My Top 10 Favorite Summer Recipes To Make With Kids

My Top 10 Favorite Summer Recipes To Make With Kids

Summer is the perfect opportunity to get your kids into the kitchen and teach them how to cook and bake. I’ve put together a list of 10 yummy kid-friendly recipes that you and your kids can make together. My number 1 tip for cooking with your kids is to mentally prepare yourself for the kitchen to be a disaster. Your kids are going to have a blast and you can too if you try to not control how much of a mess you guys will end up making.

Fruit Kabobs

The easiest and probably the most mess free recipe. Have your kids pick out his/ her favorite fruit and help them cut them into smaller pieces. Just stick them onto a wooden skewer. Dip them into vanilla greek yogurt for the perfect healthy snack!

Rainbow Banilla Bites

This is a super easy and cute idea. You will need Nilla Wafers, Rainbow Sprinkles, Creamy Peanut Butter or Nutella, and Bananas.

• Peel and slice banana into thin slices.
• Place one Nilla wafer upside down and spread on a thin layer of creamypeanut butter or Nutella.
• Roll a sliced banana in sprinkles - completely coating only the edges. Place it on the Nilla wafer coated in peanut butter/ Nutella.
• Spread a thin layer of creamy peanut butter on the inside of a second Nilla wafer and place it on top of the sprinkle coated banana slice to create a sandwich.

Hobo Pizza Pies

This is a fun way to make pizza and kids love it! This is best prepared in a sandwich maker or Pie Iron over a campfire but can be easily prepared like a traditional grilled cheese sandwich.

• Butter the outsides of two slices of bread (the sides that will touch the sandwich maker or pan). Spread pizza sauce on the inside of the bread.
• Lay one slice in the pizza maker/ pan, butter-side down.
• Lay pepperonis on top of the sauce.
• Add a layer of mozzarella cheese.
• Sprinkle the top of the cheese with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Place remaining slice of bread, pizza-sauce-side down.
• Cook sandwich until toasted to a golden brown and heated all the way through.

Fruit Pizza

The perfect summer treat!

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Prepare sugar cookie dough.
• Using your hands, spread the dough evenly on a cookie sheet.
• Bake until lightly browned, usually about 12 min. Remove from oven and cool completely.
• Mix marshmallow cream and cream cheese until smooth and cream.
• Cover the pizza with fruit. Refrigerate until serving.

Butterfly Snack

These are super easy and super cute. You will just need celery, peanut butter, pretzels, and edible candy eyes.

• Slice celery sticks.
• Fill with peanut butter.
• Top with two pretzels and make them look like wings.
• Add two candy eyes to complete the snack!

Homemade Cheese Crackers

A fun alternative to store bought Cheez-Its. My kids love these and they are so easy to make! They are also made with clean ingredients, which I love. You will need 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temp, 1 cup flour, 2-3 tablespoons milk, and coarse salt for topping.

• Place all ingredients except milk and salt into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture turns into crumbs. Slowly add liquid until dough can form a ball.
• Divide dough in half and shape into a round disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 min to chill.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Roll out one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface. They need to be very thin. Use a knife to cut into 1” squares. Transfer squares to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center.
• Sprinkle salt and bake for 10-15 min.

Hot Dog Nuggets

• Begin by preheating you oven to 400 degrees.
• Slice your hot dogs into thin pieces (ours were about half inch each). Set aside.
• Roll out your crescent dough and press the seams together.
• Cut into 8 strips. Then cut lengthwise into 8 more strips. You should end up with 64 1.5 inch x .5 inch pieces.
• Wrap the hot dogs in the crescent pieces and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. Serve warm.

Mac and Cheese Cups

A kids favorite. These are so fun and easy to make. Perfect serving size!

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
• Stir together the bread crumbs, olive oil, and salt.
• Boil salted water. Add macaroni for about 8 min.
• Remove from heat and drain. Return to the pan.
• Stir in butter and egg until pasta is evenly coated.
• Stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese, 1 cup milk, 1 ½ mozzarella cheese into the pasta.
• Spoon into the muffin tin. Sprinkle top with ½ cup cheddar cheese and bread crumb mixture.
• Bake for 30 min.

Unicorn Dip

Unicorns are still having a moment. My daughters are still obsessed with unicorn everything!

• Bring cream cheese to room temperature.
• Blend 12 oz cream cheese, 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ¼ cup unrefined sugar until smooth.you can technically stir by hand if you must.
• Divide among four little dishes and stir a different coloring into each dish.
• Drop spoonfuls of each color into a serving bowl, alternating colors. Then swirl colors together with a spoon.
• Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated up to three days.
• Dip graham crackers in and enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies  

The must have snack. Teach your kids your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe!

I hope you get your kids cooking this summer! What recipes are you looking forward to make with your kids? Let me know in the comments below!