Essential Self-Serve Foods for Kids and Teens to Beat the Summer Heat
- Erika Doty
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Gah! The kids are out of school. Schedules are out the window. And the food supply in your kitchen is dwindling. Quickly. Your kids may be living their best lives - sleeping in, binging TV and hanging with friends - but you still have work/chores/responsibilities to worry about. And your sanity to protect. So becoming a full-time chef just because school is out isn't an option.
Babble reached out to over 30 moms to find out what foods they always have on-hand to help make those dog days of summer more enjoyable for everyone, without filling everyone up on ultra-processed, sugary garbage.
Below is a list of foods, must-have ingredients, "recipes" (the kids can do it!) and snacks to keep handy this summer. We've also included a link to our 10 best summer salads: make-ahead dinners that are delicious leftover, so the kids will have something to grab from the fridge the next day.
This list is huge. But we're pretty sure it covers it all - whether your kids are 5 or 19, can cook a little or can barely get themselves a bowl of cereal, you'll find a tip, trick or a "hell yes!" to help you this summer.
Ingredients To Keep On-Hand
Let's start with that grocery list and make sure your time and money are well-spent:
Prepackaged salad packs - add a little chicken (or other protein) or put in a wrap
Yogurts (go-gurts, yogurt drinks or cups of yogurt - high protein if you can)
Minute Rice
Cut-up veggies
Fresh fruits - berries, bananas, grapes (whatever is on sale that week)
Avocados
CHEESE!
Cheese sticks/string cheese
Individually wrapped cheese snacks (like Baby Bell)
Laughing Cow spreadable cheese
Shredded cheese
Meat!
Rotisserie chicken (or pulled chicken, sold at most grocery stores and Costco)
Lunch/deli meats (whatever your family loves)
Cooked ground beef
Cooked chicken sausages or kielbasa (Aidells chicken sausages are a fav around here)
Diced ham
Bread n' Stuff:
Tortillas
Flat breads
King's Hawaiian rolls
Bagels
Black Beans
Pickles
Pre-made tortellini or ravioli
Smoked salmon (for our seafood lovers)
Rice or Almond crackers (like Nuthins)
Premade pizza dough
Crescent rolls (canned, refrigerator section)
Chips & Salsa
Peanut butter/Nutella/bananas
Cereal and milk (an ol' standard)
Hot Dogs & Buns
Homemade Granola (recipe below)
Freezer Section
Chicken Tenders
Chicken Nuggets (Bare Foods brand from Costco is a crowd favorite in this house!)
Uncrustables (perfect for hikes/activities - throw in your bag in the morning and by lunch it's ready to go!)
Freezer Meals from Trader Joes
Frozen Pizza Bites and/or Pizza Bagels
Burger patties (black bean and/or veggie burger patties are usually a hit)
Edamame (either in-shell or shelled - buy the "steamer" bag brand for easy cooking)
Meatballs (Aidell's are great; Trader Joe's and Costco have good options too)
Ice Cream - several companies now offer "snack-size" options of our fav treats (ice cream sandwiches, drumsticks, etc). Great for kids who don't always eat the entire treat (and for moms looking for a "little something")
Costco Finds
Acai Bowls
Personal Pizzas
Chicken Sandwiches
Orange Chicken
Artichoke Dip
Potstickers (freezer section)
Bare Foods Chicken Nuggets (mentioned above because we love them that much)
Mini Tacos
Taquitos
Frozen Berry Mix (use in smoothies all summer!)
Sticky White Rice Bowls (Microwave 90 seconds, add cut-up nuggets or other meat for added protein)
Naked Juice Drinks (Costco sells the little half-size ones which are perfect for kids - good dose of fruits and veggies)
Make Ahead
Rice Bowls - Minute rice (so easy to make!) + cut-up veggies + whatever meat is in the fridge - saute everything, throw it in the rice. Make a big batch for the week and reheat as needed.
Burritos - On Sundays (usually slow mornings) I'll mix eggs, potatoes (leftovers or Potatoes O'Brien from the freezer section) and whatever meat I have in the fridge (leftover steak, chicken, sausages, bacon, etc) in a large pan. Once cooked, I use the mixture to make small individual breakfast burritos. Once you wrap the mixture up in the tortillas, let them cool; then wrap each in a paper towel, then in foil. Place in freezer bag or container. When ready to eat: remove foil, keep paper towel ON and microwave for 45-80 seconds (depending on burrito size). You can do this with "regular" burrito ingredients too (rice, beans, meat).
Grilling tonight? Make a little extra. That chicken/steak can be used the next day rice bowls, burritos, and several of the Summer Salads listed below.
Taco time? Make extra taco meat to keep in the fridge for a few days - add to quesadillas or salads.
Summer Salads (see below!) - make extra for dinner so you have leftovers in the fridge the next day. A hearty, delicious grab-n-go meal!
"Recipes" the Kids Love (And Can Make!)
Tortilla with Nutella & Banana - heat up in air fryer for extra deliciousness
Yogurt Bowls - any favorite yogurt, add nuts, berries, banana slices, granola, honey
Black Bean Quesadillas - place tortilla on hot griddle, sprinkle with shredded cheese, sprinkle black beans, then add a little more cheese and put another tortilla on top. Once cheese is melted, flip to crips up other side and enjoy!
