Let me start with a little reminder — this isn’t a to-do list.

It’s a could do list.

June feels like summer stretching its arms. The evenings are longer, school terms are winding down, gardens are bursting with colour, and there are opportunities everywhere to slow down and enjoy simple moments together.

So here are a few gentle ideas for making the most of June as a family. As always, this isn’t about doing everything. Pick a few that sound fun, ignore the rest, and make June your own.

Seasonal & Nature-Inspired

• Go on a barefoot walk in the garden
• Create a bug hotel and see who moves in
• Pick wildflowers and press them for crafts
• Eat a picnic outdoors, even if it’s only in the garden
• Watch a sunset together
• Make leaf rubbings from different trees
• Plant pollinator-friendly flowers for bees and butterflies
• Take a nature scavenger hunt around your local area
• Start a summer nature journal
• Visit a local lavender field or flower garden if you have one nearby

June Celebrations & Special Days

World Environment Day (5th June)

• Collect litter during a family walk
• Make recycled art from household materials
• Learn about endangered animals together

World Oceans Day (8th June)

• Learn about ocean conservation
• Create ocean-themed crafts
• Make an under-the-sea sensory tray

Father’s Day (21st June UK)

• Make homemade Father’s Day cards
• Bake a favourite treat together
• Create a family memory jar filled with happy moments

Make Music Day (21st June)

• Have a family dance party
• Make homemade musical instruments
• Create a playlist of family favourites

National Picnic Week (Mid-June)

• Pack a simple picnic and head to a local park
• Let children help prepare the food
• Take a favourite book to read outdoors

FIFA World Cup 2026 Fun

The FIFA World Cup kicks off in June 2026, making it the perfect excuse for some football-themed family fun — whether you’re a huge football fan or just enjoying the excitement of a global event.

• Download our Free World Cup Printables
• Make your own World Cup wall chart
• Learn about a different participating country each day
• Try foods from teams around the world
• Create flags and bunting to decorate your home
• Host a family football tournament in the garden
• Have a penalty shoot-out challenge
• Design your own football kit
• Play football bingo while watching matches
• Learn how to say “hello” in different languages from competing nations
• Make predictions and see who comes closest to the final results

You could even use the tournament as a fun way to explore geography, culture, food, and traditions from around the world.

Remember, you don’t have to be football-mad to join in — sometimes it’s simply fun to be part of a worldwide celebration.

Summer Solstice Fun (21st June)

The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year and feels like the official start of summer.

• Watch the sunrise or sunset together
• Create nature mandalas using flowers and leaves
• Enjoy dinner outside
• Make sun catchers for your windows
• Learn about how different cultures celebrate the solstice

Creative Summer Crafts

• Make paper plate suns
• Create butterfly art using symmetry painting
• Paint flower pots and plant seeds
• Design and decorate kites
• Create colourful friendship bracelets
• Make nature crowns using leaves and flowers
• Paint pebbles for the garden

Family Adventures

• Visit somewhere new in your local area
• Go on an evening walk after dinner
• Explore a woodland trail
• Take a bike ride together
• Visit a farm, beach, or nature reserve
• Have a screen-free afternoon
• Build a den outdoors

Kindness & Wellbeing

• Leave a cheerful chalk message on a pavement
• Make a card for a neighbour or friend
• Spend 10 minutes cloud watching
• Create a gratitude jar for summer
• Read together outside
• Have a slow morning with no plans at all

Seasonal Food Fun

June brings some delicious seasonal produce.

• Go strawberry picking if you can
• Make homemade ice lollies
• Try a new summer salad recipe
• Bake strawberry muffins or scones
• Create a colourful fruit platter together

Family Moments That Matter

Remember, the best family memories often come from the simplest things.

• A walk around the block.
• An ice cream on a sunny afternoon.
• Reading stories in the garden.
• Watching the clouds drift by.

This “Could Do” list isn’t about keeping busy. It’s about noticing opportunities for connection, creativity and joy. Pick what works for your family, leave the rest, and enjoy the start of summer.

June “Could Do” List – Simple Summer Activities for Families

What will your family be getting up to this month?

