Have you spotted your little one sauntering into the kitchen while you're prepping dinner? Do they ask questions like, "Whatcha making?" as you cut, slice, and dice? Perhaps it's time to hand them a spatula and get them to join you in the fulfilling activity that is cooking.
There are countless cookbooks nowadays that excel at encouraging kids to learn valuable cooking skills in creative and fun ways. Our favorite is America's Test Kitchen's The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs. It contains over 100 tried-and-tested recipes that kids are sure to enjoy making for everyone. We've also included a buying guide for those keen on grabbing a few more cookbooks for young home chefs! We explain what to consider when picking out a particular recipe book.
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef that loves everything food-related and the tools both big and small to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-quast-59769011/
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Table of Contents
Choosing a cookbook is never easy, even for adults! We're never sure if the recipes will actually be used and enjoyed, and there's always the risk of it collecting dust on a shelf.
The same goes for cookbooks for kids, and perhaps even more so! It can be complicated since we need to ensure that the material is fitting for their age while still being engaging.
We recommend choosing a cookbook based on the child's level of expertise - the basics for little ones and more complex recipes and techniques for those in grade school level.
A cookbook for toddlers should be accessible, meaning that it's easy to comprehend and follow. Go for a "my first cookbook" kind of approach for very young kids. Look for recipes with simple ingredients and minimal steps, like learning how to create a heart-shaped egg or cookies.
Your toddler will be excited to get in on the action, so it's also helpful to consider how much they'll be able to participate. Recipes that involve ovens or other dangerous aspects might have your kiddo doing more watching than cooking.
At this age, any chopping should be done with a plastic knife. While they should avoid sharp tools, don't be afraid to hand them a mixing spoon, measuring cup, or whisk! You can also choose to have them do the mixing and pouring as they watch you handle the more complex tasks.
As a child gets older, they can try recipes with more autonomy and less parental supervision. You might be surprised that a nine-year-old can learn how to handle a knife and fire! To start, chefs recommend giving your child a lettuce knife, as it is sharper but still safer than larger cooking knives. As they become more comfortable with that, around 10, they may be able to start using larger knives.
However, as always, make sure to keep an eye on them, especially when using new appliances or techniques for the first time. Remember to remind them to use a towel or oven mitt when handling hot food and utensils. It can also be fun to be your child's sous-chef! Older kids will enjoy sharing their new knowledge and skills with you.
If your child is more independent, finding a book at their reading level is more important. Cookbooks for grade-schoolers involve more exploration about kitchen concepts, practices, and even scientific processes. The recipes branch out into more steps and include more ingredients.
Once your kids are tweens or teenagers, they have a lot more independence and can usually be trusted in the kitchen. At this age, they should be able to easily use the oven and most kitchen tools and utensils.
After practicing with plastic knives, tweens are safe to graduate to larger knives in the kitchen. However, beware of any complex tools, especially electronic appliances, that may become dangerous without proper supervision and guidance.
Their reading comprehension will also be better at this point, so they should be able to follow more complex recipes. This way, they are constantly challenging themselves in the kitchen and learning new skills.
Your teen or tween might have a stronger preference concerning what kind of cooking they are doing. They will want the freedom to focus on what they want to cook the most. For example, they might want to focus on baking or a specific type of cuisine. This is a great age for them to explore their interests and refine their skills.
One way to narrow down your cookbook choices is to focus on a theme or particular cuisine that your kid has an interest in. This allows them to explore their interests with the best information.
Cookbooks also can focus on a particular cuisine, such as Italian, French, Mexican, or Japanese. You can go for one that explores a specific country's food or get a cookbook with a mix of international dishes. Some have maps showing where a particular recipe originated, which provides a more engaging experience.
Trying different cuisines can also be a great way to learn about new cultures or connect to your own cultural heritage through food!
Another way to choose a cookbook for kids is to focus on a course or dish. You can get one on pizza making, which is a favorite among kids because of the dough preparation and process of creating something from scratch!
How about a baking cookbook for someone who adores desserts and sweets and wants to discover how they're made? Some cookbooks are more focused than others, which is a great way to dive into the nitty-gritty concepts of a particular field. Plus, your child might adore learning how to master their favorite food!
For those with kids who are a little hesitant to cook, you may be able to capture their interest if a cookbook teaches them recipes with a theme they love, such as Harry Potter, Disney princesses, or Star Wars cookbooks.
If you already have a budding young chef, a themed cookbook makes a great gift as well! Imagine a child's sense of achievement if they could recreate meals that they see on TV or learn how to turn regular fried eggs into Rapunzel's Frying Pan Eggs!
Perhaps your older child already has a background in cooking and wants to level up their skills? You can get a MasterChef Kids cookbook, which contains the recipes inspired by the young chefs themselves.
When you're looking for the best cookbook for your child, it's important to pay attention to how accessible the information included is. You should also remember to keep in mind that these recipes have to be doable in terms of skill level and any dietary restrictions.
The more images, the better! Because this is a cookbook for kids, bright and bold illustrations should be displayed throughout the book, with the finished product as well as additional photos in between to inspire and assist young chefs.
This is especially true for kids who don't have prior experience cooking, as they may need more guidance along the way. Photos help to easily demonstrate steps and techniques!
Make sure the ingredients are accessible to you, as it'll be easier to cook if they are already a staple in your pantry or easy to grab at the store.
There are plenty of cookbooks for kids that are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or dairy-free. These are often explicitly labeled on the cover or mentioned in the product description of the cookbook. You can also get one that offers suggestions for substitutions in case you need to alter a recipe to suit your child's dietary restrictions.
