Kid-Friendly Mexican Recipes: Mild, Fun and Nutritious

Mexican Food That Children Will Actually Eat

Many parents assume Mexican food is too spicy for children, but this is a misconception. In Mexico, children eat the same food as adults from a young age, simply with the chilli adjusted. The cuisine is actually perfect for families: it is colourful, interactive and full of ingredients that children naturally enjoy, such as cheese, beans, rice and corn.

These ten recipes have been selected specifically for family mealtimes. Each is mild, nutritious and, most importantly, genuinely enjoyable for young palates. All ingredients are available from Tesco, Sainsbury's and other UK supermarkets.

1. Build-Your-Own Quesadillas

Quesadillas are the ultimate kid-friendly Mexican dish. A tortilla, cheese, a filling and a few minutes in a pan. Children love the interactive element of choosing their own fillings.

Base Recipe

• Flour tortillas (the larger, the better for folding)
• Grated mild Cheddar or mozzarella

Filling Station Ideas

• Sweetcorn kernels
• Shredded cooked chicken
• Refried beans (spread thin)
• Diced cooked courgette
• Baby spinach leaves
• Diced ham

Let each child choose 2-3 fillings, add cheese, fold the tortilla in half and cook in a dry frying pan for 2 minutes per side until golden and the cheese has melted. Cut into triangles for easy handling.

2. Mexican Rice

A gently flavoured, tomato-tinted rice that goes with everything and is universally popular with children. The technique of frying the rice before simmering gives it a lovely nutty flavour.

Recipe

• 250g long-grain white rice
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• Half an onion, finely diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 400ml chicken or vegetable stock
• 50g frozen peas and diced carrots
• Salt to taste

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Heat the oil and fry the rice for 3-4 minutes until it turns opaque. Add the onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato puree and stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to very low heat, cover tightly and cook for 18 minutes without lifting the lid. Add the peas and carrots in the last 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

3. Mild Chicken Fajitas

Fajitas are technically Tex-Mex but hugely popular with British families. This version uses a mild spice blend that children enjoy without any heat.

Mild Seasoning

• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika (sweet, NOT hot)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper

Slice 500g chicken breast into strips and toss with the seasoning and a tablespoon of oil. Cook in a hot frying pan for 6-7 minutes. Add sliced peppers and onion and cook for another 5 minutes. Serve with warm tortillas, grated cheese, soured cream and mild salsa.

4. Mexican Bean and Cheese Nachos

A crowd-pleasing dish that works for everything from a family film night to a children's birthday party. Layer the ingredients properly and they stay crispy rather than soggy.

Recipe

• 200g plain tortilla chips
• 1 tin (400g) black beans, drained and roughly mashed
• 200g grated Cheddar
• 1 small tin sweetcorn, drained
• Soured cream and mild salsa for dipping

Layer half the chips on a baking tray. Top with half the beans, sweetcorn and cheese. Add another layer of chips, beans, corn and cheese. Bake at 200C for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve immediately with soured cream and salsa on the side.

5. Taquitos (Rolled Tacos)

Crispy rolled tortillas filled with chicken and cheese. Children love these because they are essentially savoury crispy fingers.

Recipe

• 8 small corn or flour tortillas
• 200g shredded cooked chicken
• 100g grated mozzarella or Cheddar
• Vegetable oil for frying (or oven-bake for a healthier option)

Place a line of chicken and cheese along the edge of each tortilla. Roll tightly and secure with a toothpick. Either shallow fry in oil for 2-3 minutes turning occasionally, or brush with oil and bake at 200C for 15 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove toothpicks before serving. Serve with guacamole or soured cream for dipping.

6. Arroz con Leche (Mexican Rice Pudding)

A warming, cinnamon-scented rice pudding that is deeply comforting. Mexican arroz con leche is creamier and more aromatic than the British version, spiced with cinnamon and vanilla.

Recipe

• 150g short-grain pudding rice
• 400ml water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Strip of lemon or orange zest
• 400ml whole milk
• 200ml condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 50g raisins (optional)
• Ground cinnamon for dusting

Simmer the rice in water with the cinnamon stick and citrus zest until the water is absorbed (about 15 minutes). Add the milk, condensed milk and vanilla. Cook on low heat, stirring frequently, for 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy. Stir in the raisins if using. Serve warm or chilled, dusted with ground cinnamon.

7. Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

Corn on the cob slathered with mayonnaise, crumbled cheese, chilli powder and lime. For children, simply omit the chilli powder.

Recipe

• 4 corn cobs
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 50g crumbled feta or grated Parmesan
• Juice of 1 lime
• Sweet paprika (instead of chilli for children)

Boil or grill the corn until tender. Brush with mayonnaise, sprinkle with cheese and paprika, and squeeze lime over the top. Children love eating food on a stick, so insert a wooden skewer into the base of each cob for easy handling.

8. Churros

Fried dough sticks coated in cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate sauce. These are a beloved Mexican treat that children go wild for.

Recipe

• 250ml water
• 50g butter
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 150g plain flour
• 1 egg
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Coating: 100g caster sugar mixed with 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Heat the water, butter, sugar and salt until boiling. Remove from heat and beat in the flour vigorously until a smooth dough forms. Beat in the egg. Transfer to a piping bag with a large star nozzle. Pipe 10cm lengths directly into hot oil (170C) and fry for 3-4 minutes until golden. Drain on kitchen paper and roll immediately in the cinnamon sugar.

For the chocolate dipping sauce: melt 100g dark chocolate with 100ml double cream.

9. Mexican-Style Meatballs (Albondigas)

Gentle, herby meatballs simmered in a mild tomato-chipotle sauce (use very little chipotle for children). Serve with rice for a complete meal.

Recipe

• 500g beef mince
• 1 egg
• 50g breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp fresh mint or coriander, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• For sauce: 1 tin chopped tomatoes, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cumin, salt

Mix the mince with egg, breadcrumbs, cumin, herbs and seasoning. Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs. Make the sauce by simmering the tomatoes with spices for 10 minutes. Add the meatballs, cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes until cooked through.

10. Mexican Hot Chocolate

A special treat that makes an ordinary Tuesday evening feel like a celebration. Warm, cinnamon-spiced chocolate that is miles better than instant cocoa.

Heat 500ml milk with a cinnamon stick. Add 50g chopped dark chocolate and stir until melted. Add 1 tbsp sugar and a drop of vanilla extract. Whisk until frothy. Pour into mugs and dust with a little cinnamon.

Getting Children Involved

Mexican cooking is wonderfully suited to involving children:

• Ages 3-5: Washing vegetables, tearing coriander, filling quesadillas
• Ages 6-8: Grating cheese, mixing doughs, rolling meatballs, assembling nachos
• Ages 9-12: Chopping (supervised), cooking eggs, making salsas, piping churros

Browse our recipe collection for more family-friendly ideas and find ingredients at our recommended Mexican shops in the UK. For a family outing, check our restaurant guide for child-friendly Mexican restaurants.