45 Easy No-Bake Recipes for Kids

Read Time: 19 mins

45 Easy No-Bake Recipes for Kids2/45 S’more Pops 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My daughters and I came up with this treat when planning a candy-making party. The pops also make adorable hostess gifts, are perfect for potlucks and would sell out quickly at a bake sale. —Lisa Haboush, Geneva, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 pop: 42 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 15mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 3/45 No-Bake Cereal Cookie Bars 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time

For more color, sprinkle on the M&M’s once the bars are in the pan

25 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We pull out all the goodies for these chewy bars, like raisins and coconut. For more color, sprinkle on the M&M’s once the bars are in the pan. Then press them in. —Connie Craig, Lakewood, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 137 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 58mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 4/45 Microwave Egg Sandwich 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re looking for a grab-and-go

Plus, it’s only about 200 calories!

breakfast for busy days, this high-protein sandwich is low in fat and keeps me full all morning. Plus, it’s only about 200 calories! —Brenda Otto, Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 218 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 751mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat. 5/45 Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re looking for a fun snack

for kids, try this chewy peanut butter popcorn recipe that have a mild peanut butter taste. They’re easy to mix and can be pressed into a pan to form bars, or shaped into balls. —Kathy Oswald, Wauzeka, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 90 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 6/45 Rice Krispie Cookies 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom and I used to prepare these Rice

Krispie cookies for Christmas every year

Krispie cookies for Christmas every year. Making them with just the microwave means they’re super easy and fun to mix with the kids. —Savanna Chapdelaine, Orlando, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 127 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 7/45 Fruit Skewers 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fruit and Cheese Kabobs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12 kabobs (1-1/2 cups dip) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We came up with this fresh and fruity summer snack idea. It’s easy to make

ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob with 2 tablespoons dip: 147 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 143mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. 8/45 Walking Tacos 38 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ALEJANDRO MONFORT FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The

ingredients go right into the chip bags!

ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without toppings): 530 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1017mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 24g protein. 9/45 Frito Candy 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved South Dakota Frito Treats Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Yep, they’re made with corn chips, but don’t let that fool you. These salty sweets were a staple after meetings at the quilt guild I once belonged to.

This third-generation hearty chili is a family favorite

—Carol Tramp, Wynot, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 337 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 196mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 10/45 Kid-Friendly Chili 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Kids’ Favorite Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings (1-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This third-generation hearty chili is a family favorite. It’s a sweet and easy chili that’s sure to warm up the whole family on those chilly fall nights. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 359 calories, 10g fat (2g

This one includes luscious Nutella and crunchy hazelnuts

saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 908mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 9g fiber), 30g protein. 11/45 No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprints Test Kitchen Approved No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprints Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Years ago, a friend gave me a recipe for chocolate peanut treats that didn’t require baking. I thought it was a quick and clever way to whip up a batch of sweet snacks without heating up the kitchen, and I started making different variations. This one includes luscious Nutella and crunchy hazelnuts. Yum!

The light, sweet coating is great over cereal, peanuts, pretzels and M&M’s

—Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 111 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 46mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 12/45 White Chocolate Chex Mix 49 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 5 quarts Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You won’t be able to stop eating this irresistible white chocolate party mix. The light, sweet coating is great over cereal, peanuts, pretzels and M&M’s. —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 547 calories, 27g fat (10g

Try it with any flavor gelatin!

saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 589mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein. 13/45 Green Flop Jell-O 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Get ready for fluffy lemon-lime goodness. My family calls it “flop Jell-O” because most of the time a clear gelatin layer that tastes like lemon-lime soda falls to the bottom of the dish. Try it with any flavor gelatin! —Michelle Gauer, Spicer, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 159 calories, 7g fat (6g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 62mg

sodium, 21g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein

sodium, 21g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 14/45 Mexican Mac and Cheese 43 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the yummiest, quickest recipe I have. There’s no need to precook the macaroni. Everything comes together in one smart skillet. —Maurane Ramsey, Fort Wayne, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 318 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 755mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable. 15/45 Creamy

They’ve been well received at family gatherings and summer barbecues

Frozen Fruit Cups 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to prepare these cool, fluffy fruit cups to give a refreshing boost to many meals. They’ve been well received at family gatherings and summer barbecues. There’s no last-minute fuss since you make them well in advance. —Karen Hatcher, St. Amant, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 161 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 39mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 16/45 Watermelon Shark 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fruit, 1/2 starch

Servings 32 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Take a bite out of summer boredom with this kid-friendly food project. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup (calculated without candies): 129 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fruit, 1/2 starch. 17/45 Ranch Snack Mix 34 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 32 servings (6 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a wonderful fast-to-fix munchie. The recipe makes tons and

doesn’t involve any cooking

doesn’t involve any cooking. It’s a cinch to package in individual snack bags, it keeps its crunch and it’s a savory alternative to the cakes and pies usually offered at bake sales. —Linda Murphy, Pulaski, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 185 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 18/45 Hay and Straw 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 410 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 783mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (6g sugars,

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

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

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

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

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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