About Us

Welcome to Kiddo Cooks, Where Little Hands Create Big Flavors! Learn about us, our creator, and his passion for cooking with his own children.

Welcome to Kiddo Cooks, your go-to destination where the heart of the family meets the joy of cooking! At the helm is Brendan Roe, a father who’s passionate about culinary creations and creating unforgettable moments in the kitchen with his three young children. Kiddo Cooks is more than a food blog; it’s a celebration of family, food, and the beautiful chaos that comes from combining the two.

Brendan, while not formally trained in the culinary arts, is a self-taught cook whose real expertise comes from his adventures in cooking with his children. He firmly believes that the kitchen is the heart of the home, not only for preparing meals but for preparing young minds for life. It’s a place where measurements teach math, ingredients teach science, and meals teach about culture and family traditions. For Brendan, each recipe is an opportunity to bond, to share, and to create lasting memories with his children.

The inception of Kiddo Cooks was inspired by Brendan’s personal experiences in the kitchen: the successes, the messes, and everything in between. He wanted to create a platform to share these moments with other parents who wish to foster a similar bond with their children. Thus, Kiddo Cooks offers an extensive collection of kid-friendly recipes that cater to all meals of the day and special occasions. Kiddo Cooks has everything from nutritious breakfasts that kickstart the day on a high note to snacks that turn into fun educational moments, imaginative dinners, and celebratory treats.

But what makes Kiddo Cooks stand out is its emphasis on the joy of cooking together. Each recipe is carefully crafted with little hands in mind, ensuring that children can actively participate in the cooking process, whether it’s stirring the batter, shaping dough, or decorating cupcakes. Brendan believes that these shared moments in the kitchen are crucial for building culinary skills and life skills such as teamwork, patience, and creativity.

Furthermore, Kiddo Cooks is more than just recipes—it’s a vibrant community. It’s a place where parents can share their own tales from the kitchen, exchange tips for making cooking with kids easier and more fun, and even share the occasional kitchen disaster with a laugh. Brendan encourages this sharing, believing every family has a unique flavor and stories worth telling.

Join us at Kiddo Cooks, where you’ll be welcomed with open arms into Brendan Roe’s kitchen and heart. Whether you’re a culinary expert looking to involve your kids in the cooking process or a beginner eager to create your first family meal, there’s something here for you. Together, let’s don our aprons, gather our little sous chefs, and embark on a culinary journey filled with discovery, learning, and love. With Kiddo Cooks, every meal is an opportunity to nourish the body, mind, and soul. So, let’s stir up some fun, one delicious recipe at a time, and turn the kitchen into a playground of joyous moments and tasty adventures.


Kiddo Cooks

Join us on this mouthwatering adventure, and let’s create kitchen stories that will be cherished for generations.

About Us and Our Recipe Creation Process

At Kiddo Cooks, our recipe creation process is as much about imagination and fun as it is about nutrition and taste. We start with a simple question: “What do kids love?” From there, our journey to crafting the perfect kid-friendly recipe begins with a sprinkle of creativity, curiosity, and a lot of love.

The brainstorming sessions at Kiddo Cooks are a whirlwind of ideas where no ingredient is too whimsical and no combination is too out there. We think about the foods that bring joy to little faces—whether it’s the creamy texture of peanut butter, the sweet burst of a ripe berry, or the satisfying crunch of a fresh carrot. Our goal is to incorporate these beloved ingredients into dishes that appeal to kids’ taste buds and invite them to explore new flavors and textures.

Once we’ve gathered our ideas, the real fun begins with kitchen testing! This step is crucial and possibly the most delightful part of our process. With the help of our in-house taste testers (a.k.a. our children), we cook up the newly imagined recipes to see if they’re as enjoyable to eat as they were to dream up. It’s not just about whether a dish tastes good; it’s about whether it brings out those wide-eyed expressions of surprise and delight. We observe, ask for honest feedback (kids are great at this!), and note what works and what could be improved.

About Us

This hands-on testing phase is where we ensure that our recipes are not just kid-approved but also family-friendly. We pay close attention to making sure that the steps are easy to follow and safe for little helpers to participate in. It’s important to us that our recipes encourage bonding in the kitchen, allowing kids to get involved in everything from mixing and pouring to shaping and decorating under the watchful eyes of their grown-ups.

