Great Healthy Meals for Stay-at-Home Dads to Cook for Their Young Ones

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Being a stay-at-home dad comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to mealtime. 

Cooking healthy meals for your kids doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a little planning and some creative recipes, you can ensure that your little ones are getting the nutrition they need while enjoying delicious meals. 

 

In this article, we’ve shared some great healthy meal ideas that are easy to prepare and kid-approved. So put on your apron and get ready to impress your young ones with your culinary skills!

Crispy Chicken Strips with Honey Dipping Sauce 

Chicken strips are easy to make, and they’re healthier if you make them from scratch instead of buying the store-bought versions. Honey also has many health benefits because it’s a natural antibiotic.

 

What you’ll need: 

  • Five chicken filets cut into strips 
  • Three cups of flour 
  • Two eggs
  • Bread crumbs 
  • Four tablespoons of oil 
  • Pinch of salt and pepper 
  • One teaspoon garlic 
  • ½ cup mayonnaise 
  • Two tablespoons honey
  • One teaspoon of yellow mustard 
  • One teaspoon of lemon juice 

Method for the Chicken

Place your chick strips in a bowl and season them with salt and pepper. Add your garlic and one egg to the bowl and mix until well combined. Pour your flour into the bowl and mix until each chicken strip is completely coated. 

Next, beat one egg into a large bowl and pour your bread crumbs into a plate. Dip each chicken strip into the egg and then into the bread crumbs. Pour oil into a baking pan with your chicken and place the pan into an oven at 347 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook until all the chicken pieces are golden brown.  

Method for Honey Dip

In a bowl, mix your honey, mustard, mayonnaise, and lemon juice until well incorporated. Add salt to taste and place it in the fridge to chill. When your chicken strips are done, you can place your sauce into individual bowls on a plate with the chicken strips on the side. 

Healthy Banana and Strawberry Salad 

All kids have a sweet tooth, so it’s no surprise if your little ones want dessert with their meals. Make them a healthier alternative using strawberries and bananas.

What you’ll need.

  • Four bananas 
  • Eight strawberries 
  • Half a cup of honey 

Method

Remove the stems from the strawberries and wash them thoroughly. Pat them dry with a paper towel and then dice them and place them in a bowl. Dice your bananas and mix them in with the strawberries. Serve on small plates and drizzle with honey. 

Bacon and Broccoli Pasta 

Pasta is a staple in most households. Kids love it, and it’s easy to make. Add some protein and veggies to the mix, and you have yourself a healthy meal for you and the whole family to enjoy. 

What you’ll need: 

  • 12 ounces of pasta (bowtie) 
  • 16 ounces of broccoli 
  • 2 cups of cubed bacon
  • One carton of cream cheese 
  • ⅓ milk 
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • One tablespoon of garlic
  • Two tablespoons of olive oil 
  • ½ chopped parsley

Place a pot on the stove on high heat and fill it halfway with water. When the water starts boiling, add your pasta and stir it once. Place a lid on the pot and wait until it’s cooked completely. 

While your pasta is cooking, put your broccoli in a metal colander and place it over a steaming pot of water. Next, pour your oil into another pot on medium-high heat, add your bacon, garlic, and spices, and stir until the bacon is cooked. 

Mix your cream cheese into the bacon mixture and stir continuously. Then add your milk and stir until the sauce thickens. When your pasta is done, strain the water out, then add your broccoli and your bacon mixture and stir until everything is combined. Serve in bowls and garnish with parsley.   

Caramel Apple S’mores

No meal is complete without a sweet snack to complete the menu. You can find inspiration for yummy sweet treats in everything you do, like gaming, watching cooking channels, and more.

What you’ll need: 

  • Three apples 
  • Six vanilla marshmallows
  • Caramel chocolate bars 
  • One tablespoon of cinnamon 

Method 

Slice your apples into circles and remove any pips in the center. Chop up your caramel chocolate bars into small pieces. Place a marshmallow and your caramel pieces in between two slices of apples and place them in the microwave for 1 minute. Serve on a plate and sprinkle with cinnamon. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re a stay-at-home dad, these meals are sure to make a lasting impression on your kids. Be sure to give them a tasty snack after their main meal, along with healthier beverages like apple or grape juice. 

Jeff Campbell
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