Baked Sweet Potato Fries

These soft, yummy sweet potato fries are healthier than regular french fries (and taste great dipped in ketchup).

Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Tortilla Pizzas

When I asked a friend with two young daughters what they like to eat she answered in just one word: "Cheese!"
"Not peanut butter and jelly?"
"Just cheese!"
"Apples and oranges?"
"Only cheese. Sometimes tacos."
Ladies, this one is for you.

What you need:

• Small corn tortillas
• Salsa
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Mound a little salsa and cheese on each tortilla. Cook on foil-lined tray in toaster oven until cheese has melted and is brown at the edges.

Kids can help: Assemble the "pizzas," cover the tray with foil
Extras: A layer of refried beans under the salsa, cilantro for garnish, a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of finely chopped green pepper

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Oatmeal Snack Cakes

A healthy recipe for oatmeal snack cakes that make for a delicious on-the-go breakfast.

Oatmeal Snack Cakes Recipe

Quick, Kid-Friendly Breadsticks

A quick recipe for breadsticks that make a great kid-friendly snack.

Quick, Kid-Friendly Breadsticks Recipe

Parmesan Cheese Straws

An easy, cheesy breadstick recipe that kids will love.

Parmesan Cheese Straws Recipe

Healthy Whoopie Pies

These whoopie pies are delicious and healthier than most desserts—they're made with vitamin-rich beets!

Healthy Whoopie Pies Recipe

Zucchini Muffins Recipe

Kids won't notice the vegetables in these yummy zucchini muffins. They can have fun helping you make them, too!

Zucchini Muffins Recipe

Easy Cheese Crackers Recipe

An easy recipe for homemade cheese crackers. Kids will love helping by making their own shapes!

Easy Cheese Crackers Recipe

Best Blueberry Muffins

This blueberry muffins recipe will be a hit with the whole famiy. Kids will love the white sugar sparkle!

Blueberry Muffins Recipe

Easy Jello Snack

An easy recipe for jello that kids will love—go ahead and let them pick their favorite color.

Easy Jello Snack Recipe

Sugar Cookies from Scratch

An easy recipe for sugar cookies from scratch that kids will like to decorate (and eat!)

Sugar Cookies from Scratch Recipe

Carrots with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Trying to break the peanut butter and jelly habit in the under-12 set is no easy task, but this mellowed peanut-sesame dip just might do the trick. It's equally good with carrots or tossed with cold noodles.

What you need:

• 3 tablespoons of peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• A splash of soy sauce
• A few drops of sesame oil
• Water to smooth
• Carrot sticks

Mix everything but the carrot sticks together with a fork or whisk in a bowl. Add water as needed to thin mixture to a dipping consistency (all-natural peanut butter needs more; everyday brands need less).

Kids can help: Scrape carrots, stir ingredients

Extras: Torn up cilantro, basil, a squeeze of lime juice or sliced green onion tops. Try apple slices instead of carrots.

Bonus tip: Store carrot sticks in water to keep them crisp and juicy

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Fruit with Creamy Dip

This tangy-sweet dip could be used for any number of fruits or berries, and the cherry stems make dipping extra fun.

• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Cherries with stems attached

Stir sour cream, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Rinse cherries and arrange them for dipping.

Kids can help: Mix ingredients, wash fruit
Extras: Use yogurt instead of sour cream, use apple or pear slices, strawberries or other berries if they're in season

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Jam and Graham Cracker Cheesecake

I have yet to meet a kid who didn't like cheesecake, and I have yet to meet a parent who wasn't terrified of having one at arm's reach. This snack is the perfect way for everyone to have the taste they want without the fat and calories of a whole slice.

• 3 ounces of cream cheese, softened for 10 seconds in the microwave
• 3 tablespoons strawberry jam
• A few sheets of graham crackers, broken into squares or rectangles

Mix the softened cream cheese with the jam. Spread a little of the mixture on top of each graham cracker. Either eat right away, or chill for 30 minutes. The grahams will soften and become more like a cheesecake crust, and the topping will firm up.

Kids can help: Break up grahams, stir cream cheese and jam
Extras: Use different flavors of jam, top with a slice of fresh strawberry

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Homemade Potato Chips

If you're still telling your kids to not eat potato chips, it's probably because you didn't know you could make them in your microwave without a smidgen of grease. For real. I could tell you more, but I suspect you're already in the kitchen trying this out.

• One Russet potato sliced paper thin
• Salt (optional)
• Parchment paper

Cut a sheet of parchment paper to fit a plate. Lay discs of potato on top in a flat layer, none touching. Sprinkle layer with salt, if desired. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper. Microwave for 5-6 minutes. Discs will have become lightly browned potato chips.

Kids can help: Cut paper to shape, lay out slices of potato
Extras:Season with some salt, paprika, garlic or onion powder

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Chocolate Banana Crepes

If your kid is obsessed with chocolate-covered frozen bananas, he'll love our healthful approach to this glorious duo. Easier to make than banana bread, these are addictive either hot or cold, for breakfast or dessert. Just don't forget to save one for the kids.

• Pat of butter
• One banana, thinly sliced
• Handful chocolate chips
• Two flour tortillas
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Melt butter in nonstick pan. Arrange banana slices over one tortilla and mash them in very lightly with a fork. Dot with chocolate chips and place second tortilla on top. Slide into frying pan and cook for a few minutes on each side, until brown and golden at the edges. Let cool for a minute or two, then slice into wedges and serve dusted with powdered sugar, if desired.