This process taught us that the best recipes often come from the most unexpected ideas. A seemingly odd combination might turn into a household favorite, and an ingredient we thought was a long shot could end up being the star of the show. Our recipe blog is a testament to the magic that happens when you bring curious minds and hungry tummies together in the kitchen.

So, when you browse through our collection at Kiddo Cooks, know that each recipe was born from a blend of creativity, experimentation, and a genuine love for making cooking with kids an adventure. We hope our recipes inspire your family to create delicious memories together, one fun and tasty meal at a time. Welcome to our world of culinary exploration, where the only limit is how far your imagination can take you!

Disclaimer

I just wanted to let you know that some of the links on this resource page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, I only recommend products and services that I personally use and love. Your support through these links helps me continue to create valuable content and keep this blog running. I appreciate your support!


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All of our unique recipes have a link within them to InstaCart, where they will automatically add the ingredients needed to make them! Follow this link to receive $10 off your first purchase: InstaCart.

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Follow this link – Kitchen Gear – to find all of the items you and your children need to get started in the kitchen.


Essential Resources for Food Bloggers

Welcome to our comprehensive resource page for food bloggers! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your blog to the next level, we’ve compiled a list of essential tools and resources to help you succeed. Many of these recommendations include affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog!


1. Website Hosting Platforms

Bluehost

Summary: Bluehost is a popular hosting provider known for its affordability and user-friendly interface, making it an excellent choice for beginners. They offer a free domain for the first year, 24/7 customer support, and one-click WordPress installation. Bluehost’s reliability and performance are well-regarded in the blogging community.

Features:

  • Affordable hosting plans
  • Free domain for the first year
  • 24/7 customer support
  • One-click WordPress installation
  • Reliable performance

Why Choose Bluehost: Bluehost is perfect for beginners due to its ease of use, affordability, and excellent customer support. It’s a great starting point for anyone new to blogging.

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SiteGround

Summary: SiteGround is celebrated for its exceptional performance and security features. It’s a bit pricier than Bluehost, but the added benefits are worth it for more established bloggers. SiteGround offers daily backups, free SSL, and superior customer support.

Features:

  • Exceptional performance and security
  • Daily backups
  • Free SSL certificates
  • Superior customer support
  • Advanced security features

Why Choose SiteGround: SiteGround is ideal for more established bloggers looking for top-notch performance, security, and customer support.

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WP Engine

Summary: WP Engine is a premium managed WordPress hosting service renowned for its speed, reliability, and top-notch customer service. It’s ideal for bloggers who want to ensure their site runs smoothly with minimal downtime. WP Engine also offers advanced security features and daily backups.

Features:

  • Premium managed WordPress hosting
  • Superior speed and reliability
  • Top-notch customer service
  • Advanced security features
  • Daily backups

Why Choose WP Engine: WP Engine is perfect for bloggers who need a high-performance, secure, and reliable hosting solution for their WordPress site.

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HostGator

Summary: HostGator is a well-established web hosting provider known for its affordability, reliability, and robust customer support. It offers a variety of hosting plans to suit different needs, whether you’re just starting out or have an established blog with significant traffic.

Features:

  • Affordable hosting plans
  • 99.9% uptime guarantee
  • User-friendly control panel
  • Scalable hosting options
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Free website builder

Why Choose HostGator: HostGator is ideal for food bloggers due to its combination of affordability, ease of use, and reliable performance. Whether you’re launching your first blog or managing a high-traffic site, HostGator’s features and support can help ensure your success.

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2. Domain Registrars

Namecheap

Summary: Namecheap offers competitive prices and excellent customer service, making it a favorite among bloggers. It provides a straightforward interface for managing domains and additional services like SSL certificates and privacy protection.

Features:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent customer service
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • SSL certificates
  • Privacy protection

Why Choose Namecheap: Namecheap is great for bloggers who want a reliable and affordable domain registrar with excellent customer support.

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GoDaddy

Summary: GoDaddy is one of the most popular domain registrars. It offers a wide range of services, including web hosting, domain registration, and website building tools. Its customer support is accessible 24/7, and it often has great promotions for new customers.