I’d love to hear in the comments or over on Instagram.

And remember — you don’t need to do everything for June to be a wonder

Feeding the whole family every evening doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Whether you’re looking to use up pantry staples, create comforting classics, or just need a weeknight dinner on the table fast, this list of 25 cheap and easy family dinners has you covered.

We’ve rounded up budget-friendly dinners from around the web that require minimal ingredients, taste amazing, and help make mealtimes a breeze and that kids will love too.

One-Pot & Quick Pasta Dishes

1. One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta – Budget Bytes
2. Simple Tuna Pasta Bake – BBC Good Food
3. Easy Spaghetti Aglio e Olio (Garlic & Oil) – The Mediterranean Dish
4. Homemade Hamburger Helper – The Recipe Rebel
5. Tomato & Spinach Pasta with Sausage – Salt & Lavender
6. Mama’s Simple Meatballs in Tomato Sauce – Mum in the Mad House

Rice & Bowl Meals

6. Egg Fried Rice – BBC Good Food
7. Easy Chicken Fried Rice – Damn Delicious
8. Veggie Taco Bowls – Mum in the Mad House
9. Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls – Gimme Some Oven
10. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Rice – Love and Lemons

Cheesy Comfort Food

11. Baked Mac and Cheese – Simply Recipes
12. Cheesy Bean Quesadillas – BBC Good Food
13. Potato & Cheese Pierogi Skillet – Mom Needs Chocolate
14. Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Combo – Half Baked Harvest
15. Broccoli & Cheese Stuffed Baked Potatoes – Skinnytaste
16. Baked Potato with Cheese & Beans – Mum in the MadHouse (we are also fans of baked sweet potatoes too)

Soups & Stews

16. Red Lentil Soup – BBC Good Food
17. Chunky Vegetable Soup – Jamie Oliver
18. Chili Con Carne –Recipe Tin Eats
19. Creamy Potato Soup – The Chunky Chef
20. Chicken Noodle Soup – Spend With Pennies
21. Grandma’s Chicken Soup with Dumplings – Mum in the Mad House

Fun & Family-Friendly Favourites

21. Homemade Pizza on a Budget – Mum in the Mad House
22. Mini Tacos with Ground Beef – MJ and the Hungryman
23. Sloppy Joe Sandwiches – The Pioneer Woman
24. Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy – BBC Good Food
25. Easy Chicken Drumsticks with Rice – RecipeTin Eats

Bonus Tips to Keep Meals Cheap:

• Buy in bulk: Pasta, rice, and frozen veg go a long way.
• Use what you’ve got: Plan meals around what’s already in your fridge or cupboard.
• Batch cook & freeze: Make double portions and save for later.
• Make it a bowl night: Rice + protein + veggies + sauce = easy and flexible.
• Go for ease: We are big fans of a rotisserie chicken or instant rice when time is short for easy weeknight dinners.
• Use the slow cooker: This is a godsend for me.

Want to Get Even More Organised?

Grab a printable meal planner and grocery list to take the stress out of busy weeknights!

Pin this post for quick reference when you’re stuck for dinner ideas.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz sugar (dark brown is great, but any sugar works)
• 2 oz butter
• 1 Christingle orange (grated rind and juice – don’t forget to remove the red tape before grating!)
• 1 egg
• 3 oz self-raising flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Instructions:

• Prepare the Mixture:
  • Beat the sugar, butter, and grated orange rind together in a bowl until creamy.
  • Beat in the egg.
  • Gradually mix in the flour, cocoa powder, and orange juice until you have a smooth batter.
• Portion the Batter:
  • Spoon the mixture into a microwave-safe bowl or several smaller containers, such as mugs or tea cups. Fill each container no more than halfway to allow room for the pudding to rise.
• Microwave the Pudding:
  • Loosely cover the bowls or mugs with a plate or microwaveable clingfilm.
  • Microwave on high for 2–3 minutes, or until the pudding is cooked through. Smaller portions will cook faster, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Optional Freezing Tip:
  • Freeze uncooked puddings in their bowls or mugs, then microwave directly from frozen when you’re ready to enjoy them.

