Having an air fryer was a big deal a few years ago, but you may find yourself fresh out of ideas for whipping up dinner that everyone hasn’t eaten 100 times by now. There are only so many times you can “fry” up zucchini sticks, after all. That’s where your favorite neighborhood market steps in to save the day. From Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in the air fryer to Trader Joe’s mac and cheese bites, there are tons of quick ways to put a new twist on your favorite frozen foods when you have an air fryer to work with. Get ready to get inspired with these Trader Joe’s air fryer foods just in time for Super Bowl Sunday (or any night you need a quick dinner solution!).
Trader Joe’s Appetizers for the Air Fryer
Mini Chicken Tikka Samosas
Sure, you can pop these in a conventional oven, or you can toss them in the air fryer for an extra crispy take on Tikka Samosas.
Southwest Style Chicken Quesadilla
Nab yourself some guac and cook these babies up in the air fryer for a quick lunch the whole family will love.
Herbaceous Cheesy Bites
We love these flavorful bites that pack a nice crunch. These have just the right amount of spices to balance out the cheesy goodness and heat up well in the air fryer.
Ratatouille Bites
These veggie-forward bites are lovely crisped up in your air fryer and then dunked in some tzatziki sauce. Trust us. The kids won't even catch on that they're packed with veggies.
Chicken & Chimichurri Empanadas
Bake these up in your air fryer and serve with your favorite salsa and you will have some happy guests at your next family party.
Seasoned Waffle Cut Fries
You know that ketchup sprinkles everyone is raving about? Shake some on these fries after they've had some time in the air fryer to crisp up. No dipping sauce needed.
Coconut Shrimp
These are a kid favorite and perfect when served with the Thai Sweet Ginger Sauce for dipping. They get extra crispy in the air fryer which we love.
Fried Olive Bites
Not a fan of olives? You will be after air frying these olive bites that are packed with cheese. Yum and yum.
Colorful Carrot Coins
Have a sweet craving but looking to go more healthy? These colorful carrots are a quick air fryer option and a great way to test out all those dips that TJs is known for.
Herbs de Provence Potato Wedges
If you haven't tried these savory bites, definitely add them to your rotation when you cook up a steak on the grill. The air fryer does wonders for its crispy outside and soft inside.
Mini Beef Tacos
Keep these mini favorites (and their twin sister the chicken version) on hand for when the kid hangry hits. They cook up in a flash via the air fryer and you'll have happy kids in no time.
Tempura Shrimp
You can never go wrong with extra crispy tempura and these shrimp will come out finger lickin' good.
Mac & Cheese Bites
If you haven't tried Trader Joe's mac and cheese bites in the air fryer, you don't know what you're missing.
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Avoid the nastiness that is a soggy spring roll when you pop these babies in the air fryer. Sweet ginger sauce is its BFF.
Scallion Pancakes
Brighten up the flavor in a big way by tossing Trader Joe's scallion pancakes in the air fryer for crispy perfection. They go great with the mandarin orange chicken or really are pretty much the best at any time.
Hearty and flavorful, this Kibbeh appetizer will become a family fave. Made with ground beef, onions and seasonings, these appetizers pair well with almost any dip and are great for the air fryer.
Crispy Vegetable Pouches
These only come out around the holidays and are a delicious, vegetable-forward option with excellent results in the air fryer.
Trader Joe’s Air Fryer Entrees & Sides
Trader Joe's Salmon
Trader Joe's
Salmon is pretty much our favorite in the air fryer. Top it with your favorite teriyaki or barbecue sauce and dinner will be on the table in minutes.
Trader Joe's Hashbrowns
Trader Joe's
Be warned, these are addictive! And it's super easy to cook them up in the air fryer whenever the cravings hit. Top with a fried egg for an easy breakfast.
Impossible Chicken Nuggets
It's darn near impossible to not love these after they've taken a trip in the air fryer.
You had us at "fried!" Kid-friendly and easy to whip up in the air fryer, these fried ravioli are made with semolina pasta, and five kinds of cheese that includes ricotta, mild Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan.
Cauliflower Pancakes
Sneak in that cauliflower with no problemo by serving these air fried.
Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken
This dish has long been a fan-fave product, but air frying it? It's next-level delish.
You’re always looking for meals that are kid-friendly, healthy, easy to put together, and budget-friendly. We found 17 easy Trader Joe’s recipes to add to your arsenal, which we hacked together using ingredients you can find at Trader Joe’s. All these healthy dinners have been tested (and approved) by both grown-ups and kids. Need more inspo? These TikTok Trader Joe’s recipes are also pretty brilliant.
Beef Bulgogi with Cabbage over Rice
Trader Joe's
If you haven't tried Trader Joe's beef bulgogi we suggest you change that immediately. You'll find it in the frozen section and we like that you just need to saute it with some water for a few minutes and it is done. Add in the garlicky cabbage or broccoli for some extra veg and serve it over rice. TJs has frozen rice packets that make this whole transaction done in less than 10 minutes.
Cheesy Beef Birria Tacos
Trader Joe's
Beef birria is having a moment (consommé, anyone?) and we love this easy shortcut from Trader Joe's. You just have to heat up the meat, warm the tortilla, add a little cheese and top with onion and cilantro. Dinner is ready in 15 minutes.
Pesto Pasta with Shrimp
Anna Doogan
Pesto is the star of this easy Trader Joe's recipe that will definitely earn a spot in the summer dinner rotation. Mix your favorite cooked pasta with shrimp and garlicky pesto. Add chopped fresh basil and tomato with a sprinkling of grated parmesan for an extra blast of favorite summery flavors.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Karly Wood
Perfect for both hot summer days or crisp nights, this simple and delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup comes together in just ten minutes. Shred Trader Joe's pre-cooked Lemon Chicken and add to a large stockpot. Toss in two tubs of Mediterranean Orzo Salad and two cartons of chicken broth, bring to a boil and then enjoy with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Penne Arrabiata with Sausage & Spinach
Add some extra protein and greens to your pasta routine with this simple recipe incorporating tasty spices. Remove the casing from your fave Trader Joe's Sausage and cook through before adding to a prepared skillet of Penne Arrabiata (or any other frozen pasta if this is too spicy for your fam). Serve on a bed of spinach, or toss in the spinach right before serving to wilt (and camouflage).
Forgot to take out your dinner ingredients from the freezer (again)? When it comes to enjoying this pot sticker stir fry it's a non-issue! Just pour a bag of Trader Joe's Chicken Gyoza Potstickers and Stir-Fry Frozen Vegetables into a large skillet (add salt and pepper, if desired) and cook until warmed through. Pour in one up of Trader Joe's Gyoza Dipping Sauce and then enjoy a veggie-packed dinner in ten minutes flat.
Easy Gyros & Mediterranean Salad
Karly Wood
Keep it cool and refreshing during the warmer months by whipping up easy gyros. Grab a box of fully cooked Trader Joe's Gyro Slices, naan bread, tomatoes and creamy prepared Tzatziki sauce and pair with a simple Greek salad made with greens, cucumber and balsamic vinegar.
Green Curry Chicken & Fried Rice
Karly Wood
Add a little spice to your dinner routine, and in less than 15 minutes! All it takes is two jars of Trader Joe's Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce. Prepare a package of Just Grilled Chicken Strips and frozen Vegetable Fried Rice separately. Once the rice is cooked, add both jars of the simmer sauce and chicken to the same skillet and heat until warmed.
Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers
Anna Doogan
For a delicious veggie-centric dinner, stuffed peppers with quinoa and feta are hard to beat. Stuff a variety of peppers with a pre-made quinoa salad, sprinkle with feta and bake until warmed through. You’ll get a bright pop of color, a big boost of vitamins and a whole lot of yumminess with this Trader Joe's recipe.
Expose your kids to a taste of Thai with this easy recipe. Mix a can of coconut cream (also available in a low-fat version) with a bottle of Trader Joe's Thai Red Curry Sauce and simmer. Cube some of Trader Joe's pre-cooked all-natural chicken breast to throw in the pot, and serve over their three-minute rice. You can also add steamed spinach!
Next-Level Ravioli
Sara Olsher
Trader Joe's has a great selection of ravioli, but topping it with marinara can get old. By adding steamed spinach, peas and melted Boursin cheese, this pumpkin ravioli now has three veggies (and they all taste like cheese!).
Carnitas Salad
The cilantro salad dressing at Trader Joe's is no joke, and it's delicious on more than just salads. Create a filling dinner salad or a tasty lunch by adding their pre-cooked carnitas, Mexican cheese, avocado, salsa, cilantro salad dressing and a small amount of sour cream to a bag of romaine lettuce.
Steak Tacos
Anna Doogan
Can’t decide what to have for dinner? A DIY taco bar is a fun and simple crowd-pleaser. While the meat’s cooking, set out tortillas, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, olives and any other toppings you can think of. Then let everyone go to town making their own creation!
Island Soyaki Rice Bowl with Meatballs
Anna Doogan
Taste the flavors of a tropical vacation no matter the time of year with this Trader Joe's recipe. Cook party-size frozen mini meatballs in Island Soyaki marinade, flavored with pineapple juice, garlic and ginger. Serve over cooked rice. Add sautéed red peppers and grilled pineapple chunks, and don’t forget to save a little sauce for drizzling on top.
These tacos can be thrown together in less than five minutes. Pictured below are Guerrero tortillas and Amy's organic refried beans, but Trader Joe's has their own version of both items. Heat the refried beans, then add Trader Joe's Double Roasted Salsa, Mexican cheese, guacamole and chopped spinach.
