be as open to trying new things. At this time, it is the parents are their role models. Even if we don’t like a veggie, if we are willing to take a few bites (maybe for the nutritional benefits), the kids might be willing to try too.
Below I am sharing lots of ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and sides.
Indian Breakfast Recipes for Kids
Idli and Dosa make a wonderful breakfast, and can also be served as a lunch or dinner. Pair it with sambar and chutney.
4.92 from 24 votes
Instant Pot Idli
Idli is the quintessential south indian breakfast, which is also popular across India. Learn how to make the perfect soft and fluffy idli in the instant pot!
Learn how to make the best crispy dosa's from scratch with homemade dosa batter, along with all the tips and tricks to get the perfect crispy dosa's every time!
Dhokla is easy for kids to enjoy, as they can be cut into small bite size pieces. I skip the green chili in the dhokla batter and tempering when serving to kids.
4.95 from 34 votes
Rava Dhokla
Soft and fluffy Rava Dhokla made in the Instant Pot. These delicious savory semolina cakes are a popular Gujarati delicacy, perfect to enjoy for breakfast or snack!
Soft and fluffy Khaman Dhokla made in the Instant Pot and stovetop. These delicious steamed savory chickpea flour cakes are a popular Gujarati delicacy, perfect to enjoy for breakfast or snack!
An easy and popular South Indian breakfast. Upma made from dry roasted semolina, cooked along with various seasonings and vegetables, perfect for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
This Semiya Upma is a traditional South Indian breakfast. Made with vermicelli and vegetables, this upma is mildly spiced, and an easy one-pot recipe. Make it on the stovetop or in the instant pot in less then 25 minutes!
A healthier Sabudana Khichdi recipe – Tapioca pearls/Sago cooked with potatoes, carrots, green peas and crushed peanuts. This popular vegan and gluten free dish is like a pilaf or upma made with tapioca pearls. Enjoy it for breakfast or an afternoon snack with tea.
Masala Oats is a savory oatmeal breakfast porridge cooked with lots of vegetables and aromatic Indian spices. A healthy & delicious vegan breakfast recipe.
Poha is an easy and delicious Indian breakfast recipe popular in western and central India. Made with flattened rice, onion, potatoes, and seasoned with mild spices, curry leaves, peanuts and cilantro, this recipe also makes up for a quick mid-day snack.
Khichidi’s typically have a soft texture and mild flavors, making them perfect for young children to enjoy. Below is the basic moong dal khichdi, also called pongal in South India, and mixed vegetable khichdi with lots of added veggies. Kids love it along with dahi (yogurt).
4.92 from 90 votes
Instant Pot Khichdi
Moong Dal Khichdi, or Kitchari is a simple dish made with rice and lentils, tempered in ghee with cumin seeds and turmeric. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and is a perfect comfort meal for weeknights or when someone is under the weather!
Made from rice and lentils, this satisfying South Indian breakfast recipe, Ven Pongal, is enjoyed with sambar and chutney. Deliciously seasoned with curry leaves, cumin seeds, and black pepper, this vegetarian and gluten-free recipe is a wholesome meal.
The difference between dals and curries is that curries are often heavily spiced. However, you shouldn’t let that stop you from introducing them to your kids; simply reduce the amount of chilis, garam masala, and any other spices you feel will deter your kids from enjoying it.
Paneer is favorite with almost every child, because of the bite-sized pieces and different preparations.
4.90 from 183 votes
Paneer Butter Masala – Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Chunks of paneer or cottage cheese cooked in a mildly spiced tomato gravy. This Paneer Butter Masala is so delicious and very easy to make in the instant pot.
Paneer Jalfrezi is a delicious stir-fry curry that has the heavenly combination of paneer with peppers. This vegetarian restaurant style dish can be made within 20 minutes and is a perfect accompaniment for naan.
My older daughter enjoys the below frankie plain with just the paneer and chaat masala stuffed in the roll. She is not fond of adding onions and peppers yet.
4.82 from 11 votes
Easy Paneer Frankie (Paneer Kathi Roll)
This Paneer Frankie Roll, also known as Paneer Kathi Rolls, is a popular Indian street food made with flaky flatbread, covered with egg, wrapped with spicy paneer and tangy toppings. Perfect to pack for a grab and go meal, or a special weeknight meal.
This one is definitely a winner and popular with kids, because of its mild, creamy texture.
4.80 from 54 votes
Matar Paneer (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
Matar Paneer is a authentic North Indian curry made with green peas and paneer, cooked in a mild onion-tomato sauce. This restaurant-style Matar Paneer Masala is easy to make in less than 30 minutes in the instant pot or stovetop.
Kids love potatoes, so here are a variety of stir fry or curries with potatoes. Some combine various veggies with potatoes such as green beans, or spinach.
5 from 8 votes
Aloo Palak Recipe (Potato & Spinach Stir Fry)
Aloo Palak is a delicious and nutritious Indian potato & spinach stir fry. This Punjabi Aloo Palak recipe can be made in just 25 minutes and is perfect for a quick healthy weeknight dinner!
