Cooking with Kids: Fun and Easy Recipes to Make Together
Cooking with kids can be a fun and rewarding experience. It not only helps children develop life skills and confidence in the kitchen, but it also provides an opportunity for quality family time. With the right recipes, cooking with kids can be easy, safe and enjoyable. In this article, we will share some fun and easy recipes that you can make together with your kids.
1. Homemade Pizza
Pizza is a kid-friendly dish that most children love to eat. Why not take it a step further and make it from scratch with your kids? Homemade pizza is easy to make and allows for a wide range of customization.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, onions, peppers, ham)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Dust a baking sheet with flour.
3. On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough.
4. Place the rolled-out dough on the baking sheet.
5. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the sauce.
7. Add your desired toppings on top of the cheese.
8. Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
2. Fruit Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to get kids to eat their fruits and vegetables. They are also easy to make and can be a fun activity for kids.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen mixed berries
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup of vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup of orange juice
- 1/2 cup of ice cubes
Instructions:
1. Add all the ingredients into a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour the smoothie into glasses and serve.
3. No-Bake Energy Bites
No-bake energy bites are a tasty snack that kids can easily help make. They are perfect for after-school snacks or for on-the-go.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup of peanut butter
- 1/3 cup of honey
- 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup of ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, flaxseed, and vanilla extract.
2. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Once chilled, use a cookie scoop to form the mixture into bite-size balls.
4. Store the energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
4. Pancakes
Making pancakes from scratch is a fun and easy recipe to make with kids. It also allows for a lot of creativity with toppings.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 1/4 cups of milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., strawberries, bananas, whipped cream)
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, egg, and melted butter.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
4. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
5. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pour the batter on the pan.
6. Cook until the edges are dry and the surface is bubbly.
7. Flip the pancake and cook the other side until golden brown.
8. Repeat with the remaining batter.
9. Serve with your desired toppings.
5. Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that kids love. Making it from scratch is easy and allows for a healthier version without all the processed ingredients found in boxed macaroni and cheese.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Whisk in the flour until smooth.
4. Gradually whisk in the milk and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Add the shredded cheese and stir until melted.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste.
8. Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and stir until coated.
9. Serve hot.
Cooking with kids can be a fun and educational experience. These five fun and easy recipes are perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen. Not only will they learn valuable skills, they will also get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Try these recipes with your kids and create lasting memories together.