13 Treats Kids Can Make Themselves
It’s hard to match the feelings of pride, accomplishment, and confidence that come from a child taking on a task all on his or her own. Whether they’ve crossed the monkey bars, stolen second base, or figured out how to play Mary Had a Little Lamb on the piano, there’s nothing better than your child saying, “I did it myself!” This fall, you can help your child experience self-sufficiency in the heart of your home – the kitchen.
Originally conceived by Young Chef’s Academy, National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day is celebrated every year on September 13. With the goals of increasing family mealtimes, healthy eating, and life skills, Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day is a great time for you and your child to roll up your sleeves, put on an apron, and get cooking!
We’ve gathered 13 recipes your children can try that will have them saying, “I did it!”
Pancake Poppers
As you’re easing back into the fall routine, you can beat the morning blues with these fun pancake poppers. The measurements can help kids practice their math skills, and then they can enjoy mixing and pouring the batter. With this recipe, kids will make doughnut hole-sized pancakes. These poppable morning treats can be eaten as part of a balanced breakfast, as a quick snack during the day, or on the way to the bus stop!
Yogurt Parfait
Another great breakfast option is a yogurt parfait. The best part? Your little chefs can choose the ingredients they like best. They can select their own yogurt flavors and fruit mix-ins, and tailor their breakfast no matter their age. Make it in a clear glass or bowl for some great family photos!
Donut Apples
This creative breakfast or low-cal snack will be Instagram-ready! This recipe uses apples and toppings such as cream cheese, chocolate, and sprinkles. (You can swap out the cream cheese for peanut butter to boost the protein). Cut the apples into donut shapes to make the dish look like that sweet treat! Using cookie cutters instead of a knife will keep kids safe even as they take control of the kitchen. It’s a great way to use the “fruits” of your fall apple-picking adventures!
Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
Time for lunch! Hand the leftover deli meat to the new head chef, and they can easily whip up some delicious ham and cheese roll-ups. This isn’t a precise recipe, so it leaves lots of room for your chef to get creative with ingredients and execution. When they bite into their creation and see the fun swirl inside, it’s sure to get a smile.
Waldorf Chicken Boats
Does your chef want to get a little fancy? Perhaps there’s a tea party on today’s agenda? This simple salad with a fancy name is easy for most children to tackle, with adult supervision. The recipe calls for pre-cooked chicken – perfect for using your leftovers. Help your children toast the walnuts in the oven and cut the apples, grapes, scallions, and chicken.
Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Put a new twist on a kid-friendly favorite with this pull-apart bread. Use this recipe to teach your children oven safety. This is a hands-on recipe that includes lots of rolling and squishing and other fun things, making it a good choice if you’ve got more than one little cook in the kitchen.
Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
If your garden yielded tons of fresh zucchini, this is an excellent way to make use of it. The recipe requires very basic cuts, which can help a beginner practice and build confidence with a knife. The rest is just sprinkle, toss, and bake. How’s that for a way to get your kid to eat his veggies?
Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Have you been looking for a quick dinner between school and practice? These sliders use store-bought ingredients that make an easy and delicious dinner. This recipe requires use of both the oven and a knife, but the rest involves simple tasks any young chef should be able to complete.
Cheese Quesadillas
This simple recipe is great for young children with adult supervision, but older chefs can also show off their advanced skills by adding things like peppers, onions, or tomatoes they sliced themselves. Adding the meat of a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great way to boost the protein.
Baked Spaghetti Squash
This is one recipe that takes advantage of the fact that kids love to play with their food! Because you’ll need to use the microwave, the stove, and the oven, a parent assist may be necessary. But just wait and see what happens when they go to town with a fork on the inside of that squash! As an added bonus, you get to take advantage of squash during its peak season, so consider picking it up from your local farm stand.
Basic Mug Cakes
If you have five minutes and some pantry staples, your children can have a blast with these quick and easy mug cakes. Basic measuring and mixing skills are required. Pro tip: If cracking an egg is a new skill, crack the egg into a separate bowl instead of right into your recipe. That way, you can fish out any stray shells. With this recipe, your children can choose which type of mug cake is their favorite: confetti, strawberry shortcake, triple chocolate, chocolate chip, or blueberry cheesecake!
Football Rice Krispy Treats
Fall means football, and with this recipe your little one is sure to be ready for the big game. There’s no cutting required, so this recipe is great for kids who aren’t quite ready to use knives. It does require use of the stove, so parent supervision is still required. Planning for a birthday party or school event? The sweet result is free of most common allergens. In other words, this recipe is a touchdown!
Kiddie Crunch Mix
Chefs of any age can tackle this fun family favorite. Just measure, pour, stir, and enjoy! This is great for beginner chefs who are excited about cooking and want to be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Because you can choose ingredients that work for you, this dish is great for movie night, a fall party, or a school event.
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