32 Easy Recipes That Kids Can Help Make This Summer

Read Time: 14 mins

32 Easy Recipes That Kids Can Help Make This Summer2/32 Avocado Fruit Salad with Tangerine Vinaigrette 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On long summer days when we just want to relax, I make a cool salad with avocado, berries and mint. The tangerine dressing is refreshingly different. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cup salad with 4 teaspoons dressing: 321 calories, 23g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 154mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 8g fiber), 3g protein. 3/32 Quick Icebox Sandwiches 13

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick Icebox Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mother liked making these cool, creamy treats when I was growing up in the States because they’re so quick to fix. Then I made them for my three kids.—Sandy Armijo, Naples, Italy Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 142 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 4/32 Antipasto Skewers 71 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Antipasto Kabobs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total

Time 35 min Servings 40 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Time 35 min Servings 40 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I met at a cooking class. We have loved creating menus and entertaining ever since. These make-ahead antipasto skewers are always a hit. —Denise Hazen, Cincinnati, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 66 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 315mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 5/32 Green Bean Potato Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Green Bean and Potato Salad Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe

Now I’m the one who brings it

From the Recipe Creator: For family reunions, my mom would make everybody’s favorite green bean and potato salad. Now I’m the one who brings it. —Connie Dicavoli, Shawnee, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 183 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 fat, 1 starch. 6/32 Summertime Fun Cookies 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Summertime Fun Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Use this basic sugar cookie recipe to make the

perfect poolside treat

perfect poolside treat. Kids (and adults) won’t be able to get enough. —Coleen Walter, Bancroft, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 174 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 107mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 7/32 Avocado & Artichoke Pasta Salad 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Grace Natoli Sheldon For Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro and a little avocado make this a creamy and zingy pasta salad. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey Nutrition

The wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas

Facts: 3/4 cup: 188 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 248mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 8/32 Blueberry Ice Cream 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Blueberry Ice Cream Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings about 1-3/4 quarts Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas. When my daughter and I made this ice cream at a Girl Guide meeting, it was well received. Even today, our 10 children, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren think it tastes great. —Alma Mosher,

Mohannes, New Brunswick Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 226 calories, 7g fat (5g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 9/32 Chicken Salad with Grapes 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken salad with grapes is ready in a snap when using rotisserie chicken and a few quick chops of pecans, sweet onion and celery. —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup chicken salad: 311 calories, 22g fat (4g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 6g

carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein

carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein. 10/32 Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One of the best things about summer is fresh sweet corn, and this recipe is a definite standout. We love its creamy dressing, crunchy panko coating and spicy jalapeno kick. If you’re really feeling wild, sprinkle these with a bit of cooked and crumbled bacon! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 ear of corn:

It’s beautiful in a trifle bowl

339 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. 11/32 Cornbread Salad 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Southern Cornbread Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: To feed a crowd, especially when I want to make a good impression, I make this eye-popping cornbread salad. It’s beautiful in a trifle bowl. I love it in summer, when we can make it with our own garden produce. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 367 calories,

Ricotta is one of my family’s favorite ingredients

23g fat (7g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 607mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein. 12/32 Cannoli Dip 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cannoli Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Ricotta is one of my family’s favorite ingredients. I made up the cannoli filling and broke up some ice cream waffle shells to use as “chips and dip”—it was an instant hit! It’s also good served slightly warm. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 128 calories, 5g fat (3g

When I moved back to Georgia, I wanted more

saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. 13/32 Sesame Chicken Slaw Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Sesame Chicken Slaw Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I tasted many types of Asian chicken salad in California. When I moved back to Georgia, I wanted more. Here’s a gingery-sweet recipe using wonton strips. —Michelle Mulrain, Evans, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 309 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 414mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat, 1 starch

protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat, 1 starch. 14/32 Pulled Pork Sliders 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Caribbean Chipotle Pork Sliders Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 35 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One of our favorite pulled pork recipes combines the heat of chipotle peppers with a cool tropical coleslaw. The robust flavors make these sliders a big hit with guests. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 265 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (15g sugars,

2g fiber), 16g protein

2g fiber), 16g protein. 15/32 Tropical Layered Chicken Salad Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a fresh and delicious recipe that is a big hit whenever I take it to a potluck—it’s always the first to go! —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 483 calories, 26g fat (4g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 644mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein. 16/32 Giant Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings 12 servings Go

It was so fantastic that I fixed it with conventional ingredients for guests

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this giant peanut butter cookie cake for my husband, adding light and low-fat products to the cookie dough. It was so fantastic that I fixed it with conventional ingredients for guests. Since it can be made ahead of time and frozen, it cuts stress for busy hostesses. And really, who doesn’t love peanut butter ice cream? —Joann Belack, Bradenton, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 663 calories, 44g fat (18g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 554mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. 17/32 Cornbread Pancakes 30 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cornbread

Pancakes Recipe photo by Laura Scherb for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 12 pancakes Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to joke that these pancakes are so light, you have to hold them down! When we have a chance, we make them with freshly ground cornmeal bought at local festivals. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 2 pancakes: 321 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 709mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 18/32 Zucchini & Cheese Roulades 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Zucchini & Cheese Roulades Recipe photo by

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• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

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