Top 10 Dairy Foods Kids Love

For centuries, milk has had the coveted position of being the perfect food. It is nature’s best gift as it contains all the essential nutrients required to maintain good health. From being the first food an infant consumes to being a vital ingredient in many culinary delights, milk and milk products have become an irreplaceable part of one’s daily diet. 

Let’s take a look at what it is that makes this ‘liquid white gold’ the main special ingredient in many milk-based dishes!

Include Dairy Products And Milk In Children’s Diet

First, let’s understand the basic contents of milk. Milk is approximately 87% water and 13% solids (fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals). This ideal ratio of contents is what makes milk a complete and wholesome food item! 

Milk and all the dairy products that are derived from milk are well-known sources of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals, inclusive of vitamin D and calcium. Casein is a protein that is found solely in milk, and it contains all the vital amino acids. Calcium is important for bone strength, and vitamin D is required for calcium absorption. Hence, the consumption of milk and milk products is essential for being healthy and active. The richest sources of calcium include milk, cheese, and yoghurt. 

These macro and micronutrients are essential at all stages of life. However, these are vital for growing children as their young bodies require high amounts of proteins and other nutrients. Children ought to drink at least 2-3 cups of milk a day to remain healthy.

However, not all kids love milk. Top 10s Only has compiled the recipes of the Top 10 Dairy Foods Kids Love. These awesome recipes are designed to ensure that your little ones have adequate amounts of dairy incorporated into their diet with minimal fuss! 

Top 10 Dairy Foods Kids Love

1. Mango Smoothie

2. Cookie Butter Ice Cream

3. Banana Pudding

4. Grilled Cheese Sandwich

5. No-Bake Coconut Cream Pie

6. Peach Ice Cream

7. Cheesy Pizza

8. Red Velvet Trifle Cake

9. Blueberry Pancakes

10. Cream and Strawberries Mini Jar Pies

1. Mango Smoothie

Mango Smoothie is one of the best kid-friendly, easy recipes that use milk as the main ingredient. This is a perfect high-protein drink for growing children.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

Serves: 2 (250 ml each)

Ingredients for Mango Smoothie

Milk: 2 cups

Mango pieces: 1 cup

Honey: 1 tbsp

Fresh turmeric (grated): ¼ tsp

Fresh ginger (grated): ¼ tsp

How to make Mango Smoothie

1. Mix all the ingredients in a blender and blend it till it is smooth and serve instantly. 

2. Cookie Butter Ice Cream

Who doesn’t love ice cream? Try out these delicious recipes for kids’ desserts! The bonus point of this cool recipe is that it’s made with milk, so it’s really healthy!

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time: 0

Serves: 6 (250ml each)

Ingredients for Cookie Butter Ice Cream

Full cream (whole) milk: 2 cups

Sugar: 1 cup

Whipping cream (heavy): 2 cups

Vanilla essence: 1 ½ tbsp

Cookie butter (can be substituted with Biscoff spread)-1 cup (divided)

Cookies: 10 (crushed)

How to make Cookie Butter Ice Cream

1. Combine milk and sugar in a big bowl and microwave for a minute. After removing it, stir it until the sugar dissolves.
2. Whisk whipping cream into milk and sugar, followed by vanilla essence.
3. In a small microwave, the bowl keeps cookie butter and cookie for 45 seconds.
4. Pour half the melted cookie butter into the ice cream base and whisk to incorporate.
5. Pour this mixture into an ice cream maker container and freeze it.
6. Take a freezer-safe container with a lid and spread 2 tbsp of crushed cookies to form the base layer. Scoop out one-third of the ice cream, dollop a few tablespoons of melted cookie butter, swirl into ice cream and again spread crushed cookies followed by ice cream. Repeat until the crushed cookies are finished. 
7. Cover with a lid and freeze it overnight or for 4 hours.
8. Serve the delicious ice cream in an ice cream bowl. You can’t keep your spoon out of the bowl.

3. Banana Pudding

This easy-to-make pudding recipe makes a perfect milk-based dish that can be served at any time of the year. It’s guaranteed to be your kids’ favourite dessert!

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Baking Time: 10-15 minutes

Serves: 8

Ingredients for Banana Pudding

Bananas (ripe): 4 -5 nos

Eggs (large): 4

Sugar: 1 cup

Milk -3 cups

Cornstarch: 3 tbsp

Vanilla essence: 2 tsp

Cream of tartar: ¼ tsp

Vanilla wafer cookies: 45 

Sugar: 3tbsp

Salt: as required

How to make Banana Pudding

1. The oven needs to be preheated to 375⁰ C.
2. Egg whites and yolk should be separated. 
3. In a medium-sized saucepan, add 1 cup sugar, salt, and cornstarch and whisk until all the ingredients are mixed well. To this mixture, add milk.
4. Whisk in the egg yolks gradually. Cook on a medium flame for about 10-12 minutes. Whisk constantly until the pudding thickens. 
5. Remove from the flame and mix vanilla essence and let it cool.
6. In another bowl, beat egg whites using an electric mixer until frothy. Add 3 tbsp sugar and cream of tartar and beat continuously till stiff peaks are formed. Keep it aside.
7. Peel the bananas and slice them into 1/3 inch thickness.
8. In an oven-safe dish, evenly place a layer of vanilla wafers at the bottom, followed by sliced bananas and half of the pudding. Repeat this process until the layers end with the sliced bananas.
9. Using a spatula, spread the egg white mixture completely on top of the pudding and make small peaks here and there.
10. Bake for 10-15 minutes till the top layer is golden brown in colour. Let it cool for 30 minutes, and then serve warm or chill for an hour and serve cold.

4. Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Kids love snacks, and the best milk-based snack out there is the Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Let’s see how an all-time favourite snack can be made in a healthier way for children. Let your kids join you in helping to prepare this kid-friendly dish. 

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients for Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Bread: 4 slices

Mozzarella cheese: 4 slices (can be substituted with ¾ cup of grated cheese) 

Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp 

Chilli flakes: ½ tsp

Black pepper (crushed): ½ tsp 

Oregano or Italian herbs: ½ tsp 

How to make Grilled Cheese Sandwich

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium flame.
2. Butter each bread slice on both sides and place these on the heated skillet.
3. Flip and toast the bread till it turns golden. 
4. Place the cheese slice on the hot bread.
5. Sprinkle the spices and herbs over the cheese slice and cover with the other grilled bread.
6. Flip over the sandwich and grill on low to medium heat. 
7. Remove the sandwich when the cheese begins to melt from the sides. Cut the sandwich into triangular halves. This delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwich is now ready to be served.

5. No-Bake Coconut Cream Pie

This Coconut Cream Pie recipe is a sure winner in any milk-based desserts list! This is a refreshing southern dessert that can be enjoyed by everyone, including children.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serves: 8

Ingredients for No-Bake Coconut Cream Pie

Pie crust (refrigerated): 500gm

Sugar: ½ cup

Coconut cream:  ½ cup

Cornstarch: ¼ cup

Milk: 1 ½ cup 

Egg yolk: 4 nos

Salt: ¼ tsp

Shredded coconut (sweetened): 1 cup

Vanilla extract: 1 tsp

Whipping cream (heavy): 2 cups

Sugar (powdered): 2 tbsp

Coconut extract: 1 tbsp

How to make No-Bake Coconut Cream Pie

1. Place one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate, fold the edges and crimp. Prick the pie crust with a fork at the bottom and sides. Bake the crust following the package instructions for a one-crust pie. Keep it aside and cool.
2. Add sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan and stir well. Heat them on a medium flame and add milk and coconut cream and stir well so that the custard doesn’t burn at the bottom. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Once the bubble comes, remove it from the flame. 
3. The egg yolk needs to be tempered by serving a spoon of warm custard into the egg yolks while stirring to mix well.
4. Pour this mixture into the saucepan along with the remaining custard and keep them on a medium flame for about 2-3 minutes till it is thickened. Whisk continuously while you cook this mixture to avoid lump formation.
5. Add vanilla extract and half of the shredded coconut and stir well after removing from the flame. 
6. Transfer the entire content into a bowl, and using plastic wrap, cover the custard. This will prevent skin formation over the custard. Now refrigerate for 2 hours.
7. Meanwhile, beat whipping cream, coconut extract, and powdered sugar in a bowl using an electric mixer at high speed for 3-4 minutes until firm peaks are formed. Now cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate till the required time.
8. Toast the remaining shredded coconut in a skillet on a medium flame for 4-5 minutes. It shall turn light brown with a good aroma.
9. Now it’s time to set up the pie. Spread a spoonful of custard mixture on the pie crust to form an even layer. Top it with whipped cream and toasted shredded coconut. 
10. This can be served instantly or refrigerated and used when needed.