It is simple to make this easy chocolate pudding recipe dairy-free by substituting the butter for vegan alternative.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve warm with a drizzle of cream, a scoop of ice cream, custard, vanilla yoghurt or whipped cream. Top with a dusting of powdered sugar or chocolate chips for an extra touch of indulgence.

This Microwave Chocolate Pudding is a quick, fun way to repurpose your Christingle orange into a sweet, satisfying treat! It’s an easy recipe for kids to help with and a delicious way to enjoy the festive season.

It is such a versatile recipe and my kids love a mug cake and they don’t get much simpler of quicker than this!

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Microwave Chocolate Orange Pudding

Got a Christingle orange left over? Turn it into a delicious and indulgent dessert with this quick and easy Microwave Chocolate Orange Pudding! This simple recipe is perfect for a cozy treat, and you can even use mugs or tea cups to make individual portions.

Course Cake, Dessert

Cuisine British

Keyword microwaVE, sponge pudding

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Equipment

• Microwave
• Mixer
• Microwaveable Bowl
• Cling film or Plate

Ingredients

• 2 oz sugar dark brown is great, but any sugar works
• 2 oz butter
• 1 Christingle orange grated rind and juice – don’t forget to remove the red tape before grating and give it a wash!
• 1 egg
• 3 oz self-raising flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Instructions

• Prepare the Mixture: Beat the sugar, butter, and grated orange rind together in a bowl until creamy.
• Beat in the egg.
• Gradually mix in the flour, cocoa powder, and orange juice until you have a smooth batter.
• Portion the Batter: Spoon the mixture into a microwave-safe bowl or several smaller containers, such as mugs or tea cups. Fill each container no more than halfway to allow room for the pudding to rise.
• Spoon the mixture into a microwave-safe bowl or several smaller containers, such as mugs or tea cups. Fill each container no more than halfway to allow room for the pudding to rise.
• Microwave the Pudding: Loosely cover the bowls or mugs with a plate or microwaveable clingfilm.
• Microwave on high for 2–3 minutes, or until the pudding is cooked through. Smaller portions will cook faster, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Notes

Freezing Tip: Freeze uncooked puddings in their bowls or mugs, then microwave directly from frozen when you’re ready to enjoy them.

Serving Suggestions: Serve warm with a drizzle of cream, a scoop of ice cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of indulgence. 

Making burgers from scratch means you can control what goes in them — no hidden extras, just simple, fresh ingredients full of flavour.

How to Make Simple Beef Burger Patties

Simple beef burgers are one of our kid-friendly recipes. It is easy to make and most kids love a burger and I do find that getting kids involved means even picky eaters might try a little bite. Lots of recipes for beef patties have egg and breadcrumbs, but I wanted to make this an easy recipe for kids to follow and make without the input of parents (as much as possible).

Ingredients

• 500g ground beef (minced beef) – choose lean if you prefer
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: a pinch of garlic powder or dried herbs for extra flavour
• Cheese slices (cheddar or your family’s favourite)
• Burger buns – sesame seed, wholemeal, or brioche
• Salad fillings – tomatoes, lettuce, or grilled veggies

Step-by-Step Instructions

Assemble your burgers Toast your burger buns, add lettuce, tomato, or any favourite fillings, then the burger patty. Finish with ketchup, mayo, or your family’s favourite sauce.

Prepare the mixture In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands (kids love this part!) until just combined.

Shape your burger patties Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape into patties. Make a small dip in the middle with your thumb — this helps them cook evenly.

Chill the patties Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes. This helps them hold their shape when cooking.

Cook the burgers

Grill: Cook over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through.

Pan: Heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan and cook for 4–5 minutes per side.

Air fryer: Cook at 180°C for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Add the cheese In the last minute of cooking, top each burger with a slice of cheese and let it melt.

Mix the onions with the minced beef in a bowl and season.

Roll into small balls and press into burger shapes.

We have a burger press, so we use that to shape our burgers.  We make them and then pop them on greaseproof paper and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes before cooking them.  Our press was a Christmas present and I can not find it online.  But here are a couple of mini burger presses, that look similar – UK link, US Link 

Heat the barbecue to medium hot (there will be white ash over the red hot coals – about 40 mins after lighting).  and then brush a side of each burger with oil.

