Kids Braai Food Ideas

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It is often that children are last on the list when it comes to planning a braai, but here is some braai food for kids that are very quick and can can be put together to make kids smile, and they don’t have to be red Viennas in buns.

We’ve put together some fun recipes that we know kids will love, but perhaps today is not the day to go healthy… Try our braai food for kids at your next braai.

Cheese and ham quesadillas with homemade tomato sauce

Kids do sometimes prefer simple ingredients that they can easily identify. These quesadillas can be prepared early, and the sauce can be made up to three days before.

• Wraps
• Cheese, grated
• Ham, sliced
• Cream cheese

Sandwich cheese and ham between two wraps, each spread with cream cheese to keep all the filling in. Add any freshly chopped herbs that your children may like. Place them on a braai grill to cook until the cheese is melted and the outsides are grilled golden on both sides. Cut into pizza shapes and serve with tomato sauce.

Fresh tomato sauce

• 2 tins Italian-style Roma tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon (1 packet) tomato paste
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• Handful fresh basil, chopped
• Olive oil

Add about 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a saucepan and add the onion. Sauté on low for 5 minutes, until soft. Add garlic, tomatoes and basil. Cover and cook for 30 minutes. Blend mixture with a stick blender and simmer for a further 20 minutes or so, until thick.

Smore’s cones

• Sugar cones
• Marshmallows
• Raspberries or strawberries
• Chocolate chips
• Aluminium foil

Stuff the cones with marshmallows, raspberries and chocolate chips. Wrap the cones in aluminium foil, covering them completely. Place on the grill for a few minutes on each side to heat up and melt the marshmallows.

Monte Christo grilled sandwich

This simplified version of the Croque Monsieur sandwich served in French cafés is a savoury sweet combo that kids (and adults) will love. Add these to the braai sarmie list at your next braai, it’s one of our favourite braai foods for kids.

• Sliced bread
• Sliced ham
• Sliced cheese (traditionally made with Gruyère, but this may be a bit strong for young children, so rather use gouda or cheddar) Dijon mustard
• Raspberry jam
• Icing sugar
• Butter

Make up the sandwiches with the butter, ham, cheese and mustard. Place on the grill to braai for a few minutes on each side, until the cheese has melted. Dust with icing sugar and serve with raspberry jam. Alternatively, you can go a step further and dip the sandwiches in beaten egg, as you would for French toast, before you place them on the grill.

Pineapple and chicken skewers

4 deboned chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1 pineapple, peeled and chopped into chunks
Skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Marinade

• ½ cup pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Pepper

Mix together the ingredients for the marinade. Thread the chicken and pineapple onto the skewers, alternating between the two. Soak in the marinade for at least an hour, or overnight. On a medium-heat grill, cook the skewers, turning often until the chicken is cooked through. Constantly brush the marinade over the skewers while you are cooking. Note: For the adults, add some chilli flakes to the marinade.

Fruit salad popsicles

Summer popsicles that can be customised to the individual tastes of picky kids (or picky adults), including all your favourite fruits and are perfect as a braai food for kids.

A selection of summer fruit – we used kiwis, strawberries and blueberries
Fruit juice

Simply slice each piece of fruit into thin pieces and layer in a popsicle mould, pushing the fruits outwards to the edge of the mould so they are visible. To fill the mould, pour in a fruit juice like litchi or apple, or even lemonade, and place in the freezer until set.

Chocolate Rice Krispy treats

4 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup desiccated coconut
250g butter, melted
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup icing sugar
Paper cases

Mix together butter, cocoa powder and icing sugar. Mix into the Rice Krispies and coconut until well coated. Spoon into paper cases that have been placed in a muffin tin to maintain their shape. Allow to set in the fridge for an hour.