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Any parent knows that cooking for kids isn't exactly easy. You’re constantly dealing with picky eaters, differing opinions, and hungry teenagers who never seem to get full! So, having a few kid-friendly recipes in your arsenal isn't just a helpful parenting tip, it's practically a necessity. Luckily, you've got The Pioneer Woman by your side! Ree Drummond has had a lot of mouths to feed over the years—she has five kids of her own and a crew of cowboys. But even though her little ones are not quite little anymore (they've all officially left the nest), she's had plenty of experience making breakfast, lunch, and dinner for kids of all ages. It's no wonder she says, "We keep it really family-friendly around here!" We're talking classic dishes like chicken spaghetti, pepperoni pizza rolls, and mac and cheese. But she also has ways to have fun with your food by whipping up pretzel-crusted chicken and rainbow fruit skewers.
Of course, we've made sure to include plenty of quick dinner ideas for back-to-school season. That means you'll find slow cooker recipes, easy ground beef dinners, and tons of 30-minute meals. Looking to get your kids to eat healthier? This list also includes a few sneaky ways to get veggies on the table. (Chocolate zucchini bread, anyone?) But don't worry, even the pickiest eaters will be asking for seconds! Just try Ree's French bread pizzas, the chicken empanadas, or the broccoli cheddar soup and you'll see what we mean. Once you've figured out dinner, check out our list of after-school snacks and bake sale treats that will encourage your kids to help out in the kitchen!
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Make hot dogs all year-round with this simple method for cooking them in an air fryer. The outside gets nice and crisp whether you use standard ballpark franks or even turkey dogs. Here's a fun idea: Let your kids add their own toppings.
Get the Air Fryer Hot Dogs recipe.
Cheeseburger Casserole
Your whole family will be in paradise with this twist on a classic cheeseburger. It's just like a gooey mac and cheese but with the hearty addition of ground beef.
Get the Cheeseburger Casserole recipe.
Triple Chocolate Zucchini Bread
You can feel good about serving up this chocolatey treat to your kids. That's because there's a healthy dose of zucchini hidden inside. The veggie helps keep the bread nice and moist, but your family won't suspect a thing.
Peanut Noodles
If your kids love peanut butter, then give this easy weeknight dinner a try. The simple noodles can be served hot or cold and they can even be topped with shredded rotisserie chicken for something heartier.
Get the Peanut Noodles recipe.
Watermelon Smoothie
Sweet, colorful, and perfectly refreshing—this smoothie is a hit with both kids and adults. It's also a healthy way to incorporate fruit and protein-packed Greek yogurt into your day.
Get the Watermelon Smoothie recipe.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Skip the freezer aisle variety and try making your own mozzarella sticks at home instead. They're made with string cheese sticks so they couldn't be easier.
Get the Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe.
Rainbow Fruit Skewers
If there's one thing that'll put a smile on anyone's face, it's a rainbow! Serve up these cute fruit skewers with a sweet yogurt dip and a surprise donut hole on the end.
Get the Rainbow Fruit Skewers recipe.
Popcorn Chicken
Popcorn chicken is the ultimate finger food. The crunchy bites are incredibly versatile. You can serve them up with ranch dressing for dipping or toss them in buffalo sauce and butter for a fun game day snack.
Get the Popcorn Chicken recipe.
Shirley Temple
Ree Drummond used to drink this mocktail as a kid, and it's still just as popular with little ones today! The sweet and bubbly drink will make any meal feel special.
Get the Shirley Temple recipe.
Mini Calzones
Serve up anything bite-sized and your kids will love it, including these mini hand-held calzones. Each one is made with frozen dinner rolls and filled with ground sausage and melty cheese.
Get the Mini Calzones recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Making chicken tenders in your air fryer gets them extra-crispy. Plus, it's a slightly healthier twist on a kid-friendly classic. Serve them up with honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch for dipping.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.
French Bread Pizza
This is a fun new way to serve pizzas to a crowd. Get your kids to help put the toppings on and make them personalized to their preferences.
Get Ree's French Bread Pizza recipe.
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Chocolate for breakfast? Yes, please! Your kids will be singing your praises with this scrumptious baking project.
Get the Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe.
Broccoli-Cheese Soup
This might just be the best way to get your kids to eat their broccoli, especially served in a bread bowl. The creamy, cheesy soup is a comfort food favorite.
Get Ree's Broccoli-Cheese Soup recipe.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Skip the boxed mac and cheese and make this incredibly cheesy homemade version instead. It couldn't be easier thanks to the Instant Pot.
Get the Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
Cheeseburger Sliders
The trick to making cheeseburgers for a crew of hungry teenagers is using this method that ditches the patties. Instead, the ground beef is piled high onto slider buns.
Get the Cheeseburger Sliders recipe.
Chicken Empanadas
This recipe uses two supermarket shortcuts: frozen empanada wrappers and rotisserie chicken. It couldn't be easier. Just make sure you serve it up with the bright herb sauce for dipping.
Get the Chicken Empanadas recipe.
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Layered with melty cheese, sauce, and pepperoni, these pizza rolls are hard to resist. They would be just as delicious for a Friday Night Lights tailgate as they would for a family movie night.
Get Ree's Pepperoni Pizza Rolls recipe.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
You might remember these cookies from when you were a kid yourself! They have the same warm flavor and chewy texture you know and love.
Get the Iced Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Chicken Spaghetti
There's a reason this casserole dish has been a Drummond family favorite for as long as anyone can remember—it's the perfect combination of spaghetti, chicken, and creamy sauce.
Get Ree's Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
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