Ultimate Cheese Foods For Kids

Cheese fest! These cheese dishes for kids are an absolute winner any time of day. Give them a whirl and tell us what you think!
Most children love cheese, it’s a calcium boosting delicious treat and it’s extremely versatile – thankfully! There are so many ways to include it in their diet,  and we’re not just talking about string cheese, cheese slices, pizza or mac ‘n cheese. Nope! Check out these 5 different (and super simple) cheese dishes that your kids will love. Involve the kids in the kitchen and they’ll have a blast bringing these recipes to life.
1. Crunch Cheese Straws

(Makes 30 sticks. Prep time: 30mins, Cook time: 35mins)
Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups plain flour, sifted
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 125g butter, chilled, chopped
• 250g cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Line 3 large baking trays with baking paper.
2. Combine flour, salt and cayenne pepper (if using) in a bowl. Rub in butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add cheese, egg and lemon juice, mixing with your hands to form a dough (add extra lemon juice, if needed).
3. Place 1/2 the dough on a well-floured surface. Roll out to form a 3mm-thick, 20cm x 40cm rectangle. Trim edges to make straight.
4. Cut crossways into 5mm strips. Repeat with remaining dough. Place strips on prepared trays.
5. Bake, 1 tray at a time, for 10 to 12 minutes or until ends just start to turn golden. Cool on trays. Serve.

Adapted from Taste.com.au
2. Cheese Omelette

(Serves 1, Cooking time: 10 mins)
Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• Cheddar cheese, grated (as much as you would like)
• Drizzle olive oil

Method

1. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, season with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, then beat well with a fork until fully combined.
2. Place a small non-stick frying pan on low heat to warm up and add the oil.
3. Carefully pour beaten eggs into the pan. Tilt the pan to spread them out evenly, using a fork to swirl the eggs around.
4. When the omelette begins to set underneath but is still a little raw on top, sprinkle with cheese.
5. You can either choose to fold over the omelette in half using a spatula, or leave it open-faced.
6. Turn off the heat and leave the omelette in the pan for a minute to fully set with the residual heat.

Adapted from Jamie Oliver
3. Cheddar & Bacon Scones

(Makes 8 scones. Prep time: 12 minutes, cooking time: 6 mins, baking time: 22 mins)
Ingredients

• 6 strips bacon
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, grated
• ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
• ¼ cup green onion, chopped
• 2/3 cup buttermilk

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Chop bacon into bite size pieces and cook over medium heat until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate.
3. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and onion powder in a bowl and stir with a fork to fully combine.
4. Mix in the grated butter and add the cheese, green onions and bacon.
5. Add the buttermilk and combine to make into a dough.
6. Turn dough out onto prepared baking sheet and pat into one inch thick rounds. Cut dough into 8 wedges and separate on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 22 min or until scones are golden brown and cooked through.

Adapted from Walmart
4. Cheese Quesadillas

(Serves 4. Prep time: 10 mins, cook time: 10 mins)
Ingredients

• 4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated cheese
• 4 tbsp. butter

Method

1. Lay the tortillas flat on a cookie sheet.
2. Sprinkle some of the cheese on 1 half of each tortilla, keeping a healthy distance from the edge and fold over to make the tortilla into a half-moon.
3. Warm a skillet over low heat and add 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the tortilla to the skillet and cook until it is lightly brown, about 2 minutes.
4. Using a spatula, flip the tortilla over to get both sides evenly brown and the cheese all melted and gooey. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining butter and tortillas.
5. Serve tortillas with sour cream, salsa and guacamole.

Adapted from Food Network
5. Cheesy, Crispy Pizza Portobello Mushrooms

(Serves 6)
Ingredients

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 6 Portobello mushrooms
• 4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp garlic, finely minced
• Salt & Pepper
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ cup pasta sauce

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 230°F. Lightly spray a rimmed baking sheet to grease.
2. Scrape the gills (soft ridgey parts) out of the mushrooms.
3. Whisk together 2 tbsp. of the olive oil with the vinegar, 1 tsp garlic, and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Brush this marinade over both sides of the mushrooms and arrange them, cap-side down, on the baking sheet.
4. Mix together the remaining 1 tsp garlic, panko, cheeses and herbs in another small bowl. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the cheese-and-panko mixture and toss well.
5. Scoop some of the mixture into each mushroom cap, pressing it down slightly into the hollows, ensuring it doesn’t fall over the edges.
6. Bake mushrooms until the cheese mixture is melted and browned and the mushrooms are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drizzle with pasta sauce and serve.

Adapted from The Kitchn
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Written for Parents World by Priyanka Elhence. Priyanka is a busy mom of 9 yr old twin boys. She writes on anything from lifestyle and dining to parenting and celebrity profiles.