Place the burgers, oil-side down, on the barbecue. Cook for 5 mins until the meat is lightly charred. Don’t move them around or they may stick.

Oil the other side, then turn them over.

Cook for 5 mins more for medium. charred.

Place a burger inside each bun, then top with your choice of accompaniment. I have one that loves cheese and ketchup and the other that has everything including lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayo.

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Simple Beef Burgers

Simple beef burgers are one of our kid friendly recipes. Easy to make and most kids love a burger and I do find that getting kids involved means even a picky eaters might try a little bite.

Course Main

Cuisine British

Keyword `Cooking with Kids, Beef

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Resting in Fridge 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 8 Burgers

Equipment

• 1 BBQ
• Burger Press Optional

Ingredients

• 1 small onion
• 500 g good quality low-fat mince
• Seasoning – salt and pepper
• Burger Buns

Instructions

• Chop the onion into small pieces.   We find that keeping the root intact helps prevent us from crying. Yes, the onions here are larger than I would chop, but this was all done by my child) and I was not going to take it off him and take over.
  
• Mix the onions with the minced beef in a bowl and season.
  
• Roll into small balls and press into burger shapes.
  
• We have a burger press, so we use that to shape our burgers.  We make them and then pop them on greaseproof paper and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes before cooking them.  
  
• Heat the barbecue to medium hot (there will be white ash over the red hot coals – about 40 mins after lighting).  and then brush a side of each burger with oil.
  
• Place the burgers, oil-side down, on the barbecue. Cook for 5 mins until the meat is lightly charred. Don’t move them around or they may stick.
  
• Oil the other side, then turn them over.
  
• Cook for 5 mins more for medium. 
  
• Place a burger inside each bun, then top with your choice of accompaniment. I have one that loves cheese and ketchup and the other that has everything including lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayo.
  

Tips for cooking on the BBQ with kids

• Never leave children unsupervised.
• Plan ahead.  BBQ’s take some take to heat up, so make sure you allow time for this as children can be pretty impatient!
• Make sure that the kids wash their hands after handling both cooked and uncooked food.
• Start simple.  Toasting marshmallows and making s’mores are a fab way to introduce the concept of fire and heat.
• Safety first – all the time.

Burgers For Kids

• Beef Burgers with Hidden Veggies – Healthy Little Foodies
• Carrot & Chickpea Burgers – WWF
• Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers – Feeding Your Toddlers
• Mini Burgers – My Fussy Eater
• Cheddar Cheese, Bean & Spinach Burgers by Sainsbury’s
• Mini Fish Burgers by Lunch Lady

Fun Variations for Kids

• Mini Muffin Tin Burgers: Make smaller patties using a muffin tin — perfect for toddlers or party platters.
• Hidden Veggie Burgers: Add grated carrot, courgette, or finely chopped mushrooms into the mix for picky eaters.
• Veggie Option: Swap beef for mashed beans, chickpeas, or lentils.
• DIY Burger Bar: Let kids layer their own toppings — ideal for family nights.

Storing & Reheating

Store uncooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours, or freeze for up to a month. Cooked burgers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer until piping hot.

Why Cooking Burgers with Kids Is Brilliant

• Encourages confidence in the kitchen
• Helps them learn about ingredients and healthy choices
• A fun way to connect over a meal the whole family loves

More Family Recipes

• Sausage, Cheese and Bean Melt Recipe
• How to Cook Jacket Potatoes and Ultimate Toppings List
• Kids’ Fruit Smoothie Recipes
• Easy Dinners for Busy Families

Are you looking for a delicious and nutritious snack option? Try this simple Ryvita Fruit Crunch recipe that combines the goodness of whole grains, nuts, and dried fruit for a satisfying and healthy treat. Growing up my dad used to eat Ryvita Fruit Crunch crumbled up with milk like a breakfast cereal, which is what inspired this simple breakfast snack. it is a wholegrain rye cracker with currants, seeds and oats and is full of fibre with a great fruity taste.