6. Peach Ice Cream

What can be better than a kid-based recipe that incorporates the goodness of milk combined with the nutritious value of fruits! Try out this Peach Ice Cream recipe and watch your kids’ faces light up instantly! Note: An ice cream maker machine will be required for this recipe.

Preparation time: 35 minutes 

Cooking time: 0

Serves: 5

Ingredients for Peach Ice Cream

Peaches (peeled and chopped): 3 cups

Sugar (granulated): 1 ½ cups

Milk (whole): 2 cups

Cream (heavy): 1 ½ cups

Vanilla essence: 1 ½ tbsp

Lemon juice (fresh): 1 tbsp

Salt: ½ tsp

How to make Peach Ice Cream

1. Peel the peaches and remove the core and roughly chop them.
2. Mix them well in a bowl with ½ cup sugar and lemon juice. Set aside for 1 hour.
3. In a medium bowl, mix milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla for 2 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved.
4. Add this mixture to peaches and combine well. Pour this into an ice cream maker container and freeze it, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Homemade peach ice cream is ready to serve.

7. Cheesy Pizza

It’s pizza time! Kids love pizzas, and this healthy pizza recipe is going to ensure that your little ones get all the nutrients they need from this tasty dairy-based pizza recipe! For additional ideas, try out these Top 10 Pizza Toppings You’ll Love!

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients for Cheesy Pizza

Cream cheese (softened): 250gm

Parmesan cheese (freshly grated): ½ cup

Eggs: 2

Pizza sauce or marinara sauce: ½ cup

Basil (fresh): 1 tsp

Oregano (fresh): 1 tsp

Garlic (minced): 1 clove

Ricotta cheese (whole milk): ½ cup

Mozzarella (shredded): 1 cup

Pepperoni slices (miniature): ½ cup

Mushroom (sliced): ¼ cup

Yellow capsicum (chopped): ¼ cup

Black olives (cut into half): ¼ cup

Garnish Ingredients

Fresh parsley (chopped)

Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)

Red pepper flakes (crushed)

How to make Cheesy Pizza

1. The oven should be preheated to 350⁰ C.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until creamy. Add the eggs and whip them until smooth. Fold in the parmesan cheese.
3. Grease a baking pan, spread this mixture evenly, and bake until set or for about 12-15 minutes. Then cool for 10 minutes.
4.  In a small bowl, mix pizza sauce, oregano, basil, and garlic. Spread it over the pizza crust and dollop ricotta cheese over the sauce. Then top with cheese blend (use half the portion) and pepperoni. Now spread the bell peppers, mushrooms and olives. Again top with the remaining pepperoni and cheese mixture.
5. Meanwhile, the oven temperature needs to be raised to 400⁰ C. Bake this mixture for 15 minutes and grill for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Keep it aside and cool for 5 minutes. Garnish as desired.
6. Cut into slices, and this crustless cheesy pizza is ready to serve.

8. Red Velvet Trifle Cake

This Red Velvet Trifle Cake recipe is a heavenly dessert that is bound to get kids excited! This is definitely one of the best dairy-based dessert recipes. 

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients for Red Velvet Trifle Cake

Red velvet cake mix: 1 box

Buttermilk (whole): 1 cup

Eggs: 3 nos

Cream cheese (softened): 8 oz

Butter (softened): 4 tbsp

Sugar (powdered): 1 cup

Vegetable oil: ½ cup

Hot chocolate whipped cream: 1 batch

Heavy whipping cream: 16 oz

Dark chocolate mix: 4 packets

Vanilla extract: 2 tbsp

How to make Red Velvet Trifle Cake

1. The oven should be preheated to 350⁰ C.
2. Combine cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and water in a large bowl. Beat them until mixed well.
3. Grease the baking tray and pour this mixture and bake following the instructions given on the box.
4. In another bowl, mix cream cheese and butter using an electric mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat them along. Keep them aside.