Scallop Rolls
Anna Doogan
Try a twist on the classic lobster roll! Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper, and saute in butter. Then tuck them into a squishy hot dog bun with some greens and a dollop of mayo or a tangy tartar sauce. You may not actually be lounging at the seashore, but with this recipe, at least you can pretend you are. Perfection.
Chicken Pasta Salad
Anna Doogan
This salad is perfect for an easy weeknight meal or a portable option for a picnic or potluck. Plus, it’s equally fantastic served warm or cold! Toss cooked pasta with a jar of Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa, black beans, chopped chicken and a bit of creamy dressing, like the tasty Cilantro. Add a handful of your favorite veggies and shredded or cubed cheese to top it off.
Delicious Pulled Pork Tacos
Sara Olsher
Trader Joe's pulled pork can be made in the microwave in three minutes and makes a super-tasty base for these tacos. Add your favorite toppings, but don't skip the Roasted Tomatillo and Mango Salsa, which adds some tang and spice.
—with additional reporting by Kate Loweth, Anna Doogan, and Karly Wood
When it comes to trying to be creative in the kitchen these days, it’s always smart to have quick and easy family dinner ideas up your sleeve. That’s why we’ve collected dynamite dishes that take very little prep work and guarantee to satisfy the whole family. Even better? Some of these quick meal ideas call for the slow cooker!
Cheese? Check. Pasta? Check. Sounds like a total kid-pleasing easy dinner. Throw some rotisserie chicken in at the end of this recipe from The Cozy Cook to make it a one-pot meal.
We’re always looking for recipes that taste just like (better?) our favorite take-out items. This recipe for Cashew Chicken fits the bill, and it’s made in one skillet. Get the recipe from Modern Honey.
So maybe your kiddo hates peas. Or carrots. Or both. The good news is, this easy family dinner idea from The Cozy Cook is super adaptable, so you can throw in whatever the kids will actually eat.
Chicken Marsala is one of the ultimate comfort foods. This easy dinner recipe from Easy Chicken Recipes uses an Instant Pot to get the meal done in under 30 minutes, so we’re huge fans.
Beef stroganoff is a classic pasta dish, and this ground beef version from Chelsea's Messy Apron comes together quickly. It's a meal that even picky eaters can get behind. Get the recipe here.
It's right there in the title. This chicken is a little bit of heaven. It's also convenient, delicious, and can be adapted for Paleo diets! Grab the recipe by clicking here.
Ham and Swiss cheese nestled into pasta and baked to perfection? Yes, please! This surprisingly simple recipe can be made ahead of time and popped into the oven before dinner time. Get the recipe from The View from Great Island.
You’ll be able to serve up warm, tangy sandwiches in no time with this 30-minute recipe for Chicken Cordon Blue from Sprinkles and the Smiths. Best of all, it can be made in an air fryer, which makes it (almost) healthy.
Sheet pan nachos are a good option for busy families because you can add what you want, divide it up into sections for picky eaters, and of course, they’re ready in under 30 minutes. Get the scoop from Maple + Mango.
This chicken recipe is a keeper when it comes to weeknight dinner recipes! It only has a few ingredients, so you can get this into the Crock Pot in the morning in less than ten minutes! Get the recipe here.
Love your Instant Pot? Then you'll love this weeknight dinner recipe! Just sauté your beef, add veggies, beans, and spices and the pressure cooker will do the rest. Click here for the recipe.
The flavor of the sausage, parmesan cheese, and olive oil gives this dish all the seasoning it needs, which means there's no heavy sauce to make on the side. Get the recipe from Chelsea's Messy Apron.
These meatloaf bites from our friend Catherine McCord of Weelicious are petite versions of your favorite comfort food. And you can bet they're perfect for kids' taste buds!
With BBQ sauce, pineapple, and rotisserie chicken, this pizza couldn't be more simple. Get the kids in on the cooking to make dinnertime extra fun! Click here for the recipe.
This pasta dish isn't too fancy, sports kid-friendly ingredients, and is sure to be a weeknight dinner recipe that you'll make again and again. Bonus: It only gets one pot dirty! Get the how-to here.
Everyone's favorite party app also makes a great dinner-in-a-pinch! And with just two ingredients and four steps, kids can help whip these up! Make your own with this recipe from Bake Me Some Sugar.
Creamy fettuccine Alfredo that's healthy, too? The secret to this recipe is sneaking spinach into the sauce and adding pre-cooked chicken. Get the recipe here.
Think outside the grilled cheese! These rollups have the classic taste kids love, with just a bit of a twist. And they only take 10 minutes to make! Find out how here.
You can fulfill your Korean food cravings in 15-20 minutes with this beef bowl recipe. And you probably have the ingredient list in your pantry! Click here for the recipe.