Potato Yogurt Curry or Dahi Aloo – An easy and delicious comfort food made with minimal ingredients. This curry is made with just two main ingredients: potatoes and yogurt, tempered with cumin seeds, ginger, and flavorful spices. Make it in the instant pot or stovetop with this easy recipe.
Instant Pot Aloo Matar Recipe (Potato & Peas Curry)
Aloo Matar is a quick and easy potatoes and peas curry, made in the Instant Pot or stovetop. This vegan and gluten free Aloo Matar Masala is perfect for a delicious warm weeknight dinner!
Easy and comforting Potato Curry in Tomato Gravy made in the Instant Pot. This North Indian Potato Curry is popularly known as Aloo Rasedar. Aloo means potato and Rasedar is a thin tomato gravy.
Saag Aloo, a popular delicious North Indian Curry, made with spinach and potatoes cooked with ginger, garlic, onions and aromatic spices. This is a simplified one-pot version of the authentic Saag Aloo, made in Instant Pot, which takes just 30 minutes to prepare.
Spinach Dal, also called Dal Palak, is a comforting lentil soup with added spinach made in the Pressure Cooker. It is so easy to make it in the pressure cooker. Enjoy it with basmati rice or as a soup. This is a vegetarian & gluten-free recipe.
Wholesome Green Moong lentils simmered in onion-tomato gravy made in Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker). A protein rich mung bean curry, enjoy as a lentil soup along with a side of rice.
Moong Dal Fry / Split Yellow Lentils Soup – Instant Pot
Moong Dal Tadka or Split Yellow Lentils Soup made in instant pot or stovetop pressure cooker. A simple yet flavorful yellow dal tempered with cumin, garlic and spices. This is a mild everyday lentil enjoyed with rice.
Enjoy this delicious & healthy Whole Masoor Dal, also known as Brown Lentils Curry, made in the Instant Pot or Stovetop Pressure Cooker. Vegan & Gluten Free.
Instant Pot Dal Makhani (Madras Lentils with Brown Rice)
Authentic Punjabi Dal Makhani (Madras Lentils) made in Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot. This restaurant style Dal Makhani made in the pressure cooker is rich, creamy and flavorful.
Easy & Delicious Chana Dal made in the Pressure Cooker. Split Chickpeas cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomato and flavorful spices, to make a comforting soup. Vegan & Gluten free.
Instant Pot Vegetable Sambar (South Indian Lentils)
Sambar, a flavorful South Indian Lentil Stew made with lentils, vegetables, tamarind, curry leaves and spices prepared in the instant pot (pressure cooker).
Sprouted green lentils curry packed full of nutrition made in the instant pot or stovetop. Mung bean sprouts cooked in an onion-tomato sauce with ginger, garlic and aromatic spices. This curry goes perfectly with roti, paratha or rice.
Instant Pot Egg Curry (Pressure Cooker Anda Curry)
Egg curry made by adding boiled eggs to a curry sauce, along with coconut milk to give a flavorful protein-rich dish. In this Instant Pot Egg Curry, we will make the curry sauce and boil the eggs together, to make this delicious dish even quicker! Pair it with rice, naan or roti to make a complete meal.
Easy & Creamy Vegetable Korma made in the Instant Pot or stovetop. This restaurant-style creamy vegetable korma curry is a perfect blend of vegetables with a creamy coconut-based sauce. A vegan & gluten-free curry that pairs perfectly with naan or rice.
I suggest to reduce the spice in the below Pav Bhaji recipe. Kids love the buttered pav, and dipping it in the bhaji!
4.80 from 182 votes
Mumbai Pav Bhaji Recipe (One-pot)
An easy one-pot recipe for the most popular Indian street food, Pav Bhaji in Instant Pot. It is a spiced mashed vegetable curry topped with chopped onions, cilantro, lime and enjoyed with dinner rolls.
The following recipes contain different types of beans. Beans are full of protein, and therefore very filling, making these dishes perfect for quick, healthy, kid-friendly meals. My daughter loves all of them, and often asks me to make them.
4.91 from 98 votes
Black Eyed Peas Curry (Indian Lobia Masala) – Instant Pot & Stovetop
Black Eyed Peas Curry or Lobia Masala is a popular dish in North India, that is so easy and quick to make in the pressure cooker. It is made in an onion-tomato gravy, along with lots of ginger, garlic and aromatic spices. It is perfect to enjoy with some steaming basmati rice and parathas.
Instant Pot Chana Masala / Punjabi Chole Masala Recipe in Pressure Cooker
Punjabi Chole Masala or Chana Masala is an Indian favorite chickpea curry. This one-pot recipe for the authentic Chana Masala can be made in the Instant Pot or stovetop Pressure Cooker. A healthy protein-rich vegan and gluten free chickpea recipe.
Instant Pot Chickpea Curry with Spinach (Chana Saag)
This easy one-pot Spinach Chickpea Curry, also known as Chana Saag is a healthy vegan and gluten-free curry. Serve it with rice, quinoa, or naan for a perfect weeknight dinner!
Delicious Instant Pot Rajma Masala or Red Kidney Beans Curry with Pot-in-Pot Brown Rice. This is a great way to make a complete meal in your instant pot.
