Kid-Friendly French Food: 8 Irresistible Dishes to Introduce French Flavors

Every parent has been there: sitting at the dining room table, pleading with their child to take another bite of dinner, only to be met with forcible headshakes and a resounding “no.” 

You want your child to experience new foods, flavors, and textures. You also know they need variety in their diet to maintain optimal nutrition. But none of that changes the fact that when you place an unfamiliar dish in front of your child, you might encounter an epic standoff that can end in a tantrum. 

Try introducing your child to kid-friendly foreign foods before moving on to more mature dishes. Take French cuisine, for example. Plenty of French dishes for kids can appeal to younger, more sensitive palates. It makes sense to start with those before diving into more adventurous and unconventional options like escargot, foie gras, or fromage de tete. 

Let’s explore a few of the top kid-friendly French foods your little ones will surely enjoy.

8 Delicious French Dishes for Kids

Every culture has long-established children’s recipes. These homemade dishes, passed down from one generation to the next, aren’t just familiar — they’re part of a shared childhood experience. 

In Italy, it’s pasta with olive oil and parmesan. In Germany, it’s potato pancakes or schnitzel. Here are 10 examples of typical kids French food:

1.  Croque Monsieur

The grilled cheese sandwich is a cherished classic American dish for children. Chances are, your kids already know it and ask for it regularly, so you’ll be happy to learn France has its own version of this simple, scrumptious meal. It’s called a croque monsieur and unlike its American counterpart, it features ham and a luscious, creamy bechamel sauce. Think of it as a slightly elevated version of the fan favorite! It’s familiar enough not to be off-putting to your little ones and delicious enough to become their new top request. 

2.  Quiche Lorraine

Do your children scamper to the breakfast table at the mere mention of scrambled eggs or omelets? If so, there’s a good chance they’ll love Quiche Lorraine. It’s a savory French tart known for its golden crust filled with creamy eggs, smoky bacon, tangy Swiss cheese, and delicate onions. You can describe it to your kids as a “French breakfast pie” or, if that doesn’t work, just emphasize that it has bacon!

3.  Ratatouille

Not all French recipes for kids have a Disney movie dedicated to them, but this one does. If your little ones are familiar with the film, getting them to sample the dish is bound to be an easier sell, but even if they haven’t, the sweet, vibrant tomato sauce and bubbling cheese should do the trick. 

This dish is packed with vegetables, so your little ones will also get a ton of nutritional value with every bite. If it’s a hit, it will make a great French lunch food for kids that’s fast to heat up the next day.

4.  Crepes with Nutella or Fruit

Interested in quick and easy French recipes for kids? You can never go wrong with crepes. Similar to pancakes, you can customize them with toppings to suit your child’s taste. From rich, chocolatey Nutella to the citrus pop of lemon and sugar or whipped cream and berries for a whimsical spin, crepes are the ultimate kid-friendly French food.

5.  Croissants

Croissants are buttery, flaky, and fluffy. Plus, they’re a smart choice for parents seeking easy French foods for school. You can buy them at your local bakery or grocery store and use them to make sandwiches. Try filling yours with egg salad for breakfast, sliced cheese and prosciutto for a simple lunch, or a BLT with avocado for a heartier spin.

6.  French Toast

Do your kids enjoy French toast? In French, it’s called “pain perdu,” and it’s a popular morning dish for adults and kids alike. To make it, slices of bread are dunked in a mixture of eggs and milk, then cooked until they’re crispy on the outside but soft and custardy on the inside. 

Want to know the best part? You can get creative with how you serve them! Indulge a sweet tooth with maple syrup or a combination of whipped cream and strawberries. The options are endless!

7.  Cheese Fondue 

Kids love to dip and dunk their food, and that’s why cheese fondue is a top contender as the best French food for kids. There’s a whole world of foods out there waiting to be drenched in ooey, gooey goodness, like bread, apple slices, broccoli, bell peppers, and sausage. Plus, picky eaters get to choose what they dip, making it a fun and interactive experience. 

8.  Madeleines

Madeleines are miniature butter cakes that are traditionally served plain or coated in lemon and sugar. Their small, shell-shaped form makes them an ideal lunchbox treat, so if you’ve been looking for easy French recipes for school, look no further. To make madeleines, whisk eggs and sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Then fold in flour, melted butter, and lemon zest. Chill the batter, then spoon into molds. Bake until golden and springy.

This is just a starting place to explore the best French cuisine for kids. The rest is up to you! Remember, exposing your child to different foods, including ones they may have previously rejected is important. Try including a variety of colors, textures, and flavors on their plate. It may take multiple attempts before they’re willing to give it a try, so be patient and persistent. Eventually, they’ll begin to welcome more kid-friendly French foods into their diet.

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