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Fish
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Want to introduce the kiddos to fish? Try this mild white fish covered in a crunchy parmesan crust. The ingredients are simple, and the flavors are excellent! Get the recipe here. Or, if you want to try salmon, check out our family-friendly salmon recipes here.
Is there anything more comforting than chicken and rice? We don't think so. This quick one-pot version from Scrummy Lane is one of our favorite easy family dinner ideas.
Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki
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Fact: Kids love teriyaki. Another fact? This recipe from Our Little Acre uses the slow cooker and is super simple to make. What's not to love?
From heat-and-eat meals and fun florals to unique products you can’t find anywhere else, there’s so much to try out when you visit your neighborhood Trader Joe’s. Luckily, the grocer just released the results of its 15th annual Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards, which highlights fan faves. Want to know what other products are consistent winners? You can check them out in the Trader Joe’s Best Product Hall of Fame.
Favorite Overall: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Made from stone-ground corn masa that's rolled and fried to crispy perfection, then sprinkled with zesty hot chili and lime flavoring, these snackable rolls took the top prize again this year!
This winning beverage is only around at the holidays and you'll see folks loading up their carts when they come out. We prefer it warmed on the stove as it makes your house smell like the holidays.
Runners-Up
French Market Sparkling Lemonade
Triple Ginger Brew (seasonal)
100% Tangerine Juice
Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Flavored Oat Creamer
Favorite Cheese: Goat Cheese
Trader Joe's
Goat cheese is the GOAT for 2023 and we can totally understand why. It's great as an addition to a dip, spread on a sandwich, or crumbled over a salad.
Every family knows that chicken breasts are the weeknight hero of the kitchen. They can be baked, sauteed, shredded, or thin-sliced, as long as the recipe isn’t too complicated. We’ve rounded up 18 kid friendly chicken breast recipes that are go-to for families who want a stress-free dinner that’s far from basic. Need more easy dinner ideas? Check out these quick meal ideas that take just 30 minutes or less.
Our love for Crock Pot dinners runs deep, and this Hawaiian Chicken from Weelicious tops the list. The sauce is a perfect mix of sweet and savory, while the star of the show—the chicken—stays tender and juicy. When the afterschool schedule is hectic and you want something warm and tasty ready when you get home, this dinner recipe is perfect for you.
If you want your kids to love what’s for dinner—get them involved in cooking it. Bashing the chicken in this Jamie Oliver recipe before you coat it in flavored crumbs makes it more tender, and it’s a task kiddos love. Pair with your favorite side dish for a guaranteed hit.
Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Mushrooms
If you love stuffed chicken breasts, you’ll love this easier “smothered” version of the stuffed chicken. The assembly is straightforward: just put the creamed spinach, bacon, mushrooms, and Pepper Jack cheese on top of seasoned chicken breasts and bake everything uncovered to perfection. This kid friendly chicken breast recipe from Julia’s Album is anything but boring!
Customize this bruschetta chicken with your family’s favorites, like avocado, bacon, or minced olives. Also, the balsamic marinated chicken can be used in any meal prep dishes and is great as leftovers. Hop over to One Lovely Life for all the scrumptious details.
Chicken breasts, a handful of other ingredients, and a sheet pan are all you need for these Chicken Fajitas from Camille Styles. For a party (or picky eaters), set out the fillings and garnishes with a stack of just-charred tortillas and let everyone dig in. It’s super easy and fun.
This one is a fast food favorite made healthier at home. Choose the air-fryer or baking options; they’re both equally delicious. Check out the full recipe from Every Day Dishes. Bonus points for whipping up some homemade dipping sauce to go with them.
This gluten-free, kid friendly chicken breast dinner checks all the boxes. It’s high in protein, packs a lot of flavor, and only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. For all the yummy details, check out Every Day Dishes.
Calling all Instant Pot lovers! This Buffalo Chicken from Boulder Locavore must be in your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s a versatile way to get the flavor of buffalo wings on anything from a sandwich or pizza to an appetizer. The buffalo sauce can be store-bought or homemade, depending on preference and time.
Chicken Fingers on a Stick
WeeliciousThey’re on a stick and it’s got dipping sauce. Sounds like a total kid-pleasing, easy dinner. Get this classic chicken breast recipe here.
Let’s be honest; the best recipe is one that’s barely a recipe at all. This baked honey mustard chicken from Scrummy Lane will be on the table in a flash, and you only need three ingredients. Now, that’s a weeknight hero!
You can’t go wrong when you nestle your chicken between a bed of tomatoes and a blanket of mozzarella. Serve on top of pasta for a simple and easy Italian-inspired dinner. Click here for the recipe.
Is there anything more comforting than tortilla soup? We don’t think so. Make it in a crock pot or stovetop and customize it with your favorite toppings. The recipe from The Cozy Cook calls for chicken breasts, but a rotisserie chicken works great, too.
