Sometimes, it seems like getting the entire family in the kitchen is a monumental task (especially when that involves kids cooking and healthy family dinners that include fruits and vegetables).
Luckily, there are many different ways to get everyone to have fun in the kitchen and improve their cooking skills, too!
Follow these tips, tricks and tasty recipes to turn your kids into superstar chefs and make family dinner time a fun family event for years to come. From messes in the kitchen to Cherry Chia Bob Tarts, we have you covered! Just bring an extra apron (or two).
5 Tips for Cooking with Kids
Cooking with kids can be lively, invigorating, and creatively-inspiring. Here are 5 of our favorite tips for making kids cooking easy and enjoyable.
Messes Are Okay
Know that making a mess is okay. In fact, sometimes it’s encouraged! Messes in the kitchen allow kids to feel free and have fun during the process of cooking. When the cooking is through, make the cleanup fun for kids (and adults) by putting on music.
Don’t Overthink It
It might seem like the logical thing to wait for a weekend when there’s extra time to be patient in the kitchen. But often, the love of cooking for kids can come from the weeknights spent measuring flour with Mom for the meal or helping Dad make a quick sauce for the chicken drumsticks. If your little ones are showing interest in cooking, encourage it. You can always use an extra sous chef or “helper.”
Cook Seasonally
When you cook seasonally, it opens up a wide world of food for kids. Not only are they able to taste the sweetest strawberries or the juiciest apples, but they’ll also start to understand the science behind growing produce and fruit. Take a family trip to the farmers’ market and get to know the people who grow your local food.
Introduce Knives
Often, parents stray away from letting kids do any of the cutting when it comes to prepping dishes. But, if you think about it beforehand, there are a few ways you can still introduce cutting, chopping, slicing, and dicing without it being dangerous. A butter or plastic knife and a soft piece of fruit is a wonderful place to start.
Let it Be
If your kids aren’t the culinary guru you wish them to be, that’s okay! My meal creation of choice for a solid three years was cake made with just flour, water, and sprinkles and “soup” done with raw carrots and water in the microwaves. Nevertheless, my mother encouraged my meals (and even insisted my siblings taste tested and encouraged them, too). As a result, I’ll have a lifelong love and passion for cooking, baking, and sharing a meal.
Our Favorite Recipes
So, ready to get the whole family in the kitchen and get the kids cooking? Try starting out with these simple yet fun cooking recipes for kids. From Savory Cheese Sausage Balls to Stone Fruit Crisps, there’s something here for everyone.
Savory Cheese Sausage Balls
These Savory Cheese Sausage Balls are good for both crowds and kids. They’re easy to prep and pop in the oven and only require five ingredients and three steps. Using a mix of spicy sausage, veggie cream cheese, baking powder, sharp cheddar cheese, and Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, these little balls of wonder come to life fast (especially with the help of your kiddos).
Ham and Asparagus Quiche Cups
These Ham and Asparagus Quiche Cups are perfect to make for a potluck, buffet, or holiday gathering. The tiny size of the cups is great for little ones and the flaky and buttery crust holds the egg, cheese, ham, and asparagus (or other vegetables) altogether. They’re made with Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, butter, ice water, eggs, ricotta cheese, chopped ham, asparagus, and shredded cheddar cheese. You can also feel free to switch out or eliminate some ingredients based on your family’s own preference.
Cherry Chia Bob Tarts
It’s no surprise that kids (and adults) love classic, flaky tarts with a sweet filling and a bit of frosting. We made these Cherry Chia Bob-Tarts for 2018's Feast Portland, complete with a buttery gluten-free crust, a cherry chia seed filling, and rainbow jimmies to top it all off. Kids will love helping to assemble them and drizzle the tarts with icing. Feel free to substitute your favorite jam for the filling — and serve alongside a tall glass of fresh orange juice and a side of scrambled eggs.
Cinnamon Bun Popcorn
Movie night (or rainy day) popcorn is always a true treat — but especially when it’s combined with the flavor of cinnamon buns. This Cinnamon Bun Popcorn combines two of our favorite things, sweet and spicy cinnamon rolls, and warm popcorn. The addition of Vanilla Protein Powder Nutritional Booster gives the whole family extra protein and fiber, and a drizzle of coconut oil at the end adds a beneficial bonus, too.
Stone Fruit Crisp
We developed this Stone Fruit Crisp in combination with Imperfect Produce — to show that although imperfect fruits may not be the most “beautiful” they can still taste delicious. This treat is perfect to make with pie-loving kids to encourage appreciation of wholesome ingredients like Rolled Oats and stone fruits. After the filling is created, just pour it into a baking dish and sprinkle it with the topping before baking. With simple steps, this crisp is a great, healthy dessert for the aspiring baker in the household.
Pretzel Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket are such a nostalgic treat — and so fun to eat! These Pretzel Pigs in a Blanket are made with a mix of our Artisan Bread Flour and Organic Spelt Flour. Take these little piggies to your next game night, birthday party, or school gathering. Similar to premade snacks you might find in the grocery store, but packed with hearty whole grains. Just don’t forget the whole grain mustard and dipping sauces!
Heirloom Tomato Galette
Galettes are a beautifully rustic way to showcase fruits both in sweet and savory form. This Heirloom Tomato Galette is easy to make because of its free-form assembly, with a crust of White All-Purpose Flour and Semolina Pasta Flour. It’s wonderful for kids to try creating and in fact, it’s a perfectly “imperfect” look that gives galettes their signature style. Seasonal fruit galettes served with ice cream are fun to make, too.
5-Ingredient Almond Chicken Tenders
Though the idea of chicken tenders may at first conjure visions of fast food or junk food, there are actually lots of healthy ways you can make them. The 5-Ingredient Almond Chicken Tenders are gluten-free and kid-friendly, made with tender chicken coated in seasoned Almond Flour. Have the kids help you assemble, bake until crispy, and serve alongside honey mustard or BBQ sauce for dipping.
Three Homemade Pizza Recipes with No-Knead Pizza Crust
One of the most classic ways to get your family in the kitchen is through pizza night! These Three Homemade Pizza Recipes with No Knead Pizza Crust ensure chewy, fluffy, and flavorful pizza every time. You can mix and match the toppings to create your own custom homemade pizzas or go with the suggested ideas for pepperoni, spicy pepper jack and bacon, and simple Margherita. These are the ideal weekend meal if you’re a family with a few kids who have different tastes, as they each get to create their own masterpiece!
Strawberry Basil Farro Salad
When it comes to healthy family dinners, it’s fun to make a colorful salad the star of the show. With sweet basil and strawberries, chewy whole grain farro and a tangy yet creamy dressing makes, this Strawberry Basil Farro Salad is a treat for both kids and adults. If you’re working with multiple chefs in the kitchen, give the littlest ones the task of tearing the basil and let the older ones be in charge of slicing the strawberries. Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside a main entree like fish or chicken.
So, whether you’re whipping up a seasonal salad or trying your hand at no-knead pizza crust with the whole family, our home is that these tricks and recipes have inspired you to get to the kitchen and get cooking with your kids.
At the end of the day, there’s nothing as rewarding as seeing your little ones with flour on their faces and enjoying a meal that the entire crew has put love into.
