Find the best kid-friendly pantry staples to keep on hand to allow you to be able to throw together fast and yummy meals whenever you need them.
Pantry Recipes
I love having a handful of basic ingredients on hand in my pantry because it really does make feeding a family that much easier. And when you are able to keep the foods you turn to again and again on hand, it can be less work to decide what to cook, too.
Most of these recipes include basic pantry staples and some basic but long-lasting perishable ingredients, which I assume would be in a fridge or freezer. Adjust these ideas as needed for your own reality and what you happen to have on hand.
Check out my family-friendly grocery list for a place to start with stocking your pantry and easy ways to save on groceries too!
Your toddler won’t eat? Help is here!
Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Pancake Muffins
Use pancake mix to make the easiest breakfast muffins with any add-ins you like.
Baking pancake mix in the oven is an easy way to streamline breakfast and to reduce the amount of time you have to stand at the stove cooking. You can add any topping you like to these and bake them as mini muffins or regular sized ones.
Get the recipe
Chia Jam
Chia seeds from the pantry combine with blueberries from the freezer to make this super fast jam to use on toast, sandwiches, and as a stir-in for yogurt.
You can make this with fresh or frozen blueberries. Use the yogurt option to turn it into a quick and easy chia seed pudding.
Get the recipe
Applesauce Muffins
Keeping applesauce in the pantry means you can combine it with other basics like flour and oats to make these yummy muffins.
Perfectly spiced and just sweet enough, these Applesauce Muffins are a yummy breakfast or snack. We like these on their own, topped with nut or seed butter, or even with a smear of cream cheese. See what your littles like!
Get the recipe
Instant Oatmeal
It’s so simple to make DIY instant oatmeal with the flavorings and additions you prefer.
You can make a handful of containers ahead of time, then pull them out for easy breakfasts when you need them. Or, make and serve all at once.
Get the recipe
Nut-Free Granola
Turn oats and seeds into the yummiest homemade granola that’s easy for even the littles to chew and eat.
This easy method is a great way to make Nut-Free Granola to share with the kids that’s nutritious and easy to chew. It’s great with yogurt, with milk, or as a topping for oatmeal.
Get the recipe
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls
These energy balls are one of our favorite snacks and the ingredients are ones we usually have on hand in the pantry.
These no-bake bites taste like a cross between oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookie dough. I use natural creamy peanut butter (like the kind from Smuckers), and it works really well.
Get the recipe
Homemade Granola Bars
With a pleasing texture and lightly crispy edges, these granola bars are a favorite toddler snack.
We like to have these granola bars as a snack or toddler breakfast with milk or a smoothie—and they’re an excellent lunch box component too. You can make them plain or choose a flavor to add!
Get the recipe
Easy Pear Pops
Turn canned pears into the most delicious popsicles with this simple method.
These one-ingredient Pear Pops are a freezer staple since they naturally soothe sore throats and can help with constipation. Plus: They just taste yummy.
Get the recipe
Lentil Sauce for Pasta
Transform quick-cooking red lentils and marinara sauce into an iron- and fiber-rich pasta sauce with this easy method.
Learn this easy technique to add iron and fiber to pasta sauce without impacting the flavor or texture. This is a great option to make a meal a little more satisfying and as an iron-rich vegetarian meal. (You can start with half the amount of lentils to start to ensure the kids like the sauce, if desired.)
Get the recipe
Zucchini Pasta Sauce
Use white beans and fresh or frozen zucchini to make this easy, fresh pasta sauce.
Learn how to turn fresh zucchini into a bright and fresh pasta sauce with a simple method. Add the optional toppings for extra flavor as you and your family like. (Heads up: You’ll want to reserve a little of the pasta cooking water before you drain the pot.)
Get the recipe
Taco Roll Ups
Turn beans (or refried beans) and tortilla into the most fun spirals with this easy idea.
This super simple riff on tacos takes just minutes to make, is really satisfying, and is great for lunch, dinner, or even snack. (This makes 6 rolled-up tacos, so you can adjust this as needed for your family.)
