15 Easy Recipes Kids Can Make Without Help: Fun, Simple Cooking for Little Chefs

15 Easy Recipes Kids Can Make Without Help: Fun, Simple Cooking for Little Chefs

By Sara Taylor

15 Easy Recipes Kids Can Make Without Help: Fun, Simple Cooking for Little Chefs

By Sara Taylor
•
Updated
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Recipes

We have an amazing list of kitchen recipes your kids can help out with. If you have watched your kid help in the kitchen and you've been wondering what life choices you made, no worries, these recipes allow them to help out in the kitchen without the hassle of the mess and no stove drama. You can put an apron on them and they will feel like real chefs.

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1) Fruit Salad Fun

a colorful fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries, banana slices, and grapes in a wide white bowl, set on a sunny kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

The gateway recipe for tiny cooks is one where they can just dump and stir.

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a colorful fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries, banana slices, and grapes in a wide white bowl, set on a sunny kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Fruit Salad Fun

A colorful bowl of chopped fruit with a squeeze of citrus and a touch of honey.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup strawberries halved
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 banana sliced
  • 1 cup green grapes halved
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp orange juice

Method
 

  1. Wash all the fruit and pat it dry.
  2. Add strawberries, blueberries, banana, and grapes to a big bowl.
  3. Drizzle the honey and orange juice over the top.
  4. Gently toss with a spoon until everything looks shiny and mixed.
  5. Serve right away or chill for a few minutes.

Notes

Swap in whatever fruit you have on hand; this is endlessly forgiving.

2) No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies

a tray of fudgy no-bake chocolate oat cookies cooling on parchment paper, arranged in a wide row on a wooden counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

No oven, and lots and lots of chocolate? Exactly the kind of "math" that kids love!

a tray of fudgy no-bake chocolate oat cookies cooling on parchment paper, arranged in a wide row on a wooden counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies

Cocoa and peanut butter come together in these fudgy no-bake cookie, which are full of oats!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 12 cookies
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups quick oats
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 3 tbsp butter

Method
 

  1. Ask a grown-up to warm the butter, milk, sugar, and cocoa in a bowl in the microwave for about a minute, then stir until smooth.
  2. Stir in the peanut butter until it melts into the mixture.
  3. Add the oats and mix until everything is coated.
  4. Scoop spoonfuls onto a parchment-lined tray.
  5. Let them set in the fridge for 10 minutes until firm.

Notes

They firm up as they chill, so resist the urge to taste-test all twelve.

3) Yogurt Parfait Crunch

two layered yogurt parfaits in tall clear glasses with granola and fresh berries, lined up on a bright breakfast table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Layering is like edible art and your child is the artist!

two layered yogurt parfaits in tall clear glasses with granola and fresh berries, lined up on a bright breakfast table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Yogurt Parfait Crunch

Yogurt, granola, and berries layered in a cup.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 2 parfaits
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup granola
  • 1 cup mixed berries
  • 1 tbsp honey

Method
 

  1. Spoon a layer of yogurt into the bottom of a clear cup.
  2. Sprinkle a layer of granola on top.
  3. Add a layer of berries.
  4. Repeat the layers until the cup is full.
  5. Finish with a drizzle of honey and a few berries on top.

4) Peanut Butter Banana Bites

peanut butter banana bite sandwiches topped with mini chocolate chips, spread across a wide speckled plate on a kitchen counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cody has created a recipe that is super easy. All it takes are two ingredients! Your kids will love it! Plus it only takes a few minutes.

peanut butter banana bite sandwiches topped with mini chocolate chips, spread across a wide speckled plate on a kitchen counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Peanut Butter Banana Bites

A fun and poppable snack is banana coins and peanut butter.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 8 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 bananas sliced into coins
  • 1/3 cup peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips

Method
 

  1. Slice the bananas into round coins.
  2. Spread a little peanut butter on half of the coins.
  3. Top each with a second banana coin to make a sandwich.
  4. Press a few mini chocolate chips on top.
  5. Serve right away or freeze for 20 minutes for a cold treat.

Notes

Freezing makes these feel like dessert.

