13 Dishes You Can Eat With One Hand
'Cause you've got one hand on your baby and the other one is stuffing your face.
You're tired, you're hungry, and you're not about to cook a big, fancy dinner while the baby finally dozes off in the glider.
That's where this one-handed meal survival kit comes in: broccoli cheddar tots you can pop between lullabies, blueberry-ginger muffins that moonlight as breakfast, and crispy chicken fingers made for maximum dunking.
Below, you'll find freezer-friendly bars and calzones for future-you, plus real dinners—like mash-up casseroles, stuffed burritos, cheesy quesadillas, and fresh salad rolls—that actually work when your other hand is busy holding a baby (or a lukewarm coffee).
Broccoli Cheddar Tots
You won’t mind being saddled to the glider with these cheesy bites at your side. Double the batch and freeze for easy snacking. Get the recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Tots
Blueberry-Ginger Muffins
An easy on-the-go snack or breakfast, blueberries and ginger are antioxidants that will help boost your immune system. What we’re saying is, these will basically make you Super Parent. Get the recipe: Blueberry-Ginger Muffins
Chicken and Veggie Kebabs with Parmesan Potatoes
These kebabs are simple and begging for you to eat them with your hand. Lightly marinated in garlic and oregano, the mushrooms and zucchini grill up quickly. If the potatos are cool enough, plop those in your mouth with your fingers, too. Your baby’s burp cloth is also your napkin, right? Get the recipe: Chicken and Veggie Kebabs with Parmesan Potatoes
“Fried” Chicken Fingers
Eat and dunk in your favourite sauce all with one hand. They’ll delicious cold, too, so you’ll want to double the recipe for these crispy corn flake-coated strips. Get the recipe: “Fried” Chicken Fingers
Moussaka Meets Shepherd’s Pie
Traditional shepherd’s pie gets a Middle Eastern twist thanks to cinnamon, all-spice and eggplant. Use a big spoon. Get the recipe: Moussaka Meets Shepherd’s Pie
Turkey and Bean Burrito
Your swaddled baby matches this savoury dish. That’s black beans and lean ground turkey tucked away inside. We recommend a fork to eat it while you rock-a-bye your baby, but you do you. Get the recipe: Turkey and Bean Burrito
Fruit and Sunflower Seed Bars
Here’s the deal: Five ingredients and 10 minutes is all you need to prepare these bars. Pretty good, right? Get the recipe: Fruit and Sunflower Seed Bars
Tuna Melt Calzones
Store-bought pizza dough means these are no-fuss. Plus, they’re so easy to heat from frozen. Stock thy freezer. (That was a command.) Get the recipe: Tuna Melt Calzones
High-Protein Smoothie
No time for a meal? This protein-packed smoothie will help. It’s loaded with fruits, veggies and thick Greek yogurt. Lean in and swig it with a straw. Get the recipe: High-Protein Smoothie
Mushroom Quesadilla
These might look messy for a one-handed attack, but the loads of melty cheese holds the whole production together. Give yourself a generous dollop of sour cream for this one. Get the recipe: Mushroom Quesadilla
Zucchini and Feta Frittata
Another one-handed breakfast that’s fun to gobble up. Grated zucchini and salty feta hang out in an eggy bake. Get the recipe: Zucchini and Feta Frittata
Turkish Lamb Chops
These have a built-in handle. How else would you eat these perfectly seasoned chops? Get the recipe: Turkish Lamb Chops
Vietnamese Roast Chicken and Salad Rolls
This recipe is basically as simple as take-out thanks to the use of rotisserie chicken (don’t worry if a little fish sauce drips on your babe, he’s washable). Winner winner. Get the recipe: Vietnamese Roast Chicken and Salad Rolls
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Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail.