Teens in the Kitchen: 13 Foods Every Teen Should Know How to Make

Helping teens become confident in the kitchen starts with teaching them a few simple basics. These are the 13 foods I’ve taught my own teens to make so they can confidently feed themselves.

Avocado toast, ground beef for tacos, a salad and a berry smoothie.

Confidence in the Kitchen

Before my teens ask to DoorDash food, I encourage them to see what they can make with the ingredients we already have at home. As they’ve gotten older, I’ve realized one of the greatest gifts I can give them is confidence in the kitchen. I don’t expect them to cook elaborate dinners, but I do want them to know how to feed themselves with simple, satisfying meals they’ll actually enjoy making. These are the 13 foods I’ve taught my teens to make so they can confidently whip up breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, or even dessert whenever hunger strikes.

Maegan Brown and her teenage boys in the kitchen cooking.

Tips for Teaching Teens to Cook

Start simple. I intentionally chose recipes that can be made on the stovetop or in the microwave. My teens want food now, so quick wins help build confidence.
Teach one recipe at a time. They don’t need to learn all 13 overnight! We practiced these recipes together over time, and every meal they make on their own gives them more confidence in the kitchen.
Get them involved before they cook. I like bringing my teens grocery shopping, having them help unload groceries, and prepping fruits, veggies, and proteins together. When they know what’s in the fridge—and where to find it—they’re much more likely to make something themselves.
Keep the kitchen stocked. Flour tortillas, eggs, cheese, pasta, frozen fruit, bread, yogurt, and a few proteins make it easy to throw together most of the meals in this post.
Practice kitchen safety. Teach them how to safely use knives, keep pan handles turned inward, use oven mitts when needed, and always wash their hands before and after handling raw meat.
Use the right tools. A good nonstick skillet, cutting board, chef’s knife, meat chopper, toaster, microwave-safe ramekin, and a Magic Bullet blender make these recipes even easier. I’ve rounded up my favorite teen-friendly kitchen tools and supplies on my Amazon page to help them get started with confidence.
Don’t worry about perfection. Burnt grilled cheese, overcooked eggs, or a pancake that’s a little too brown are all part of learning. Confidence comes from practice, not perfection.

Scrambled Eggs

Whether they’re making breakfast before school or a quick meal any time of day, scrambled eggs are one of the first foods every teen should know how to make.

How-To Scramble Eggs:

Crack 2–3 eggs into a bowl, add a few tablespoons of milk, season with a pinch of salt, and whisk until well combined.
Cook in a nonstick skillet over low heat, gently stirring often, until the eggs are soft, fluffy, and just set.

For all my tips on making the creamiest soft scrambled eggs, be sure to check out my full How to Soft Scramble Eggs recipe.

Berry Smoothie

Smoothies are one of my favorite things to teach my teens to make because they’re quick, nutritious, and so easy to customize with whatever fruit and yogurt we have on hand.

Berry Smoothie Recipe:

Add 8–10 frozen strawberries, 1/4 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 sliced banana, and one 5.3-ounce container of yogurt (about 2/3 cup) to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the blender with a spatula as needed.
Feel free to add a splash of milk if you’d like a thinner smoothie.

Don’t be afraid to switch things up by using different frozen fruits or your favorite yogurt flavors to create new combinations. You can even add a scoop of protein powder if you’d like an extra protein boost. If you’re looking for another delicious option, be sure to try my Green Smoothie recipe, too! My teens love making smoothies in a Magic Bullet because it’s quick to use, easy to clean, and makes the perfect single serving.

Grilled Cheese

A great grilled cheese sandwich is one of those comfort foods every teen should know how to make. Golden, buttery bread with perfectly melted cheese never gets old.

How To Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich:

Spread butter (or mayonnaise) on one side of each slice of bread.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and melt 1 teaspoon of butter.
Place one slice of bread, buttered-side down, in the skillet. Top with cheese, then add the second slice of bread, buttered-side up.
Cook for 4–5 minutes per side, flipping carefully once, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Slice in half and enjoy.

