Cooking with your kid is a great way to get them interested in eating their meal and introducing new foods. When we give our kids something new to eat, it often just shows up on their plate, looking totally foreign. They don’t know where it came from, what it’s going to feel like, smell like, or taste like. Some children are adventurous and just dig in, but many are tentative and are just too unsure to give it a go. When your kid helps you prepare the meal, they get to see where it comes from, what is smells like, and might even get to taste and feel it too. These interactions can really help set the stage for a successful meal because they are often interested and have invested something in it.
If you are Type A, like me, heed this warning: it may be very messy. They may mess something up. And that is okay! Mentally prepare yourself for this going in and try to let go of the control of having it be perfect. I have to remind myself of this every time I cook with Sam!
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| Sam mixing the pumpkin waffles. He does a pretty good job for a 2 year old! |
If you aren’t comfortable in the kitchen, there are many fool-proof recipes you can get your kids involved in (see pancakes below). For that matter, it doesn’t even have to be a recipe, they could help you assemble a tossed salad or make scrambled eggs. The idea is just to get them involved, be part of the process, interacting with the food!
Cooking with your kid offers countless benefits as well, such as bonding time with you, and teaching learning concepts such as following directions, measuring, and fractions. Your kid will also learn the value of being helpful and that their help is appreciated, which will increase their self-esteem and sense of self-worth!
Most weekends Sam cooks pancakes or waffles with his Dad. I like these pumpkin versions because they increase the nutritional value and are a different color and texture from the regular pancakes/waffles. Both versions are a little denser and more moist. They are sooooo good, even if you aren’t a big pumpkin fan. I like to top these with sliced bananas and maple syrup!
Pumpkin Waffles
Kid approved pumpkin waffle recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 2/3 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons butter melted and cooled
Instructions
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Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in large bowl.
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In a second bowl, add eggs, sugar, pumpkin, milk, and butter; beat well.
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Gently fold in the flour mixture.
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Cook according to your waffle iron directions.
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I do these in my belgian waffle iron and it uses about 1 cup batter and takes 4-5 minutes to bake.
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They come out a nice deep, golden brown.
These are great with a little bit of syrup, but would also be great with honey butter.
Pumpkin Pancakes
Kid approved pumpkin pancake recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- Maple Syrup (Optional)
- Fresh Raspberries (Optional)
Instructions
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In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Add egg, buttermilk, pumpkin, and melted butter; whisk to combine.
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Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon unsalted butter; swirl pan to coat.
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Spoon heaping tablespoons of batter 2 inches apart into skillet.
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Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around edges; turn.
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Cook until golden on bottom, about 1 minute more. If pancakes brown too quickly, reduce heat to medium.
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Repeat with remaining batter and unsalted butter.
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Serve warm with syrup and raspberries.
Alisha Grogan is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Your Kid’s Table. She has over 14 years experience with expertise in sensory processing and feeding development in babies, toddlers, and children. Alisha also has 3 boys of her own at home. Learn more about her here.
Very runny. Start with less milk. Taste was pretty though
Made these for my picky eater. I didn’t tell him there was pumpkin in them, as I know he wouldn’t even try them if he knew. “Best waffles I’ve ever had!” he said. So THANK YOU so much!! It’s so great to find another way to get veggies into him.
Hi Erin! Thanks for reaching out and sharing that feedback! So glad they were a success 🙂
Best,
Kalyn
Made these today! Both Kids loved them. Thank you!
awesome!! So glad you enjoyed! Thanks for sharing
What age would you say is a good time to start cooking with your kid? Mine is nearly 18 months which seems a big young.
Karin- usually by 2.5 they are able to help out without a ton of redirection, but at 18 months they can help with some tasks in cooking. Of course, this requires extra time and a lot of patience at this young of an age. Think helping stir or dump ingredients into the bowl!
Thanks for this recipe! I’m looking for healthy things to feed my 9 mo. old who no longer wants purees and this sounds perfect. Will definitely be a great thing to make with her as she gets older too.
They are great, you will both love them. We had the pancakes this morning. Make sure you check out my post, Mega List of Table Foods for Your Toddler, if you are looking for more ideas!
My 10 month old loves these. I make a huge batch on sunday and the rest of the week I pull them out of the freezer and warm them up. Its so easy. Not to mention my son gets to self feed while I fold laundry or get other simple tasks done! Total life saver!
That’s great Eive!
These sound great, I am going to have to make these with Sam when I have have them sleep over.
Do they have a strong pumpkin flavor?