Whether you're looking for dairy-free ideas for lunchboxes or kid-friendly meals, we've got plenty of recipes to inspire you. For little ones, you may want to scale back the spices in some of the recipes, or add in a few veggies they love.

Advertisement

Next, read our guide on lactose intolerance in children. Then browse all our dairy-free kids' recipes, healthy family recipes and the best vegan family dinners.

Cowboy caviar

Get the kids excited about veg with this salsa that can be easily adapted. Serve with nachos or toasted pitta for scooping. If you’re packing up for a picnic, add the avocado and coriander at the last moment.

Cowboy caviar

Honey chicken

Rustle up this family-friendly honey chicken, flavoured with garlic, soy sauce, lemon and ginger, in just 30 minutes. Serve with rice and broccoli for a filling meal.

Honey chicken with brown rice and broccoli

Vegan chocolate party traybake

Make an indulgent dairy-free chocolate traybake for your next birthday, picnic or cake sale. This simple bake is perfect for sharing and the kids can help decorate with colourful sprinkles.

Vegan chocolate party traybake cut into squares

Vegan fajitas

These vegan fajitas are made with all the classic flavours but with dairy-free yogurt instead of sour cream. It makes a great sharing dish where everyone can help themselves.

Vegan fajitas with black beans, peppers, avocado and lime

Tomato penne with avocado

This dairy-free pasta is rich in iron, fibre and vitamin C as well as being low-fat and low-calorie. It's a great midweek meal for feeding hungry kids.

Tomato penne with avocado on a white plate

Super-veg pasta

This tomato sauce has tomatoes, peppers and fennel blended through it, so you'll get two of your five-a-day. Cooking the veg together brings out a sweetness that kids will enjoy – you can leave out the chilli for little ones.

Super veg pasta with tomatoes and a fork

Vegan banana bread

Kids will love mashing ripe bananas to make this easy banana bread. Enjoy a slice toasted for a mid-morning treat or afternoon snack, with dairy-free spread or peanut butter.

Vegan banana bread

Peanut butter chicken

Slightly spiced and super creamy, this peanut butter chicken stew is easy to make and any leftovers freeze well. Serve with rice for a filling midweek meal.

Peanut butter chicken in a casserole dish

Vegan mac and cheese

Make the ultimate comfort dish, macaroni cheese, but without the dairy. It's just as creamy and satisfying as regular mac and cheese – the whole family is guaranteed to love it.

Vegan mac 'n' cheese

Vegan chilli

Our healthy vegan chilli recipe packs in plenty of vegetables and doesn’t fall short on the flavour front. Serve it with rice or in jacket potatoes for a filling, kid-friendly supper.

Two plates of vegan chilli topped with sliced avocados

Vegan flapjacks

Get the kids to help you make these oaty treats. Add their favourite nuts and dried fruits – you could even add a drizzle of melted dairy-free chocolate to the top.

Vegan flapjacks

Baked banana porridge

Start the day right with this healthy baked banana porridge containing walnuts, banana and cinnamon. It's guaranteed to keep them going until lunch. Also check out our guide on is porridge healthy?

Baked banana porridge

Oven-baked Thai chicken rice

This easy baked rice is flavoured with Thai green curry paste – if the kids prefer a milder taste, you can reduce the quantity. Combined with a lovely flavour of coconut, chicken and veggies, it's a wholesome dinner you'll come back to again and again.

Oven-baked Thai chicken rice with red peppers

Lemon & rosemary crusted fish fillets

For a healthier take on fish fingers, use up leftover bread to make this crispy topping. Scatter on to white fish fillets, bake and serve with chips or peas.

Lemon and rosemary crusted fish fillets

Minty pea & potato soup

Kids will love this sweet, smooth and creamy soup. Make a big batch and keep portions in the freezer for last-minute lunches.

Minty Pea & Potato Soup in a white bowl

Vegan French toast

This easy vegan version of French toast is best served golden brown and slathered with maple syrup and fresh fruit. The perfect plant-based brunch for weekends.

Vegan french toast with berry compote

Want more like this? Now try...

Kids' cooking recipes
Healthy kids' recipes
Toddler recipes
Kids' lunchbox recipes
Family-friendly recipes ideas


Advertisement

All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

Comments, questions and tips

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement