Kid-Friendly, No-Cook Recipes for Busy Summer Days
With the kids out of school and parents still working, sometimes mealtime can’t be everyone sitting at the table together. Days are busy, people are on different schedules, but hunger stops for no one.
That’s why we here at Food Bank of Alaska have put together a list of our favorite kid-friendly meals snacks or meals that we could whip up ourselves when we just couldn’t wait for dinner.
OK, let's get into it.
No Heat Needed
Peanut Butter and Jelly
This is a classic for a reason. Little bit of sugar, protein, and fat – you’ve got yourself a balanced meal for kids.
Snack Board
Some dried fruit or fruit strips, a granola bar, and some pieces of cheese or a cheese stick makes a great spread. Pantry staples can be mixed and matched for a ton of different plates.
Microwave Only
Leftovers
The classic scavenging meal, putting whatever you find in the fridge from yesterday’s foods and making it one dish. It’s already prepared, so all that is needed is a microwave.
Nachos
Tortilla chips and cheese on a plate, stick it in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time, and you’ve got some nachos. Canned salsa is a great way to spice this up as well.
For another spin on nachos, use a tortilla instead of tortilla chips – it's now a quesadilla!
Stovetop Skills
Eggs, Any Way
Eggs are super versatile and budget-friendly. Scrambled, fried, and everything in between – all you need is an egg and some butter. Remember to go low and slow with the heat!
Egg-in-a-Hole
Want to get creative? Use a glass to cut a hole in the middle of a piece of bread, place it in a hot pan, and crack the egg right into the hole. After about a minute you can flip it over, adding salt and pepper. So cute!
Soup and Crackers
Canned soup and chili are shelf-stable, long-lasting, and perfect for easy stovetop meals. Pour into a saucepan over low-medium heat and stir every once in a while. Add some crackers for an extra crunch when you pour it into a bowl.
Want even more ideas?
Check out our Easy Kids Meals Pinterest board for inspiration, recipes, and fun snack hacks.
What were your favorite easy snacks as a kid?
Share your go-to meals for kids and tag @foodbankofalaska. We’re building a collection of snack ideas made by kids, for kids. 🤎
