If you are an avid baker, you may be wondering at what age you can bring your little chef into the kitchen. Here at Bob's Red Mill, we believe that your children can begin to help out in the kitchen at any age. Whether they're helping pass the next ingredient to use, reading the rest of your pages, or mixing ingredients with little effort, you can find an age-appropriate task for your little chef in nearly any recipe. To help you get started, we've created a guide of age-appropriate tasks for children of any skill level to accomplish.
Kitchen Tasks for Children Ages 3-5
- Wash fruits and veggies
- Wrap different foods in foil
- Knead dough (with supervision)
- Smash foods
- Tear lettuce
- Mash ingredients
Kitchen Tasks for Children Ages 5-7
- Mix dry ingredients
- Crack eggs
- Roll food into balls
- Read aloud recipe steps
- Measure and count items
- Set the table
Kitchen Tasks for Children Ages 8-12
- Peel veggies
- Wash and put away dishes
- Make their school lunch
- Unload groceries
- Mix up a simple batter on their own
- Toast bread
- Make sandwiches
Now that you have a better idea of which tasks your child can begin helping you out with, it's time to invite them into the kitchen! Remember, if this is your child's first time in the kitchen, it's best not to overwhelm them with too many hands-on tasks. Before inviting your little one to help out, take a close look at the recipe and read it repeatedly to ensure that you're fully prepared. Knowing which ingredients you need and the utensils that will be used will help you determine what parts of the recipe are best suited for your young chef to help out with. Additionally, before cooking with your child it's essential to set a few ground rules. Advising children to steer clear of knives, ovens, mixers and other potentially dangerous kitchen items is key to a successful and safe kitchen experience. If you've done all of the above and are ready to start baking with your kid, keep reading to discover healthy treats for kids that you can make with your kids today!
Grain Free
Grains. While whole-grain foods, straight from the source, are generally great for you, they may cause stomach problems for some individuals. If you or your child struggle with grain sensitivities or you're baking for someone who is, we recommend starting with a grain-free baked treat. Grain-free baking treats are also necessary when you're cooking for a large group like a classroom. Because it is hard to be aware of every child's food sensitivities, steering clear of grains and gluten is a great way to ensure that more children can indulge in the sweet dessert you decide to make.
Chocolate Protein Cookies
If you are searching for a grain-free treat to make and don't know where to start, we recommend making these Chocolate Protein Cookies. When it comes to dessert, it's hard to go wrong with cookies; nearly everyone loves them! These Chocolate Protein Cookies, truly take it to the next level and are a favorite here at the Mill. The tasty blend of coconut flakes, hazelnut flour, chopped pecans and cocoa powder creates a rich and mouthwatering cookie packed with protein fiber and nutrients. This cookie satisfies your child's sweet tooth and provides them with enough protein and energy to last long after lunchtime. Simple to make, these cookies are a great recipe to recruit the little ones to help with. With just a small amount of mixing, these cookies can be prepped and baked in only 15 minutes. Their short yield time is the perfect way to introduce your child to the kitchen, without boring them. Because this recipe can be made quickly, it allows little downtime, which means that your child will stay entertained throughout the entire process.
Dairy Free
Whether your child is sensitive to dairy or you're simply trying to use less of it as a family, several dairy-free dessert options taste just as great as the original. Though dairy is used in recipes to create a sweet and creamy flavor, many dairy alternatives will yield the same result. Coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk and even coconut cream are all tasty alternatives dairy products that can often be used at a one-to-one ratio.
Sweet Potato Pie Bars
For a dairy-free dessert that is out of this world delicious, try making these Sweet Potato Pie Bars. Their gooey texture and sweet flavor make them the perfect kid-approved snack. Plus, they're a great way to sneak vegetables onto the plates of the pickiest of eaters. A sweet treat that you can sink your teeth into, this recipe uses gluten free flour and oats to create a grain free dessert that tastes even better than the original. Additionally, instead of milk, coconut milk and vanilla are used to create a creamy filling and roasted sweet potatoes are blended with warm spices allowing this dessert to stay entirely dairy free. Have your children help when mixing all of the ingredients, or give them the responsibility of topping the bars with whipped coconut cream for the ultimate gluten free and vegan dessert. This yummy treat is something that both adults and children will enjoy!
Vegan
Well-planned vegan diets are those that follow a healthy eating plan. Whether you're vegan for health reasons or personal reasons, going vegan is an excellent opportunity to learn more about nutrition and cooking. Receiving your nutrients from plant-based foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables ensures that you're supplying your body with treats full of beneficial fiber, vitamins and minerals.
That being said, going vegan doesn't mean that you have to give up your favorite foods. In fact, when you go vegan, you can still enjoy most of your favorite meals like burgers, sandwiches and even Ice cream. The difference is, instead of creating those foods with animal-based products, you'll be recreating them with plant-based ones! Not sure how to get started? Here's one of our favorite vegan desserts to begin with!
Vegan Chocolate Pudding
Chocolate pudding is a widely loved dessert. From young children to wise grandparents, chocolate pudding is a dessert that is hard to resist at any age. This Vegan Chocolate Pudding recipe is simple to make and uses easy to find pantry ingredients like Corn Starch. Whip it up whenever you need a sweet treat.
Nut Free
Are you allergic to nuts? If so, then you're not alone. Peanuts are among one of the most common allergies there is! While you may do your best to avoid them, they often find their way into foods you wouldn't expect. Take soups; for example, they're commonly thickened with ground peanuts to create a more creamy texture.
Those who are allergic to peanuts are often allergic to several other nuts as well. Nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, pecans and cashews. While it is possible to outgrow a food allergy over time, some allergies (especially nut allergies) are lifelong.
So, what happens when someone has a nut allergy? Often if a person is allergic to a specific nut, their body registers it as an invader. Because your body's immune system is trained to protect from harm, it works very hard to fight off that invader, which can cause an allergic reaction. While there are several medicines that can help those who suffer from nut allergies, the best way to avoid an allergic reaction is by avoiding nuts altogether.
Similar to being vegan, following a nut free diet doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite foods, it just means you have to give up nuts. Check out these delicious nut free desserts to help satisfy your sugar cravings—no nuts included!
Creamy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Craving a sweet and filling dessert that can also double as a breakfast? You've found it! This Creamy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is the perfect delicious and healthy indulgence. To prepare, simply mix the ingredients over a stovetop and let the oatmeal cook for about 30-40 minutes. Serve with cream and cinnamon and enjoy.
Gluten free strawberry Pistachio Brownies
These delicious brownies combine our favorite things—fresh strawberries, pistachios and chocolate! Not only do they taste amazing, but they're also nut free and the perfect gluten free dessert. Super easy to make, whip up a batch of these Gluten Free Strawberry Pistachio Brownies at night when you have a bit of extra time, or invite your kids into the kitchen to help out!
We hope that this list of healthy desserts for kids has helped you find a delicious dessert to make no matter your dietary restrictions! From nut free brownies to grain free cookies, there's bound to be a recipe on here that you and your pint-sized bakers will love!