How to make hot chocolate whipped cream

1. In a glass bowl, beat the whipping cream using an electric mixer till it forms soft peaks.
2. Add hot dark chocolate and vanilla extract and continue beating until stiff peaks are formed. It can be used instantly or covered and refrigerated for later usage.
3. Into the cream cheese mixture, gently fold the hot chocolate whipped cream. Cover this mixture and refrigerate until the time of use.
4. To set up a trifle, at the bottom of the jar, arrange a layer of cake pieces followed by a whipped cream mix. Repeat the layer formation until all the cake pieces are used, and end with whipped cream frosting.
5. Garnish with chocolate shavings or chopped chocolate pieces or strawberries if desired.

Red velvet trifle cake is ready to serve. Enjoy the delicious dessert!

9. Blueberry Pancakes

Looking for easy milk recipes for breakfast? Look no further than this simple yet yummy recipe for blueberry pancakes drenched in sweet syrup!

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 8 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients for Blueberry Pancakes

All-purpose flour: 1 cup

Reduced-fat milk or skimmed milk: 1 cup

Cornmeal: 2 tbsp

Egg (beaten): 1 no

Sugar (granulated): 1 tbsp

Baking powder: 1 ½ tsp

Cinnamon (ground): ¼ tsp

Salt: ¼ tsp

Cooking oil: 2 tbsp

Blueberries (fresh or frozen): 1 cup

Maple syrup or maple-flavoured syrup or powdered sugar (sifted): optional

How to make Blueberry Pancakes

1. Mix all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, cornmeal, baking powder and cinnamon in a medium bowl and make a well in the centre of the flour and keep it aside.
2. In another bowl, combine egg, cooking oil and milk. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture and stir until moistened. Gently fold in the blueberries into this. 
3. Heat a greased heavy skillet and pour ¼ cup of this batter onto this. Cook for 2 minutes on medium flame until the pancakes are golden brown on one side.
4. Turn over the other side when the edges are dry, and bubbles appear on the surface and cook till done.
5. Serve hot with maple syrup or powdered sugar sprinkled on the pancakes.

10. Cream and Strawberries Mini Jar Pies

In our quest for good health, we often look for nutritious dishes with milk as the main ingredient. This Cream and Strawberries Mini Jar Pies recipe is guaranteed to be healthy as well as scrumptious!

Preparation time:  25 minutes

Cooking time:  20 minutes

Serves: 10

Ingredients for Cream and Strawberries Mini Jar Pies

Chocolate graham cracker sheets:  7 

Milk: 2 ¼ cups

Sugar: 1/3 cup +1 tbsp

Butter (unsalted, melted): 2 tbsp

Cornstarch: 3 tbsp

Egg (large): 1

Cream cheese: 2 oz

Vanilla extract: 1 tsp

Strawberries (diced): 1 ½ cups

Chocolate chips (semi-sweet): ¼ cup

Water: 1 tbsp

Salt: 1/8 tsp

How to make Cream and Strawberries Mini Jar Pies

Method of preparation:

1. The oven should be preheated to 350⁰ C.
2. Using a food processor bowl, pound the graham crackers until it becomes coarse pieces. Now add 1 tbsp sugar, water, and melted butter and pound for 1 minute. Now put 1 heaping tbsp of this mixture in each of the mini pie jars. Press them evenly and firmly. Keep this on the baking tray and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and keep it aside for cooling.  
3. In a medium bowl, add the remaining sugar, salt, cornstarch, and egg and mix them well. 
4. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add milk and heat on medium flame. Do not boil. Cook until tiny bubbles appear around the edges of the saucepan. 
5. Add ½ cup of hot milk to the egg mixture and whisk until softened. Gradually add the egg mixture and sugar to the milk by stirring constantly. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the mixture is thick and bubbly.
6. Remove from the flame and add cream cheese and vanilla while stirring. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Transfer the content into a zip lock bag and freeze for an hour.
7. Fill this cream mixture evenly into the crust-lined mini jars and top it with diced strawberries. 
8. Melt the chocolate in a microwave bowl for 30 seconds. Stir and continue for 30 seconds more. Drizzle this over the pies using a spoon.

The filling can be made and refrigerated for up to 2 days and served with fresh strawberries and melted chocolate when needed. 

Above mentioned are some of the dairy delicacies your kids will surely enjoy. Remember to incorporate these recipes into your daily routine based on your child’s taste. Let them consume essential nutrients and achieve optimal growth.

Looking for more healthy recipes? Try out the recipes listed in the Top 10 Best Steamed Foods In The World.