Christmas cooking ideas for kids
Try our festive family cooking projects. These savoury bakes, meals and snacks are perfect for making over the Christmas holidays with the kids.
Get in the festive mood by making some simple savoury snacks and meals with your little ones that will balance all the sweet stuff. We've thought of some easy nibbles and cooking ideas for them to help out with and enjoy throughout the holidays. Whether you want to whip up a stunning Christmas tree bread, tasty afternoon treats or easy edible gifts, you'll find something to get everyone excited about rolling up their Christmas jumper sleeves.
In the mood for something sweet? Check out our Christmas baking projects for kids for plenty of biscuits, cakes and chocolates to fill the house with festive cheer and tempting aromas.
1. Christmas tree garlic bread
Deck the table with an irresistible pull-apart garlic bread centrepiece. Each dough ball is filled with a delightful melting mozzarella centre, and kids can help fashion these into a stunning Christmas tree design. Served with a simple tomato sauce for dipping, this bread sensation is the perfect festive sharing piece.
Bake up another of our stunning Christmas bread recipes.
2. Mulled cranberry chutney
Make up a batch of fruity spiced Christmas chutney to enjoy with cheese, or give as a special gift to teachers. Substitute cranberry juice for the mulled wine to make it child-friendly, and enjoy the beautiful festive aromas wafting around the house as you mix up this fragrant concoction.
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Check out more of our Christmas chutney recipes.
3. Christmas dinner sausage rolls
Sausage rolls aren't just for summer picnics! These tasty puff pastry canapés combine all our favourite bits of a Christmas dinner, including chipolatas, turkey mince, stuffing and cranberry sauce. If that doesn't sound mouth-watering enough, then a gravy dipping sauce is sure to tip the balance. Teach older kids some basic pastry skills, such as rolling out and shaping the pastry, before assembling the fillings and cutting up the individual rolls.
Discover more delicious Christmas canapé recipes.
4. Flatbreads with brunch-style eggs
Looking for the perfect Christmas breakfast or a comforting Boxing Day brunch? Our one-pan eggs and cherry tomatoes recipe is easy enough for older kids and teens to whip up while the adults enjoy some down time. Serve with warm homemade flatbreads to mop up the eggs, and you have one super-satisfying meal.
Get some more inspiration with our top 10 Christmas brunch ideas.
5. Christmas ham quesadillas
These simple but scrumptious quesadillas are a fun way for children to learn about leftovers. Load up the tortillas with a mixture of leftover ham or shredded turkey, along with any cheese you have around. These tasty bites are even more delicious served with our sweet and punchy onion pickle.
Find more leftover ham recipes.
6. Twisty cheese straws
Crispy, cheesy straws are a snacking favourite with kids and adults alike. Twist around puff pastry strips with soft cheese and pesto for some super-simple nibbles to keep everyone's energy levels topped up over the busy festive season.
Try more of our easy snacks for kids.
7. Easy mincemeat
Homemade mincemeat makes a great gift, or you can keep a big jar on hand to use in various festive bakes. This simple mixture is made from dried fruits, citrus peel, spices and suet, but you can customise with extra ingredients, such as stem ginger. Make it non-alcoholic for kids by substituting the brandy with apple juice.
Bored of just making mince pieces? We've thought of 10 new ways with mincemeat to use up your jar.
8. Sprout pasta bake
For any little sprout-haters out there, this comforting family bake is sure to change opinions. For a festive twist on mac 'n' cheese, simple combine crispy roast sprouts with a creamy cheddar sauce and penne pasta. It's totally easy to make, and takes just 5 minutes of prep time before letting the oven doing the rest.
We've got plenty more kids' pasta bake recipes to help them hone their cooking skills.
9. Triple pigs in blankets
Minimise the stress of Christmas dinner prep by letting everyone chip in a bit. Kids can help out on some speedy sides, such as these easy triple-charged pigs in blankets. Rather than sticking with just one sausage, we've packed in three for every bacon rasher parcel. For an easy meat-free alternative, try our vegan pigs in blankets recipe.
Check out some more tasty pigs in blankets recipes.
10. Turkey twist pie
All you need is four ingredients to make this simple filo pastry pie. Fill with leftover cooked turkey strips, chargrilled veg and creamy ricotta, then let your kids create their best pinwheel shapes with the pastry. Serve with a hearty winter salad for an easy midweek meal during the holidays.
See more leftover turkey recipes.
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What's your favourite festive family project? Leave a comment below...
