Kids are curious and ready to learn! At a young age, they want to help in the kitchen. Harness that curiosity and get them started right away. Finding suitable recipes to begin teaching children is so easy when you have one or more of these best-selling cookbooks for kids and teenagers.
When they are young getting them on a stool pulled up to the kitchen counter will create great memories, lifelong skills, & a bunch of delicious things to eat. (ok there may be some messes but a small price to pay) There are so many benefits to cooking with your kids.
Flip through the pages of these cookbooks & you are sure to find recipes, tips, & educational information that kids & teens will love. Whether you want to learn how to roll out pizza dough, bake cookies, or stir up some pasta, these cookbooks are great for beginners of all ages.
Jump to:
- Research & Rating the Amazon Cookbooks
- 1 - The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs
- 2 - Food Network Magazine The Big, Fun Kids Cookbook
- 3 - My Very First Cookbook
- 4 - Good Housekeeping Kids Cook!
- 5 - MasterChef Junior Cookbook
- 6 - The How-To Cookbook for Teens
- 7 - The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook
- 8 - The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs
- 9 - The Vegan Cookbook for Kids
- 10- Kids Cook Gluten-Free
- Buying Guide & Current Prices
- Easy Recipes Kids Can Make
- Final Notes
Research & Rating the Amazon Cookbooks
I wanted to put together a comprehensive list of the top-rated & best-reviewed cookbooks for kids that can be found on Amazon. As a mother of three kids and someone who loves cookbooks, my expertise is decades long.
This list is a result of research, using many of these books myself, giving them as gifts, & owning a few personally. I am confident you will love any of these recipe books & so will your kids, grandkids, friends, nieces, nephews, or whomever you buy them for.
Top 10 Kid & Teen Cookbooks - Here is what you will love about all of these cookbooks besides being perfect for kids from ages 5 to 18. The variety of choices shared below includes but is limited to the following:
- Great for beginners
- Perfect for any gender
- Find one that's age appropriate including 5, 10, & 13-year-olds
- Healthy eating & dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free, autistic, or ADHD)
- Many are available in spiral bound, paperback, hardback, digital (kindle)
- Inexpensive & budget-friendly pricing (most under $20)
- Best-selling with top customer reviews on Amazon
1 - The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs
- #1 Best Seller by the NY Times
- Ages 8+
- Breakfasts, snacks, meals, desserts, & cooking for your family
- 100+ yummy recipes
- 21K 4-star customer reviews
America's Test Kitchen has done it again! Another amazing cookbook by their team. This cookbook is great for any beginning cook no matter a child or an adult. The recipes have clear step-by-step instructions & gorgeous photos. My favorite thing about this book is all the tips & tricks from knife skills, labeled photos of kitchen tools needed, how to measure, plating ideas, & conversion charts
2 - Food Network Magazine The Big, Fun Kids Cookbook
- 150+ easy recipes
- Ages 10+
- Breakfast, drinks, meals, & desserts
- Bonus: coloring pages & games
- 7k 4-star customer reviews
This big book by the Food Network has it all. I love that it lays flat & has easy-to-follow instructions & amazing photos. The recipes are a bit more advanced than just mac & cheese or PB&J; ideal for teens more than younger kids. I have gifted this cookbook to many young adults.
3 - My Very First Cookbook
- 45+ simple recipes
- Ages 5+
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, & desserts
- Illustrated like a child's book for fun graphics
- Great for picky eaters
This adorable book is great for learning to cook with a child of any age. The best first cookbook for kids in preschool & under age 8. The colorful cartoons mean your kids will likely read and flip through this book even when they aren't in the kitchen.
4 - Good Housekeeping Kids Cook!
- 100+ mouthwatering recipes
- Ages 10+
- Gorgeous photos & concise instructions
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, & desserts
- 2K 4-star ratings
The folks behind the longstanding Good Housekeeping magazine have a hit on their hands with this cookbook for kids. This top-rated cookbook for older kids & teens is a must-buy. Classic recipes from mac & cheese to fun new things to discover like meatball pizza or fruit crumb bars.
