8 Easy Kid-Friendly Mexican Recipes

Mexican food is loved across the world. Whether it’s tacos, tortilla wraps, chilli peppers, distinct flavours, seasonings, or spices, Mexican cuisine is a big hit. Who would not love to bring Mexican cuisine to their dinner table every day or at least once a week?  There are numerous quick Mexican recipes for kids that you can try with a variety of sauces and make for healthy meals. Full of flavour, seasoning, and variety, there is something magical about Mexican dishes that makes them unique. If you are a cooking enthusiast and like to bring some variety to your family meals, then try Mexican food for kids. It is not tough, and there are several easy-to-moderate, kid-friendly Mexican recipes. Go ahead and try these Mexican recipes for kids and earn the title of “the best cook”!

Mexican Food Recipes for Kids

These Mexican recipes for kids are easy to prepare and guarantee the nod of your family. With these, your meal planning will turn out to be a breeze, and you will keep repeating them. Spice levels can be adjusted to suit individual tastes, and your family will be hooked on these recipes in no time. Even the pickiest of eaters will love these and keep asking for more!

1. Mexican Skillet Lasagna

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An easy Mexican recipe for kids, this replaces noodles with tortilla strips that are cooked tenderly in the cayenne and cumin-fused tomato sauce. With a topping of cheddar and cream cheese, this can be whipped in 30 minutes of a working day.

Ingredients:

• 20 cm flour tortillas
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 500 gms ground beef
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne
• Salt and pepper
• 800 gms of crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 150 gms cream cheese

Total Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Method: 

• Toast the tortillas in a medium-sized pan over low-medium heat until they are lightly browned. Cut them into strips once you transfer them to a plate.
• Add oil to a pan, saute onions, and garlic for about 6 minutes. Raise the heat and add beef, cumin, chilli powder, and cayenne. Add salt and pepper and cook. Stir often until the beef is browned (for 4 minutes or so).
• Add the crushed tomatoes. Pour some water into the empty tomato can and add it to the meat sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to a medium-low. Check the seasonings. Now lay half of the tortillas on the pan and push them under the sauce. Scatter the cheddar cheese on top and lay the remaining tortilla strips on the pan. Push them under the sauce again. Cover and cook till the sauce thickens for about 8 minutes.
• Now add the cream cheese over the lasagne and swirl the sauce. Scatter some more cheddar cheese and cook on a low flame until it melts.

2. Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

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A great one-pot Mexican food for toddlers, this one packs nutrition with leftover chicken, beans, quinoa, and vegetables.

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups leftover cooked chicken
• 1cup quinoa
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 1 can of northern beans
• 1 can of corn nuggets
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chilli powder
• 2 tbsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1 tsp salt and pepper
• ¼ tsp crushed chilli flakes
• Chicken Stock – 150 gms

Total Cooking time: 30 minutes

Servings: 8

Method:

• Saute onions in olive oil until tender in a large pot.
• Add the rest of the ingredients.
• Simmer and cook for 30 minutes until all ingredients, especially quinoa, are cooked and tender.

3. Sangrias for Kids

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Yes, sangrias can be modified for kids! Rather than serving the usual sugar-loaded fruit juices or squash, try these Mexican drinks to host the perfect birthday or summer party for kids.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup grape juice
• ¼ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup to ½ cup Sprite or lemonade with soda
• Cherry slices, orange slices

Total Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 2

Method:

• Combine all the ingredients in a blender and mix well.
• Pour into glasses and serve topped with a slice of orange or cherry. Make sure you add some fancy straws for kids to sip leisurely.

4. Simple Tacos

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You do not have to fret about making tacos at home. It can be a relatively simple affair and is one of the best Mexican snacks for kids. Choose your toppings and add them to store-bought taco shells.

Ingredients:

• Hard or Soft Taco shells
• 1.5 kg of cooked meat or vegetables of your choice
• Taco seasoning
• 1 cup of lettuce
• 5 tbsp of chopped tomato
• 6-8 tablespoons of grated cheese
• Few tablespoons of sour cream
• Few tablespoons of guacamole
• Few tablespoons of salsa dip

Total Cooking Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Servings: 4-6

Method:

• Prepare the meat or the vegetables with some seasoning.
• Add them to the tacos, top them with lettuce, tomato, and grated cheese.
• You can either serve it cold or just keep it in the oven for a few minutes before serving.

5. Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers and Onions

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These are great to serve as one complete meal loaded with nutrients and minerals. They are a notch above the basic version with their addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Kids can load them with their choice of toppings. These can be made in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat tortillas
• 1 cup of sautéed peppers and onions
• 1 ½ cups of cheese grated
• ½ cup guacamole
• 4 tablespoons salsa dip

Total Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Method:

• Lay the tortillas on a flat surface. Spread the sautéed peppers and onions on one-half of each of the tortillas. Top the peppers and onions with cheese. Fold the tortillas in half and press them gently to flatten them.
• Heat a large pan, skillet or griddle on medium heat. Cook two of the quesadillas until they are crispy on the outside and the cheese is melted. This will take approximately 2-4 minutes. Repeat with each of the quesadillas.
• Once done, let them cool for a minute before you cut them into wedges to serve.
• Serve guacamole and salsa as accompaniments.