Yoghurt and Berry Crunch

So back to our simple and delicious yoghurt and berry crunch, which we hope you will love as much as we do.  If you want to get all fancy then you could use a glass jar so you can see all the layers, but we have used simple ice cream containers which are child-friendly and perfect for lunch outside in the sun.

How to make Yoghurt and Berry Crunch

Ingredients

• Greek yoghurt
• Fruit of your choice, we used raspberries and blackberries
• Local honey
• Crispbreads – we used Ryvita Fruit Crunch, Apple and Cinnamon

Method

This is a really simple dish and you can swap out the greek yoghurt for ice cream making it perfect for the warm days of summer!

Firstly add some Greek yoghurt and then crumble on a Ryvita Fruit Crunch before adding fruit and a drizzle of local honey.

Then you add more yoghurt, berries, a sprinkle of Ryvita Fruit Crunch and more honey.

It is amazing how just a few great ingredients taste delicious.

My husband is a Jersey Royal purist – he just boils or steams them until tender with some salt and fresh mint and serves them with a little butter, which I have to admit they are delicious that way.  This crushed Jersey Royals recipe is perfect for BBQ’s or for making when you have cooked up a double amount of Jersey Royals and have some left over.  Please tell me I am not the only one that deliberately cooks double?  Jersey Royals are generally only available for a limited period each year and have a heritage that dates back 140 years and can only be grown on the island of Jersey.

I almost feel ashamed calling this a recipe as it is THAT simple. Mini cooked them today and we served them with salad and roast chicken.  These are a big part of our open cod hash and this is just an adaptation of that recipe.  but they are equally delicious done on a BBQ or in the air fryer – rather than cooking in a pan, just wrap all the ingredients in tin foil and place on the coals.  You can also cook this in the oven rather than on the stove like Mini did, but I believe that when you are cooking with children that them being able to see the changes makes it much more fun.

Crushed Jersey Royals is such a versatile recipe and there is something amazing about the contrast between the soft centres of the potatoes and the crispy golden outsides. We made ours with a bunch of spring onions and chives (as I needed it to be low FodMap and we didn’t have any wild garlic), but you could use garlic and parmesan too. Depending on what you are serving with you crushed new potatoes depends on the herbs used:

• Lamb -Rosemary sprigs and black pepper, mint
• Fish – Dill and Fennel or parsley and lemon,
• Pork – Tarragon or thyme
• Beef – Cumin seeds and black pepper, Rosemary, tarragon or oregano
• Chicken – Fresh rosemary, tarragon, sage, oregano and lemon

Tip: Don’t peel your new potatoes, just give them a good wash

Crushed Jersey Royals

Ingredients

Tip: I was taught that foods grown under the ground should be cooked in cold water and ones above in water at boiling point. 

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Crushed Jersey Royal New Potatoes

Course Side Dish

Cuisine British

Keyword potatoes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 1 kg Jersey Royals
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 1 bunch appox 6 Spring onions (finely sliced)
• Salt and pepper
• 15 g Chives

Instructions

• Boil the Jersey Royals for 20 minutes until just cooked.
  
• Slice your spring onions.
  
• Pour the oil into a large saute pan and heat. Drain and dry the Jersey Royals and add to the saute pan.
  
• Crush the potatoes using a potato masher and season the potatoes.
  
• Add the sliced Spring onions and cook for about 8 minutes until crispy and golden.
  
• Sprinkle with the chopped chives.
  
• And serve
  

Notes

If you are using an oven then heat to 200 degrees centigrade and cook for 30 minutes.

If cooking in the air fryer then toss the potatoes in the oil once you have drained the water out of them and then add the potatoes and spring onions to the air fryer. Cook at 180 until golden brown (about 10 mins).

If you can’t get Jersey Royals then you want a firm little potato for the best results.

