Learn How to Cook Indian Food with Kids

Teaching kids how to cook Indian food: a fun and tasty experience! Explore this collection of delicious Indian recipes with our family’s favorite dishes from New Delhi in Northern India.

Which Indian recipe will you make first?

How to Cook Indian Food with Kids

Cooking is a great way to bond with your kids and teach them valuable life skills. It can also be a fun and educational experience, especially when you’re cooking Indian food.

My husband’s family is Punjabi from New Delhi located in Northern India and over the past 20+ years, I’ve spent many hours and had so much fun learning to cook Indian dishes with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. The variety of recipes and types of spices incorporated into the recipes made in Indian homes throughout the world are delicious.

It’s been fun watching these Indian kitchen skills passed on to our three children, my nieces and nephew. With generation-to-generation learning, one thing I observed is that many talented Indian home chefs don’t always use measurements, it’s also been a learning curve to get things just right in taste.

Benefits of Cooking Indian Recipes with Kids

Cooking with your kids has many benefits, including:

• Encourages healthy eating. Indian food is typically made with fresh, healthy ingredients, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. By cooking Indian food with your kids, you can help them develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
• Teaches kids about other cultures. Indian food is a great way to teach kids about other cultures. When you cook Indian food with your kids, you can talk about the history of India, its people, and its cuisine.
• Helps kids develop math and science skills. Cooking involves measuring ingredients, following instructions, and understanding how different ingredients interact with each other.
• Enhances family bonding. Cooking together is a great way to spend time with your kids and bond as a family. It’s a fun and relaxed activity that everyone can enjoy.

Here is our collection of 70+ Fun and Easy Recipes for Kids to Make

Tips for Cooking Indian Recipes with Kids

Here are a few tips for cooking Indian food with kids:

• Choose simple recipes. When you’re cooking with kids, it’s best to choose simple recipes that don’t require a lot of ingredients or steps. This will help keep the kids engaged and prevent them from getting frustrated.
• Prepare the ingredients ahead of time. This will help make the cooking process easier and more efficient.
• Let the kids help with the cooking. Kids love to help in the kitchen, so give them a chance to do so. Let them measure the ingredients, stir the pot, and taste the food.
• Take advantage of an instant pot. Many savory Indian dishes can be easily made more safely in an instant pot.
• Make it fun! Cooking Indian food should be a fun experience. Play some Indian music, dance around the kitchen, and enjoy each other’s company.

Kitchen Tools Recommended

Here are a few kitchen tools that I have found to make it easier to cook Indian recipes with my kids. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Onion chopper
• Garlic Mincer
• Bamboo Wooden Spoon Set
• Instant Pot
• Bamboo Wooden Cutting Board
• Morter and Pestle Set
• Kids Knife Set
• Skillet with Lid
• Glass Blender with Small To Go Option
• Cast Iron Round Griddle
• Chakla Belan and Polpat Belan
• Masala Spice Box for Kitchen

Once you’ve cooked your meal it can be fun to serve on a Thali Plate.

Easy Kid-Friendly Indian Recipes to Try

Here are a few easy and kid-friendly Indian recipes that you can try with your kids:

• Chicken Tikka Masala. This is a classic Indian dish that is sure to please kids. It is made with chicken that is marinated in a yogurt and spice mixture, then grilled or roasted.
• Dal Makhani. This is a hearty and comforting lentil dish that is pretty quick to make. It is made with black lentils that are simmered in a tomato and cream sauce.
• Aloo Gobi. This is a simple and flavorful dish made with potatoes and cauliflower. It is typically served with rice or flatbread.
• Naan. This is a soft and fluffy flatbread that is perfect for using to eat these delicious dishes.

One thing I’ve observed over the years is that there’s a difference between the foods you can get at your local Indian Restaurant or Buffet compared to what an average Indian family cooks for lunch or dinner. I wanted to share with you our family’s favorite Indian dishes that we eat every week.

In this guide, I’ve linked each recipe to the recipe and a how-to video. Something I wish I could have had access to 20+ years ago when I started learning how to make Indian recipes. This is truthfully for my children to use as they learn to make each of our family’s favorite Indian dishes. I hope you enjoy making them for your family with your children.

There are many ways to get the kids involved in these tasty recipes. Plus so many of them are made using whole foods like lentils and beans.

Disclosure: Please use all caution when cooking with your child. You know your child and their skills best to avoid accidents with heat or sharp objects. Many tasks are still adult-only tasks, use your discretion.

Vegetarian Indian Recipes for Kids

There’s a huge variety of vegetarian options for making Indian recipes with your child.