6. Polvorones

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If you want Mexican goodies for dessert, then these sugar cookies are sure to win hearts! Make this batch to serve as dessert with your main Mexican meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup butter or margarine

Total Cooking Time: 30-45 minutes

Servings: 24

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a bowl, take the sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
• Beat the butter in another bowl and beat until it is soft and creamy.
• Add flour mixture, ½ cup at a time, to the butter, and keep beating until it is all mixed well.
• Use a teaspoon to spoon out small bits of dough and shape them into cookies.
• Place them on ungreased baking sheets and bake them in the oven for 25 minutes.
• Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon for added taste.

7. Alambres

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Another simple recipe with peppers and beef in it, this one can be had as an accompaniment to corn tortillas. It does not take any time to prepare and makes for a wholesome, healthy, and nutritious meal. It can be a hit with kids!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 green peppers finely chopped
• Small pieces of steak (you could replace it with chicken)
• Some slices of bacon
• Oil for frying
• Salt and Pepper

Total Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes

Servings: 4

Method:

• Chop the slices of bacon.
• Fry oil in a pan and fry the slices of bacon and steak together. Add some salt and pepper.
• Once the meat is slightly cooked, add the chopped peppers. Cook until tender.
• Sprinkle cheese on top and simmer until it melts lightly.
• Serve it with corn tortillas.

8. Cheese & Bean Burrito

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If you are busy and love to meal-prep in advance, this cheese and veggies burrito should be on your list. In fact, you can even freeze them for up to 3 months and enjoy them stress-free. You can take them for lunch as well as to the campsite.

Ingredients:

• 8-9, 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas, at room temperature
• 1 ½ cups of chopped grape tomatoes
• 4 medium scallions, chopped
• ¼ cup of chopped pickled jalapeño peppers
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 (15-ounce) cans low-sodium pinto beans, well-rinsed
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 4 teaspoons chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

Total Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 8

Method:

• In a medium bowl, combine your cut veggies, including tomatoes, scallions, jalapeños and cilantro.
• In another large bowl, manually mash beans, cumin, and chilli powder until they are almost smooth. If there is some texture, it’s totally fine.
• Add your veggie mixture and cheese to the mashed beans and toss them well.
• Spread about 1/2 cup of the filling mixture on the bottom third of each tortilla.
• Roll them tightly and tuck the ends as you go. Once tucked nicely, wrap each burrito in heavy-duty foil.
• In a microwave, put a burrito and cover it with a paper towel. Heat it on high until steaming hot throughout for one to two minutes. If you are cooking it on a skillet, cook it on medium to medium-hot fire for 5-8 minutes.

FAQs

1. Are Mexican dishes too spicy for kids?

Not necessarily. You can make Mexican recipes mild by skipping spicy ingredients like chilli peppers or hot sauces. Use mild salsa, and add spice separately for adults if needed.

2. How can I make Mexican food healthier for my kids?

Well, that’s easy. To make Mexican dishes super healthy and tasty for kids, you can:

• Use whole wheat tortillas.
• Add lots of finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, corn, and tomatoes.
• Add lean meats like grilled chicken or ground turkey.
• Use low-fat cheese or just a small amount.
• Bake or shallow fry instead of deep-frying.

3. Can I involve my kids in cooking Mexican food?

Absolutely! You can involve your kiddos in cooking Mexican food by asking them to:

• Mix ingredients
• Mash avocados for guacamole
• Sprinkle cheese on quesadillas or nachos
• Fill and roll tacos or burritos

4. What’s a good Mexican snack for school lunch?

Cheese and bean quesadilla slices, mini taco wraps, corn and black bean salad, fruits with a light cinnamon sprinkle, and homemade salsa with baked tortilla chips are some amazing Mexican recipes for kids that make up for a tasty lunch.

5. Are there vegetarian Mexican dishes for kids?

Why not! Mexican food includes many tasty vegetarian options like bean and cheese burritos, veggie tacos with rice and beans, cheese enchiladas, and corn and avocado salad.

6. Why is preparing Mexican dishes at home better than buying from outside?

You do get the ready-to-eat or make-it-easy fajita kits, taco kits, and enchilada kits on store shelves if one doesn’t want to make them from scratch. But making food all by yourself will give you control over the ingredients and ensure hygiene and health.

If you are looking to add some change and spice to your rotation of meals, Mexican recipes could be a great addition. If you use the right ingredients, you can successfully make healthy and delicious meals not just for your kids but for the entire family. The recipes provided in this article can be paired with some salads, nachos, and tortillas to make a befitting Mexican feast!

Also Read:

Healthy Rice Recipes for Kids
Healthy Frozen Meal Ideas for Kids
Nutritious Meal Ideas for Picky Children
Super Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Children