Cooking with kids: top reasons to cook with your kids and recipes to try
Cooking with kids can be a really great experience. Every time my nephews come to visit they are always so helpful and willing. We love to make chocolate mousse together. They measure out ingredients, mix and stir, and help me plate. Whisking all the ingredients together is their favorite step (other than the tasting!) It is always so much fun and I really feel like we connect during it.
Top 3 reasons to cook with kids
Encourage an adventurous palate. When your kids are cooking alongside you they tend to be more game to try the things you are making. Take advantage of this and introduce new foods that may not necessarily be in your usual line up.
Boost confidence. When kids learn and get the hang of cutting, mixing, and saucing, their confidence will grow naturally. This confidence will lead to self assurance both in and out of the kitchen.
Fun time spent with family
This is just a bonus — time spent together in a constructive, educational, and delicious way! When kids cook with their grown-ups, meal prep time can go from a hassle and never ending chore to fun family bonding time. Cooking together makes for lasting memories the kids will treasure when they get older.
Now that you know the benefits of cooking with kids, what can you make?
Dishes to cook with your kids
Zucchini Pesto Pizza Rolls
Pizza rolls are a brilliant way to put leftovers to good use or here as a vehicle for more vegetables. Use any vegetables or sauce you have on hand using this same basic framework.
How kids can help: Put those kiddos to work rolling out the dough and rolling things up once they are filled.
Recipe: Zucchini Pesto Pizza Rolls
Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders with Creamy Dip Trio
Why not give the kids exactly what they want while you put them to work? These crispy chicken tenders are mixed up with a secret ingredient and a smart shortcut for getting the coating in place.
How kids can help: Have them shake on the crisp coating for the chicken pieces. Put them to work mixing up the sauces — and encourage them to create their own.
Recipe: How To Make Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders with Creamy Dip Trio
Roasted Veggies in the oven with Everything Spiced Vegetables for Kids Spice Blend
If getting the little ones to eat vegetables is a difficult task, having them help you in the prep increases the chances that they will try a bite or two! They will be excited to try something they made. Roast broccoli, cauliflower, or make kale chips by tossing with olive oil, sprinkling with salt, and adding a teaspoon of Everything Spiced Vegetables for Kids Spice Blend.
How kids can help: They can choose which vegetable to roast! They can mix the vegetables with the olive oil and also season with the spice blend.
Baked Fries with Everything Spiced French Fries Spice Blend
Pick whichever vegetable you like — potatoes, sweet potatoes, even zucchinis work great! Chop them up, put a little olive oil on them, toss with Everything Spiced French Fries Spice Blend, and bake them in the oven at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes. The kids (and you) will thank us!
How kids can help: Have the younger kids season the vegetable or potato and have the older ones practice their knife skills.
Speculoos Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
You all deserve dessert! This fun treat is perfect for adults and kids alike. The spice of the cookie with the creaminess of the ice cream go so well together.
How kids can help: Have them measure out all the baking ingredients.
Recipe: Speculoos Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
We have a great bundle package that includes a few spice blends that can help get you started! Check it out here! Now that you have the reasons, tools, and recipes go out there and have fun and build great memories!!! Stay safe and healthy!
-Everything Spiced
