33 Easy Recipes That Kids Can Make
Involving your kids while you cook is always fun, not only does it help your child learn some valuable life skills, but it also gives you something to bond over. When it comes to the kitchen, it is best not to give your child free rein, he should always cook under your supervision. First, let him assist you and then you can teach him some easy-to-make food recipes that your kid may try on his own.
Some children fuss when it comes to eating vegetables, but if you involve them while making a particular dish using those vegetables, they won’t fuss at all. Allowing your child to have a say in what ingredients should go into certain things will make it fun for him, and he will start eating fruits and vegetables. There are a number of healthy recipes for kids to make that we shall now take a look at.
Quick and Easy Recipes That Children Can Make By Themselves
When getting your child involved in cooking, start with recipes that are easy for them to get the hang of as getting something right will make your child more enthusiastic about trying it again and perhaps even branching out a bit more.
So what are you waiting for? Here are some easy cooking recipes for kids:
Breakfast Recipes
1. Scrambled Egg
This easy recipe makes for a quick and healthy breakfast with minimal effort. All you will need to do is mix the ingredients and place it in the microwave. Take a microwave-safe mug and make this recipe.
Ingredients
Time Needed: Two minutes
Servings: One
How to Make:
- Grease the inside of a microwave-safe mug.
- Beat the eggs and milk.
- Add shredded cheese to it.
- Microwave for ninety seconds.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Banana Strawberry Smoothie
Rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, this is sure to be a favourite with your little one.
Ingredients
- 1 banana, chopped
- 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries, chopped
- 2 cups orange juice
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Time Needed: Two minutes or less
Servings: Serves one
How to Make
- Put everything in a mixer and blend the same.
- Your banana smoothie is ready.
- Kids should make this recipe under adult supervision. You must help your child to use the mixer.
3. Grape Smoothie
Grape smoothie tastes delicious and is easy to make. It involves grapes which are widely considered to be the queen of fruits. Red or purple berries are rich in anthocyanins, which help in fighting cancer, losing weight, and in improving the health of the heart. Here is how you can make it.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of grape juice
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 2 cups of either plain or vanilla yoghurt
Time Needed: Two minutes or less
Servings: Serves two
How to Make
- Put everything in a mixer and blend it.
- Top the smoothie off with some whipped cream and it is ready.
- Again, kids should make this recipe under adult supervision.
4. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
A warm and comforting breakfast for kids. This apple cinnamon oatmeal is simple to prepare, and the combination of apples and cinnamon is a kid-favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups milk
- 1 apple, peeled and diced
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
Time Needed: Two minutes or less
Servings: Serves one
How to Make
- Combine oats, milk, apple, and cinnamon in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes until the oats are cooked and the mixture is thick.
- Add honey for sweetness if desired.
5. Fruit Parfait
A colorful and healthy breakfast that kids can assemble themselves. It’s like creating edible art!
Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt (plain or flavored)
- 1/2 cup granola
- Assorted fruits (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, etc.)
Time Needed: Five minutes or less
Servings: Serves one
How to Make
- In a clear glass or bowl, layer yogurt, granola, and fruits.
- Repeat the layers until the glass is filled.
- Top with a few more fruits and a drizzle of honey if desired.
Lunch Recipes
1. Carrot and Chutney Sandwiches
Carrots are packed with nutrients and are pocket-friendly too. Here we have a very simple carrot and chutney sandwich recipe that your little one will be able to make and enjoy any time.
Ingredients
- One cup of grated carrots
- Four tablespoons of green chutney
- Twelve slices of whole-wheat bread
- Two tablespoons of mayonnaise
- One cup grated paneer
- Salt
Time Needed: 20 minutes
Servings: Serves four
How to Make:
- In a bowl, take the grated carrot, add mayonnaise, salt, and mix well.
- Add grated paneer, green chutney, and salt to taste in another bowl and mix well.
- One sandwich will require three slices of bread. Take one slice of bread and spread the carrot chutney mixture.
- Cover it with another slice of bread and then spread the green chutney and paneer mixture on that slice, and finally place the last slice of bread on top.
- Trim off the crusts and enjoy.
2. Curd Rice
We all love eating curd rice and kids can make this dish using leftover rice.
