Bright, citrusy, and naturally sweetened, these Lemon Coconut Toddler Breakfast Bars are sure to become a go-to for spring and summer mornings. They’re quick to make, come together in just one dish, and are ready in under 30 minutes - perfect for busy days. Plus, they’re packed with fibre and a boost of iron!
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As the days start getting sunnier, I love incorporating more citrus flavours like lemon. It’s such a simple way to add a little brightness to meals and snacks for kids. If you're looking for more lemon flavoured recipes, be sure to check out these gluten-free Lemon Blueberry Muffins and these Fluffy Lemon Pancakes!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love These Lemon and Coconut Toddler Breakfast Bars
- Naturally sweetened - Naturally sweetened with ripe banana, these bars are a great option for younger children.
- Iron-rich - Made with iron-fortified oat cereal and chia seeds for an easy boost of iron and fibre.
- Soft and toddler-friendly - The texture is soft and easy to chew, making these perfect for little ones. They can be enjoyed as a handheld bar or served with a little milk or yogurt and eaten with a spoon.
- One-bowl, easy prep - Everything comes together in one dish with minimal mess and less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Bright, fresh flavour - A hint of lemon and coconut are a great option for spring and summer mornings!
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And if you're in need of more easy breakfast ideas, I have a full post with over 20 easy and healthy breakfast ideas for toddlers featuring recipes like my delicious Blueberry Chia Baked Oatmeal!
Ingredients for Healthy Lemon Coconut Toddler Breakfast Bars
Here is what you'll need to make these easy bars - only 7 simple ingredients!
- Banana
- Egg
- Lemon
- Vanilla
- Chia seeds
- Iron-fortified oat cereal (or just grind up rolled oats into a flour/powder)
- Finely shredded, unsweetened coconut
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Lemon Coconut Breakfast Bars
Here is an overview of how to make these lemon coconut bars, or you can scroll down to the recipe card for full details.
Mash the banana in a small non-stick or parchment lined baking dish
Add the egg and whisk to combine.
Zest the lemon and squeeze the juice of half the lemon. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
Smooth over the top in an even layer. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes, until lightly golden on top and bars are set.
Hint: Use a very ripe banana for natural sweetness and a softer texture.
Substitutions
- No iron-fortified oat cereal? - No problem. Finely grind up rolled oats.
- Chia seeds - you can swap in ground flax seed or omit the chia seeds if you don't have them.
Variations
- Lemon blueberry - if you aren't a coconut fan, you can swap in ½ cup blueberries for a delicious lemon-blueberry flavour!
- Strawberry lemon - This flavour combo also works great! Add ½ cup finely chopped strawberries.
If you love no added sugar breakfast bars, you'll love this delicious Peanut Butter and Strawberry Breakfast Bar Recipe!
Equipment
- Small baking dish (8"x6.5")
Storage
Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 1–2 months. If freezing, cut the bars first and place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
How to Serve These Lemon Coconut Toddler Breakfast Bars
This recipe can be served as handheld bars, or in a bowl with a little milk or plain yogurt. And for a fun twist, I love serving these with a whipped coconut dip from my Dunkaroos Recipe - my kids absolutely love this combo!
Toddler Tip
Iron is such an important nutrient for little ones, and it can sometimes feel tricky to make sure they’re getting enough. I love creating simple recipes with little iron boosts to help make things easier. These bars are a great example, thanks to the iron-fortified oat cereal. Pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C, like the lemon in this recipe, can also help support absorption.
For more iron boosting ideas, check out my post on iron-rich foods and meal ideas for toddlers here.
FAQ
Yes, these bars can be offered from around 6 months, once your baby is showing signs of readiness for solids. Their soft, mashable texture and no added sugar makes them suitable for baby-led weaning (BLW). For younger babies, serve in larger, finger-length pieces or mash and offer on a spoon. As always, supervise closely and adjust based on your baby’s eating skills.
Absolutely! These bars are perfect for meal prep. You can make a batch at the start of the week and store them in the fridge for quick breakfasts or snacks.
Now, I'm not going to pretend that these lemon bars taste the same as a lemon bar from Starbucks, but the ripe banana does adds a great amount of natural sweetness, and the lemon gives a light, fresh flavour without being too strong. If you do want them slightly sweeter, you could always add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup.
Recipe
Lemon Coconut Toddler Breakfast Bars (No Added Sugar)
Equipment
- 1 Small baking dish 8"x6.5"
Ingredients
- 1 banana medium, ripe
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest zest from about 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeeze, about ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tsps chia seeds
- ⅓ cup iron-fortified oat cereal or finely grind up whole rolled oats
- ¼ cup shredded coconut finely shredded, unsweetened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease or line a small baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mash the banana in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Add the egg and whisk to combine.
- Zest the lemon (it’s always easier to zest before cutting). Then cut the lemon and squeeze the juice from about half (around 2 tablespoons).
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Smooth the mixture into an even layer in the dish.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the bars are set.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Serve on their own or with yogurt, milk, or coconut dip.
Notes
Nutrition
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