5 - MasterChef Junior Cookbook
- 100+ gourmet-level recipes
- Ages 13+
- Great for teens & those already with cooking experience
- Mostly main courses and desserts
- 2K 4+ star ratings
This was the first cookbook I bought my kids. We loved the show and the kids are so talented. This cookbook is not just stunning but has amazing recipes that are a bit more gourmet & will take your kids to the next level in the kitchen. Adults will love these recipes too! A win for everyone in the family.
6 - The How-To Cookbook for Teens
- 100+ yummy recipes
- Ages 12+
- Everything from breakfast to dinner & dessert
- Cooking hacks & terminology included
- Space to write notes
- 4K 4-star reviews
This simple cookbook is great for tweens & teens. The recipes are easy to follow plus the book is loaded with tips, kitchen skills, & how-to ideas.
7 - The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook
- 150+ recipes
- Ages 10+
- Best cookbook for kids & teens with autism or ADHD
- Great recipes for those with special needs, diets, & allergies
- 350+ pages of recipes, diet tips, & health information
- 600+ satisfied customer reviews
These recipes are great to cook for and make with special diets and allergies. It includes gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, SCD, GAPS, & LOD diets. Ideal for those on the spectrum for autism, ADHD, or other health issues due to food intolerances. With ADHD in our family, these recipes are tasty, healthy, & helpful for a successful lifestyle.
8 - The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs
- Another #1 NY Times bestseller by America's Test Kitchen
- Ages 10+
- 150+ sweet & savory recipes
- Everything from muffins to pizza to cupcakes
- Stunning photos & fantastic recipes
- 10K+ great customer reviews
For the little baker in your home, this is the #1 top-rated cookbook. Made by the same chefs & writers from the popular tv show & magazine, America's Test Kitchen. The recipes are easy to follow & knowing that 1000s of kids tested these before publication means kids will have a lot of success. Great for holiday baking!
9 - The Vegan Cookbook for Kids
- Great plant-based recipes for kids & teens
- Ages 8+
- 50 Easy recipes & lovely photos for vegetarians & vegans
- Tasty dips, snacks, desserts, & dinner ideas
- Best-Selling vegan cookbook on Amazon
The simplicity of the ingredients needed for most of these recipes is what I love about this vegan cookbook. Any family with small kids or teens will love these plant-based recipes. It also includes tips like learning to measure accurately & discussing commonly used kitchen tools. Whether you are practicing veganism or are a meat-eater, the variety of satisfying recipes will make anyone happy.
10- Kids Cook Gluten-Free
- 65+ gluten-free recipes that are kid-approved
- Ages 10+
- Great for those with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity
- Easy-to-follow recipes & pretty photos
- Amazon editor's pick
This is more than just a cookbook for those needing to cook without gluten. There are brand recommendations, kitchen terms & tips, plus some health information. I love the variety it offers from classics like mac & cheese to adventuresome sushi bowls.
Buying Guide & Current Prices
Here are the cookbooks reviewed here today. Buy them today & find out the latest prices, and reader reviews, & preview them for yourself. All of these are fantastic & you will be glad you grabbed these parent-approved cookbooks for children.
Easy Recipes Kids Can Make
Here are some great recipes found here on the blog that my kids love to cook, make, & bake. Your kids will love these easy ones too. I have a whole section of kid favorites too.
Final Notes
I hope you found a book or three to buy for the young chefs in your home. Buy one to learn some new tips & recipes with the kids during the school break over summer vacation.
These make great gifts for birthdays, holidays, & any special occasion. While you are at it buy a few nonfiction books or biographies from the top chefs for yourself.
Robin Black says
My mom gave me the Betty Crocker Boys and Girls cookbook when I was young and I still have it and I still make recipes from it. It is great to start kids early when the really want to help.
Angela says
That is lovely. I have a few cookbooks since I was a teen - they are well loved & a few are "taped up" but still great.