Kids are notorious for having a sweet tooth, and honey is a better alternative to sugar given its increased nutritional benefits and lower glycemic index. If you are not sure how to get your kids to start eating raw honey, here are nine recipes that kids are sure to love:
Homemade Honey Granola Bars
Did you know that it is actually super easy and cost effective to make your own granola bars from scratch at home? This recipe does not involve baking or eggs — honey acts as the critical binding agent that holds all the ingredients together in a bar. While the recipe calls for almonds, you can switch them out for any type of nut that your kids like, and also add either dried fruit and/or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
Healthy Banana Muffins
This recipe has almost 1,400 ratings, and for a good reason. It is a healthy (but still delicious) update on classic banana muffins. Instead of mounds of sugar, the recipe calls for either honey or maple syrup as the main sweetener. Whole wheat flour, ripe bananas, oats and other ingredients result in a healthy and hearty breakfast muffin that kids are sure to gobble up. The batch only makes 11 muffins, so be sure to double or triple it if your kids are big fans of muffins.
Honey Peanut Butter Sandwiches
If your kid is put off by the texture of jelly, but still wants something sweet on their peanut butter sandwich, try switching out the jam for unfiltered honey instead. Honey pairs great with pretty much every nut butter and type of bread, from almond butter to cashew butter and white bread to whole wheat. For extra deliciousness, try slicing up an apple or banana and placing the slices in between the bread for a well-rounded school lunch that takes only a minute or two to prepare in the morning. Pro tip: If the bread tends to get squished in transit to school, try switching to bagels instead, which maintain their shape better than bread slices.
Hot Honey Chicken Cutlets
Kids absolutely love chicken fingers, so try serving them this elevated take that is delicious enough to impress adult guests and picky children alike. Choose cutlets over thicker cuts like chicken breasts to ensure that the final meal is easy for kids to slice and eat on their own (not to mention that the thinner cuts will pan fry more quickly, meaning less time in the kitchen for you). If your kids do not have a lot of spice tolerance, reduce or omit the chili powder and red chili to make the dish less spicy. You can also serve the honey on the side so they can choose whether or not to add it to their chicken cutlets.
Doughnut Peach Upside Down Cake
There is no denying that kids love cake, and upside down cakes with fruit on the top are a great way to sneak in some of their daily produce servings while giving them a sweet snack. This particular cake features doughnut peaches (so-called because they are shaped a bit like donuts) plus homemade caramel made with wildflower honey, sugar and butter, among other ingredients. Be sure to flip the cake over onto a plate while the pan is still hot or else the peaches might stick to the bottom of the cake pan.
Honey Turkey Rollers
If you are looking for a snack or meal with a little more protein, this recipe is a great option. You will mix honey, cream cheese, mustard and garlic powder together to make a delicious spread that goes on a tortilla. Lay turkey slices on top of the spread and then sprinkle with more shredded cheddar cheese if you wish. Roll the tortilla up and slice it into kid-friendly mini sandwiches that are perfect for school lunches as well as snacks.
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Honey, Fruit, and Yogurt Parfaits
Yogurt can be a healthy snack, but many of the pre-flavored kinds are loaded with excess sugar and other additives that kids do not really need to be eating. Instead, we recommend buying plain Greek yogurt and flavoring it at home using a honey jar so that you control how much sugar is added. Combine it with some fresh-cut fruit for a tasty yet healthy parfait snack. If your kids still struggle to eat with a spoon without creating a huge mess, try rolling everything up in a plain tortilla instead so they can eat with their hands.
Creamy Peach Popsicles
Popsicles are a favorite summer treat among kids everywhere, and it is surprisingly easy to make your own at home as long as you have the popsicle molds. This popsicle recipe is secretly healthy, featuring Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh peaches and honey for sweetness. For extra pizzazz, mix in edible flowers and herbs before pouring the mix into the popsicle mold. Make them the night before and freeze them overnight for best results, or take them out after six hours for an afternoon snack.
Honey Banana Pops
An easier take on popsicles, this is a fun, interactive snack that allows kids to get hands-on with their food. It works best with bananas that have just ripened. If they are too soft, then they will lose their shape during the coating process. You can pop the banana halves into the freezer for a few minutes after slicing them to help them firm up. Once they are ready, slide a popsicle sticker or skewer into the end and then coat the bananas in a thin layer of honey. Then, let your kids roll the bananas around in a topping of their choice, such as sprinkles, mini chocolate chips or crushed graham crackers.
Are there other recipes featuring honey that your own kids love to eat? Drop the links in the comments below so we can keep the recipe swap going!
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