Getting kids involved in the kitchen from an early age teaches a valuable life skill — and it’s great fun too. Whether it’s baking together at the weekend or putting together a simple supper the whole family can enjoy, cooking with kids builds confidence, patience and a love of good food.
Here’s our collection of delicious, easy recipes for kids to make, starting with quick snacks and starters through to hearty family dinners. Pick a few, grab your junior chef, and get cooking.
Jump to:
- [Snacks & Starters](#snacks-starters)
- [Dinners & Main Meals](#dinners-mains)
- [FAQs](#faqs)
<h2 id=”snacks-starters”>Snacks & Starters</h2>
<h3>#1. Bell Inn Smokies</h3>
Smoked fish, cream and tomatoes, all topped off with Gruyère cheese. <a href=”https://www.mykidstime.com/food-and-recipes/bell-inn-smokies-smoked-fish-starter/”>Bell Inn Smokies</a> are simple to make but look impressive and taste delicious. Serve with chunks of brown or white bread so you can mop up all the juices from the ramekin.
<h3>#2. Nachos</h3>
A great starter or snack for hungry teens. Take a shallow, ovenproof dish and add a layer of your favourite tortilla chips, a scattering of sliced jalapeño peppers, a handful of grated cheese and a few spoons of salsa. Repeat until you have three layers, then bake in a hot oven until the cheese has melted. Serve with sour cream or natural yoghurt, plus homemade <a href=”https://www.mykidstime.com/food-and-recipes/spicy-tomato-salsa-dip-recipe/”>salsa</a> and <a href=”https://www.mykidstime.com/food-and-recipes/guacamole-recipe/”>guacamole</a> on the side.
<h3>#3. Quesadillas</h3>
Staying with the Tex-Mex theme, quesadillas combine vegetables, chicken, pork or beef with grated cheese, folded into a corn or flour tortilla and heated through. Follow our simple <a href=”https://www.mykidstime.com/food-and-recipes/quesadilla-recipe/”>quesadilla recipe</a> and serve with sour cream or natural yoghurt, salsa and guacamole.
<h3>#4. Creamy Mushrooms on Toast or Pastry</h3>
A must for mushroom lovers. 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 use it as a topping for shop-bought shortcrust or puff pastry that’s been blind-baked according to the pack instructions.
<h3>#5. Chicken or Fish Dippers</h3>
Dippers are just another word for nuggets, and these <a href=”https://www.mykidstime.com/food-and-recipes/homemade-chicken-nuggets/”>homemade chicken nuggets</a> are a world away from the fast-food version kids usually ask for. To make fish dippers, simply swap the chicken for a fillet of firm white fish such as haddock or cod. If you’re catering for an egg or dairy allergy, check out our <a href=”https://www.mykidstime.com/food-and-recipes/5-easy-party-food-ideas-for-kids-with-food-allergies/”>allergy-friendly party recipes</a> for an adapted version.
<h2 id=”dinners-mains”>Dinners & Main Meals</h2>
<h3>#6. Couscous with Baked Vegetables and Goats Cheese</h3>
This dish takes a little chopping and prep time, but once the vegetables are roasted it comes together quickly. Try butternut squash, courgettes, aubergine, shallots and peppers, chopped into bite-sized pieces, coated in a little vegetable oil and salt, and roasted in a hot oven for around 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the couscous by combining one cup of grains with two cups of boiling stock in a heatproof dish. Cover and leave for five minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed. Fluff with a fork, then mix through the roasted vegetables and diced goat’s cheese or feta. For extra flavour, add chopped sundried tomatoes, preserved artichokes and pomegranate seeds.
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