Getting kids involved in cooking from an early age doesn’t just teach them a valuable life skill — it’s great fun too. Baking with the kids is one of our favourite ways to spend a rainy afternoon, and simple suppers that the whole family can help make (and enjoy together) are always a win. Here are our top 20 delicious, easy recipes for kids to make. We hope you and your kids enjoy them as much as we do.
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Snacks / Starters
#1. Bell Inn Smokies
Delicious smoked fish, cream and tomatoes, all topped off with Gruyère cheese. Bell Inn Smokies are really simple to make but look very impressive and taste delicious.
Serve with chunks of brown or white bread to make sure you mop up all the juices from the ramekin!
#2. Nachos
Great as a starter or a snack for hungry teens, and quick to prepare. Take a shallow, ovenproof dish, add a layer of your favourite nachos, a few sliced jalapeño peppers, a handful of grated cheese and a few spoonfuls of salsa. Repeat until you have three layers, then place in a hot oven (180°C) until the cheese has melted. Serve with sour cream or natural yoghurt, more homemade salsa and some guacamole.
Recommended Reading: 12 Kid Friendly Christmas Recipes that are Super Easy to Make
#3. Quesadillas
Carrying on the Tex-Mex theme, quesadillas are a mix of vegetables, chicken, pork or beef and grated cheese, added to a corn or flour tortilla and heated through. Follow our simple quesadilla recipe and serve with sour cream or natural yoghurt, salsa and guacamole.
#4. Creamy Mushrooms on Toast / Pastry
A must for anyone who loves mushrooms. Simply fry sliced mushrooms and a sliced shallot in butter with a crushed clove of garlic. Once cooked, stir through a few tablespoons of double cream and warm through. Serve on thick slices of toast, or as a topping on shop-bought shortcrust or puff pastry that’s been blind-baked according to the pack instructions.
#5. Chicken or Fish Dippers
Dippers are just another word for nuggets, but these homemade chicken nuggets from Wholesome Ireland are a far cry from the fast-food versions our kids are so fond of!
To make fish dippers, simply swap the chicken for a fillet of firm white fish like haddock or cod. If anyone in the family has an egg or dairy allergy, check out our allergy-friendly party recipes for a suitable version.
You may also like: 5 Simple Warming Winter Recipes Kids will Enjoy
Dinners / Main Meals
#6. Cous Cous with Baked Vegetables and Goats Cheese
This dish involves a bit of chopping and prep time for the vegetables, but once they’re roasted it comes together quickly.
Try butternut squash, courgettes, aubergine, shallots and peppers. Chop into bite-sized pieces, coat with vegetable oil and a little salt, and roast for around 45 minutes in a hot oven (180°C).
Meanwhile, prepare the couscous: combine one cup of grains with two cups of boiling stock in a heatproof dish, cover, and leave for five minutes until all the liquid is absorbed. Once ready, mix with the roasted vegetables and diced goat’s or feta cheese. Chopped sun-dried tomatoes, preserved artichokes and pomegranate seeds are all lovely additions too.
You may also enjoy: 10 Budget Busting Ideas to Entertain Children on a Rainy Day
#7. Potato and Bacon Bake
This potato and bacon bake is a firm family favourite during the colder months.
It’s a great way to use up leftover bacon or ham. Serve with a simple green salad to balance out the cream and cheese.
#8. Homemade Pizza
Pizza always goes down well in our house. Making your own means everyone can top it exactly how they like, and it’s easier than you might think. For younger cooks, or when you’re short on time, try our quick pizza dough recipe, or if you’d like to make it the traditional way, try our Neapolitan pizza recipe and add your favourite toppings.
#9. Cheat’s Spaghetti Carbonara
This cheat’s spaghetti carbonara has been a family go-to for years. We call it “cheat’s” carbonara because it skips the eggs and adds peas and mushrooms, which aren’t traditionally part of the dish. Use pancetta, thick bacon slices or leftover ham. A scattering of chopped parsley before serving makes it feel extra special.
You might also like: 9 Simple Pasta Recipes for Kids to Prepare in No Time
#10. Mushroom Risotto
Lots of people think risotto is tricky and needs constant attention, but the secret to our mushroom risotto recipe is simple: keep the stock hot, and let each ladleful be fully absorbed before adding the next.
