Recipes to Cook with Kids in October
Since we are fully into the fall season, October means embracing seasonal, autumn produce in both sweet and savory forms. Plus, we need to celebrate Halloween all month long! Below are ideas as simple as festive fruit cups to cozy baking projects like Pumpkin Bread Bars. There are also easy dinner ideas the whole family will love. So, get into the kitchen together and make some of these recipes to cook with kids this month!
Halloween!:
Jack-o-Lantern Smoothies, Pizza Mummies, Boo-nana Pops and MORE are all in my Halloween Recipes round-up post, HERE. I especially love making the English muffin pizzas with kids because they can help add some extra veggies to the sauce. Plus, they can pretty much assemble the pizzas all on their own. String cheese mozzarella sticks make the perfect mummy “bandages” when you pull pieces off.
“Candy Corn” Fruit Cups: These couldn’t be easier to make! I just layer orange and yellow fruit in small plastic cups (I usually use oranges and pineapple in bite-sized pieces.) Then top with something white such as thick vanilla Greek yogurt or whipped cream. I find also topping with some Halloween sprinkles in a nice festive touch too. If you want a visual, check out this video on Instagram where a show a few fun fruit ideas for Halloween.
For a fun and yummy dinner, try these Baked Spaghetti Cups. You can make them extra spooky for Halloween by making “eye ball” meatballs. Use either homemade or store bought meatballs then top with a little round of sliced cheese and an olive.
For a special treat, make these NO-BAKE Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats. They are good as is or you can dress them up for Halloween. Cut the treats into squares then add a drizzle of white chocolate and some candy eyeballs, as seen below.
Recipes to Cook with Kids: Autumn Produce
Parmesan Roasted Delicata Squash aka Squash “Smiles” are a fun way and yummy way to serve (and “market”) delicata squash to kids. created this recipe to make in my kids cooking classes as a fun way to introduce them to seasonal, fall vegetables. Since the squash is cut into half-circle rings, we turn them up to create little “smiles”. Add some cheese then roast up until crunchy They are so yummy!
Banana Pumpkin Blender Muffins These are one of the most popular recipes on my site! I know why because I love to make them too. These muffins are nut-free, dairy-free, and if you use gluten-free oats, gluten-free as well. You throw all the ingredients into a blender so they are super easy to make, especially if you have little helpers with you in the kitchen. Banana adds natural sweetness so only a little maple syrup is needed to make this recipe perfectly sweet without much added sugar. Top with chocolate chips to get the kids extra excited to give them a try.
Pumpkin Bread Bars If you love pumpkin bread, but don’t want to wait the full hour for the loaf to bake, you have to try this bar recipe. The Fall flavors of warm spices combined with the goodness of pumpkin puree and whole grains. These Healthy Pumpkin Bread Bars are super easy to whip up in one bowl. Naturally and lightly sweetened, dairy free, and easy to make gluten free and vegan if desired.
Cozy Dinner Recipes to Cook with Kids
One Pot Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: This creamy One Pot Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is a perfect, kid-friendly weeknight dinner. Plus, there’s no need to cook the squash, boil the pasta, or blend the sauce! This squash-packed dish is made in one pot in less than 30 minutes.
3 Ingredient Easy Chicken Nuggets: Crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Just stir together the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings…that’s it! Air fry for the perfect crunch. Make ahead and freeze for easy toddler meals or kids’ lunch boxes. My kids go crazy for these chicken nuggets and I know yours will too.