5 Healthy Baking Ideas To Try With The Kids

The summer holidays have now officially started across the UK which means that parents everywhere are bringing out all of their best ‘keep the kids entertained’ tactics, one of which is pretty much always baking.

It can be easy to throw a box mix in front of them and let kids of any age muddle their way through the basic instructions to create some character cupcakes but why not teach them a habit that will last a lifetime and show them some healthy and tasty recipes?

We’ve got 5 healthy and delicious recipes that are easy for all ages to help make and, with their more-ish taste, the kids will be asking to make them time and time again!

Rainbow Fruit and Nut Bark

A naturally healthy and gluten-free baking idea, this recipe for ‘rainbow bark’ is made with simple, vitamin-rich ingredients and saves as a healthy snack in the freezer for when the weather is warm!

Ingredients

1 x Tub of Vanilla Yoghurt (can choose natural, Greek-style or even dairy-free)

Squirt of Honey

Strawberries

Blueberries

Bananas

Pistachio Nuts

Method

1. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and make sure there is a flat area free in your freezer
2. Mix your yoghurt and honey together in a bowl and spread onto your baking paper, leaving it relatively thick
3. Chop your berries and banana into small pieces and spread randomly across the top of the yoghurt
4. Sprinkle your crushed pistachio nuts across the top
5. Place flat in the freezer for a few hours until solid
6. Once frozen, snap randomly into various sized pieces and keep in the freezer in a bag or box and snack on when you fancy it!

Popcorn Crispy Bars

This is a recipe that we’ve spoken about before but we just can’t get enough of them! These popcorn crispy bars are originally from Tom Kerridge but the basic, low-calorie recipe is so easy to follow and even customise to suit your family!

Ingredients:

40g Salted Popcorn

50g Puffed Rice Cereal

40g Mini Marshmallows

50g Dried Cranberries

200g Dark Chocolate

Method:

1. Line a 20cm square baking tin with two layers of cling film (you may need two tins for the amount of mixture)
2. Melt your dark chocolate either over the hob or in the microwave, being cautious to not burn it but melt fully
3. Weigh out your dry ingredients and put together in a large mixing bowl, stirring round to ensure everything is fully mixed and distributed evenly
4. Pour your melted chocolate into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to ensure everything is covered
5. Pour your mixture into your lined tins and press down to ensure everything is compact
6. Place in the fridge to set for a couple of hours
7. Once totally solid, cut into small square pieces and store in an airtight jar or box

Mixed Veggie Egg Muffins

Perfect for making early morning for breakfast or a little later on for lunch, not all baking has to be sweet and these mixed veggie egg muffins are super healthy and filling, as well as being seriously moreish!

Ingredients:

6 Large Eggs

1 Carrot

1 Pepper

25g Peas

25g Sweetcorn

30g Grated Cheddar (optional)

Method:

1. Chop your carrot and pepper into small pieces and place in a bowl with the peas and sweetcorn
2. Cover with boiling water and microwave for 2-minutes
3. While your veg are steaming, crack your eggs into a mixing bowl and stir before adding your grated cheese and stirring again
4. Once your veg is cooked, drain and pour the veg into your egg mixture
5. Stir the veg in with the egg mix and distribute into a greased cupcake or muffin tin, filling each hole to ¾ full – you should make about 6
6. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the egg is cooked through and set
7. Eat straight out of the oven warm

Homemade Pizzas

Get the kids involved with making a classic favourite from scratch, keeping them busy before dinner and teaching them a recipe they can keep for life!

Ingredients:

For the dough:

500g Plain Flour

1 Teaspoon Salt

½ Teaspoon Non Fast Action Dried Yeast

400ml Warm Water

Oil

For the Topping

Passata, Pizza Sauce or Tomato Puree

Mozzarella, Cheddar or Your Choice of Cheese

Meats, Fish or Vegetables of Your Choice

Method:

1. First, you need to make your dough and this can be done in a standing mixer or by hand. Place your flour and salt in one bowl before placing your yeast in another and adding the water
2. Leave your yeast liquid for around 5 minutes to ensure the yeast is working
3. Add the water and yeast to the flour and mix by hand or with a dough hook for 5 minutes+ until the dough has become a thicker, shinier consistency and is likely to have formed a ball in your bowl or mixer
4. You need to continue mixing the dough until it springs back when pressed and this can take up to 10 minutes. The dough can be a little sticky but if it is too sticky to work with, add a some extra flour a little at a time to help make the mixture more workable.
5. Place your ball of dough into an oiled bowl, give it a mix so the ball gets covered in the oil and cover tightly with cling film before placing in a warm environment to rise for a couple of hours
6. Once doubled in size, split your dough into how many pizzas you want, shape each piece into a new ball before coating in a little flour and placing on a lined tray under a tea towel until you need to top it
7. At this point, prepare your toppings, whether that be cutting up the veg or pre-cooking any meats and fishes
8. Once you’re ready to top your pizzas, either roll or stretch your dough out into a round shape and place on a round pizza tray, add your tomato sauce, cheese and toppings then cook in the oven for around 15 minutes or until everything is cooked through and the dough is crispy

Easy Peasy Soda Bread

Soda bread is one of the easiest types of bread to make and also happens to be really delicious, so if you want to get your kids eating brown bread as well as teaching them to make it, this is the perfect ‘easy peasy’ recipe, inspired by culinary legend, Delia Smith!

Ingredients:

450g Wholemeal Flour

2 Teaspoons Salt

1 Teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda

150ml Soured Cream

150ml Water

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 220 degrees (this dough needs no proving, so you’ll be putting it in the oven as soon as the dough is ready)
2. Mix your flour, salt and bicarb together in a large mixing bowl before pouring your soured cream and water into a separate bowl and mixing them together
3. Stir the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, adding a little extra water if required to bind into a dough
4. Knead lightly in the bowl to get the surface smooth and then place the ball of dough onto a lined baking tray (you can split into more than one loaf if you want)
5. Use a knife to cut a cross into the top of each loaf, about halfway in
6. Bake your loaf or loaves on the top shelf of the oven for around 30 minutes or until cooked through with a crispy top
7. Cool for around 15 minutes before cutting into thick slices and enjoy slightly warm with plenty of butter!

All kids love getting involved in the kitchen and baking or cooking is the perfect way to use up spare time during the school holidays! These sweet and savoury recipes are perfect to enjoy as part of a balanced diet and are suitable for kids to eat as well as make!

They’re a little different to your usual cookies or cupcakes and they are all recipes that your kids can use for life. If you do bake up any of these delicious dishes, let us know by sharing your pictures with us on social media!