When we think of teaching kids to cook, our mind immediately goes to complex recipes and techniques. While those are certainly an essential part of the process, they don’t have to be the only part. Even kids who have little experience in the kitchen can learn new skills with some guidance and simplified recipes. The trick to encouraging cooking skills in children is to break it down for them and let them experiment until they find their footing and develop a love for cooking. Then you can progress to more daring and complicated recipes and full meals.
If you want some quick and easy cooking ideas to get your kids familiar with the kitchen, this post has 6 easy recipes to try with your kids.
Tacos
Tacos are a classic kid’s meal that is easy to make and tastes delicious. This kid-friendly recipe is speedy to put together, mainly if you use store-bought taco shells. If you have the time, making your taco shells is easy, and they taste out of this world! You can use store-bought taco seasoning or create your own to suit your child’s taste preferences. Homemade taco seasoning is easy to make, and you can get creative with the spices. Using fresh ingredients like tomatoes, lettuce, and avocados makes this recipe extra kid-friendly. If you let your child help with the preparation, they will be more likely to enjoy the meal and get excited to cook again.
Mac & Cheese
If you have the occasional cravings for childhood comfort foods, this is great for kids to try. Start with a classic mac and cheese recipe and add some of your child’s favorite ingredients. You can make mac and cheese with veggies, bacon, or any other ingredients your kids would like to try. This is a great way to sneak some healthy foods into your child’s diet while they’re having fun. While classic mac and cheese is always a hit, it’s a great idea to introduce more complicated recipes as your kids get older. You can make even more kid-friendly recipes by switching out the noodles for pasta or try making mac and cheese with a creamy cauliflower “cheese” sauce.
Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs are a quick and easy breakfast that is kid-friendly. However, they are often rubbery and lack flavor. This recipe for fluffy scrambled eggs is not only kid-friendly, but it also tastes delicious. Keeping the eggs moving around the pan while cooking them will prevent them from becoming rubbery. Making sure to season the eggs well will add flavor and make them taste delicious. This recipe uses garlic and cheddar cheese to enhance the flavor of scrambled eggs. Using cheddar cheese also increases the nutritional value of scrambled eggs, and you can stir in some shredded cheese, herbs, or even vegetables like diced bell pepper or spinach.
Chilli
Chilli is great for kids who want to move beyond essential stove-top recipes. It requires a little more skill than eggs, but it’s still very manageable for beginners. Using a slow-cooker or pressure cooker to make chili removes a lot of the guesswork, making it perfect for kids who want to grow into more complex recipes. Plus, making chili is a great way to clean out your pantry. Find a recipe that calls for inexpensive ingredients like beans, ground meat, and hearty vegetables, and you’ll have a meal that’s both delicious and frugal.
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are a classic kid-friendly meal, but you can also make them healthier by using ground turkey. Start with a basic sloppy joe recipe and add in your own flavor combinations. You can add veggies like peppers or onions or spices like cumin or coriander. You can also make this recipe gluten-free with some gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. If you have an older child or teen who wants to make their recipe, sloppy joes are a great way to introduce more complex cooking ideas. You can start them with a basic recipe and let them add in their twists and custom flavor combinations.
Cookies
Try baking some cookies if you want to make something sweet, but you don’t want to go overboard with sugar. Start with a basic sugar cookie recipe and add your favorite flavor combinations. You can add nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, or any other mix-in. You can even make a basic sugar cookie recipe and make multiple batches with different colored frostings. You don’t have to add any crazy flavors; chocolate chip cookies are a great starting point. Then as their skills progress, you can try different cookie variations.
