5 easy, no waste baking recipes with kids

Looking for some easy baking recipes for your kids?

We’ve put together some tasty, simple recipes and tips for cooking with kids that everyone will enjoy making (and eating too). These adaptable recipes are made up of a small number of ingredients that often linger in our cupboards, from the end of a packet of biscuits to forgotten nuts and seeds.

Baking is a great way to introduce little ones to the value of food and to learn about reducing food waste. They will be amazed at how these simple and potentially wasted ingredients can be transformed into a showstopper for your family Easter meal.

So, clear some time in your day and space in the kitchen, pop some old clothes or aprons on and raid the cupboards and fridge for tasty treasures! And yes - just embrace the mess.

Chocolate & hazelnut spread

This chocolate and hazelnut spread is so chocolatey and yummy. Can make a lovely present idea for this time of year! Good news is, you can make a present to yourself as well…

Chocolate and hazelnut spread

Classic chocolate crispy cakes

These can be made using a range of different cereals, from rice crispies, to cornflakes or shredded wheat.

Don’t have any cereal to hand? Try making the nests out of pretzels or oats. Transform your treats into sweet Easter nests by adding some chocolate eggs!

Either break the chocolate into pieces and gently heat in the microwave. Or gently melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water (be careful with the steam, hot water and hot chocolate).

Mix in your cereal of choice with the melted chocolate in the bowl then spoon out into muffin cases and chill.

Banana bread

Banana bread

Banana bread is always a tasty favourite with the family and is a great way to use up any squidgy or brown looking bananas. Get your kids involved by letting them have a go at mashing the bananas or combining the ingredients in a big bowl. This delicious loaf is vegan and makes for a great afternoon snack or goes perfectly with ice-cream as a dessert! Handy hack – brown bananas are a natural sweetener and they freeze brilliantly. Just peel and pop in a container.

Easy chocolate bark

Turn leftovers into art! This simple no-bake method is great to get the kids involved and get creative with food. Leftover Easter eggs or chocolate bars can simply be melted in the microwave or in a bowl over a pot of just simmering water (be careful with the steam, hot water and hot chocolate).

Carefully pour the chocolate onto a baking sheet lined with silicone or baking parchment, allow to cool slightly, and let the little ones have at it.

Decorate with whatever you have in the house, from those pesky ends of packs of dried fruit, nuts and seeds, to sprinkles, popcorn, and sweets! Chill the bark before breaking into shards.

Perfect pancakes

Pancakes are a great breakfast, lunch or dessert dish that can be quickly rustled up using extra milk and eggs. If you want to be creative, try making the pancakes into different shapes. The list of toppings is endless. We suggest heating some sugar with any fruit that may be on its last legs to create a fruity compote – berries work perfectly. Give your pancakes an Easter twist by shaping into bunnies. No eggs? No problem! Try our vegan recipe instead.

Hungry for more?

Why not try one of our five egg-citing recipes that you can whip up for a lazy breakfast or a wonderful eggy brunch.