If you like this then make sure you check out our delicious Cheese and Jersey Royal Tart

A chicken Parmo is a breaded cutlet dish originating in Middlesbrough and a popular item of takeaway food in the North East of England, a real regional delicacy. Similar to a schnitzel, it consists of chicken or veal in breadcrumbs topped with a white béchamel sauce and cheese. Traditionally parmos are served with chips , salad and garlic sauce. Normally a Teesside parmesan is fried chicken, but I prefer to bake when cooking with kids. It also works really well in the air fryer.

Baked Chicken Parmo Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, butterflied in half (1 half a chicken breast per person)
• 50g plain flour
• 2 free-range eggs, beaten
• 50g Parmesan, grated
• 50 breadcrumbs (if you don;t want to make your own panko breadcrumbs are a good substitute)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• few basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1 ball of mozzarella

How to make Baked Chicken Parmo

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Slice your chicken breasts butterfly style.  If you are super hungry, then you can always give your breasts a bash with a rolling pin and have one per person, but we tend to have half a one each, especially if they are on the large size.

Season the flour and place on one plate, the beaten eggs on another and mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and herbs on a third plate. We used our food processor to whizz up 5 slices of white bread for the breadcrumbs.

Dip each chicken piece in the flour. Then dust off any excess and drop into the egg.

Finally coat in the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture, pressing it into the chicken firmly.

Arrange the chicken on a baking tray covered with nonstick foil or parchment and drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake for around 15 to 18 minutes, or until just cooked through.

Then take out and top with mozzarella and other cheese and pop back in for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.

We topped ours with some chilli cheese in addition to the mozzarella and they were amazing.

A huge hit that we will be making again.

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Baked Chicken Parmo Recipe

Course fakeaway, Main, Main Course

Cuisine British

Keyword chicken

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts butterflied in half (1 half a chicken breast per person)
• 50 g plain flour
• 2 free-range eggs beaten
• 50 g Parmesan grated
• 50 breadcrumbs if you don't want to make your own panko breadcrumbs are a good substitute
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• few basil leaves finely chopped
• 1 ball of mozzarella

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Slice your chicken breasts butterfly style.  If you are super hungry, then you can always give your breasts a bash with a rolling pin and have one per person, but we tend to have half a one each, especially if they are on the large size.
• Season the flour and place on one plate, the beaten eggs on another and mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and herbs on a third plate. We used our food processor to whizz up 5 slices of white bread for the breadcrumbs.
• Dip each chicken piece in the flour. Then dust off any excess and drop into the egg.
• Finally coat in the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture, pressing it into the chicken firmly.
• Arrange the chicken on a baking tray covered with nonstick foil or parchment and drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake for around 15 to 18 minutes, or until just cooked through.
• Then take out and top with mozzarella and other cheese and pop back in for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
• We topped ours with some chilli cheese in addition to the mozzarella and they were amazing.

 Why is it called a Chicken Parmo?

We have no idea! it is a breaded cutlet of chicken or pork topped with a white bechamel sauce and cheese, usually cheddar. The name is a reference to the American dish chicken parmesan (also known as chicken parm), which is made with tomato sauce and mozzarella, which is itself a derivation of the Italian melanzane alla parmigiana.

Now my boys are older they love them with lots of different toppings. In fact they treat them like a pizza!

• Double Cheese Kyiv. Cheddar, Mozzarella & garlic butter. …
• Original Parmo.
• Mushroom Parmo.
• BBQ Parmo. Ham, peppers, onion, sweetcorn, bbq sauce.
• Hotshot Parmo. Pepperoni, peppers, onions, chilli seeds & garlic butter.
• Tandoori Parmo. Tandoori chicken, minced beef, onions, peppers, chilli seeds & garlic butter
• Doner Parmo with Doner meat on top

I have tried to bake these fries in the oven and also attempted to cook them in the air fryer, but trust me you need to fry these in vegetable oil to get the right texture and crisp coating.  The secret is to cook a few at a time in really hot oil, that way the outside crisps and prevents the inside from absorbing oil. Don’t worry if you don’t have a deep fryer, we did ours in a frying pan.

How to make cinnamon apple fries

The cinnamon apple fries are sweet and tart at the same time and are perfect served with whipped cream as a delicious treat. The type of apple matters – you need a tart apple like a Granny Smith, Gala or Braeburn for this and you need fresh apples. Although my boys’ favourite eating apples are pink lady, they are too sweet for this. I guess that is why they are called granny’s apple fries!