Get the recipe
Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
These are great made with canned beans. You can even freeze extra tortillas to use in future weeks.
You can make as few or as many of these easy quesadillas as you like.
Get the recipe
5-Ingredient Vegetarian Burritos
Rice, beans, and cheese make up the filling of these easy burritos. Serve the filling and tortilla separate for younger eaters if needed.
You can make and serve these at the same time, or prep them ahead of time and warm up quickly for an easy meal. You can vary the beans in these simple burritos. Serve them with salsa and/or sour cream.
Get the recipe
30-Minute Black Bean Soup
With pantry staples and lots of kid-friendly, flavor, this recipe is even ready in 30 minutes! I love the hit of citrus in this recipe and this is one of the few soups that my kids enjoy.
You can serve this soup chunky or pureed smooth, according to what your family might prefer. There’s also a slow cooker option if that’s more your speed! Try it as a dip for little kids if they’re not into a full bowl.
Get the recipe
Pizza Rolls with Spinach
With dough, pizza sauce, and cheese, these pizza rolls are fun to make with basic ingredients. They store well in the fridge for easy lunches all week and you can stash them into the freezer too.
Be sure to grease your pan well and roll the dough up fairly tightly around the fillings for best results. (But it’s okay if they don’t look perfect when they go into the pan!)
Get the recipe
Italian Lentils and Rice
Dried lentils and canned tomatoes make this recipe one of my go-to pantry recipes. It’s a hearty vegetarian recipe that pairs nicely with rice or pasta and a simple veggie side.
We like this with rice, but you can also serve this with pasta if you prefer.
Get the recipe
Coconut Rice
Serve as a simple side or a vegetarian main paired with warmed frozen peas or black beans. The rice sticks together nicely too, which makes it a little easier for toddlers to eat.
Make this without the optional flavors for a simple, yet yummy side dish that’s easy for your little ones to eat since the grains hold together well. Add just ginger, or add ginger and the optional spices at the end for more flavor. We like adding raisins to the mix when we add the extra spices!
Get the recipe
Salmon Salad Sandwiches
I like to keep canned salmon and tuna in the pantry for backup protein options and this salad is a nice topping for bread or a dip for crackers.
This salmon salad is packed with protein, healthy fats, and calcium and can be used as a dip or a spread for sandwiches. We use homemade relish in this recipe, but you can use any that you like the flavor of.
Get the recipe
Salmon Cakes
Learning how to make Salmon Cakes is easy—and it’s a convenient and affordable way to serve healthy fish to a family. They can be made with pantry ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. Serve over a salad for you and with simple sides for the kids. And don’t forget the dip!
These tender fish cakes make a quick and easy pantry meal when you haven’t planned ahead for dinner. Recipe updated slightly to ensure moistness in June 2021.
Get the recipe
Alphabet Soup
Cook up this cozy Alphabet Soup recipe the next time you want an easy meal that’s also fun! ABC pasta is a perfect addition to this kid-friendly soup—and you can tailor the veggies to the likes (or dislikes!) of your own kiddos. It’s so versatile!
You can use ABC pasta, orzo, pastina, or ditalini—or any other very small pasta shape in this Alphabet Soup recipe. And you can start with fresh or frozen veggies. See below for options.
Get the recipe
Quick Pantry Meals (without Recipes!)
Use these ideas when you don’t want an actual recipe, but still need some inspiration to get a meal onto the table.
- Snack dinner
- Noodles with jarred peanut sauce
- Hummus and pita bread
- Hummus and crackers
- Freezer waffles and nut or seed butter
- Store-bought mac and cheese
- Tortilla roll up with nut or seed butter and a banana
- Cheese quesadillas
- Pasta with butter, thawed frozen peas, and Parmesan
- Pasta with jarred tomato sauce
- Store-bought gnocchi or tortellini with butter or tomato sauce
- Favorite store-bought freezer meals
- Pancakes
- Grilled cheese
Related Recipes
I’d love to know your favorite pantry recipes, so please comment below to share!
This post was first published March 2020.