Here’s a slight twist on the traditional German Schnitzel. Usually, the meat is pounded thin with a meat tenderizer, coated with breadcrumbs, and then lightly fried. This kid friendly chicken breast recipe from Simple Home Edit is baked instead to make it healthier and easier to clean up. Don’t miss the tips in the recipe to keep the chicken from drying out and on how to get the perfectly crispy golden skin.
This one comes together quickly, is made with pantry staples, and tastes like an indulgent takeout dish. Yes, please! Simple Home Edit’s Chicken Fried Rice is the perfect comfort dish the whole family will enjoy.
With BBQ sauce, pineapple, and chicken breasts, this dish is a kid favorite. It also takes minimal effort, so you’ll love it too. Visit the Salty Pot here for the recipe.
If you’re having a few extra people at the dinner table or if you’re just craving a little comfort food mid-week, try this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole from Kristine’s Kitchen. It’s make-ahead friendly and every bite is packed with flavor. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
Sun-dried tomatoes, veggies, spinach, and chicken come together to make this one-pot pasta dish from Gimme Some Oven. The garlic basil cream sauce is one you’ll want to go back to time and again.
This dietitian wants you to know that there are several reasons why nuggets are, in fact, a win
Parents of kids who will eat anything set in front of them will just never know the struggle of raising a picky eater. But for those of us who know all too well, it’s so easy to feel like you’re failing your kid when you simply cannot force fruits and vegetables into their body. But one dietitian is explaining why it’s OK if they go through a chicken nugget phase—even if it lasts years—because at the end of the day, as long as your kid is fed, you’re doing a great job.
Dr. Kacie Barnes, a dietician who specializes in toddler and kids’ nutrition, posted the video in response to a parent who asked, “My kid lives on chicken nuggets. Is that OK?”
Over a video of herself pulling some delicious-looking tenders out of her own air fryer, Dr. Barnes wrote a resounding yes.
“I’m a dietitian and it was the only meat my son ate for three years,” she added. “People who don’t have picky eaters don’t understand how hard it can be for some children to expand their diet. The chicken nugget phase won’t last forever.”
Amen to that.
In the caption, Dr. Barnes added even more insights for parents who are sure to be comforted by her expertise.
“There are much worse things than chicken nuggets, in my opinion,” she wrote. “I love nuggets because they’re an introduction to chicken that most kids will eat… they are on almost every kids menu, which means I could go out to meals with my family and know that my pickiest eater would have something to eat… they’re what got my anxious kid to try buying lunch at the cafeteria for the first time… they’re incredibly easy for any adult to prepare.”
But most importantly: “They fill kids’ bellies.”
Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters. Kids need full bellies. And sure, a plate full of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables would be ideal. But in the real world we live in, where not every kid will consent to eating that, a plate full of chicken nuggets is just fine.
We’ve been waiting all year for this. Amazon Prime Day 2023 is July 11-12. It’s a big deal. Actually, lots of big deals. There are ridiculously good savings to be had when you shop, and even the days leading up to it include major sales drops courtesy of the Big A. Amazon is not playing around this year, either. And we get it—you’re being bombarded with emails and posts and splash pages. Overwhelming, to say the least. We know how hard it is to keep up with it all. We’re here to make it all much easier to get what you want, when you want it (and when it’s available).
This is a mega guide to Amazon Prime Day. We’ve made sure to divide it up by category, and our shopping editor will be updating this post as new deals drop. Make sure to bookmark this one, folks. These Prime Day deals start early and run though the 12th, so you’re sure to find something (or several somethings) that you’ve had on your list. If you’ve been waiting until “the right time”, here’s your sign. This is it.
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
We don’t know your kid, but if yours is anything like ours, they can sniff out a piece of kale hiding in a quesadilla faster than you can pop a straw in a juice box. In other words, getting them to eat healthy stuff isn’t always so easy. But here’s our tip. Don’t be sneaky about it. Instead, be creative and work with what you’ve got. Check out our tried-and-true ways to get your kids to eat healthier—without all of the disguises—because Mama didn’t raise no fool.
Chicken Nuggets
Is there anything that’s been reinvented more than the chicken nugget? We don’t think so. From alphabet shapes to dinosaurs, spicy to sweet, chicken nuggets come in every shape and size. The bad news? They’re often packed with preservatives and sodium. Instead of buying them in bulk, give this panko chicken recipe a go—it’s such an easy healthy food swap. Easy to make in batches, the panko holds its crunch and you can even crisp it up in an air fryer in no time, if you’re eating it throughout the week.
Macaroni & Cheese
Doesn’t every kid love mac & cheese? Who can blame them? And secretly, who doesn’t take a bite out of their leftovers before loading dishwasher? For a healthier riff on mac & cheese, try making a pot of green mac and cheese with spinach, peas and broccoli. The bright color and cheesy, creamy texture rings all the right bells.
