Vegetable Rice Balls

Vegetable Rice Balls – A Soft, Nutritious Finger Food for Little Ones 8 Months & Up

If you’re in the thick of feeding a baby or toddler, you’re probably always looking for easy, wholesome finger foods that are both nutritious and manageable for tiny hands. These vegetable rice balls check all the boxes. They come out so delicious, made with just cooked white rice, steamed broccoli, mashed sweet potato, and shredded cheese. They’re naturally soft, packed with flavor, and ideal for baby-led weaning (BLW) or toddlers learning to self-feed. What I love most about these little rice balls is how simple and adaptable they are. You can prep them ahead of time, store them easily. They’re also a great way to introduce vegetables in a form that’s easy for babies to hold, chew, and enjoy!

Just 4 Ingredients – Full of Goodness:

• Cooked white rice: Soft, neutral, and easy to mold — it’s the perfect base for little ones just getting used to textured solids. I use long-grain white rice in this recipe, but you can use short-grain or jasmine.

• Steamed broccoli: Rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, broccoli adds texture and a gentle veggie flavor.

• Sweet potato: Naturally sweet and creamy, sweet potato adds nutrients like vitamin A, potassium, and beta-carotene.

• Shredded cheese: A touch of cheese makes these rice balls more flavorful and provides protein and calcium for growing bodies. I used a mix of mozzarella and cheddar in this recipe.

Why These Are Perfect for BLW & Self-Feeding:

• Soft and easy to chew: Ideal for babies 8+ months who are starting solids.

• Easy to grip: The round shape makes it simple for babies and toddlers to hold independently. These ingredients come together to create a soft, cohesive mixture that can be rolled into bite-sized balls for tiny hands to grab with ease.

• Customizable: You can swap in other vegetables like carrots, peas, or zucchini.

• No added salt or sugar: Tailored specifically for little one’s, you can add a little garlic or onion powder if preferred.

These vegetable rice balls are one of those magical recipes that both parents and kids love — they’re healthy, easy to prep, and fun to eat. Whether you serve them at lunch, dinner, or as a snack, they’re a great way to get more veggies into your little one’s day in a soft and satisfying way.

What You Need:

Steamer 

Baking Tray 

Mixing Bowl

Parchment Paper 

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more baby-led weaning recipes you should check out:

Cheesy Vegetable Tots

Beetroot Fritters

Carrot Cheesy Rice Balls

Salmon Avocado Rice Balls

Broccoli Cheddar Rice Fritters