When you’re pressed for time, and looking for mealtime inspiration, there’s a number of kid friendly recipe apps that are worth checking out. Whether you’re looking to serve up a gourmet meal, or just a healthy children’s dish, or perhaps in need of something different from the same old same old, there’s a cooking app for that!

From free to under a fiver, here’s five of the best cooking apps for inspiration. All of these are aviable from the Apple store to download to your phone or device (prices correct at time of publishing).

Change4Life Smart Recipes (Free)

Change4life is a trusted resource put together by Public Health England. Here you can find over 160 quick and easy recipes to rustle up that the whole family will enjoy. With an emphasis on healthy, well-balanced meals, this really is a the perfect cooking app for kids to benefit from, with breakfast, lunch and meals covered. Plus there’s a host of snacks to fill their kids plates with, with easy to follow instructions. 

Annabel Karmel (£4.99)

Annabel is the go-to resource when it comes to making quick, easy and nutritious meals for children of all ages, especially those who are fussy eaters. It features food ideas that the whole family will enjoy, including a rather handy meal planner for organised types. It’s handy for preparing quick, easy and nutritious meals, from first foods to family favourites. The great thing with her repitorie of kids dishes, is that they have been tested over the years.

Deliciously Ella

If you’re looking for ideas for healthy kids snacks and plant-based recipes, then Deliciously Ella is packed full of great meal ideas that cut back on sugars, without skimping on taste. The helpful step-by-step guide makes it easy to follow and includes a shopping list feature, yoga workouts and more.

Tasty (free)

Anyone who follows Buzzfeed Tasty on Instagram will appreciate the mouth-watering treats served up on a daily basis. The cult of Tasty has since expanded into a website, cook books, kitchenware and now a free app for bringing mealtimes to life. Some of their most popular recipes are now downloadable on the app, with more than 2000 inspiring dishes that cater to all tastes - yes that even includes picky eaters. Get out your fun kids plates and conjure up strawberry cheesecake donuts, garlic parmesan chicken and creamy pasta dishes from the experts. There is bound to be something you’ll love here!

BBC Good Food (free)

If you’re looking for the mecca of online cookbooks and one of the best cooking apps, look no further than BBC Good Food. Here you will find over 10,000 recipes, rated from easy to advanced, providing all the ingredients, steps and timings to get underway. It’s simple and straightforward to use, with family-friendly dishes from their team of writers and the occasional celebrity like Gordon Ramsay. Whether you’re looking to get baking brownies with the kids, or sourcing inspiration for family Sunday roasts, you’re guaranteed to find it all here.

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