Discover plenty of weeknight inspiration with our easy dinner ideas for kids, from chicken nuggets to simple traybakes. We also have a range of meal plans to organise for the whole week.
Air-fryer French fries
Kids can use an air-fryer instead of the oven to cook French fries (or any kind of frozen chips), and the process really couldn’t be simpler: heat the air-fryer to 200C, put the frozen French fries into the air-fryer basket and cook, tossing twice until crisp and golden (the exact cooking time will depend on the size of your air-fryer). Serve with your favourite sauces and dig in.
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Discover more ideas in our top 10 kids’ cooking projects.
Air-fryer sausages
Kids can help cook sausages quickly and easily using an air-fryer and without the need for additional oil. Simply arrange the sausages in a single layer in an air-fryer basket, set the air-fryer to 180C and cook for 10-15 mins, turning every 5 mins, until the sausages are cooked through. Serve as a side for breakfast or in buns for a throw-together meal.
Find more ideas in our kids’ sausage recipes.
Air-fryer boiled eggs
Swap the hob for the air-fryer to make a simple meal of runny boiled eggs. You’ll be surprised at how easy they are to make – heat the air-fryer to 180C, put the eggs in the air-fryer basket and cook, in one layer, for 8-14 mins – nearer to 8 mins will be soft-boiled, while 14 mins will be hard-boiled. Once they’re ready, put the eggs in a bowl of ice cold water briefly to stop them from cooking, then peel or serve in egg cups with toast on the side.
See our healthy dinner for kids recipes for more.
Air-fryer corn on the cob
Kids will love cooking up these paprika-flavoured corn on the cobs, using pre-cut cobs for ultimate ease. Simple season the corn cob pieces in a bowl with oil, salt, pepper and paprika, heat the air-fryer to 180C and cook the corn for 15-18 mins until it has softened and started to brown slightly. Remove to a platter and serve with lime wedges.
Check out our round-up of after-school snacks for kids.
Air-fryer fried egg
Kids can help rustle up a breakfast of fried eggs with the help of the trusty air-fryer – they’ll love tasting their handiwork. With some models, you may need to turn the tray halfway through.
Browse these breakfast ideas for kids for more recipes to cook with the little people in your life.
Air-fryer bacon
This simple recipe for air-fryer bacon is great for introducing kids to cooking. Make sure to remove the bacon using tongs, and put on kitchen paper to drain before serving. Cooking in the air-fryer means you’ll still achieve a crispy texture, just with less fat.
See our kids’ chicken recipes for more cooking projects.
Air-fryer baked potatoes
Get the kids into the kitchen and turn them into little chefs with this simple recipe for air-fried baked potatoes. The process is quicker – and can be more energy-efficient than using the oven – plus your spuds will have a lovely crisp skin with a fluffy centre.
Search our collection of kids’ cooking recipes for more inspiration.
Air-fryer halloumi
If kids are fans of this squeaky cheese, they’ll love making it for themselves in the air-fryer. If they’d like to, kids can season with smoked paprika or mixed herbs for an added burst of flavour. Cooking halloumi in an air-fryer instead of a grill or frying pan helps lower the fat content, too.
See our best halloumi recipes for more ways to cook with this popular cheese.
Air-fryer roasted canned potatoes
The little people in your life can help with dinner with this hassle-free method for roasted potatoes. To make these alternative roasties, simply drain and rinse a can of peeled potatoes in a colander, meanwhile heating the air-fryer for 2-3 mins at in 190C. Put the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle over some oil, then season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix so the potatoes are fully coated. Transfer to the air-fryer basket and cook for 20-25 mins until golden. Although they’re not the same as oven-cooked, they do turn out nice and crisp.
Search our vegetarian kids’ recipes for easy meat-free meals.
Healthy cookies
Get the kids practising their baking skills with this easy and healthy cookie recipe. You only need five ingredients to make them, and they take just 10 minutes to bake in the air-fryer – a quick and budget-friendly win!
See more kids’ baking recipes.