BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL PEOPLE in my house, I usually stick to straightforward recipes. But every once in a while a recipe is so simple the kids can practically cook it themselves. Those are the best. Armed with aprons, patience and a few more tips for cooking with small kids, here are a few of our favorite ways to spend an hour in the kitchen together.
No-Bake Fruit & Nut Balls (with a Little Chocolate) — Break out the food processor (trust me, it’s worth the cleanup) and let the little guys roll the dough into balls. In 10 minutes flat, you’ll have a nutritious snack to enjoy for days.
2-Ingredient Banana Cookies — If you have old bananas and oats, you’ve got this one. Add chocolate chips, cinnamon or walnuts (or everything) and experiment with which flavors you like best.
Slow-Cooker Apple Butter — Got a bag of apples sitting in the fridge? Grab the cinnamon and you’re on! You don’t even need to peel the apples. Just cut (see our demo in the link) and let the kids throw your apples in the cooker.
Chocolate-Covered Mini Pretzels — Chocolate chips melted in the microwave become luscious dip for pretzels. Two pantry staples never tasted so good! And if you’ve got any leftover sprinkles from birthday parties of the past, even better.
Cinnamon Sugar Pita Crisps — Got pita pockets or tortillas around? Slather them with oil (or melted butter) and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Into the oven to crisp up and, ta-da!
Tiny Jam Tarts — Whole wheat flour and cream cheese make a super simple crust. Just let the kids ladle in the jam and bake.
Strawberry-Banana Frozen Yogurt Pops — Blended up berries and bananas get a protein punch with a bit of plain yogurt. Freeze, serve, and enjoy.
Great ideas. My kids love to help in the kitchen, but I needed some it hings that would be easy for them.