Buttered Noodles
What is it about buttered noodles that kids love so much? Oh. Right. There’s butter, and then there are noodles. So it’s pretty perfect on the palate but falls short in nutritive strength. So, we have two options here. Serve it with protein-enriched or whole-grain pasta, or just serve it less frequently (but don’t mess with a masterpiece). We all need a reason to live, right?
Grilled Cheese
Dang it. We like these, too. But for the sake of being “good parents,” let’s explore options with the Grand Dame of Kid Food: The Grilled Cheese. First, switch around your cooking method. Instead of bathing it in a skillet of butter, batch bake them on a sheet with a light mist of olive oil on the pan. Another option is to pack some nutrition into your bread choice. Pass on the white bread and see how sprouted grains pleases your kids, instead. Finally, you can pack it full of spinach, ham, or sliced tomato if you don’t have a purist waiting for lunch to be served. How’s that for healthy food swaps?
Quesadilla
Lentils are a great source of protein, which helps keep you full for longer. Since the cooked lentils are pureed and mixed with salsa, they taste like refried beans, and picky eaters will be none the wiser. Check out our recipe for Grilled Lentil Quesadillas for a healthier alternative to the classic.
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Pizza
Anything you pick up or have delivered is going to come with a hefty health bill, when you add up all the salt (and frequently, sugar) found in pizza. But it’s so good. And so easy. Nonetheless, pizza made at home is not only fun, but also free from the hidden health hazards you’ll find in the delivery box. A prime reason to implement a healthy food swap here. Try making personal pizzas on a pita bread base, and let them choose toppings from an assortment of veggies and proteins. You can broil it for a quick fix, or try grilling it for another exciting twist.
Tacos
We take Taco Tuesday seriously, except sometimes it falls on a Wednesday or Thursday. But weekly tacos are a thing, so keeping the ingredients exciting is key to keeping the kiddos coming back for more. Instead of ground beef, cheese, lettuce and sour cream, try a vegetarian taco night with sauteed beans and mushrooms. home made guac (or hefty avocado slices), diced tomatoes and salsa. Or, go rogue with cheeseburger tacos. Brown turkey and diced onions for the filler, and let them top it with shredded lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard and cheese. Basically anything can be adapted to taco form, and we’re here for it. We bet your kids will be, too.
Spaghetti
Amp up your spaghetti game by sautéing shredded carrots and zucchini with garlic before dumping your favorite jar of pre-made sauce into the pan to simmer. For meat-lovers, brown some turkey sausage and add a dash of fennel to it to make it seem like Italian sausage. Noodles get an upgrade when you choose whole grain pasta or higher protein pasta, instead of the regular noodles. There are a million ways to add nutrition into spaghetti without sacrificing flavor, but be sure to check the back of your sauce jar—some brands are much worse than others about adding unneeded sugar to their sauce.
We’ve got quick and easy snacks for a birthday party kids will love
You’ve been prepping for weeks for your kids’ upcoming birthday party. How’s that menu coming along? If you’ve put the food off because you don’t know where to start, fear not. We’ve gathered up a slew of birthday party snacks that include sweets, savory sides, and even healthy options that kids of all ages will enjoy. All that’s left is to decide on the cake, and we’ve got you covered there, too!
Looking for a simple (but healthy) snack for your upcoming baby or toddler party? You'll find both with this baby trail mix recipe from Smart School House. Made with freeze-dried strawberries, yogurt melts, and berry Cheerios, this simple birthday party snack is great for morning or afternoon parties and can be scooped into cups so little hands can stay busy while snacking.
You don’t have to be Martha Steward to whip up your own yogurt melt for a baby’s party! This easy recipe requires one ingredient (hint: it’s yogurt!) and just a little freeze time. Get creative with different flavors, then divvy up in cups for the perfect (not too messy) snack for party time.
A bowl of plain pretzels? Not for your party. The best part? They are easy to make because you're starting with store-bought food, AND you can personalize them to your liking! Just grab the chocolate of your choice and lots of fun, celebratory sprinkles to take this birthday party snack from The View from Great Island up a notch!
Perfect for that not-quite lunch or dinner party, these pizza quesadillas from A Taste of Madness make a great birthday party snack for little kids through teens. All it takes is four ingredients (and you can easily use whole wheat tortillas to make it semi-healthy) to put together, then serve with an assortment of dips. Good luck keeping the parent's hands off of these!
Raise your hand if you do NOT want to do any baking for your upcoming birthday party. These no-bake strawberry cheesecake bites from Typically Simple are here to save the day! A simple filling goes into fresh strawberries, then dipped in graham crackers for the perfect bite-sized snack for both kids and adults.
Need a hearty birthday party snack? The Recipe Rebel's BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns fit the bill. It takes just 15 minutes of prep time and five ingredients (including store-bought pizza dough) to get these buns into shape. After baking, you can either serve or freeze it for a future party. It's meal prep at its' finest!