Personal Pizzas - using a pita/flatbread, spread sauce (pizza sauce, ranch or bbq) and add cheese, meat (leftovers?) and any veggies. Pop into air fryer or toaster oven.
Ants on a Log - celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins
Brown Butter Pasta - cook favorite noodles according to package directions (Barilla brand has a playlist with songs for each type of pasta, timed to perfectly achieve al dente!). Drain noodles. Put butter in hot pan, melt and wait till the butter starts to brown, add noodles (it will sizzle, don't worry). Stir to combine and top with parmesan cheese.
Sliders - Grab a package of King's Hawaiian rolls, cut each in half and assemble sandwiches: add a piece of deli meat, pickle slice, a dab of mustard and a small piece of cheese. (Any pile of ingredients work, just put cheese on last.) Place on a baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes. Serve immediately. (Dip in ranch for some bonus flavor!)
Air Fryer Hot Dogs - Sounds weird, but my son and his buddies love these! Buy the all-beef hot dogs, air fry at 350 for 5 minutes, place in bun and air fry for another minute or two.
Nutella Sandwiches - speaking of those Hawaiian rolls...add some Nutella and a slice of banana for an easy sandwich.
Chips N' Cheese- my 14 year old has already declared this summer the "summer of chips n' cheese!". He's living his best life with this old stand by of tortilla chips topped with shredded cheese and microwaved for 1 minute. You can add beans, taco meat, salsa or avocado to dress them up a bit.
Energy Balls- Five ingredients- peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, flax meal and honey. Check out the full recipe here.
Smoothies - Check out Babble's favorite smoothie recipes here. My kids are great with our NutriBullet and can mix up all sorts of concoctions with some ice cream and milk. (Toss in a scoop of protein powder or sub milk with protein shakes- like Fairlife.)
Easy Puff Pastry Pizza Rolls - Unroll puff pastry from packaging (found in refrigerated section); add thin layer (thin is key here!) of pizza sauce, then a thin layer of cheese (and any other pizza toppings); Roll it up length wise and slice (think cinnamon rolls). Bake and done. Takes maybe 5 minutes to prep and great leftover!
Crescent Roll-Ups - Use the canned crescent rolls (refrigerated section), unroll and separate the the pieces along perforated edges. Add ingredients to each roll such as:
Ham & Swiss
S'Mores: fill with chocolate chips and small marshmallows
Pizza: Half mozzarella stick, pizza sauce and whatever toppings (pepperoni, etc)
Apple Pie: apple slices (skin on) and cinnamon
Fancy: fill with a slice of Brie, apple slice, diced pecans and a drizzle of honey.
Easy Guacamole - Mash up a ripe avocado in a bowl, sprinkle with garlic salt and onion powder. Mix and enjoy with your favorite crackers or chips. (Mix in your fav salsa for an added kick...trust me.)
Grab-n-Go Snack Time!
Here is a list of grab-n-go snack items great to keep on-hand this summer:
Cheese: String cheese, Babybel cheese, cheese-n-cracker packs (some come with peanut butter)
Carnation instant breakfast, protein shakes
Chips, Crackers, Goldfish Crackers, Pretzels - buy the small snack bags, or save some $$$ and get the big bag and put in smaller grab-n-go bags/containers
Granola bars, Bobs Oat Bars
Hard boiled eggs - make a dozen on the weekend have keep in the fridge all week
Nutella snacks with mini breadsticks
Popsicles (Outshine fruit popsicle bars came highly recommended!)
Applesauce Packets (these are GREAT for the athletes in the house!)
Trail Mix, Nuts
Fruity Things:
Bubble fruit- fruit cups with boba inside
Fruit snacks, Fruit by the foot
Pineapple, Watermelon, Blueberries, Strawberries
Frozen Fruit
Yogurt/Go-Gurt
Hummus, Ranch Dip, Salsas
Popcorn, Kettle Corn Chips
Salami and Cheese to-go packs
Peanut M&Ms
Protein Balls - whip up a batch on the weekend so you have them on-hand all week. Check out the full recipe here.
Apples - slice up and add yogurt, caramel dip, cheese
Have you tried Babble's Summer Salad recipes yet? These salads are make-ahead lifesavers that are hearty enough to serve as the main course at dinner. When you make these, make a extra - they keep in the fridge and are delicious leftover. Now you have an easy lunch for the kids (or you) the next day!
As Promised...Homemade Granola Recipe
This is a family favorite! It's so delicious, easy to make and a big batch will last a while.
Eleven Madison Park Granola (from the famous NY restaurant):
2 3/4 cups rolled oats
1 cup shelled pistachios
1 cup unsweetened coconut chips
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds, shelled
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup dried sour cherries
Heat oven to 300. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Mix together oats, pistachios, coconut, pumpkin seeds and salt in large bowl. In small saucepan over low heat, warm sugar, syrup and oil until sugar has dissolved, then remove from heat and fold liquids into the mixture of oats. Coat well. Spread granola over baking sheet and bake until dry and lightly golden (35-40 minutes) - stir as needed. Remove and mix in dried cherries. Let cool completely, then store in air-tight container.
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you keep on-hand in the summer. Email us at erika@babblewithbrooke.com.
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