Breakfast "Muffins" : [Cooking with Toddlers #1]

I am excited to be sharing with you my first post in the new "Cooking With Toddlers" mini-series that I will be doing for the next couple weeks. Be sure to check back next Monday for the second post in this series.

This weeks post and recipe is for Breakfast "Muffins"! Some things I love about this recipe are: 

1. It was very toddler friendly - in terms of cooking AND eating
2. It was easy to sneak in healthy options without changing the taste much
3. Hand held for on the go - which can be very useful when you are running two kids around to appointments and play dates!
4. They are freezable and can be refrigerated for multiple meals!

If the recipe doesn't seem specific enough it is only because this can be manipulated in MANY ways to make it your own way that will fit the lifestyle and needs of your family. Toddler help will be in BOLD.

BREAKFAST "MUFFINS"

2 potatoes shredded fine (I used 1 and by the time I crisped them up and then cooked the eggs they pretty much disintegrated)

6 eggs (scrambled, seasoned with a pinch of seasoning salt and garlic salt, pepper, and 1/2 tbs of paprika)

1 cup spinach

1/2 cup halved grap tomatoes

Cooked breakfast meat

1/4 of milk (we used almond milk, feel free to use any kind - it was just for thinning)

*Cheese would also be a good addition, but I am not having dairy at the moment so we omitted those

Coconut Oil for greasing

First, I peeled and shredded the potatoes myself and then I let my toddler season the shredded potatoes with salt and pepper. I chose do shred them very fine because I felt like they would hold together better.

Grease up the muffin tins with coconut oil and place shredded potatoes throughout muffin tins evenly.

 Crack all eggs in bowl. I let my 2 year old do all the cracking and surprisingly I only had to pull out two shell pieces after he cracked all eggs in the bowl. This is very fun for them and it helps boost their confidence when they are able to help with more than stirring.

Mix all eggs together with a fork. Encourage them along the way and be specific with your encouragements. They process compliments better when you are specific. For instance, instead saying "good stirring!", try saying "I like the way you are stirring the eggs in a circle".

Measure out milk and pour in with the eggs and stir.

 Add seasonings and mix well

Add veggies to a hot skillet to cook down. This is a good area to have your toddler choose what they want inside of their muffins. If you want to choose the veggies, then pick 4 of your favorite choices and let your toddler choose 2 out of the 4 to put in. This gives them a say in what they are eating (even though you provided the choices). 

Add cooked breakfast meat to heat. While the veggies are cooking down, put the potatoes in the oven until tips are crispy and take out to add the egg mixture over.

Pour veggie/meat mixture to the bowl with the eggs.

Pour the egg mixture over the half cooked potatoes. Who cares if they spill some? Have them help wipe up the mess afterwards!

Cook in the oven at 375 until eggs are cooked through

Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite things to cook with your toddler?