Ingredients
- One cup of rice
- Two cups of water
- One cup of curd
- Three tablespoons of cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
- A few curry leaves
- Two to three Kashmiri chillies
- Chopped up coriander leaves for garnish
- Salt to taste
Time Needed: One hour
Servings: Serves two to four
How to Make It
- Help your child to make rice or he can take leftover rice.
- Set the rice aside for a couple of hours and then add curd to it. Add salt to taste.
- Heat up some oil and then add mustard seeds, Kashmiri chillies and the curry leaves. Wait for them to splutter.
- When the chillies turn a bit dark, add the mixture to the rice and mix everything really well.
- Garnish the dish with the coriander leaves and serve with pickle, chutney or another side dish.
- Note that this dish should be prepared under adult supervision.
3. Mug Pizza
Does your child love pizza? Save time and money by making this tasty little treat. The recipe below is enough for one cup, so just make as many cups as you want. This basic recipe can be tweaked by your child and is the perfect one for getting them all involved in the preparation process. They can each choose whatever toppings they want in their pizza mugs.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1/8th tsp. baking powder
- 1/16th tsp. baking soda
- 1/8th tsp. salt
- Three tbsp. milk
- One tbsp. olive oil
- One tablespoon marinara sauce
- One tbsp. shredded mozzarella cheese
- Five mini pepperoni
- ½ tsp. dried herbs
Time Needed: Fifteen minutes
Servings: One
How to Make
- Take a microwave-safe mug and mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Also, add oil and milk, and then mix well.
- Spoon some of the marinara sauce onto the batter and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle cheese, pepperoni, and dried herbs and then put it into the microwave until the topping rises and bubbles (about a minute).
- Let it cool and then enjoy.
4. Veggie Wrap
A nutritious and easy-to-make lunch option that kids will enjoy.
Ingredients
- Tortilla wraps
- Hummus or cream cheese
- Sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots
- Lettuce leaves
- Sliced cheese (optional)
Time Needed: 10 minutes or less
Servings: Serves four
How to Make
- Spread a layer of hummus or cream cheese on a tortilla.
- Add veggies and cheese slices (if using).
- Roll up the tortilla, and your veggie wrap is ready to eat!
5. Potato Smileys
These fun and delicious potato smiley faces are a hit with kids. They’re perfect for a lunchtime treat.
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking oil for frying
Time Needed: 30 minutes or less
Servings: Serves four
How to Make
- Mix mashed potatoes with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Shape the mixture into smiley face shapes.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the smileys until golden brown.
- Serve with ketchup or a dip of your choice.
Dinner Recipes
1. Noodles With Chicken
If your kids enjoy eating oriental-style dishes, try out this Noodles and Chicken recipe which even contains peanut butter. This dish is delicious and healthy. However, kids should make this recipe under adult supervision. In fact, a child will need your help to prepare this recipe.
Ingredients
- 500-gram packet of thin rice noodles
- 900-grams of rotisserie chicken
- One carrot
- One seedless cucumber
- Half a cup of creamy peanut butter
- Two tablespoons of soy sauce; low-sodium
Time Needed: Half an hour to forty-five minutes
Servings: Four
How to Make
-
Bring water to a boil, and then dunk the noodles in; turn off the flame, and let it sit for 30 mins.
- Later drain them in a colander. Here kids should take their mom’s help.
- You should help your child to shred the chicken meat, leaving out the bones and the skin. Mix noodles and chicken.
- Make strips of the carrot and the cucumber using a vegetable peeler.
- In another bowl, mix together some peanut butter and soy sauce with six tablespoons of water until it is smooth.
- Divide the noodles into four bowls and then top with the sauce and dressing of carrots and cucumber.
2. Chicken Tikka Sandwich
Chicken tikka is a favourite comfort food. This dish is the perfect one to teach your kids how to get creative with leftovers.
Ingredients
- More or less 12 ounces of leftover chicken tikka
- Four slices of sandwich bread or two chapattis
- Four tablespoons of butter
- One large onion, thinly sliced
- Lime juice
- Chaat masala
- Four to five tablespoons of mint and coriander chutney
Time Needed: 10 minutes
Serving: Serves two
How to Make
- Place the onion slices into a bowl and squeeze lime juice over it.
- Add the chaat masala to it and mix well.
- Lay the slices of bread on a plate and spread butter on them. You can even use a thin layer of mayonnaise if you like. Spread a generous amount of the mint chutney on the top of it. Do the same if you are using chapattis.
- Layer the chopped chicken tikka on two of the bread slices or chapatis.