It’s delicious on its own or served with a bowl of tomato soup. For more tips, visit my How to Make Great Grilled Cheese recipe.

Quesadilla

When my teens tell me there’s “nothing to eat,” a quesadilla is usually one of the first things I suggest. It’s quick, satisfying, and a great way to use leftover chicken or taco meat.

How To Make a Quesadilla:

Sprinkle shredded cheese (and leftover chicken or taco meat, if you’d like) over one half of a flour tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half.
Cook in a lightly buttered nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted.
Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Avocado Toast with a Fried Egg

Avocado toast is one of our family’s favorite breakfasts, so it only made sense to teach my teens how to make it themselves. It’s simple, filling, and easy to customize, giving them a healthy breakfast they can whip up in just minutes.

Two pieces of avocado toast topped with a fried egg on a white rimmed plate.

How To Make Avocado Toast:

Toast your favorite slices of bread until golden.
While the bread is toasting, mash the flesh of 1 small avocado with a pinch of salt. Spread the mashed avocado evenly over the toast.
Top with a fried egg, if desired.

How to fry an egg:

Heat a lightly greased nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Crack the egg into the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes, until the whites are completely set. If you like a runny yolk, it’s ready to enjoy. For a firmer yolk, cook it for another 1–2 minutes or carefully flip it over and cook for about 30 seconds.
Place the fried egg on top of the avocado toast and finish with a sprinkle of flaky salt, Everything Bagel Seasoning, or a few dashes of hot sauce, if desired.

Single-Serve Pancake

My teens rarely wake up at the same time. Instead of making pancakes to order all morning long, I taught them how to make one giant fluffy pancake whenever they’re craving one. It’s quick, easy, and gives them a little more independence in the kitchen.

Single Serve Pancake Recipe:

In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
Stir in 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 egg until just combined.
Lightly butter a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Pour the batter evenly into the heated skillet to make one large pancake. Cook until bubbles form on top and the edges begin to look set, then flip and cook until golden brown.
Top with butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, and/or chocolate chips.

Pasta (Al Dente)

Learning how to cook pasta is one of the most useful kitchen skills every teen should learn because it opens the door to countless easy meals. Once they know how to cook it al dente, all they need is their favorite sauce and maybe a little protein for a delicious lunch or dinner.

How To Boil Pasta:

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil over high heat before adding your favorite pasta.
Stir it once or twice so it doesn’t stick together. Most pasta takes about 7-9 minutes to cook, but the exact cooking time depends on the shape and thickness of the pasta, so always check the package directions.
Start tasting it about a minute before the recommended cook time. When it’s tender with just a slight bite in the center (called al dente), drain it and toss it with butter and Parmesan, marinara, pesto, Alfredo, or your favorite sauce.

Chicken Tenderloins

Learning how to cook chicken tenderloins gives teens an easy staple they can use in salads, wraps, quesadillas, pasta, rice bowls, and more. Once they master this recipe, they’ll always have a delicious starting point for an easy meal.

How To Cook Chicken Tenderloins:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Season both sides of 1 pound of chicken tenderloins with salt and pepper.
Cook for about 3 minutes without flipping the chicken so it gets a nice golden brown crust.
Flip and cook for another 3 minutes, then cover and cook 1–2 more minutes until done.
The chicken is ready when the center is no longer pink or it reaches 165°F when tested with a meat thermometer.

Be sure to check out my How to Pan-Sear Chicken Tenderloins recipe for all my tips and step-by-step instructions.

Ground Beef for Tacos

Every teen should know how to make taco night happen! It’s one of the easiest dinners to make and the leftovers can be turned into several more meals throughout the week.

A hand holding a hard shell taco filled with ground beef and topped with cheese.

