Cooking with Kids – Fun and Easy Recipes for Family Time

Snacks

9. Ants on a Log

Ingredients:

• Celery stalks
• Peanut butter or cream cheese
• Raisins

Instructions:

1. Wash and cut celery stalks into 3-4 inch pieces.
2. Spread peanut butter or cream cheese into the celery grooves.
3. Let the kids place raisins on top to resemble ants.

10. Veggie Faces

Ingredients:

• Rice cakes
• Cream cheese or hummus
• Sliced veggies (cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives)

Instructions:

1. Spread cream cheese or hummus on each rice cake.
2. Use the sliced veggies to create fun faces on the rice cakes.

Lunch

11. Quesadilla Bites

Ingredients:

• Flour tortillas
• Shredded cheese
• Optional fillings: diced chicken, black beans, corn

Instructions:

1. Place a tortilla on a skillet over medium heat.
2. Sprinkle cheese and optional fillings on half of the tortilla.
3. Fold the tortilla in half and cook until cheese is melted and tortilla is golden brown.
4. Let cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.

12. Chicken Salad Boats

Ingredients:

• Cooked, shredded chicken
• Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
• Diced celery
• Grapes, halved
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Romaine lettuce leaves

Instructions:

1. Mix shredded chicken, mayonnaise or yogurt, celery, and grapes in a bowl.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Spoon the chicken salad into lettuce leaves to make “boats.”

Chow

13. Homemade Fish Sticks

Ingredients:

• White fish fillets (cod, tilapia)
• Flour
• Eggs, beaten
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper
• Cooking spray or oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut fish into strips.
2. Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs.
3. Season flour with salt and pepper.
4. Dip each fish strip into flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
5. Place on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray or drizzle with oil.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown.

14. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• Bell peppers
• Cooked rice
• Ground beef or turkey (or black beans for vegetarian)
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds.
2. Cook ground meat in a skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Add diced tomatoes and cooked rice.
3. Stuff the peppers with the meat mixture.
4. Place in a baking dish and cover with foil.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

Desserts

15. No-Bake Energy Balls

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats
• Peanut butter
• Honey
• Chocolate chips
• Optional add-ins: flax seeds, chia seeds, dried fruit

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined.
2. Roll into small balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

16. Yogurt Popsicles

Ingredients:

• Greek yogurt
• Honey or maple syrup
• Fresh fruit (berries, mango, banana)

Instructions:

1. Blend yogurt, honey, and fruit until smooth.
2. Pour mixture into popsicle molds.
3. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until solid.

More Tips for Cooking with Kids

1. Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks: Younger kids can wash fruits and veggies, stir ingredients, and help with measuring. Older kids can handle more complex tasks like chopping (with supervision) and using the oven.
2. Create a Safe Workspace: Clear countertops, secure sharp objects out of reach, and use non-slip mats.
3. Use Kid-Friendly Tools: Invest in child-sized utensils and equipment, like small rolling pins, plastic knives, and easy-to-grip mixing spoons.
4. Make it Fun: Play music, create a theme (e.g., Italian night), and let kids wear aprons or chef hats to enhance the experience.
5. Teach Clean-Up: Involve kids in cleaning up after cooking to instill good habits and responsibility.

Cooking with kids is not just about making meals; it’s about spending quality time together, learning, and having fun. Enjoy these easy recipes and make lasting memories in the kitchen!