Recipe Collections
Sweet Potato and Pea Rice Nests
Original recipe: 8 servings · Prep: 15 min · Cook: 45 min · Total: 105 min
By TinyTummyTreats Editorial TeamPublished May 9, 2026 | Updated Oct 17, 2026
International
105 mins
easy-to-makeallergy-substitutionsno-added-saltsoft-texturesuitable-for-2-year-oldsbalanced-nutritionfinger-food-friendly
Sweet potato and pea rice nests made with cooked long-grain white rice, shaped in a muffin tin and baked. Full preparation, cooking and cooling time is under review. Estimated timing (not kitchen-tested): preparation 15 minutes; cooking 45 minutes; additional elapsed time 45 minutes; total about 105 minutes. Additional time includes the relevant cooling, chilling, soaking, marinating or resting stages. Cooling varies with room temperature and portion size. Times are planning estimates based on the instructions. Follow the stated doneness and temperature checks, and extend cooking or cooling as needed.
Prep
15 min
Cook
45 min
Total
105 min
Servings
8
Difficulty
easy
Cuisine
International
Ingredients
Servings
8
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice (not instant or brown rice)
- 2 cups water for rice, or the amount specified on your rice package
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
Instructions
-
Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until water runs clear.
-
Cook the regular long-grain white rice according to its package instructions. For a product specifying a 2:1 water-to-rice ratio and a 20-minute simmer: bring 2 cups water to a boil, stir in 1 cup rice, cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Rest off the heat, covered, for 5 minutes. Use your product's stated water and cooking time if different; do not use these directions for brown or instant rice.
-
While the rice cooks, steam or boil the sweet potato chunks until very soft, about 15 minutes.
-
Drain and steam or boil peas until tender, about 5 minutes, then mash gently with a fork to retain some texture.
-
Once sweet potatoes are cooked, mash them thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
-
In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, mashed sweet potato, mashed peas, olive oil, onion powder, and turmeric. Mix gently until evenly combined. The mixture should hold shape when pressed.
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a muffin tin or line with silicone liners for easy removal.
-
Press about 2 tablespoons of the mixture into each muffin cup, shaping a shallow nest by making the center slightly indented with your thumb or the back of a spoon.
-
Bake the rice nests for 12-15 minutes until warmed through and lightly set.
-
Allow the nests to cool completely before serving to toddlers.
-
Serve as finger foods for snack time or alongside toddler meals. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
Ingredient Replacements
- medium sweet potatoes: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.
- cup frozen peas: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.
- Long-grain white rice: Use regular white rice cooked until tender according to its package. Brown rice and instant rice need different preparation and have not been verified for this nest mixture; they are not direct substitutions.
- cups water: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.
- tablespoon olive oil: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.
Related Articles
Read related guides and practical cooking tips.
Recipe Collections
7 Puree and Mash Recipes
More Recipes
Explore more recipes you may like.
Dairy-Free Options
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers
Dairy-Free Options
Sweet Pea and Carrot Toddler Patties with Mild Herb Seasoning
Dairy-Free Options
Iron-Enriched Millet and Sweet Pea Patties with Mild Rosemary
One-Pot Meals
Sweet Potato and Amaranth One-Pot Stew
Reviews
Rate this recipe and share a photo of your result.
No reviews yet.
Save this recipe
Log in to keep this recipe in your favorites.
Reset password Register