What to serve with your Apple Fries

These are served with vanilla whipped cream in LEGOLAND, which is simple to replicate.  We used whipping cream, vanilla extract and icing sugar. The sweetness of the cream pairs so well with the cinnamon apple fries. They are also delicious with vanilla icecream or caramel sauce.

I don’t like Cinnamon

Don’t panic you don’t have to use apple pie spice, you can use all spice (which has nutmeg in), pumpkin pie spice or our favourite speculoous spices. Mix as you do the cinnamon sugar mixture.

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Cinnamon Apple Fries

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword apple

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

• 4 Granny Smith Apples
• ½ cup cornflour cornstarch
• ½ cup Sugar or Granulated Sweetner
• ⅛ cup cinnamon
• vegtable oil

Instructions

• Heat about 1 inch of oil in a frying pan over a high heat.
• Core and peel apples.
• Slice apples into pieces about the shape and size of chips.
• Toss the apple pieces in the cornflour until well coated.
  
• In a separate bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar, then set aside.
• In small batches, fry the apples for 2-3 minutes until very lightly golden.
  
• Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and drain apple fries on paper towels.
• Sprinkle liberally with cinnamon sugar granules mixture.
  
• Keep frying in small batches until all the apples are cooked.
• Serve immediately with a vanilla cream dip.
  

Notes

I prefer granny smith apples for this as they are firm and just the right sourness to go with the sugar coating.  You can replace with other apples but ensure they are firm.

Skin on or off?  My kids prefer the apple fries with the skin off – I have tried both ways with them.

I don’t like Cinnamon – well you could try all spice or speculoous seasoning. 

These are best eaten warm upon making, but will store in an airtight container, however, the crispness disappears within 25 hours, 

I love the fact that it uses a few basic ingredients, is reliable but more than that it makes delicious cookies that disappear fast. This simple recipe will show you how to make a basic cookie dough that can be customized with your favourite mix-ins. Perfect for all your baking needs! Even better it is perfect to freeze and suitable for anyone with an egg allergy.

Top Tip: An ice cream or cookie scoop is a total game changer when it comes to making cookie dough balls and ensuring your cookies are the same size and bake evenly.

Hard to believe that they have just five ingredients! Do not let the fact that I call this a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe fool you. It’s the perfect cookie dough for chocolate chips or chunks, nuts, M&M candies, dried fruit, peanut butter or even plain sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

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Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

A delicious, but simple 5 ingredient cookie that is easy to make.

Course Cookies, Snack

Cuisine American, British

Keyword baking, cookies

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes minutes

Servings 24 cookies

Equipment

• Baking tray
• Rolling Pin
• Bowl
• Wire Rack
• Cookie cutter

Ingredients

• 225 grams Salted butter room temperature
• 110 grams caster sugar
• 275 grams Plain Flour
• 1 tspn Vanilla Extract
• 75 grams Chocolate Chips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5.
• Cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy – use either a wooden spoon or mixer
• Add vainilla extract, flour and chocolate chips and mix until it forms a dough.
• Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and place them slightly apart from each other on a baking sheet and flatten them with the bottom of a glass or your hand.
• Bake in the oven for around 10-12 mins until they are golden brown.
• Leave the cookies on a cooling rack for around 15 mins before serving.

Notes

Freezeable: Make the dough as directed, fold in the mix-ins and then scoop the dough onto a baking sheet. I like to pop them on a tray in the freezer to harden them up a bit and then transfer them to an airtight container for freezing.

To bake frozen scooped cookie dough, remove the dough balls from the freezer and place them on a lined baking sheet 2 inches apart. Allow the dough to thaw for 20-30 minutes on the counter. Then preheat the oven and bake as directed.

There is always a debate as to whether to use salted or unsalted butter. My mum always used salted butter, so I continue to do that and even the recipes that use unsalted often tell you to add a prince of salt as it brings out the other flavours.

If you like this then take a look at our A-Z of cooking with kids.