Pair the below black chickpeas with Poori and Sooji Halwa for a divine combination. My daughters fave for sure!
4.95 from 19 votes
Dry Kala Chana Recipe (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
This Dry Black Chickpeas or Sukha Kala Chana is an easy Indian dish made during the festival of Navratri. Make it in the instant pot or stovetop. It is vegan, gluten free and high protein.
Here are couple of one-pot rice and grain recipes that your kids will enjoy. Adjust down the spice to their taste.
4.87 from 109 votes
Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani
One-pot Vegetable Biryani made in the instant pot, is so easy to cook with the same authentic flavors! Fragrant basmati rice cooked with lots of vegetables, and aromatic whole spices and herbs. This delicious flavorful Veg Biryani ready in less than 30 minutes, and is perfect for a weeknight dinner with a side of raita or for special occasions.
One-pot Black-Eyed Peas and Spinach Rice is a healthy and wholesome dish, perfect for weeknight meals. This vegetarian and gluten free dish is easy to make in the Instant Pot.
I have included mostly mild chicken curries that my daughter enjoys. She does get the craving to each chicken about once a week and asks me to make it!
4.87 from 38 votes
Chicken Tikka Kebab
Chicken Tikka Kebab is a delicious appetizer that is packed with flavor. It starts with chicken pieces marinated in yogurt along with lime juice and aromatic spices, then threaded onto skewers and cooked to create a delicious appetizer. Make it in the air fryer or oven to serve at the gathering, or include it into your meal prep for the week!
Chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked with lots of onions and finished with cashew paste for a creamy rich texture. This restaurant style chicken curry is quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot.
A creamy and delicious Butter chicken or Murgh Makhani made in the Instant Pot. Chicken cooked in a mildly spiced tomato gravy with aromatic ginger, garlic and spices.
This Instant Pot Chicken Biryani has fragrant rice cooked with tender juicy chicken along with lots of warming spices and caramelized onions. This Indian chicken and rice dish is popular all over the world. This one-pot version made in a pressure cooker is easy to make even on busy weeknights in less than an hour.
A flavor packed spicy dish from the Indian subcontinent popular all over the world. Chicken is marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, spices and lime juice, then grilled in the air fryer or oven. Low carb and keto friendly.
The favorite indian side dishes are the classic flatbreads – roti and paratha. I have included the basic recipes below. I often add leftover dals or chopped spinach or fenugreek to the whole wheat dough to increase the nutrition of the roti/paratha.
4.88 from 55 votes
How To Make Soft Roti / Chapati? (Whole Wheat Indian Flatbread Recipe)
Roti, also known as Chapati or Phulka, is a staple in most Indian homes. This whole wheat Indian flatbread is typically enjoyed as a side with curries or lentils.
Paratha, one of the most popular unleavened flatbreads from India, is perfect to enjoy with pickle and a hot cup of chai for breakfast or alongside curry and yogurt raita for lunch or dinner.
Below are simple rice side dishes I typically make along with a curry or dal.
4.86 from 35 votes
Lemon Rice Recipe – Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
Flavorful, tangy and crunchy Instant Pot Lemon Rice from South India, made as a one-pot dish in Instant Pot. Aromatic Basmati Rice flavored with lemon juice, mustard seeds, ginger and topped with roasted peanuts.
Spinach Rice cooked in the instant pot or stovetop as a one-pot recipe. Aromatic basmati rice, with spinach and spices, make this Spinach Rice flavorful and healthy!
This favorite Dahi Vada or Dahi Bhalla recipe has the softest lentil fritters drenched in creamy yogurt and topped with sweet and spicy chutneys. This popular Indian street food is loved by all and is a perfect inclusion to any festive menu!
I am so glad my daughter has come around to enjoying Vada Pav. She skips the chutneys, but enjoys eating the vada stuffed in buttered pav.
4.93 from 14 votes
Vada Pav / Potato Fritter Sliders – Air Fryer
Vada Pav is the humble street food of Mumbai. A fried potato fritter or vada, is stuffed in between mini-burger buns called pav, along with sweet and spicy sauces or chutney.
Friday dinners are often pizza in our house. You can vary the topping to your choice. This one is easy and kids enjoy the paneer topping.
4.88 from 24 votes
Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza – Air Fryer / Oven
Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza made with marinated paneer, red peppers, onions, grape tomatoes, in an Air Fryer or Oven. This is a delicious and quick fusion pizza for the times when you are craving pizza! Vegetarian, easy and convenient. Vary it with toppings of your choice.
We make the below taro fries as a side too. They are very much like French fries that kids love!
4.86 from 27 votes
Taro Fries (Air Fryer, Oven & Stovetop)
These Taro Fries (Crispy Arbi) are so easy to make, crispy and delicious. They are a great variation in taste and nutrition to potato french fries. Make them in the air fryer, oven or stovetop.
I hope these recipes help you find some authentic meals that your kids will enjoy, and that they grow up loving their culture and the wonderful flavors of Indian food.
I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.
This is an amazing roundup! I have loved all the recipes I have tried from your site, and am looking forward to trying more of these!