- Place onion mixture on the slices.
- Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the two loaded ones, and your Chicken tikka sandwich is ready! If you have been using chapattis, roll them up, and enjoy.
3. Paneer Mac
Easy and delicious, this will be something that your child can make really quickly. Not only is it quick, but it is absolutely delicious and so simple!
Ingredients
- ½ pound macaroni
- Shredded paneer
- One cup milk
- One small capsicum (chopped)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Water
Time Needed: Ten minutes
Serving: Serves four
How to Make
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, take water and place macaroni in it and microwave for about three minutes.
- Remove the bowl of macaroni and stir.
- Microwave for another two minutes then stir the mixture.
- Microwave it for yet another minute and stir. By now the water will get absorbed into the macaroni.
- Add milk, paneer, and capsicum and microwave for another couple of minutes.
- Take the bowl from the microwave and stir, again microwave for another minute.
- Lastly, take the bowl out, season with some salt and pepper and mix well. Your panner mac will be ready.
4. Mini Vegetable Pizza
Let your kids customize their own mini pizzas with their favorite toppings.
Ingredients
- Mini pizza crusts or English muffins
- Tomato sauce or pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Sliced bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, and any other desired toppings
Time Needed: 15 minutes or less
Servings: Serves two
How to Make
- Preheat the oven as per the pizza crust instructions.
- Spread tomato sauce on the crust.
- Add cheese and toppings.
- Bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
5. Pasta With Tomato Sauce
A classic and simple pasta dish that kids love. You can use any pasta shape your child prefers.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pasta
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Time Needed: 30 minutes or less
Servings: Serves two
How to Make
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Warm the tomato sauce and add Italian seasoning.
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce.
- Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Dessert Recipes
1. Choco Chip Cake in a Mug
Children love eating cakes, and when it involves choco chips, they simply cannot resist it. Choco chip cake is something that they can whip up if they have a craving for cake when there isn’t any at home. This recipe is basic, and if your child likes chocolate, it can be tweaked by adding some chocolate powder to the batter.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- ¼ tsp. baking powder
- 3 tbsp. milk
- 1/8th tsp. vanilla essence
- ½ tbsp. vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Time Needed: Ten Minutes
Servings: One
How to Make
- Mix everything (except chocolate chips) into a microwave-safe mug until there are no lumps in the mixture.
- Stir in half the chocolate chips.
- Sprinkle the rest of choco chips on top.
- Microwave for about one minute.
- Cool and enjoy.
2. Banana Mug Cake
This makes for a lovely dessert and is very healthy. Who can resist a delicious dessert that can be made in a few minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe, medium banana (cut half into slices for garnish and use the other half in the recipe)
- 1 tbsp. almond butter
- 1 egg white
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ½ tbsp. oat flour
- ¼ tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ salt
Time Needed: Ten minutes
Servings: One
How to Make
- Place half the banana in a microwave-safe mug and mash it well.
- Mix in almond butter, the egg white and vanilla extract.
- Add oat flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Mix until everything is blended together nicely.
- Microwave on high for about one minute or until the middle of the cake is firm.
- Top banana slices and you can also sprinkle on some cinnamon powder.
3. Chocolate Banana Sundae
Kids will love Chocolate Banana Sundae. And, it is one of the fun ways to make your child eat bananas. Here is how you can help him make it.
Ingredients
- Four small bananas
- One pint of vanilla ice cream
- ¼ cup chocolate sauce
- ¼ cup crushed walnuts/shredded coconut
Time Needed: Ten minutes or less
Servings: Serves four
How to Make
- Peel and slice the bananas.
- Scoop some vanilla ice cream into four bowls.
- Layer with banana slices, pour some chocolate sauce, and top it with nuts and enjoy.
4. Chocolate Banana Smoothie
A delightful and healthy dessert option for kids with a love for chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
Time Needed: Two minutes or less
Servings: Serves one
How to Make
- Blend banana, milk, cocoa powder, and honey until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
5. Fruit Salad With Honey-Lime Dressing
A refreshing and colorful dessert that kids can prepare.
Ingredients
- Assorted fruits (strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, grapes, etc.)
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons honey
Time Needed: Two minutes or less
Servings: Serves one
How to Make
- Chop fruits into bite-sized pieces and mix in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice and honey.
- Drizzle the dressing over the fruit salad and toss gently.
