Put away the phones and tablets and invite your kids into the kitchen, where creativity meets confidence. Cooking gives them the chance to express themselves through food, experiment with flavors, and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
It also teaches essential life skills—like measuring, following instructions, and time management—while fostering family connections and creating lasting memories.
And the best part? Cooking opens a window to the world. Kids will explore new cultures, discover global cuisines, and broaden their horizons one recipe at a time. Let the adventure begin!
Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the Banana Butter:
3 tablespoons cream cheese
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 banana, mashed
2 tablespoons honey
1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Sandwiches:
8 slices of bread
4 medium bananas
Avocado oil spray, for sautéing
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, peanut butter, mashed banana, honey, and salt. Using an electric mixer on low speed, mix until just combined. Increase the speed and continue mixing until smooth, about 30 seconds. Spread 2 heaping tablespoons of the banana butter onto 4 slices of bread.
Lightly spray a large sauté pan with avocado oil and heat over medium-high. Slice each banana in half crosswise, then again lengthwise to create quarters. Add the bananas to the hot pan and sauté until golden and caramelized, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Evenly divide the caramelized bananas over the prepared bread slices. Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
Wipe the sauté pan clean, return to medium heat, and cook the sandwiches until golden brown on both sides. Slice and serve warm.
Strawberry-Cream Cheese Waffles
Serves 6
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Mix:
12 ounces fresh strawberries, sliced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
For the Waffles:
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 ounces agave syrup
2 eggs
For the Cream Cheese Topping:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mint leaves, for garnish
Directions
In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries with sugar and chopped mint. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, allowing the berries to release their juices.
To make the waffles, whisk together the flour, baking powder, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, milk, agave syrup, and eggs in a large bowl until smooth.
Preheat a waffle maker and cook the batter according to the manufacturer's instructions, until golden and fully set. You should have about 6 full waffles. Cut each waffle into quarters.
In another bowl, beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
To Assemble:
Place one waffle quarter on a plate and top with 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Add a second waffle quarter on top, followed by 1 tablespoon of cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the strawberries, and a fresh mint leaf for garnish.
Frankfurter-Bacon Spirals
Makes 8 spirals
Ingredients
8 hot dog rolls
8 frankfurters
8 pieces American cheese (2-inch by 1/4-inch)
8 slices of bacon
Toothpicks
Directions
Preheat your oven and wrap the hot dog rolls in aluminum foil. Place them in the oven to warm while you prepare the frankfurters.
Cut a 2-inch slit lengthwise into each frankfurter and tuck in a piece of American cheese. Wrap a slice of bacon around each frankfurter in a spiral, securing the ends with toothpicks.
Place the prepared frankfurters on a rack set inside a broiler pan. Position the pan so the frankfurters are about 3 inches from the broiler element.
Broil for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the bacon is lightly browned and crispy. Carefully remove the toothpicks, then tuck the spirals into the warmed rolls and serve.
Double Chocolate Brownies
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Butter, for greasing pan
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly butter an 8 x 8-inch baking pan and set it aside.
In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips, butter, and sour cream together, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Fold in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until fully incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into 8 squares.