What's more fun than funfetti dip? We can't think of anything that'll satisfy your birthday party guest's sweet tooth better than homemade cake batter dip made with just five ingredients and literally takes five minutes to make! Don't forget the animal crackers! Get the recipe from Shugary Sweets.
Corn dogs are cool, but have you had mini corn dog muffins? Great for little hands and perfect for parties, this dippable dish from Bake Me Some Sugar combines a cornbread muffin and a hot dog into a delightful party snack.
Kick your popcorn up a notch, birthday style, with this simple recipe from Peanut Blossom. It uses melted chocolate with cake batter mixed in, sprinkles, and M&M's. The best part? You can customize all the decorations to match your party theme!
If you've got a little bit of extra time on your hands, trying out these Banilla Bites from A Helicopter Mom is a no-brainer. Grab the four store-bought ingredients, then get to assembling these adorable mini sandwiches that the kids won't be able to turn down (thanks, sprinkles.)
Four ingredients, 10 minutes of prep time, and just 15 minutes to bake is all it takes to get these meatball sub sliders ready to go. Great for evening parties or even a fun sleepover, this hearty snack will be a fan fave. Get the recipe from One Little Project.
Need a gluten and dairy-free snack idea? This birthday party snack from One Lovely Life combines peanut butter, rolled oats, chocolate chips, and M&M's, and bakes for under 30 minutes. You can even customize your bars with a candy color!
Need a healthy birthday party snack? These Nutella "deviled" strawberries spotted over at Lauren's Latest combine fruit and chocolate for fabulous finger food that everyone from toddlers to adults will enjoy.
There's nothing like cereal for a late-night snack, which makes these no-bake cereal bars from Today's Creative Life perfect for a slumber party. Combine cereal, pretzels, and peanut butter to get this crunchy snack ready for your kiddos' upcoming bash.
No need to whip up dozens of individual cookies when you have Chelsea's Messy Apron recipe for sugar cookie bars. Made in one pan, this chewy and soft cookie is topped with homemade buttercream frosting and sprinkles. Make it yours by customizing with your own party colors!
We know teens will never truly tire of pizza, but if you're looking for a new take then this pizza dip from A Subtle Revelry is here for you. Cream cheese, sauce, pepperoni, and even more cheese are baked together in this surprisingly simple snack, which can be served with crackers or breadsticks.
Whether it's a fall-themed party or not, you can't go wrong with air-fried apples and caramel dip! The homemade dip is easier than you think, and making the apples into crispy fries is a cinch thanks to the air fryer you've had sitting on the counter since the pandemic. See how it's done over at Bitz & Giggles.
Skip the hot dogs for this party, and whip up some pretzel dogs instead! Yes, this recipe from Food Fanatic calls for homemade pretzel dough, but the added effort results in delicious dogs that will make your party out of this world.
Once you get this recipe for chicken nugget sliders under your belt, you'll be dishing them up everywhere from birthday parties to Super Bowl get-togethers. Hawaiian rolls, nuggets, sauce, and cheese form the base for this mini sandwich that lets you prep over 15 sandwiches at a time!
When you make monkey bread in a slow cooker, you can skip proofing the bread: set it and forget it. This particular recipe from Baked By an Introvert includes homemade bread, but thanks to a stand mixer, is easier than you think. The result? Warm, ooey, gooey dessert that the teens will devour.
These soft pretzel bites from Food Fanatic are made with homemade dough that requires no shaping and bake in just seven minutes. While it will involve a little patience as you let the dough rise, the result is buttery, salty pretzel bites that would pair well with pizza dip (see recipe above) or just eaten a la mode.
Because there’s more to life than buttered noodles
If there’s one thing parents can agree on, it’s to pick your battles—especially when it comes to picky eaters. For kids with particular palates, it can be difficult for them to eat at all, much less anything with brightly-colored veggies. That’s why we’ve rounded up simple recipes for picky eaters that will change up your usual fare but aren’t so adventurous they’ll turn their nose up at them.
Picky eaters not only prefer plain meals, but they usually want them quickly. Dash for Dinner has the ultimate compromise: simple, creamy mac and cheese that only requires five ingredients and whips up in the Instant Pot.
Air Fryer Pizza Toast
When it comes to meals for picky eaters, they can usually spy a veggie a mile away. That's why we love this air fryer pizza toast from My Fussy Eater. It's up to you whether you want to make the homemade sauce that sports carrot, bell pepper, and zucchini because it will still be fit for a picky eater thanks to the option to put whatever toppings you like.
Potatoes tend to be friendly with picky eaters, thanks to french fries. If you’re looking to put a new spud recipe into the rotation, we love this idea for mashed potato nuggets from High Chair Chronicles. They are simple and use up mashed potatoes you might have on hand. Better yet, when you dress them up in a fun container, the littles will be even more intrigued to give them a go.
