Top 10 Kid-Friendly Recipes from the Best Blogs

Children often have very particular tastes when it comes to food, and catering to these preferences while ensuring meals are nutritious can be a challenge for parents. To ease this task, we've compiled a list of kid-friendly recipes from some of the most beloved food blogs. These dishes are not only appealing to children but are also simple enough for even kitchen novices to prepare. Here are the top 10 recipes that kids will love:

1. Cheesy Cauliflower Breadsticks

From Skinnytaste, these breadsticks are an excellent way to sneak some vegetables into your child’s diet. Here’s how to make them:

• 1 head cauliflower
• ¹⁄₂ cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 egg
• ¹⁄₄ tsp garlic powder
• ¹⁄₄ tsp Italian seasoning
• ¹⁄₄ cup marinara sauce for dipping

Steps:

1. Rice the cauliflower using a food processor, then cook until tender.
2. Press out all moisture from the cauliflower.
3. Mix with cheese, egg, and seasonings.
4. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, shape into breadsticks.
5. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18-20 minutes until the edges are golden.
6. Serve with marinara for dipping.

🥦 Note: Ensure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the cauliflower to avoid soggy breadsticks.

2. Veggie-Packed Pita Pockets

From What’s Gaby Cooking?, these pita pockets are perfect for lunch or a snack:

• Whole grain pitas
• Hummus
• Various vegetables like cucumber, carrots, lettuce, and bell peppers

Steps:

1. Slice the pitas in half and open them to form pockets.
2. Spread hummus inside the pita.
3. Stuff with a variety of colorful vegetables.
4. Serve immediately or wrap for school lunches.

3. Taco Ring

From Pillsbury, this taco-inspired ring is a fun twist on traditional tacos:

• Canned crescent roll dough
• Ground beef or turkey
• Taco seasoning
• Cheese, lettuce, tomato, and salsa for garnish

Steps:

1. Brown the meat and mix with taco seasoning.
2. Unroll crescent dough and arrange triangles in a circle with points outward.
3. Spread the meat mixture around the base of the circle.
4. Fold the points of the triangles over the filling and press down to seal.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.
6. Fill with garnishes and serve with salsa.

4. Chicken Fried Rice

This easy recipe from 100 Days of Real Food is both comforting and nutritious:

• 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup diced cooked chicken
• ¹⁄₂ cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• Green onions for garnish

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a large pan or wok, scramble eggs, remove, and set aside.
2. Add more oil if needed, then stir-fry the chicken until heated through.
3. Add vegetables and cook until soft.
4. Add rice, soy sauce, and cooked eggs, mixing well.
5. Garnish with chopped green onions.

5. Mini Quiches

Food52’s recipe for mini quiches can be customized to suit any palate:

• Muffin tin
• Refrigerated pie crusts or puff pastry
• Various fillings like ham, cheese, spinach, mushrooms, etc.
• Egg mixture: 6 eggs, 1 cup cream, salt, and pepper

Steps:

1. Cut pie crust into circles slightly larger than muffin cups.
2. Line muffin cups with dough, pressing into the bottom and sides.
3. Fill with chosen ingredients.
4. Pour egg mixture into each cup.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes or until set.

6. Fruit Sushi Rolls

These no-cook rolls from Fork & Beans are a creative way to present fruit:

• Rice paper wraps
• Assorted fruits like strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, banana, and apple
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Steps:

1. Dip rice paper into warm water until pliable.
2. Lay fruits in a line on one side of the wrap.
3. Roll tightly to form sushi-style rolls.
4. Cut into bite-sized pieces and dust with powdered sugar.

7. Hidden Veggie Chicken Nuggets

From Family Fresh Meals, this recipe adds a healthy twist to a kids’ favorite:

• 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
• ¹⁄₂ cup pureed vegetables (like carrots or spinach)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Mix chicken with pureed vegetables, egg, and seasonings.
2. Form into nugget shapes.
3. Dredge in breadcrumbs.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

8. Alphabet Vegetable Soup

The Endless Meal brings us a soup that can teach and nourish:

• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• Assorted chopped vegetables (zucchini, carrots, spinach)
• 1 cup alphabet pasta

Steps:

1. Combine broth and tomatoes in a pot, bring to a boil.
2. Add chopped vegetables and pasta.
3. Cook until vegetables are tender and pasta is cooked.

9. Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

A timeless classic from The Pioneer Woman, loved by kids everywhere:

• 1 lb macaroni
• ¹⁄₄ cup butter
• ¹⁄₄ cup flour
• 2 ¹⁄₂ cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt, pepper, and mustard powder to taste

Steps:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour to form a roux.
3. Gradually add milk, stirring until thickened.
4. Remove from heat, add cheese and spices, stir until melted.
5. Combine with pasta.

10. Kid-Friendly Sushi

Smitten Kitchen offers an accessible introduction to sushi for kids:

• Sushi rice
• Nori seaweed sheets
• Various fillings like avocado, cucumber, carrots, and crab sticks

Steps:

1. Spread rice thinly on a nori sheet.
2. Place chosen fillings along one edge of the rice.
3. Roll tightly using a sushi mat or by hand.
4. Cut into pieces suitable for small hands.

In summary, these recipes offer a delightful variety of meals that not only please the palate of children but also incorporate nutrition into their diets. Whether it’s sneaking in vegetables through cheesy breadsticks or making fruit exciting with sushi rolls, these dishes are designed to make mealtimes fun and engaging. Try these out to encourage healthy eating habits in your young ones.

Can these recipes be prepared in advance?

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Yes, most of these recipes like the taco ring, chicken nuggets, and macaroni and cheese can be prepped ahead of time. However, items like pita pockets or fruit sushi are best prepared fresh for optimal taste and texture.

Are there vegetarian alternatives for the meat-based recipes?

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Absolutely! For the meat-based recipes, you can substitute with plant-based proteins like tofu or tempeh. Also, many vegetable-based options can be used to fill or accompany these dishes.

What can I do to make these dishes more appealing to very picky eaters?

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Involving children in the cooking process can make them more interested in trying the food. Additionally, presenting food in fun shapes or using colorful ingredients can make the dishes more visually appealing to kids.