• Rajma Chawal (Kidney Beans with Rice) watch video
• Dal Makhani (Black Lentils with Rice) watch video
• Chole Chawal (Garbanzo Beans with Rice) watch video
• Chana Masala Bhatura (Garbanzo Beans with Fried Round Flat Bread) watch video
• Baingan Bharta (Eggplant) watch video
• Bhindi Masala (Okra) watch video
• Paneer Butter Masala (Paneer with Creamy Tomato Sauce) watch video
• Palak Paneer (Spinach with Paneer) watch video
• Kadhi Pakora (Onion Fritters in a spiced yogurt sauce) watch video
• Indian Sprout Salad (Sprouted Lentils and Garbonzo Beans) watch video
  – How to Sprout Lentils watch video
  – Benefits for Sprouts
• Vegan Rice Pilaf aka Pulao (every home makes it differently) watch video
  – Holy Cow Vegan
  – Delicious Magazine
  – Dassana Veg Recipes
  – BBC
• Boondi Raita (spiced yogurt side dish) watch video

The best part is that most of these start the same way with the base as you create these aromatic curries. This method creates that explosion of flavors we seek in Northern Indian food.

Children can measure the spices. Measuring out the beans, lentils, rice, or water can be a helpful task too. To make the base for many of these your child can help with using the Onion chopper or Garlic Mincer.

Sometimes you use a glass blender to blend curries, which kids love to push buttons.

We use our Instant Pot with many of our dishes which also helps with younger children and keeping them safe from hot pans.

Non-Vegetarian Indian Dishes to Make

Many kids are drawn to these traditional Indian chicken dishes. Mixing the marinade and blending the sauces are tasks the kids will enjoy.

• Butter Chicken (chicken in creamy sauce) watch video
• Tandoori Chicken (marinated chicken legs and thighs grilled) watch video
• Chicken Curry (chicken with curry) watch video
• Chicken Seekh Kebab (minced chicken on a skewer) watch video
• Biryani Chicken (One pot yogurt dark chicken with rice) watch video

Indian Flatbreads

Many Indian dishes are served with a flatbread. Traditional you would eat the food with this instead of a utensil. Kids love this feature!

• Naan (leavened, teardrop-shaped flatbread) watch video
• Chapati or Roti (whole wheat unleavened flatbread) watch video
• Paratha (stuffed Indian unleavened flatbread) watch video

Naan is a leavened bread (meaning it uses yeast), while roti is an unleavened bread (meaning it doesn’t). The different ingredients give a far different texture: naan is soft and chewy, while roti is dense and thin.

Indian Appetizers

Appetizers are probably my most favorite part of exploring Indian food! India is famous for it’s street food and these are my top picks for Indian Appetizers to make with your child.

• Samosas (pastry with a savory potato filling) watch video
• Golgappa (deep-fried, breaded ball filled with mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and a spicy mint-cilantro water and sweet chutney) watch video
• Pakoras (fried vegetables in a spiced batter) watch video
• Dahi Papdi Chaat (yogurt, crispy pooris, sev, and chutneys) watch video
• Aloo Tikki Chaat (crispy potato patties topped with yogurt and chutneys) watch video

We love products from Haldiram’s at the local Indian Grocery store for snacks to keep around the house with Chai.

Indian Drinks

• Indian Chai
• Mango Lassi
• Thandai
• Anar lassi

If you’re having appetizers, I’d suggest making Indian Chai for a warm drink. It’s a very common tradition of inviting guests for chai and snacks in India. Traditionally chai is made from black tea mixed with strong spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, black peppercorns, and milk. We use a chai masala from the store. You can watch the video to see how to prepare it.

There are a few other drinks the kids may enjoy. Mango lassi is a huge favorite with kids and adults. (watch video)You can also make Thandai, a traditional Indian drink that is made with milk, nuts, seeds, spices, and saffron. (watch video)

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Indian Spices

To make your cooking easier, here are a few spices we keep on hand from our local Indian grocery store. You can also grab them on Amazon with the link provided.

• Garam Masala
• Turmeric Powder
• Red Chili Powder
• Dal Makhani 
• Chana Masala
• Rajma Masala
• Green Cardamom
• Black Cardamom 
• Cumin Seeds 
• Chat Masala
• Butter Chicken 
• Tandoori Chicken 
• Biryani Masala

Indian Recipes on Pinterest

I’ve shared with you my favorite North Indian Dishes, you may also want to explore these South Indian Dishes too. So many new dishes and spices to discover with your child as you explore the cuisine of all of India.

Here’s more in-depth information about Exploring Indian Culture Through Food.

Want more ideas for inspiration, take a look at the 17 Best Indian Cooking YouTube Channels To Follow.

So next time you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your kids, try cooking some Indian food. You might be surprised at how much you all enjoy it!

While your food is cooking, take a moment to do this fun India Virtual Field Trip with your child.

This India Virtual Field Trip Contains…

• Virtual Field Trip Journal Page 
• India Flag and Fun Facts Coloring Page
• India Map Coloring Page 
• Map of Asia Coloring Page 
• India Landmarks Fill in the Blank

We can’t wait to see which Indian Recipe you try first with your child!

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