Now that we’re three months into the current lockdown, it’s safe to say we’re all getting pretty used to having the kids at home all day, every day. As much as we’ve all had to adjust our schedules to fit the “new normal,” it’s also been nice to soak up that extra quality time with our kiddos. After all, as Phoenix and Scottsdale pediatric dentists, taking care of little ones is what we do best!
Keeping your children entertained for hours (or days and weeks!) on end can be easier said than done, though. But Children’s Dental Speciality is here to make it simple. Baking is one of our favorite things to do with kids at home. Especially vegan recipes, since Dr. V herself is plant-based! Fortunately, there are plenty of fun, plant-based baking recipes for kids that are also naturally sweetened or low in sugar to keep kids’ teeth healthy and strong.
So grab your kids, throw on an apron and get ready to bake. Here are some of the best kid-friendly, plant-based baking recipes.
One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Muffins
Imagine gooey, fluffy, chocolatey muffins that you can whip up in a single bowl. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, believe it. Minimalist Baker has all kinds of easy vegan baking recipes, but these kid-friendly chocolate chip muffins have got to be one of the best. Made with flax eggs instead of chicken eggs, and almond milk instead of cow’s milk, this is a plant-based recipe for kids with all the flavor and none of the compromise. There’s also only a third of a cup of sugar in the entire recipe, so these muffins are safe for developing teeth.
The recipe calls for gluten-free flour, but if you don’t have gluten allergies in the family, any all purpose flour will do. Just mix all of your ingredients together in one bowl and bake in muffin tins for less than 30 minutes. Baking doesn’t get much simpler than that!
6-Ingredient Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Chances are you already have everything you need to make these simple, healthy muffins. All it takes is applesauce, a little oil, rolled oats, flour, baking powder and a pinch of cinnamon and you’ve got a tasty, naturally sweetened, nutritious treat your kids are sure to love. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could make your own applesauce, but store-bought applesauce will work perfectly (just look for unsweetened or low sugar!). Check out the full kid-friendly vegan muffin recipe here.
Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles
Summer is officially here and that means one thing: it’s popsicle season! While not exactly a baking recipe, popsicles are a super fun, simple treat kids can easily help you make. All you need for these healthy homemade popsicles is coconut milk, maple syrup or agave, vanilla extract and blueberries (and, of course, a blender and popsicle molds). You can get creative and try out different flavors and fruit combinations for a delicious, naturally sweet snack that will keep your kiddos cool all summer long.
Healthy Apple Pie Oat Bars
Looking for a quick, easy and healthy snack for kids on the go? These apple oat bars are the perfect solution. With just a few simple pantry staples, you can bake up a batch to have on hand for easy grab-and-go snacks when out on physically distant family adventures. Think of them as a better, softer granola bar that’s much lower in sugar than the store-bought kind. That’s a win-win for everyone!
Gooey Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies
You had us at peanut butter and chocolate. Is there really a better combination? These delicious brownies might take a little longer to make than other kid-friendly baking recipes, but trust us, it’ll be worth the wait. Made with simple ingredients like mashed bananas, pitted dates and oat flour, these kid-approved brownies are almost entirely naturally sweetened (save for two tablespoons of cane sugar in the entire batch!). Once the brownies come out of the oven, top with a dusting of powdered sugar and thin banana slices for an impressively simple treat. Pro tip: enjoy immediately while they’re still warm.
5-Ingredient, No-Bake Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies
Well, that title is a bit of a mouthful … and you’ll be hard pressed not to keep your mouth full with these unbelievably delicious plant-based cookies! The best part? You don’t even have to bake them. In just 20 minutes or less, you’ll have bite-sized vegan cookies for kids and adults alike. All you need is peanut butter, maple syrup, almond flour, sea salt and jam. That’s it. Don’t feel like making your own jam? No problem! You can absolutely use your favorite store-bought brand for the filling, but if you’re up for it, the recipe makes it pretty darn easy to do it yourself.
We’re already excited to try out each of these tooth-friendly, plant-based baking recipes for kids. Which one are you going to make first? What other kid-friendly baked goods do your little ones love? We can’t wait to hear about all of your family fun when we see your smiling faces again. Ready to book your child’s next appointment with Dr. V? Call Children’s Dental Specialty today.