How To Brown Ground Beef for Tacos:

First, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a meat masher or fork as it cooks.
Cook until the beef is browned, no longer pink, and all the grease has cooked down, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Once the meat is fully browned, sprinkle with homemade or store-bought taco seasoning and add 1/2 cup water, and then stir to combine well.
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer until the liquid reduces, about 5 minutes.
Pile it into crunchy taco shells with shredded cheese and your favorite toppings for an easy dinner.

Leftover taco meat is also great for quesadillas, taco salads, nachos, burrito bowls, or loaded baked potatoes. Be sure to check out my How to Make Ground Beef for Tacos recipe for my best tips and favorite homemade taco seasoning.

Microwave Nachos

Microwave nachos are one of the quickest ways to satisfy a hungry teen. They’re perfect for an after-school snack, a late-night bite after practice or a game, or whenever they need something to tide them over until the next meal. They’re simple, satisfying, and always a favorite.

How To Make Microwave Nachos:

On a microwave-safe plate, layer tortilla chips with plenty of shredded cheese. For a heartier meal, add leftover taco meat or shredded chicken before microwaving.
Microwave for about 1 minute, until the cheese is melted.
Top with guacamole, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, and serve with salsa for dipping.

Build-Your-Own Salad

Learning how to build a great salad is an easy way to help teens make healthier choices while still creating something they’ll actually enjoy eating. When they get to customize it with their favorite ingredients, salads become a meal they look forward to instead of one they avoid.

I love keeping chopped veggies, pan-seared chicken, hard-boiled eggs, and other meal prep staples ready to go in the fridge so they can throw together fresh salads for lunch, dinner, or even a hearty snack in just minutes.

Hands holding a fork and a plate of salad.

How To Make a Great Salad:

Start with your favorite lettuce and toss it with your favorite dressing in a large bowl.
Then add whatever veggies, fruit, protein, cheese, croutons, nuts, or seeds you have on hand to build a hearty, satisfying meal. Don’t be afraid to use leftovers from the fridge—that’s what makes a great salad.

A Balanced Snack Plate

A balanced snack plate is one of the easiest no-cook meals your teen can make. By combining a few simple foods from different food groups, they can create a colorful, satisfying plate that keeps them full and energized. I love keeping grab-and-go favorites prepped in the fridge so they can build one in just a few minutes for an after-school snack, quick lunch, or light meal.

A hand selecting a baby carrot from a snack plate.

How to Build a Balanced Snack Plate:

Start by adding a mini bowl of your favorite dip, like ranch, hummus, or peanut butter to a plate.
Fill the plate with colorful fruits and veggies.
Add a protein, like salami, turkey, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, or nuts.
Include cheese for extra protein and calcium.
Add something crunchy like crackers, pretzels, popcorn, or pita chips.
Finish with a fun treat like dark chocolate, dried fruit, or a few cookies if you’d like.

Microwave Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

If your teens are anything like mine, they’re always craving something sweet! Instead of baking a whole batch of cookies every time the craving hits, I taught them how to make this warm, single-serve chocolate chip cookie. It comes together in just minutes with pantry staples and gives them a homemade treat they can make all on their own. It’s even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

A single serve chocolate chip cookie in a ramekin.

Microwave Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe:

In an 8-ounce microwave-safe ramekin, melt 1 tablespoon butter.
Stir in 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, a pinch of salt, 1 egg yolk, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, and 1/8 teaspoon baking powder until well combined.
Fold in 1 tablespoon chocolate chips, then spread the dough evenly in the ramekin.
Microwave for 45–60 seconds, until the edges are set and the center is still soft. Let cool for 1–2 minutes before enjoying.
Serve with ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy!

More Than Just Cooking

I hope these simple recipes inspire you to spend a little time in the kitchen with your teens because the memories you make together are just as meaningful as the meals themselves. One day, you’ll realize they aren’t asking, “What’s for dinner?” anymore—they’re already making something for themselves. That’s a pretty special milestone.

If your teen makes one of my recipes and posts a pic on social, have them be sure to tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can cheer them on! If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes and ideas I share. Enjoy!

xoxo,