Snack Recipes
1. Papad Bhel
Another easy snack for kids to make.
Ingredients
- Four papads
- Four cups of puffed rice
- Two medium-sized potatoes, boiled and peeled
- Two tablespoons of chana masala
- Half a tablespoon of tamarind paste
- Two teaspoons of green chutney
- Two tablespoons of coriander leaves, chopped
- For garnishing, use half a cup of sev
Time Needed: Twenty minutes
Servings: Serves four
How to Make
- Chop the potatoes into cubes and put them into a bowl.
- Add tamarind paste, green chutney, and puffed rice to it.
- Take fried papads and break them into small pieces.
- Mix all this and put some chaat masala and salt to taste.
- Again mix, and sprinkle some sev and chopped coriander.
- Your papad bhel is ready.
2. Cheesy Apple Sandwich
An apple sandwich may sound a bit strange, but it tastes yum and your kids can whip up nice and easy. Apples are a powerful source of antioxidants, so you must try this apple sandwich recipe now.
Ingredient
- Four slices of whole-wheat bread
- Two slices of paneer
- Sliced cheddar cheese
- Apple slices
- Butter
Time Needed: Five Minutes
Servings: Serves two easy cooking recipes for kids
How to Make
- Spread some butter on one side of the bread.
- Place sliced cheddar cheese on the two bread slices, then place apple slices on them, and then paneer slice.
- Place the other two slices of bread over the top and butter the upper side of the sandwich.
- Melt some butter in a pan on medium and add your sandwich to it, buttered side up. After a minute, change the side and toast it to preference.
3. Tofu Smoothie
Tofu is a good low-calorie form of protein so you can add a bit of tofu for a healthier smoothie. Your child can substitute the fruits in this recipe with the ones he likes.
Ingredients
- ½ cup tofu
- 1 banana/peach
- 2 cups orange juice
- 8 oz pineapple, along with the juice
- ½ cup ice cubes
Time Needed: Two minutes or less
Servings: Serves two
How to Make
- Add all the ingredients to the mixer and blend until smooth.
- However, make sure that you help your child while using a mixer.
4. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
A quick and energy-packed snack that kids can make.
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bread
- Peanut butter
- Sliced banana
Time Needed: Two minutes or less
Servings: Serves one
How to Make
- Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread.
- Add sliced banana on top.
- Place the other slice of bread on top to make a sandwich.
5. Yogurt and Berry Parfait
Another delightful and healthy snack that kids can assemble themselves.
Ingredients
- Greek yogurt
- Mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Granola
Time Needed: Two minutes or less
Servings: Serves one
How to Make
- In a glass or bowl, layer Greek yogurt, mixed berries, and granola.
- Repeat the layers as desired.
- Enjoy your yogurt and berry parfait!
Vegetable Recipes
Here are 8 easy vegetable recipes that Indian kids can prepare. They’re sure to polish this off their plate in no time!
1. Masala Grilled Vegetables
A simple yet flavorful dish that kids can prepare using a grill or stovetop.
Ingredients
- Assorted vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, etc.)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garam masala or chaat masala for seasoning
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Servings: Two
How to Make
- Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of garam masala.
- Grill or sauté until tender and slightly charred.
2. Stir-Fried Vegetables
A quick and healthy vegetable stir-fry that kids can customize with their favorite veggies.
Ingredients
- Assorted vegetables (carrots, broccoli, beans, bell peppers, etc.)
- Cooking oil
- Soy sauce
- Salt and pepper
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Servings: One
How to Make
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Add chopped vegetables and stir-fry until they’re tender yet crisp.
- Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
3. Potato Wedges
Kids can make crispy potato wedges as a tasty snack.
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt, paprika, and garlic powder
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Servings: Four
How to Make
- Cut potatoes into wedges.
- Toss with olive oil, salt, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Bake in the oven until golden and crispy.
4. Aloo Paratha
An Indian classic that kids can learn to make with a little help.
Ingredients
- For the filling: mashed potatoes, chopped coriander, green chilies, and spices (salt, garam masala).
- Whole wheat dough (for the paratha)
Time Needed: Less than 30 minutes
Servings: Two
How to Make
- Roll out the dough into small discs.
- Place the potato filling in the center, seal, and roll it out again.
- Cook on a hot griddle with a little oil until golden.
5. Cucumber Raita
A cooling and simple side dish that kids can whip up.
