With summer break around the corner, what better way to spend weekends than cooking and eating together. These quick, easy recipes are so delicious it'll be hard for even the pickiest eaters to say no. Don’t believe us? Give this list a look and try one out. We're sure your little ones will be asking for seconds! Best part: they're easy to make too. Some dishes only take 10 to 15 minutes to put together! (Note: these servings are usually for 2-3 hungry kids, so don’t be sparse with the ingredients!)
Getting the kids in the kitchen and making these fun recipes will keep both their hands and brains busy!
Bubbles Loves: Crunchy Chicken Salad
Photo: Taste of Home
Beat the summer heat with a healthy, fuss-free chicken salad, topped off with a delicious tangy dressing and a nice crunch!
Just like Bubbles, some kids might say “yuck” at the idea of eating green leafy vegetables. Why not present the delicious ingredients on their plate, and encourage them to savour the different textures and taste. It’s a fun activity and yummy snack all in one plate.
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Here’s how your little ones can help: In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients and stir well. Add chicken, grapes, celery and pecans and toss to coat evenly. Arrange the mixture on crisp lettuce leaves, and enjoy!
Fuse Loves: Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn
Photo: Taste of Home
One of the best things about summer is fresh sweet corn, and this recipe is a definite standout with its zingy combo of crunchy panko coating and spicy jalapeno kick…just like Fuse!
Kids can benefit from the vitamin C found in jalapenos. While it can’t replace all the other fruits and veggies we eat to get adequate vitamin C , jalapenos have properties which are beneficial for healing cuts and maintaining skin health. In addition, jalapeños have a compound called capsaicin which gives chilli peppers their spicy tastes and is helpful for reducing pain and inflammation.
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This is a recipe best served at family barbeques. Mommas and Poppas, the first step requires an adult to prepare. First, coat corn and jalapenos with 2 tablespoons of canola oil, then place them on a greased grill rack over medium-high direct heat until lightly charred on all sides. After 10-12 minutes, remove from heat. When jalapenos have cooled, peel off the skin and remove seeds. Chop finely and keep aside.
Next, toast the panko bread crumbs in a skillet with some butter till they brown, then add paprika and oregano. By this time, your kitchen will smell tantalising!
Meanwhile, your little one can mash together the cream cheese, sour cream, lime juice and salt in a bowl and spread the mixture over corn. Kids love to smear soft, sticky things like butter and chocolate sauce…this is no different! The thicker the spread, the yummier! Finally, sprinkle with bread crumbs, jalapenos and chipotle pepper. For a bit more oomph, sprinkle with cilantro and some crispy bacon bits! Serve it to your pack of hungry kids with lime wedges.
Jeff Loves: Colourful Fruit Salad
Photo: Taste of Home
Have you ever noticed how colourful fruit can lift one’s mood? If you have a child who doesn’t usually like eating fruit and veggies, make sure to point out the bright, cheerful hues – it really does help! With enough delicious ingredients that kids and adults will both love, this is a crowd pleaser.
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To kick start this family activity, mums and dads can prepare the different bowls of fruit. Then, get your kids to pour them into a big bowl - make sure no one’s snacking away - and finally whisk the honey, lemon juice and zest before drizzling over the fruit salad. Not only is this super simple to make, it’s full of vitamins too!
Newt Loves: Banana Pancakes
Photo: Ambitious Kitchen
You may already have these 4 simple ingredients in your kitchen to make these yummy banana egg pancakes an instant household favourite, no matter what age! They’re healthy, nutritious and so much fun to make. Plus, there are easy ways to customise them to your little one’s tastes! The good thing about these pancakes is that they have no added sugars - they’re naturally sweet from the ripe bananas - and are full of protein and fibre. Coconut flour is a great gluten-free and grain-free option - and tastes like summer!
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Get your kids involved by mashing the banana (It’s best if your banana is nice and ripe with brown spots on the peel). Then, crack two eggs into the bowl with the mashed banana and whisk with a fork until well combined. It’s okay if there are lumps of banana. Next, add in coconut flour and milk and mix to combine. Batter should be similar to traditional pancake batter; if it’s way too thick, you may need to add in more milk, however it’s important you only start with a teaspoon at a time.
When it’s time to cook the pancakes, remember: Flip cakes and cook until golden brown on the underside. They only need 2-3 minutes and voila! Serve warm with a nice side of butter.
Pogo Loves: BBQ Chicken Pizzas
Photo: Sue Bee Homemaker
This pizza will just disappear when it hits the dinner table. A combination of chicken and smoky barbecue sauce is something that kids really love, and even more so with oodles of gooey melted cheese! This recipe is especially fast and easy to make with refrigerated pizza crust!
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If your kids love getting messy, they’ll love this step. They can add the BBQ sauce to the center of the pizza crust and use a spoon to evenly spread it across, leaving a little bit of room at the edge for the crust. Then, sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the BBQ sauce. The last step is to add the pepper, onion and chicken.
Bake at 500 for 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your crust. Everyone’s favourite moment is when the oven bell rings, the kitchen smells like a pizzeria and out comes the pizza - a perfect vision when the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
Slick Loves: Ice cream Sandwiches
Photo: One Little Project
There’s just something special about two cookies with ice cream between them. They’re fun to eat, and they’re also fun to make at home! If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you could definitely make them with homemade cookies instead. And if you’ve had your fill, store the rest in an airtight container in the freezer.
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You’ll want your ice cream to be just slightly softened, so it’s easy to scoop, but not so soft that it melts everywhere before you can put the sandwiches back in the freezer to firm up. Best part? You can easily sub in any flavour of ice cream you like. The flavour combinations are endless!
After coating each of the sandwiches with sprinkles, freeze for 30 minutes before enjoying. They’re the perfect sweet treat to enjoy this summer!
Zee Loves: Microwave S’mores
Photo: Kids Activities Blog
Here’s one way to impress your kids with this super simple dessert the next time you have a family movie or game night! S’mores treats never get old for both children and adults. It may be eaten as a snack or dessert or any time of the day especially when the sweet tooth is calling.
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While this activity takes less than 10 minutes, it’s those precious moments of creating a special family memory that will last forever. It might even start a new family tradition for years to come.
To make these fun s’mores, place a marshmallow on half of a graham cracker on a microwave-safe plate. If you’re not worried about a sugar rush, your kids can also dip the marshmallow in chocolate for an extra fudgy taste. Microwave the crackers for only 5-10 seconds at a time. Make sure you don’t over do it, because the marshmallow can get really rubbery!
For other fun summer recipes, be sure to check out our other recipe ideas:
https://oddbods.com/a/blog/summer-oddbods-drinks-to-quench-your-thirst
https://oddbods.com/a/blog/5-healthy-fun-lunch-box-ideas-from-around-the-world