Online reviews are your friend! Here you will find useful information, like if a cookbook was prepared in an easy-to-navigate manner. Those who've purchased the cookbook already are often very vocal if they absolutely loved it or found it lacking in some aspects.
It's also worth checking book previews, like summaries or the table of contents. You will find out if a particular cookbook uses kid-friendly language.
Lastly, check and see how the recipes turned out! Were kids able to follow the recipes without a hitch? Were the steps too difficult? You'll want to make sure other kids enjoyed making the recipes and whether they're as tasty as they look in the photos.
Some cookbooks teach critical kitchen skills, facts about food, culture and history, essential kitchen safety tips, and more! They're not just about dictating a recipe for a child to follow, and the young chef walks away having learned so much more.
You can even get cookbooks that double as activity books. These are filled with stickers and labels, food quizzes, fun trivia, or placards for kids to write their own recipes. This approach makes a cookbook more engaging for little ones. However, as kids get older, they may prefer cookbooks that feel more "grown-up!"
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If your child wants to experiment with their areas of interest, or just can't choose, this book offers recipes for all types of cuisines. Whether it's a recipe for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, dessert, or beverage, there's a recipe that any aspiring chef can do.
A few parents noted that this was a cookbook for kids who already have some know-how in the kitchen. However, parents loved that the book teaches the basics, such as dicing and slicing. The book also explains the tools that they'll need, which makes it very comprehensive for young chefs.
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It can be hard to keep kids engaged in the kitchen, but you won't have that problem with this book. It includes quizzes and games, and there's even an option for a choose-your-own-adventure recipe, which gives young chefs more control over their creations. This makes your child associate cooking with fun!
Although some reviews expressed there aren't many healthy recipes, they love how easy the directions were to follow. They appreciate that the book is patient and geared towards those still learning how to cook, saying it even places emphasis on kitchen safety.
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Boost and satisfy your toddler's curiosity by getting them involved in the kitchen with you! This cookbook has been designed to incorporate the help of smaller hands. Aside from the recipes being easy-peasy, they're enjoyable for everyone in the family and meant to encourage a diverse palate.
A few reviewers noted that the directions are aimed towards adults, and kids are just helping. However, parents were especially pleased that the cookbook focuses on health and nutrition. Even picky eaters ate their creations just because they had a hand in making them.
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From the flavorful recipes to the kitchen techniques, this cookbook is for the aspiring master chef. It's filled with tips, advice, and recipes inspired by the popular cooking show for kids to try on their own. The end result may be an artistic kitchen masterpiece!
The recipes are quite complicated, said a few reviewers. They advise handing it to kids who have some experience in the kitchen. Satisfied parents said that kids who love cooking shows and cooking enjoyed the cookbook immensely. The recipes required minimal assistance and were offered at varying levels of difficulty.
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This cookbook is for the young chef who is keen on dabbling with everything baked, from bread and pizza to cookies and cupcakes. It also includes testimonials from kids themselves to help encourage your young baker along the way.
Some reviewers worried that some of the recipes were too complex for kids. However, parents commented that the ingredients were easy to acquire and everything was explained clearly.
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There's a recipe included in this well-loved Stars Wars cookbook that is guaranteed to satisfy the cooking urges of any child. Whether it's getting toddlers to help with C-3PO pancakes or letting your nine-year-old make some Wookiee cookies, the recipes are delicious and fun.
A few reviewers noted that the recipes were basic. Still, Star Wars fans enjoyed making the recipes, and those who've tried making a few of the recipes weren't disappointed. They especially loved the bright images on every page and found the instructions very easy to follow.
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If your teen is just getting started in the kitchen and is worried about being challenged, they can relax knowing that this cookbook is here to guide them. This book includes simple recipes with detailed instructions, pictures, and safety tips. The recipes are age-appropriate for teens, but provide the extra support beginners may need.
Although some parents thought the instructions were too detailed, others appreciated that this book allows their teens to work independently in the kitchen. They say that each recipe is delicious and that their teens love that they are able to learn how to cook in a fun and easy way.
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If your child dreams of Disney-themed snacks, this is the right book for them. This cookbook contains charming recipes with clear instructions for every princess to try. There are photos of every dish, and tips from the princesses to help kids cook and stay engaged.
Although a few parents thought that some of the recipes were mediocre or didn't yield good results, many said that they absolutely loved the cookbook! There are even pre-planned menus included for kids to try and serve to family or friends. The cookbook was highly recommended by parents and kids alike.
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This book is all about making fun and healthy recipes. It's filled with essential trivia about healthy eating and even teaches kids how to turn classic dishes into healthier alternatives. This is a great way to make healthy eating fun and engaging at any age.
A few reviewers noted that their picky eaters wouldn't try things like tofu. However, parents shared that most kids had fun cooking and eating their masterpieces. Happy parents noted that the recipes are clear, concise, and most agree they're healthy. The cookbook is also described as colorful.
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Cooking with diet restrictions can be difficult, but this book makes it easy for you and your child to make delicious vegetarian meals together. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and even include pictures of other children preparing the meals. It also has party and decoration ideas.
Some reviewers noted that a lot of the recipes are closer to snacks than full meals, and most come from the author's original book. However, many parents loved the variety of vegetarian recipes exhibited and confirm they are kid-friendly. They also say their kids find the tips very helpful!
Here are a few more links to cookbooks you might be interested in adding to your collection!
To find even more great recommendations for children's cookbooks, check out Amazon's bestsellers list.
No. 1: America's Test Kitchen | The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs
No. 2: Food Network Magazine | The Big, Fun Kids Cookbook
No. 3: Heather Wish Staller | Little Helpers Toddler Cookbook
No. 4: MasterChef Junior | MasterChef Junior Cookbook
No. 5: America's Test Kitchen Kids | The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs
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