8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (2024)

Jul62016

8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (1)Hi Hungry Girl,

My kids are out of school for the summer, so I'm feeding them all day long. Do you have any kid-friendly recipes that my husband and I will like too?

Hungry Mom

8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (2)Hi Hungry Mom,

I always joke that I have the taste buds of a twelve-year-old, so YES, I have plenty of recipes your kids will enjoy! Here are eight great ones to whip up this summer...

Cheesy Cauliflower Tater Tots

1/4th of recipe (7 tater tots): 68 calories, 2g total fat (1g sat. fat), 291mg sodium, 6.5g carbs, 2g fiber, 2g sugars, 6g protein

SmartPoints® value 2*

Since it debuted in , this recipe has become an HG classic! There aren't any actual potatoes in these tots, but your kids will never know. (Unless you ask for their help... These are pretty fun to make!)

French Toast Nuggets

Entire recipe: 197 calories, 5g total fat (1g sat. fat), 402mg sodium, 25g carbs, 2g fiber, 3.5g sugars, 11.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 6*

Nugget-shaped food is just more appealing to little ones! This French toast is actually made from a hot dog bun, which you just might have sitting around your kitchen thanks to summer cookouts. Perfect. Check out too!

Spaghetti Squash Pizza Pie

1/4th of recipe: 211 calories, 5.5g total fat (2.5g sat. fat), 709mg sodium, 27g carbs, 6g fiber, 11.5g sugars, 14.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 3*

Spaghetti and pizza in one -- it doesn't get any more kid friendly! This dish has all the cheesy, saucy goodness you'd expect from a pizza-pasta mash-up. Plus, it's loaded with veggies like mushrooms, bell pepper, and (instead of actual pasta) spaghetti squash. It's a total win-win.

Turkey Meatloaf Cupcakes

1/12th of recipe (1 meatloaf cupcake): 150 calories, 4.5g total fat (1.5g sat. fat), 280mg sodium, 15g carbs, 2g fiber, 3g sugars, 12.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 4*

Why will kids love these miniature meatloaves? 1. They're made in a muffin pan, so each serving is the perfect size for little hands. 2. They're topped with mashed potatoes. 3. They're adorable (check out the pea'n carrotsprinkles)! And you'll love 'em because they're loaded with protein and make a great mid-day snack.

Rockin' Rainbow Grilled Cheese

Entire recipe: 270 calories, 13g total fat (6.5g sat. fat), 733mg sodium, 21.5g carbs, 5g fiber, 4.5g sugars, 19.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 9*

Multi-colored grilled cheese? Heck, yes! Give your kids a summertime treat by adding rainbow shades of food coloring (there are all-natural versions available!) to their grilled-cheese sandwiches. So pretty, and it tastes amazing... Watch how it's made!

Clean & Hungry Chicken Nuggets

1/2 of recipe (5 nuggets): 179 calories, 3g total fat (0.5g sat. fat), 377mg sodium, 7.5g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g sugars, 28g protein

SmartPoints® value 3*

Ah, chicken nuggets. The only way to improve on this kid classic is to make it healthier! These all-natural nuggets are coated with egg whites and a mix of whole-wheat breadcrumbs and tasty seasonings before being baked in the oven. Crispy, delicious, and totally good for you.

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

1/5th of recipe (about 1 1/2 cups): 255 calories, 5.5g total fat (3g sat. fat), 549mg sodium, 39g carbs, 6.5g fiber, 8.5g sugars, 13.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 6*

This recipe for a childhood favorite is pumped up with cauliflower and butternut squash, and the veggies blend in seamlessly. Plus, it's made in a slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it while you do more important things... like keep your kids out of trouble!

Chocolate Banana Nachos

Entire recipe: 191 calories, 4g total fat (2g sat. fat), 13mg sodium, 37.5g carbs, 4g fiber, 12.5g sugars, 3g protein

SmartPoints® value 5*

Let's bring it home with dessert. You'd think dessert nachos would be a nutritional disaster, but not if you make 'em the Hungry Girl way. These nachos are baked and made with just three ingredients: corn tortillas, banana, and mini chocolate chips. Fun to assemble, too!