Buttered noodles are common fare, but they get old quickly. This dinner idea for picky eaters slowly adds a new flavor into the mix and is a meal everyone can enjoy. Rasa Malaysia's parmesan garlic noodles come together in 20 minutes and uses simple ingredients that will hopefully fly under your picky eater's radar.
Ok hear us out: we know the idea of a black bean taco may not sit well with a picky eater, but this one is CRISPY. Pinch of Yum (which is run by a mom of two) calls these "black bean crispies" in her house, and they are perfect for kids who don't like meat. The vegetarian recipe for crispy black bean tacos can also be served with a cilantro lime sauce so the adults can dig in, too.
Getting kids to eat fish may seem impossible, but it always helps to camouflage new foods so it looks like something they already like. That's why we think this recipe for parmesan baked fish nuggets may just work, thanks to its chicken nugget vibe. There is no frying involved and everything comes together in less than 30 minutes.
We’re hoping the adorable size of these slider sandwiches will entice picky eaters to give them a try. These ham and cheese poppy seed sliders from Six Sisters Stuff are made with a sauce for extra flavor, but there’s absolutely no reason you can’t leave half the batch sauce-free so there’s something for everyone. Better yet, feel free to mix up different deli meats and cheeses to satisfy your picky eaters.
A great source of protein, but still on the plain side, these bacon and egg cups from Wondermom Wannabe may be the solution to breakfast woes. We like that you can make them ahead of time and customize them with whatever cheese and toppings you like.
Picky eaters eat dessert, too! This four-ingredient recipe for cinnamon sugar tortilla chips from Dinner Then Dessert whips up in 10 minutes and is perfect for all tastebuds. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even serve them with fruit salsa (hey, it might work), ice cream, or a fun dip.
Stop scrolling! We know this photo of a chicken quesadilla has all sorts of things a picky eater might run away from, but we have thoughts. First, Carlsbad Cravings' recipe makes them super crispy which kids tend to gravitate towards. Next, you can pack in as much or little filling as your kids will eat. That can be multiple types of cheese, different meats, veggies—or just skip them entirely. The beauty is in the ability to customize so everyone has something they can enjoy.
No rise whole wheat dough and real mozzarella will make parents actually feel good about serving this pizza. This eight-ingredient recipe for cheese pizza bites from Kristine's Kitchen works great for school lunches or dinner and can be served with a dipping sauce.
We firmly believe the magic of this casserole lies in the base layer: Dorito chips. Bake Me Some Sugar's ground beef Dorito casserole can satisfy everyone at the table—no second or third dinner required. After adding chips to your dish, then it's a matter of topping it with ground beef, beans, and cheese before baking. When it's ready, picky eaters can enjoy it as-is, while more seasoned palates can top it with lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream––or more chips.
A classic carbonara has no cream and no heavy sauce because the eggs do all the work, making it both light and decadent at the same time. This recipe, sure to delight picky eaters, is from Scrummy Lane and gives a lot of tips on how to make the perfect carbonara.
Just think of these meatballs from Kitchen Sanctuary as the secret agents of your dinner table. In addition to a veggie-full sauce, this recipe for picky eaters has a hidden dose of zucchini, onion, and mushrooms. Add it all up and your family will have a favorite new meal that’s actually healthy comfort food.
Psst! Can you keep a secret? This pretty smoothie from Simple Roots Wellness has a lot of berry flavor and a superstar veggie ingredient: cauliflower! Once blended, kids will never know about this sweet treat's mystery ingredient—it’s perfect for breakfast or a snack!
This delicious homemade chicken noodle soup is a win for everyone, including picky eaters. You can't go wrong with this recipe from Jennifer Tyler Lee.
Roll up some ham and cheese for a dinner that will have the little ones forgetting about their pre-boxed meat, cheese, and crackers (you know which ones we're talking about). You and your kids can whip up this recipe for picky eaters from It's Peachy Keen in less than 20 minutes for a fun, fingers-only meal.
You know that stockpile of juice boxes your family has been collecting? This sweet recipe from Oatmeal With a Fork puts them to good use! The chicken is flavorful and easy to make—and we’re willing to bet it’ll be a hit with picky kids and grown-ups alike.
How yummy does this pizza casserole look? Any picky person will love this twist on the classic meat lover's pizza from Bitz & Giggles—it’s the ultimate comfort food.
This berry smoothie recipe from Kristine's Kitchen Blog is a great way for picky kids to have more veggies and have no clue about it! The sweet smoothie will be gone before they even realize they are consuming healthy greens.
Thank goodness for stir fry! If you've got a picky kid who actually likes broccoli (it's possible!) this honey garlic chicken and broccoli stir fry not only features a good amount of the veggie, but it also has sweet and savory flavors that are better than any take-out options. And did we mention it only takes 30 minutes to make?