5) Ants on a Log

celery sticks filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins arranged in a wide row on a colorful plate, set on a kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

An old-fashioned favorite that still makes children laugh at the mention of the word "ants."

celery sticks filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins arranged in a wide row on a colorful plate, set on a kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Ants on a Log

Celery with peanut butter and raisins.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 celery stalks cut into thirds
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup raisins

Method
 

  1. Wash the celery and cut each stalk into three pieces.
  2. Spread peanut butter into the groove of each celery piece.
  3. Press raisins into the peanut butter in a line.
  4. Arrange on a plate and serve.

Notes

Cream cheese works great for kids who skip peanut butter.

6) Caprese Skewers

caprese skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic, lined up on a wide slate board on a table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

These skewers are kid-friendly and require no knife skills.

caprese skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic, lined up on a wide slate board on a table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Caprese Skewers

Cherry tomato, mozzarella, and basil skewers.
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Prep Time 12 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 cherry tomatoes
  • 16 mini mozzarella balls
  • 16 fresh basil leaves
  • 1 tbsp balsamic glaze

Method
 

  1. Slide a cherry tomato onto a short skewer.
  2. Add a folded basil leaf next.
  3. Add a mozzarella ball.
  4. Repeat until the skewer is full, then make the rest.
  5. Drizzle with a little balsamic glaze before serving.

Notes

Use blunt cocktail picks for safer little hands.

7) Mini Pizza Bagels

mini pizza bagels with bubbly melted cheese and pepperoni arranged on a wide baking tray on a counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

With some bagels and cheese, everyone becomes a pizzaiolo.

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mini pizza bagels with bubbly melted cheese and pepperoni arranged on a wide baking tray on a counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Mini Pizza Bagels

Sauce, gooey cheese, and pepperoni on toasted bagel halves.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 mini bagels halved
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 12 pepperoni slices

Method
 

  1. Place the bagel halves cut-side up on a baking tray.
  2. Spoon pizza sauce onto each half.
  3. Sprinkle cheese over the sauce.
  4. Add pepperoni slices on top.
  5. Ask a grown-up to bake at 375 F for about 8 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

Notes

Let them cool a minute, the cheese gets lava-hot.

8) Trail Mix Treats

homemade trail mix with pretzels, cereal, peanuts, chocolate chips, and dried cranberries spilling across a wide wooden board, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Kids can customize this delicious dump-and-shake snack any way they’d like!

homemade trail mix with pretzels, cereal, peanuts, chocolate chips, and dried cranberries spilling across a wide wooden board, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Trail Mix Treats

A handful of cereal, pretzels, nuts, and chocolate, all combined together for a perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup mini pretzels
  • 1 cup cereal squares
  • 1/2 cup peanuts
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Method
 

  1. Pour the pretzels, cereal, and peanuts into a large bowl.
  2. Add the chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
  3. Stir everything together with a big spoon.
  4. Scoop into small bags or cups to serve.

Notes

Skip the nuts and double the cereal for nut-free classrooms.

9) Cheese Quesadillas

golden cheese quesadilla wedges with melty cheese pulling apart, fanned out on a wide plate on a kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

A trick for making a quesadilla that kids can completely do by themselves — no stove required!

golden cheese quesadilla wedges with melty cheese pulling apart, fanned out on a wide plate on a kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cheese Quesadillas

Cheese that has melted and formed a gooey center, is then placed in a warm tortilla that is carefully folded. The edges are crispy.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar

Method
 

  1. Lay a tortilla flat on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Sprinkle cheese over one half of the tortilla.
  3. Fold the empty half over the cheese.
  4. Microwave for about 30 to 45 seconds until the cheese melts.
  5. Let it cool slightly, then cut into wedges.

Notes

A panini press or grown-up-manned skillet gives crispier edges.

10) Cucumber Sandwiches

cucumber cream cheese tea sandwiches cut into triangles, arranged on a wide tiered plate on a bright table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cute tiny sandwiches that make snack time feel like a fancy tea party.

cucumber cream cheese tea sandwiches cut into triangles, arranged on a wide tiered plate on a bright table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cucumber Sandwiches

Soft bread that has been spread with cream cheese and finished with cool cucumber slices.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 bread slices
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese
  • 1 cucumber thinly sliced

Method
 

  1. Spread cream cheese on each slice of bread.
  2. Lay cucumber slices over half of the slices.
  3. Top with the remaining bread slices.
  4. Cut off the crusts if you like.
  5. Slice into little triangles and serve.