Chew on this:

Speaking of kid-friendly food, today, July 6th, is National Fried Chicken Day. Check out this Gaga for Fried Chicken Swap for a low-calorie fix...

You're not the only one with hungry girls (and boys) running around... Click "Send to a Friend" ASAP.

Have a Question for Hungry Girl?

Send it in!She answers new Qs each week (but cannot respond to emails personally).

8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (11)

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8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (2024)

FAQs

What can a 9 year old cook for lunch? ›

Kids' cooking recipes
  • Pizza with homemade sauce. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  • Lemon & yogurt chicken flatbreads. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  • Rice paper rolls. ...
  • Family breakfast station. ...
  • Salmon & spaghetti supper in a parcel. ...
  • Sloppy joes with brussels sprout slaw. ...
  • Salted caramel crispy Rudolphs. ...
  • Easy kids' omelette.

What to cook for 4 year olds? ›

When you're cooking with preschoolers, begin with simple-assembly recipes, such as smoothies, sandwiches, or a salad or taco bar. Dump-and-mix dishes that are forgiving if handled too much, like muffins (as long as they're not overmixed in the final stages), are also a good choice for this age group.

Is it OK for 10 year old to cook? ›

With an adult supervising, a 10-year old should be able to scramble eggs, stir fry vegetables or flip a pancake on an electric stovetop (you may want to wait longer if you have a gas range). Safety tip: Be sure to teach them to tie back long hair and never wear loose clothing around the stove.

Can an 11 year old cook dinner? ›

8- to 11-Year-Old Cooks

Kids at this age can follow simple, straightforward recipes, plan menus and meals, and begin to work with the stove or oven. Use this time to teach them about the dangers of equipment and utensils.

Can 8 year olds cook? ›

Cooking with 6-8 year olds

At this age, kids can follow simple steps for recipes and are able to share and take turns. Try letting your kids: Use simple kitchen equipment such as a grater, toaster, blender or can opener after you show them how to do so safely. Make simple cold spring rolls or tortilla wraps.

What is a good meal for a 1 year old? ›

For example:
  • vegetables, such as broccoli florets, carrot sticks or cucumber sticks.
  • slices of fruit, such as apple, banana or soft, ripe peeled pear or peach.
  • pasteurised, plain, unsweetened yoghurt.
  • toast, pitta or chapatti fingers.
  • unsalted and unsweetened rice or corn cakes.
  • small strips of cheese.

What foods do 11 year olds eat? ›

Feeding Your Child - Ages 10-12
Food GroupSuggested Servings
Milk/Dairy Milk Yogurt Cheese4 daily
Meat/Protein* Beef, Pork, Fish, Poultry Eggs Peanut Butter4 daily
Fruit/Vegetables Fruit Fruit Juice Vegetables4-6 daily
Breads/Cereals Whole grain bread Hot cereal, rice, pasta Ready-to-eat cereal Crackers6-11 daily
2 more rows

What food makes kids happy? ›

Dark leafy greens are high in Vitamin B-12, B9 (also known asfolate) and other B-vitamins. B-vitamins get an “A+” when it comes to producing natural brain chemicals that positively affect mood and other brain functions. Common leafy greens that you can grow in your garden include kale and spinach.

Can a 9 year old make their own lunch? ›

When kids should start packing their own lunches. In his book, Dr. Korb says that around the age of eight or nine (a.k.a third grade) is when it's time to pass over packing duties to your little ones. However, some experts think you can stop making lunches earlier.

Should a 9 year old be able to cook? ›

Cooking Tasks for 8-9 Year Olds

You'll have to decide if they are mature enough to work at the stove; but you can start with easy toaster oven type of recipes if not. This age group can learn to do the following tasks in the kitchen: Using a pizza cutter can opener. Scooping batter into muffin cups.

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