05/01/2024

Great vegan recipes for kids

We’re all feeling a little weary from the over-indulgence during the festive period that we’re quite relieved that it’s now Veganuary!

It doesn’t have to be a time of total austerity though with these fab vegan comfort food ideas. We’ve done the legwork to find you the best vegan recipes for kids.

Vegan Pizza

Ingredients

For the pizza dough

• 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 tsp dried yeast
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 1 ½ tbsp olive oil, plus extra

For the tomato sauce

• 100ml passata
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried oregano)
• 1 garlic clove, crushed

For the topping

• 200g vegan mozzarella-style cheese,grated
• 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
• Fresh basil or oregano leaves, chilli oil and vegan parmesan to serve (optional)

Method

1. Put the flour, yeast and sugar in a large bowl. Measure 150ml of cold water and 150ml boiling water into a jug and mix them together. Add the oil and 1 tsp salt to the warm water then pour it over the flour. Stir well with a spoon then start to knead the mixture together in the bowl until it forms a soft and slightly sticky dough. If it’s too dry add a splash of cold water.
2. Dust a little flour on the work surface and knead the dough for 10 mins. Put it back in the mixing bowl and cover with cling film greased with a few drops of olive oil. Leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr or until doubled in size.
3. Heat oven to 220C/200C/gas 9 and put a baking sheet or pizza stone on the top shelf to heat up. Once the dough has risen, knock it back by punching it a couple of times with your fist then kneading it again on a floured surface. It should be springy and a lot less sticky. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.
4. Put all the ingredients for the tomato sauce together in a bowl, season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar if you like and mix well. Set aside until needed.
5. Divide the dough into 2 or 4 pieces, shape into balls and flatten each piece out as thin as you can get it with a rolling pin or using your hands. Make sure the dough is well dusted with flour to stop it sticking. Dust another baking sheet with flour then put a pizza base on top – spread 4-5 tbsp of the tomato sauce on top and add some sliced tomatoes and grated vegan cheese. Drizzle with a little olive oil and bake in the oven on top of your preheated baking tray for 10-12 mins or until the base is puffed up and the vegan cheese has melted and is bubbling and golden in patches.
6. Repeat with the rest of the dough and topping. Serve the pizzas with fresh basil leaves or chilli oil if you like and sprinkle over vegan parmesan just after baking.

Get these original recipe from BBC Good Food here.

Vegan Burger

Ingredients

• 1 x 400 g tin of chickpeas
• 1 x 340 g tin of sweetcorn
• ½ a bunch of fresh coriander
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 lemon
• 3 heaped tablespoons plain flour , plus extra for dusting
  rapeseed oil
• 1 small round lettuce
• 2 large ripe tomatoes
• Tomato ketchup
• 4 wholemeal burger buns

Method

1. Drain the chickpeas and sweetcorn, then tip into a food processor. Pick the coriander leaves, adding half the leaves and all the stalks to the processor.
2. Add the spices, flour and a pinch of sea salt, finely grate in the lemon zest, then pulse until combined, but not smooth – you want to retain a bit of texture.
3. On a flour-dusted surface, divide and shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties, roughly 2cm thick. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
4. Heat a splash of oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the patties and cook for 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through, turning halfway. Meanwhile, click off, wash and spin-dry four nice lettuce leaves, then finely slice the tomatoes horizontally.
5. Squeeze a large dollop of ketchup onto the base of each bun (toast them if you like), then top with the burgers. Layer over a couple of slices of tomato, a lettuce leaf, a few coriander leaves and finally the burger tops. Delicious served with a fresh green salad.

 Get the original Jamie Oliver recipe here.

Vegan Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• ½ tsp coffe granules
• 80g vegan margarine, plus extra for greasing 
• 125g self-raising flour
• 70g ground almonds
• 50g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 250g golden caster sugar
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Heat the oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3½. Grease and line a 20cm square tin with baking parchment. Combine the flaxseed with 6 tbsp water and set aside for at least 5 mins.Heat oven to 180°
2. In a saucepan, melt 120g chocolate, the coffee and margarine with 60ml water on a low heat. Allow to cool slightly.
3. Put the flour, almonds, cocoa, baking powder and ¼ tsp salt in a bowl and stir to remove any lumps. Using a hand whisk, mix the sugar into the melted chocolate mixture, and beat well until smooth and glossy, ensuring all the sugar is well dissolved. Stir in the flaxseed mixture, vanilla extract and remaining chocolate, then the flour mixture. Spoon into the prepared tin.
4. Bake for 35-45 mins until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean with moist crumbs. Allow to cool in the tin completely, then cut into squares. Store in an airtight container and eat within three days.

Get these original recipes from BBC Good Food here.

We hope you and your kids enjoy these delicious vegan recipes.