Kids can help: Peel banana, spread banana slices on tortilla, lightly mash bananas and arrange chocolate chips over fruit

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Peanut Butter Cookies

They might be a little young to learn the nuances of creaming butter and leveling teaspoons of baking soda, but that doesn't mean that kids can't have one recipe that they can call their own. This recipe is so easy to master, your little chefs will be shooing you out of the kitchen in no time.

• 1 cup smooth or chunky peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg

Mix ingredients in big bowl. Scoop into small balls and arrange on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Let cool on rack.

Kids can help: Measure and mix ingredients, scoop dough.
Extras: Dot each cookie with a chocolate chip or two, flash-freeze already-formed cookies on a tray then pack in a freezer bag so you can bake them a few at a time for future snacks.

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Cucumber Boats with Spiced Yogurt

I've always thought the secret to getting kids to eat what their parents like is to remember to adapt your favorite flavors to your child's palate. If your kid isn't ready for strongly-flavored Indian curries, this could be the introduction that works: a familiar food, lightly spiced and presented in a fun way.

• Small cucumbers, such as Kirbys
• Small container of plain yogurt
• Sugar
• Salt
• Cumin

Halve cucumbers lengthwise and scoop out seeds. (A melon baller works great for this.) Mix some plain yogurt, a couple of pinches of sugar, a pinch of salt and a dash of cumin in a bowl. Spread into hollowed cucumbers.

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Juice Jelly Cubes

Even if you're wary of those red and green mystery "fruit" powders, you can still give your kids the jiggly treats they want. The trick is to use a juice with ingredients you approve of and set it in a plain gelatin. These cubes are not only healthier, but they're also just as easy to make as the boxed stuff.

• 2 cups of your kid's favorite juice (we used grape and grapefruit in the photo)
• 2 packets of unflavored gelatin
• 1 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional)

Pour 1/2 cup of juice in a bowl and sprinkle gelatin over it. While this sits, heat the remaining juice to boil (can do this in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes). Pour hot juice over juice and gelatin mixture and stir, adding in extra sugar if desired. Pour mixture into the bottom of a loaf pan and chill for three hours, or until firm. Cut into squares.

Kids can help: Measure, mix
Extras: Pour mixture into miniature or regular-sized muffin tins for different shapes.

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Homemade Hummus and Pita Chips

Lots of kids dig hummus, but try to get them to eat beans and they'll think you're looney-tunes. This dip has enough similarities and familiar flavors that they might even be "tricked" into expanding their culinary horizons.

• Whole wheat pitas, opened and cut into wedges
• Grated fresh parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Basil or other dried herb (optional)
• Can of white beans, drained and rinsed
• Squeeze of tomato or sundried tomato paste
• Glug of olive oil

Cut pitas into wedges and separate their layers. Spread them on a baking sheet, spray them lightly with oil and sprinkle them with parmesan and dried basil. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees F, until toasty and brown.

Meanwhile, dump beans in a medium sized bowl, add a squeeze of tomato or sundried tomato paste, a pinch of salt and pepper and a glug of olive oil and mash them with a potato masher until a smoother consistency is formed. Serve this with the Parmesan Pita Chips.

Extras: Try other beans, seasonings or different spices on pita chips
Kids can help: Mash beans, tear open pitas

Recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen.

Little Dippers

Cut an apple into wedges. Stick a toothpick in each piece, dip in nut butter and roll in crushed peanuts or sliced almonds.

Little Dippers Recipe

Top This

Spread a dollop of blueberry yogurt on a graham cracker and top with banana slices, dried cranberries and mini–chocolate chips.

Top This Recipe 

Fall Special

Top whole-grain crackers with cranberry sauce, thin apple slices and grated cheddar cheese. Broil until cheese melts.

Fall Special Recipe 

Fruity Tooty

Cut a tortilla into 6 pieces. Brush olive oil on each side. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with your fave fruit salad.

Fruity Tooty Recipe

Ham Rollers

Slice apple into thin wedges. Top with a small slice of cheddar cheese. Wrap with a slice of deli ham.

Ham Rollers Recipe

Magic Wands

Spread peanut butter on top of pretzel rods. Roll in chopped nuts or dried fruit.

Magic Wands Recipe

Tropical Fusion

Blend one 20-oz can crushed pineapple, 1 banana, 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup ice and 1/2 cup pineapple juice. Freeze into pops.

Tropical Fusion Recipe

Trail-Mix Kettlecorn

Toss popcorn with melted butter, honey and pecans. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Add M&M's after cooking.

Trail-Mix Kettlecorn Recipe

Gone Fishing

Provide carrot sticks, a bowl of veggie cheese dip and a plate of rainbow goldfish. Let the kids dip the carrot (fishing pole) into the cheese (bait) and then “catch” the fish.

Gone Fishing Recipe

Nuts and Bolts

Spread peanut butter on toasted whole-wheat waffle. Top with sliced banana and a drizzle of honey (serve honey only to kids over 1).

Nuts and Bolts Recipe

Chicken Kabobs with Peanut Sauce

Chicken kabobs make for an easy, healthy snack or meal, and food on skewers is fun! Kids will love the yummy peanut sauce.

Chicken Kabobs with Peanut Sauce Recipe

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These fruity muffins are packed with kid-friendly fruits and fruit juice and make a yummy, healthy breakfast or snack.

Orange Cranberry Muffins Recipe