Notes

A sprinkle of dill makes them feel grown-up fancy.

11) Frozen Banana Pops

chocolate-dipped frozen banana pops covered in colorful sprinkles, lined up on a wide parchment tray on a counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

A frozen, dunked, and sticked banana is just like a healthy ice cream bar!

chocolate-dipped frozen banana pops covered in colorful sprinkles, lined up on a wide parchment tray on a counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Frozen Banana Pops

Chocolate-covered frozen bananas rolled in fun and crunchy toppings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 pops
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 bananas halved
  • 1/2 cup melted chocolate
  • 1/4 cup sprinkles
  • 4 popsicle sticks

Method
 

  1. Push a popsicle stick into the cut end of each banana half.
  2. Dip each banana into the melted chocolate.
  3. Roll in sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
  4. Lay on a parchment-lined tray.
  5. Freeze for at least 1 hour until solid.

Notes

Have a grown-up melt the chocolate so no one gets a hot surprise.

12) Apple Nachos Delight

apple nachos with thin apple slices drizzled in peanut butter, chocolate chips, and granola spread across a wide platter on a table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Make it fruit and watch the kids go crazy!

apple nachos with thin apple slices drizzled in peanut butter, chocolate chips, and granola spread across a wide platter on a table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Apple Nachos Delight

Crisp apple slices drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate. Topped with crunch.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 apples thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter melted
  • 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp granola

Method
 

  1. Slice the apples thin and spread them out on a plate.
  2. Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the apples.
  3. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
  4. Scatter granola over everything for crunch.
  5. Dig in right away while crisp.

Notes

Toss apple slices in a little lemon juice to keep them from browning.

13) Veggie Faces

a hummus veggie face plate decorated with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots into a smiling face, shown wide on a bright kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

The only time it is acceptable to play with your food.

a hummus veggie face plate decorated with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots into a smiling face, shown wide on a bright kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Veggie Faces

Creamy hummus, decorated with silly faces, crunchy vegetables!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup hummus
  • 4 cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cucumber sliced
  • 1 carrot cut into strips
  • 2 tbsp shredded cheese

Method
 

  1. Spread the hummus into a circle on a small plate.
  2. Use tomato halves for eyes.
  3. Add cucumber slices and carrot strips for the nose and mouth.
  4. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top for silly hair.
  5. Show off your veggie face before eating it.

Notes

Let each kid design their own face with whatever veggies they like.

14) PB&J Roll-Ups

peanut butter and jelly tortilla pinwheels showing a swirl pattern, arranged in a wide row on a plate on a kitchen counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

No crusts and no fuss, it is the lunchbox classic reimagined as a swirl!

peanut butter and jelly tortilla pinwheels showing a swirl pattern, arranged in a wide row on a plate on a kitchen counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

PB&J Roll-Ups

Tortilla roll-ups with peanut butter and jelly fillings and cut into little wheel shapes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 flour tortillas
  • 1/3 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup jelly

Method
 

  1. Lay a tortilla flat on a plate.
  2. Spread peanut butter all the way to the edges.
  3. Spread a thin layer of jelly over the peanut butter.
  4. Roll the tortilla up tightly into a log.
  5. Slice into pinwheel rounds and serve.

Notes

Sunflower butter makes these classroom-friendly.

15) Cracker Tacos

mini cracker tacos topped with refried beans, cheese, lettuce, and diced tomato, arranged across a wide plate on a table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

No soft-shell heartbreaks required, kids can build their own mini tacos.

mini cracker tacos topped with refried beans, cheese, lettuce, and diced tomato, arranged across a wide plate on a table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cracker Tacos

Crackers topped with cheese, beans, and crunchy lettuce make for some great mini tacos.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 round crackers
  • 1/2 cup refried beans
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/4 cup diced tomato

Method
 

  1. Lay the crackers out on a plate.
  2. Spread a little refried beans on each cracker.
  3. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
  4. Add a pinch of lettuce and diced tomato.
  5. Serve as little open-faced cracker tacos.

Notes

A dollop of sour cream or salsa makes a fun dip on the side.
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