Kids in the Kitchen

By More Food

If time for cooking is getting a little short, you can enlist the help of your family members, including your children. This is not only a great way to bond with them, but also the perfect moment to teach them about nutrition and how to cook for themselves.

The following recipes are quick, easy snacks you can make in less than 30 minutes. They are organized by age group. Best of all, these recipes feature SNAP-eligible ingredients.

NOTE: Children should not be left unsupervised if handling certain kitchen utensils or knives.

Elementary Age: Teddy Bear Toast

1 serving

For this recipe, elementary age children can assist you in making faces and designs on the toast by placing the fruits on the toast. Make sure that an adult is responsible for cutting the fruits and toasting the bread.

Ingredients

  • 1 slice sandwich bread
  • 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
  • 3 slices of banana
  • 3 blueberries

Directions

  1. Toast the bread until golden brown.
  2. Spread the peanut butter on the toast in the shape of a teddy bear face: 1 large circle with 2 smaller circles on top for the teddy bear ears.
  3. Place a banana slice in the center of each small circle to make ears and one banana slice in the center of the large circle to make a mouth.
  4. Place 2 blueberries above the center banana slice to make eyes and 1 blueberry on top of the center banana slice to make a nose.

You can also allow your children to add the fruits to the toast however they would like.

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 582kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 101g
  • Protein: 14g
  • Fat: 19g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 146mg
  • Sugar: 48g

Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/fnk/recipes/teddy-bear-toast-8006680

Middle School Age: BLT Wraps

8 servings

Ingredients

  • 16 ready-to-serve fully cooked bacon strips, warmed if desired
  • 8 flour tortillas (8 inches), room temperature
  • 4 cups chopped lettuce
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes (3 small tomatoes)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup ranch salad dressing

Directions

  1. Place 2 bacon strips across the center of each tortilla.
  2. Top with a handful of lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
  3. Drizzle 1-2 tbsp of salad dressing on top of cheese.
  4. Fold 1 side up of the tortilla over filling and roll up.

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 409kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Fat: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 31mg
  • Sodium: 689mg
  • Sugar: 2g

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/blt-wraps/

High School Age: Avocado Quesadillas

4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 16 corn tortillas (6 inches)
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 1 cup pico de gallo
  • 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
  • Additional pico de gallo

Directions

  1. Grease a griddle with oil, heat over medium heat.
  2. Lightly sprinkle tortillas with water to moisten.
  3. Place 8 tortillas on a griddle and sprinkle with cheese.
  4. After the cheese has melted slightly, top with 1 cup of pico de gallo, avocado and cilantro.
  5. Top with remaining tortillas.
  6. Cook until tortillas are lightly browned and cheese is melted (3-4 minutes on each side).
  7. Serve with additional pico de gallo.

Nutrition Facts
2 quesadillas

  • Calories: 611kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 54g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Fat: 37g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg
  • Sodium: 455mg
  • Sugar: 2g

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/avocado-quesadillas/

For questions about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or to receive SNAP Application Assistance contact the More In My Basket staff:

Visit: morefood.org

English Toll Free: 1-855-240-1451

Spanish Toll Free: 1-888-382-7105

Photo by American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash