Kid-friendly Indian Recipes

Written by
Petrina Verma Sarkar
Food writer Petrina Verma Sarkar is a native of India with extensive knowledge of the country's regional cuisines.
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Petrina Verma Sarkar
Updated 06/16/20

Cooking for kids is tricky at best! They reject foods for all sorts of reasons: spice, texture, ingredients.... Here is a list of recipes for kid-friendly foods. Some are favorites because they are mild or neutral-tasting, others for their well-loved flavors and still others because they are just too tasty to resist.

  • 01 of 13

    Indian Style Sandwiches

    Paneer Dhokla Sandwich with green chillies

    Sayantan Sarkar / Moment Open / Getty Images

    With fillings ranging from chutneys to pickles and healthy veggies to paneer (cottage cheese), they leave you satisfied both in the taste and nutrition departments. Perfect for school lunch boxes!

  • 02 of 13

    Aaloo Ka Paratha

    Aaloo Paratha

    Manubahuguna / Dreamstime.com

    Extremely popular with North Indians, these are best eaten with chilled yoghurt and your favourite pickle or chutney. Want to be naughty? Aaloo parathas taste delicious with fresh, thick cream or a knob of unsalted, home-made butter!

  • 03 of 13

    Idli

    Idli
    ImagesBazaar/ Getty Images

    Another mild food that tastes good on its own, eaten with traditional accompaniments like Sambar and South Indian Coconut Chutney or with honey drizzled all over it! Go on, have some fun–make up your own combination.

  • 04 of 13

    Sanna

    India, Spicy bread, close-up

    Lubomir Lipov / StockFood Creative / Getty Images

    There's nothing like warm, soft and fluffy Sannas to go with a Pork Vindaloo or Sorpatel! Sannas have a delicate, mildly sweet flavor that kids love.

    Continue to 5 of 13 below.
  • 05 of 13

    Curd Rice

    Curd rice
    irisstock / Getty Images

    Curd Rice is truly comfort food! Of South Indian origin, it tastes great with just a pickle or chutney and also with a daal (lentils) or meat dish. Kids love it on its own or 'plain', as they say.

  • 06 of 13

    Dhokla

    Dhokla - Gujarati Steamed Lentil Cake

    Banu Patel / EyeEm / Getty Images

    This nutritious snack from Gujarat in Western India is popular all over the country. Serve it with Tamarind and Mint-coriander Chutneys.

  • 07 of 13

    Moong Daal Ka Cheela

    Moong Dal Cheela
    nata_vkusidey / Getty Images

    This is a great breakfast food or even perfect as an accompaniment to any gravy-based dish. Serve it for children with a sweet-sour chutney like Tamarind Chutney.

  • 08 of 13

    Rajma

    Rajma
    Anshu / Getty Images

    This dish is extremely popular not just in North India but elsewhere as well. It is also mild enough for children to enjoy. Serve Rajma with plain boiled rice and Kachumbar salad.

    Continue to 9 of 13 below.
  • 09 of 13

    Mutter Paneer

    Mutter paneer peas cottage cheese recipe

    The Spruce

    This North Indian curry made with mutter (peas) and paneer (cottage cheese) is probably the most frequently ordered dish in Indian restaurants. Make it in your home and you've got a sure crowd pleaser!

  • 10 of 13

    Mutter Mushroom Ki Subzi

    Mutter Mushroom Ki Subzi
    DipaliS / Getty Images

    Want a tasty, wholesome meal you can cook in really quickly? Try Mutter Mushroom Ki Subzi. Once your ingredients are prepared, it literally takes a few minutes to cook!

  • 11 of 13

    Tandoori Chicken

    Tandoori Chicken
    Sam+Yvonne / Getty Images

    Among the most famous Indian foods, Tandoori Chicken is loved by people of all ages the world over. The nicest thing about this dish though, is that it's really easy to make!

  • 12 of 13

    Chicken Tikka

    Chicken tikka

    The Spruce

     

    The word Tikka means bits, piecces or chunks. Chicken Tikka is an easy-to-cook dish in which chicken chunks are marinated in special spices and then grilled on skewers. This is a favorite with kids.

    Continue to 13 of 13 below.
  • 13 of 13

    Fish Amritsari

    Fish and Chip
    4kodiak / Getty Images

    Named after the city where it originated, this easy battered, fried fish is a great appetizer or side dish to complement the main course. Some kids like to eat it just by itself!