41 Easy Protein-Packed Recipes Your Kids Will Actually Eat (and They’re Not Only Chicken Tenders!)

These energy balls come together quickly with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, so you can skip a trip to the grocery store! The peanut butter, oats, and chopped nuts all lend a nice hit of protein to this convenient, grab-and-go snack.

This recipe takes everything you love about yogurt-covered pretzels and turns them into a strawberry-filled yogurt bark. It's the perfect after-school snack.

Avocado toast is a favorite in our house, but it's not exactly a protein-packed snack. Add yogurt, though, and you've got an entirely different experience. The combination might seem strange, but with the honey it's actually so satisfying and delicious.

Hummus is one of those things that is so easy (and affordable!) to make at home, that you might never go back to store-bought again once you try it. Pair this with crudité and crackers for a winning snack plate.

Chia pudding might be off-putting for some kids, but if you play up the fun science element (have them help you make it!) they might be inspired to try it after seeing how the chia expands as it soaks up the coconut milk.

If chia pudding is a hard sell, these fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt cups might be more appealing. Layer them with your kids' favorite fruit and plenty of granola!

Smoothies are always a great way to bring some protein to snack time. This three-ingredient banana peanut butter smoothie is easy to make and will delight all palates.

This is a recipe I make for my son all the time. The peanut butter and honey turn Greek yogurt from a boring breakfast staple to a thick and irresistible dip for apple slices.

If your child is old enough to eat roasted chickpeas safely (they can be a choking hazard otherwise), this recipe will guide you to crispy chickpea perfection every time.

If you have a more savory snacker in the house, these stuffed peppadews fit the bill perfectly. They're filled with protein-packed Parmesan cheese and salami, and they've got an irresistible salty quality about them that will keep kids coming back for more.

Onigiri, or Japanese rice balls, are so fun to make and eat. My son and I like to fill ours with pickled ume plums, but this protein-packed salmon version is on our list to try next.

Anything with "cookies" in the title lets me know I'm already on the right track. And these peanut butter cookies don't even require you to turn on the oven!

Egg whites and Greek yogurt are the secret ingredients to these perfectly fluffy pancakes.

If your kid isn't a fan of cottage cheese, try it spooned into the center of an omelet, where it becomes a creamy filling and adds an extra boost of protein.

Or try it in these pancakes that come together with just a few simple ingredients. Don't forget the maple syrup for drizzling or dipping!

Oatmeal gets a bit of a protein boost with the addition of quinoa. The coconut milk makes it creamy, while the maple syrup gives it a hint of sweetness.

Another great way to serve oatmeal to kids is to make a batch of baked oatmeal. You can customize it with the ingredients your family loves, and it's super simple to make ahead and eat all week.

Perhaps the easiest way to prepare oatmeal is to go the overnight oat route. Old-fashioned oats are mixed with milk and yogurt for a portable, make-ahead breakfast that's cool, creamy, and subtly sweet.

This quick, easy breakfast takes a dessert classic and adapts it for the morning with yogurt and jam instead of ice cream.

These breakfast pops are a portable and fun way for kids to eat a yogurt parfait.

These pops are a little more complicated than the ones above (you have to roast bananas for them!), but the combination of sweet, caramelized banana, tangy Greek yogurt, and creamy peanut butter really is worth it.

Skip your usual Starbucks run and make these copycat egg bites at home instead. Your kids will love choosing their favorite filling combinations!

If breakfast sandwiches are a favorite in your house, you can make a batch of these and freeze them for up to one month. Then just heat them up on mornings when you want to feel like a hero!

This cozy, comforting soup is vegetarian and comes together with little fuss, thanks to quick-cooking red lentils.

Crispy chicken tenders are easy to make at home, and your kids are sure to love them. Just don't forget the dipping sauces!

This soup features mini meatballs made from Italian sausage (go for sweet instead of hot if your kids are spice-averse) and ditalini, which was always my favorite pasta when I was a kid.

For this vegetarian meal, crunchy pan-fried tortillas are topped with refried beans and shredded cheese, then baked until warm. Comforting and delicious.

You can't go wrong with a classic, deli-style turkey sandwich made with sliced, roasted turkey, cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

This recipe for chicken salad can be eaten as is or on a sandwich. Just a note that it does call for grapes, but they are quartered. If you're nervous about serving grapes to your kid for choking reasons, you can just omit them!

In our house there's no better lunch than a tuna melt — especially if there's tomato soup on the side!

Tuna salad meets pasta salad in this mash-up that's perfect for lunch. Besides the typical mayonnaise, it gets its creaminess from protein-packed Greek yogurt.

This five-ingredient, 20-minute salmon recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it over rice with some roasted broccoli and you've got dinner. (Use soy sauce rather than tamari for the totally alcohol-free version.)

This pasta is creamy and tangy, thanks to cottage cheese. The key is whipping the protein powerhouse in a food processor to get that smooth consistency.

These easy ground beef tacos are a winning weeknight dinner loaded with moist, flavorful beef — just add your favorite toppings!

This pasta recipe uses Greek yogurt to create a creamy, Alfredo-like sauce. If you wanted to really amp up the protein you could serve it with some grilled sliced chicken.

This chicken casserole is packed with all the flavors of a classic caprese salad. Shredded chicken and pasta make it a substantial meal.

If you don't already have an air fryer, these tofu nuggets might just convince you to buy one!

These chicken meatballs are baked in marinara sauce and topped with lots of melted cheese. Serve with garlic bread or pasta!

Dip for dinner is a fun way to switch things up a bit. Serve this one-pan wonder with plenty of tortilla chips for scooping it up. Go for mild green chiles (or skip) if your family is heat averse.

These crispy-on-the outside, tender-on-the-inside burgers made with fresh salmon and dill are a fun way to jazz up burger night (and sway any fish-haters in your home).