The Best Cookbooks for Kids

All kinds of learning happens in the kitchen!

best cookbooks for kids

With schools closed and kids at home, there’s never been a better time to teach them how to cook. It’s an essential life skill they’ll use their whole lives. Plus, kids learn a ton when they are cooking—from reading to math to science! But it can be hard to know how to go about it. Check out our best cookbooks for kids as a great starting place.

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1. The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs

Cookbook for young chefs

This gem from America’s Test Kitchen includes step-by-step photos of tips, techniques, and more than a hundred kid-tested and approved recipes. For food education, this is our top choice.

2. MasterChef Junior Cookbook

Masterchef junior cookbook

They loved the show—now get them the book featuring 100 recipes inspired by dishes that the contestants served in the first five seasons, plus techniques, tips, and advice. Seared scallops, anyone?

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3. Cooking Class

Cooking class

This option is a little more basic (best for kids ages 6-12). You’re looking at recipes for easy favorites like applesauce, French toast, and pizza. 

4. Betty Crocker’s Cookbook for Boys and Girls

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Betty Crockers Cookbook for boys and girls

A whole generation grew up with this 1957 cookbook full of charming color illustrations and photos, and now it’s back for a new group of kiddos. It’s a classic for a reason.

5. Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cookbook

Homes and gardens new junior cookbook

We’d know those red and white checks anywhere! And we especially like the chapter on kitchen safety in the latest edition of this cookbook.

6. Complete Children’s Cookbook

Childrens Cookbook

DK for the win! Kids will love the full-color photography, and adults will love that it teaches them important skills, like how to hold a knife correctly.

7. The Cookbook for Kids

The cookbook for kids

Your favorite kitchen store has its own cookbook for kids! Leave it to Willams-Sonoma to produce something so lovely and uncomplicated. 

8. Cook Me a Story

Cook me a story

This charming choice turns beloved fairytales into delicious recipes. Think: Goldilocks and the Three Pears. You may also like Cook Me a Rhyme.

9. The International Cookbook for Kids

International cookbook for kids

Time to expand those palettes? With 60 recipes from Italy, France, China, and Mexico, this cookbook is a great choice. It’s also peppered (see what we did there?) with history and culture lessons.

10. The Silver Spoon for Children

Silver spoon for children

All kids love spaghetti, right? Try this bestselling cookbook—in a special edition for its tenth anniversary—for authentic regional Italian dishes.

11. In The French Kitchen with Kids

French kitchen with kids

Julia Child would be proud. With this offering from Mardi Michels, kids will be making everything from croque-monsieurs and steak frites to madeleines and crème brûlée.

12. The Forest Feast for Kids

Forest Feast for kids

For a vegetarian cookbook, try this option from food blogger Erin Gleason. The design is top-notch (watercolors! hand lettering!), and you’ll get fun, colorful, kid-friendly veggie options like kale tacos and rainbow chard quiche.

13. American Girl Baking

American girl Baking

Got a budding pastry chef? This cookbook has a wide range of sweet treats, from classic cookies and cupcakes to more daring options like chocolate truffles and fruit turnovers. Like it? Snag American Girl Cooking.

14. The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

Harry potter Cookbook

This is a must-have for all Potterphiles. With recipes for treacle tart and pumpkin pasties, this wildly popular cookbook is downright magical.

15. Pizza: An Interactive Recipe Book

Recipe Book

For little ones, sometimes the best cooking is pretend cooking. This interactive book has pull-down and pop-out features that allow children to mix and slice mess-free. There are also versions for cookies, tacos, and pancakes.

16. Teens Cook

Teen Cook

On the other side of the spectrum, we have our oldest kids. This cookbook is all about teaching teens how to cook what they want to eat … without setting the house on fire.

Did we miss your favorite cookbook for kids? Share in the comments!

Plus, 16 Everyday Activities That Totally Count as Learning.

The Best Cookbooks for Kids