This recipe includes wine, but you can just add a little more stock instead if you’d rather leave it out.
Baking / Desserts
#11. Whole Grain Bread Rolls with Seeds and Porridge Oats
These whole grain bread rolls are lovely served alongside homemade soup. The seeds and porridge oats make them filling and slow-release, so they’re great for popping into lunchboxes too. Equally good as a snack with butter and cheese, and they freeze well.
#12. Scones
Whether you go for savoury cheese scones or muffins served with cream cheese and smoked salmon, or sweet scones with clotted cream and homemade jam — both are equally simple to make. Once you learn how, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them ready-made.
#13. Pancakes
Who doesn’t love pancakes? There are so many variations, and like scones, they can be filled with sweet or savoury toppings depending on your mood. We’re big pancake fans here at MyKidsTime — check out our other pancake posts: 4 Simple Pancake Recipes, Lazy Porridge Pancake Recipe, Fun Pancake Shapes for Kids and our Super Easy Pancake Recipe.
#14. Baked Cheesy Spirals
This cheesy spiral recipe uses shop-bought pastry, but feel free to make your own. It calls for ham and cheese, but you could swap in tomato paste, pesto or other fillings. Great served hot or cold — your friends will be impressed, and they’ll never guess how easy it was.
#15. Chocolate Brownies
We’ve been making this melt-in-the-mouth chocolate brownies recipe for years, and it’s always a hit. Add nuts and dried fruit — cherries or cranberries work well — before baking, or leave them plain. Either way, they’re delicious.
#16. Pavlova
A great addition to any baking repertoire, pavlova can be filled with fresh fruit and cream and makes a stunning dessert centrepiece. We use this pavlova recipe from Mary Berry, topped simply with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and plenty of whipped cream.
#17. Lemon Drizzle Cake
Create a tempting treat with this lemon drizzle cake recipe from Judy Kavanagh.
Baked in a loaf tin, it will keep in an airtight container for up to a week — though it rarely lasts that long in our house! You could also make a double batch and freeze one loaf for later.
#18. Cookies
From Christmas cookies to superhero cookies, summer picnic cookies and our 8 easy cookie recipes, we have a cookie recipe to suit every taste.
Most cookies are simple to make, and there’s plenty of scope for fun decorating. They’re great for bake sales too.
#19. Flourless, Gluten-Free Chocolate Swiss Roll
This chocolate Swiss roll recipe is flour-free, making it a safe bake for anyone with a gluten intolerance.
We add raspberries and cream, but stem ginger, blueberries or strawberries would all work well as a filling too.
#20. Butter Biscuits
With just three ingredients, you can make these tempting, crumbly butter biscuits that melt in the mouth. Pipe them using a star-shaped nozzle before baking in a hot oven for an even more impressive finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can kids start helping in the kitchen?
Even toddlers can help with simple tasks like stirring, pouring or decorating cookies. As children get older and their knife skills and confidence grow, they can take on more of the recipe themselves, from measuring ingredients to using the oven under supervision.
Which of these recipes is easiest for a first-time cook?
Butter biscuits, pancakes and no-cook nachos are great starting points, as they involve simple steps and quick, satisfying results.
Can I make any of these recipes ahead of time?
Yes — bakes like the lemon drizzle cake, brownies and bread rolls all freeze well, so it’s easy to make a batch in advance for lunchboxes or busy weeks.
Are any of these recipes suitable for food allergies?
Several can be adapted. The chicken or fish dippers recipe includes an allergy-friendly version, and the chocolate Swiss roll is flourless and suitable for gluten intolerance. Always check ingredient labels for your family’s specific needs.
You Might Also Like
- 9 Simple Pasta Recipes for Kids to Prepare in No Time
- 12 Kid Friendly Christmas Recipes that are Super Easy to Make
- 5 Simple Warming Winter Recipes Kids will Enjoy
- 50 Best Bake Sale Ideas to Make You the Coolest Parent Ever
Save These Recipes for Later
Got a favourite from this list, or one you’re planning to try? Bookmark this page or pin it to your recipes board so you’ve got it handy next time you’re stuck for kitchen inspiration.
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