Perhaps the better title for this post would be, “16 recipes your kids might eat.” I’m outside of my realm of expertise here—I’m childless and a former picky kid myself—but I thought I’d share a few recipes that kids seem to enjoy.
I searched through the comments for words like “kids” and “daughter” and landed on the following sixteen recipes. About half are dinner recipes and the other half are wholesome sweet treats, like granola bars and oat-based banana pancakes. Some pack well for lunch or snacks, so I’ve made note of those. Here we go!
1) Spinach Artichoke Enchiladas
Commenter Nicole’s six year old asked if they could have these enchiladas every night! These reheat well, too.
2) Peanut-Sesame Slaw with Soba Noodles
Peanut butter combined with loads of veggies? Yep! This slaw packs great for lunch.
3) Banana Oat Pancakes
Kids of all ages love these banana pancakes. They freeze well, too.
4) Honey-Sweetened Almond Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Funny story. I mentioned my blog at my vet’s office once. Months later, my vet told me that his daughter adores these granola bars! I wrap them up individually in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer so they stay fresh.
5) Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These roasted sweet potato fries might change your kids’ minds about sweet potatoes. They did for me!
6) Spicy Kale and Coconut Stir Fry
This was my friend’s one-year-old daughter’s first taste of kale. She loved it!
7) Maple-Sweetened Banana Muffins
Moms and kids go crazy for these healthy muffins. I also have a pumpkin muffin version! These muffins freeze well.
8) Easy Gluten Free Oat Waffles
These are my favorite basic waffles and they just so happen to be gluten free! They’re made with oat flour and freeze well. Way better than Eggo’s!
9) Sweet Potato & Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Husbands and kids alike appreciate these hearty sweet potato burgers. They grill well and freeze well.
10) Creamy (vegan!) Butternut Squash Linguini with Fried Sage
To quote Miriam, “What can I say, all 6 kids LOVED this and that’s a first for meat free night in my house. Thank you!”
11) Honey Almond Granola
Granola is so easy to make! I seal mine in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer so it stays fresh. It’s a great breakfast or snack.
12) Banana Almond Smoothie
This creamy banana and almond smoothie tastes like a treat!
13) Simple Tortilla Pizzas
When I was young, I made tortilla pizzas or spaghetti when my mom made dinners I didn’t like.
14) Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Avocado-Pepita Dip
Now, I’m not sure that I would have touched these tacos with a ten-foot pole when I was a kid. Apparently, though, some kids love them!
15) Maple Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Maple-sweetened, oat-based peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies! No need to mention that these cookies are so much healthier than most. They freeze well, too!
16) Cinnamon Maple Caramel Popcorn
Maple-sweetened caramel popcorn with some nut butter mixed in for a little protein. So good!
More resources you might appreciate: 13 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 16 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Esther
Some great ideas here. I love the idea of the peanut butter slaw. Genius! I’m going to try it out with my children. Thank you.
Kate
Thank you, Esther! Hope they love it!
LISA
Yes! I see several recipes above that are my kids’ favorites. The gluten free waffles are a daily request by my 3 year old, and the black bean/sweet potato tacos are my 9 year old’s fav. I have to say that everytime I make a dish from your site, my family asks, ‘Is this from Cookie and Kate? Oh good! I love her!’. You’re a household name. (I even won first place in a friendly neighborhood pot luck competition when I brought your watermelon/mint sorbet. Thanks!) I look forward to trying the few recipes above that don’t look familiar.
Kate
Ohhh yay! That’s fantastic to hear! Thank you, Lisa. :)
Robin
The black bean / sweet potato tacos are awesome. Both carnivores and vegetarians love them! One of my favorite recipes to eat with a group of friends.. Thanks Kate!
Kate
Thank you, Robin!
Bella B
Thanks for these! I will have to try the maple peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.=
Christina Soong
Spot on recipes, I’ll have to try some of them! It can be hard to make ‘healthy’ and ‘kid-friendly’ go together but you did a great job.
Jess
Oh yes, you did great, Kate! I’m still pretty new to the parenting world, but this looks like a list of things that my kiddos would definitely eat and love – great round-up!
Cassie Tran
These are a few of my absolute favorite recipes ever!
Pooja
Kate, I appreciate your work. You have well covered each and every thing in this menu. Veggie, Fruits, peanut butter one of my favorite. All looks delicious now I am hungry.
Kate
Thank you, Pooja!
Starr
When you say that the pancakes freeze well, do you mean the batter or the completed, grilled pancake? Also, how do you recommend thawing/reheating?
Kate
The cooked pancakes freeze well. I wrap a few in a paper towel and reheat in the microwave, flipping the stack halfway. Don’t overdo it or they’ll get tough!
Adina
So my kids would definitely love the pasta with butternut squash, everything that is sweet on the list and most of all the tortilla pizzas. I could never get them to like sweet potatoes though and it is not like I didn’t try. They would rather go hungry than eat sweet potatoes… :(
Kate
I hated sweet potatoes as a kid! Maybe they will come around. :)
Shannon
-I love all of your recipes!!!! I have made made several of them and they were all awesome. Thank you soooo much!!
Kate
Thank you, Shannon! That’s so nice to hear!
Donna Castellano
Kate, every single one of these recipes looks amazing! Wonderful post! I’m going to work my way down the list :)
Marlene
My picky eater granddaughter is coming for a visit. Thank goodness, I found your site. Will let you know what I will make, or she and I will cook together.
Also, don’t ever feel discouraged. Always trust in yourself.
Kate
Thank you, Marlene! I hope you have a great visit with your granddaughter.