Ingredients
- Cucumber, grated
- Yogurt
- Cumin powder
- Salt
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Time Needed: Two minutes
Servings: One
How to Make
- Mix grated cucumber and yogurt.
- Add a pinch of cumin powder and salt.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves if available.
6. Tomato Salad
A refreshing salad that kids can prepare in minutes.
Ingredients
- Tomatoes, sliced
- Onion, thinly sliced
- Cilantro leaves
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Time Needed: Five minutes
Servings: Two
How to Make
- Toss tomatoes and onions in a bowl.
- Add cilantro leaves.
- Season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
7. Jeera Aloo
A simple and flavorful potato dish.
Ingredients
- Potatoes, boiled and diced
- Cumin seeds
- Cooking oil
- Salt
- Turmeric powder
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Servings: Two
How to Make
- Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds.
- Add boiled potatoes, turmeric powder, and salt.
- Sauté until the potatoes are golden and fragrant.
8. Carrot and Peas Pulao
A beginner-friendly rice dish with veggies.
Ingredients
- Basmati rice
- Carrots, diced
- Green peas
- Cooking oil or ghee
- Whole spices (cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick)
- Salt and water
Time Needed: 30 minutes
Servings: Four
How to Make
- Wash and soak rice for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil or ghee, add whole spices.
- Add diced carrots and peas, sauté briefly.
- Drain the rice and add it to the pan.
- Add salt and water, cook until the rice is fluffy and vegetables are tender.
FAQs
1. When Can Kids Start Cooking for Themselves?
Kids can begin learning basic cooking skills at a young age with appropriate supervision. Around 6 to 8 years old, children can start with simple tasks like washing vegetables, mixing ingredients, or setting the table. As they mature and gain confidence, they can gradually take on more complex cooking tasks with increasing independence.
2. What Is the Benefit of Cooking With Kids?
Cooking with kids offers several benefits:
- Life Skills: It teaches them essential life skills, including meal preparation, nutrition awareness, and kitchen safety.
- Math and Science: Cooking involves measurements and understanding chemical reactions, making it a fun way to reinforce math and science concepts.
- Healthy Eating: Kids are more likely to try and enjoy healthy foods they’ve helped prepare, promoting better eating habits.
- Bonding: Cooking together fosters quality family time and strengthens parent-child relationships.
- Confidence: Children gain self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment as they successfully prepare meals.
Teaching your child to cook can prepare him for the future. He will learn to make healthy choices with limited sources and will also understand the value of food. Making a dish look attractive using his creativity will also boost his confidence.
Moreover, your child will not need to depend on processed food because he will know his way around the kitchen and will have some of the family recipes with him. Cooking is a way of passing on secret ingredients and family recipes, something that will play an important role in his life as most people form the best moments while feasting and celebrating.
When kids indulge in cooking, their eye-hand coordination improves. It even helps in the refinement of all their senses. Trying out some of these recipes will prove advantageous for body smart-oriented as well as word smart-oriented kids. To work on your child’s other ‘smarts’, try FirstCry Intellikit – active learning for little ones.
Start small and allow your child to try out new recipes. Kids are fast learners and love to experiment with anything they get their hands on so you can expect some pretty interesting meals adorning your dining table. Before you know it, you will have a little master chef in your home.
Resources/References:
1. Tomatoes, red, ripe, cooked; U.S. Department of Agriculture; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170050/nutrients
2. Slide show: 10 great health foods; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/multimedia/health-foods/sls-20076653?s=9
3. Cow’s Milk and Milk Alternatives; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/cows-milk-and-milk-alternatives.html
4. Diagnosing Allergies in Children; American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology; https://acaai.org/allergies/testing-diagnosis/for-children-and-infants/
5. Infant and Toddler Nutrition; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/index.html
6. High-Calorie Diet for Infants and Toddlers; UW Health; https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/343
7. Collins. E, Bowyer. C, Tsouza. A, Chopra. M; Tomatoes: An Extensive Review of the Associated Health Impacts of Tomatoes and Factors That Can Affect Their Cultivation; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8869745/; February 2022
8. Feeding & Nutrition Tips: Your 1-Year-Old; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/Feeding-and-Nutrition-Your-One-Year-Old.aspx
Also Read:
Dinner Recipes for Kids
Gluten-free Recipes for Children
Quick and Healthy Cheese Recipes for Kids