Features:

  • Wide range of services
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Website building tools
  • Regular promotions
  • Easy domain management

Why Choose GoDaddy: GoDaddy is ideal for bloggers who want a comprehensive solution for domain registration, hosting, and website building, backed by strong customer support.

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3. Blogging Platforms

WordPress.org

Summary: WordPress.org is the most widely used blogging platform globally due to its flexibility and vast array of plugins and themes. It’s perfect for bloggers who want full control over their site’s design and functionality.

Features:

  • Highly flexible and customizable
  • Vast array of plugins and themes
  • Full control over site design and functionality
  • Strong community support
  • Regular updates and improvements

Why Choose WordPress.org: WordPress.org is the best choice for bloggers who want complete control and customization options for their website.

Get WordPress


4. Themes and Design

StudioPress

Summary: StudioPress offers a variety of professionally designed themes optimized for WordPress. Their themes are built on the Genesis Framework, known for its speed, security, and SEO-friendliness. StudioPress themes are great for bloggers who want a sleek, modern look for their site.

Features:

  • Professionally designed themes
  • Built on the Genesis Framework
  • SEO-friendly
  • Fast and secure
  • Modern, sleek designs

Why Choose StudioPress: StudioPress is perfect for bloggers looking for professional, high-quality themes that enhance their site’s performance and SEO.

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WPZOOM

Summary: WPZOOM offers a range of premium WordPress themes and plugins tailored to food bloggers. Their products are designed to be visually stunning, highly customizable, and easy to use, helping you create a professional-looking blog without any hassle. With WPZOOM, you can showcase your culinary creations in the best possible light and provide your readers with an exceptional user experience.

Features:

  • Beautiful Themes: Choose from a variety of beautifully designed themes specifically created for food blogs. These themes are responsive, SEO-friendly, and feature-rich.
  • Recipe Card Blocks: Easily create and display recipes with the Recipe Card Blocks plugin, which includes features like ingredient lists, instructions, nutritional information, and more.
  • Customization Options: WPZOOM themes come with powerful customization options, allowing you to tailor your site’s look and feel to match your brand.
  • Visual Customizer: Use the visual customizer to make real-time changes to your site’s design, ensuring your blog looks exactly how you want it.
  • Customer Support: Access WPZOOM’s dedicated support team for help with any issues or questions you may have.
  • Regular Updates: Receive regular updates to ensure your themes and plugins are always up-to-date with the latest WordPress standards.

Why Choose WPZOOM: WPZOOM is ideal for food bloggers who want a professional, attractive, and user-friendly blog. Their themes and plugins are designed to make your content stand out and provide an excellent user experience. With WPZOOM, you can focus on creating delicious recipes while they take care of the technical details.

WPZOOM

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5. Essential Plugins

Rank Math SEO: Your Ultimate SEO Companion

Summary: Rank Math SEO is a powerful WordPress plugin designed to help you optimize your blog for search engines with ease. It’s packed with features that make SEO straightforward, even for beginners. Whether you’re looking to improve your rankings, drive more traffic, or enhance the overall SEO of your site, Rank Math has got you covered.

Features:

  • Easy Setup Wizard: Rank Math’s setup wizard walks you through the process of setting up the plugin on your site, ensuring optimal settings based on your blog’s specific needs.
  • SEO Analysis: Get a comprehensive SEO analysis of your posts and pages with detailed recommendations on how to improve your on-page SEO.
  • Keyword Optimization: Optimize your posts for unlimited keywords and track your keyword rankings.
  • Schema Markup: Implement rich snippets to make your posts stand out in search results.
  • Local SEO: Enhance your local SEO to attract local traffic to your blog.
  • Advanced Redirection Manager: Easily set up redirects and manage broken links to improve your site’s user experience and SEO.
  • Integration with Google Analytics: Connect Rank Math with Google Analytics to get valuable insights into your site’s performance directly from your WordPress dashboard.

Why Choose Rank Math SEO: Rank Math SEO is perfect for food bloggers who want a comprehensive, easy-to-use tool to improve their site’s SEO. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Rank Math simplifies the complexities of SEO, allowing you to focus more on creating great content and less on technical details.

Rank Math

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WP Recipe Maker

Summary: WP Recipe Maker is an excellent plugin for food bloggers. It allows you to display recipes in a user-friendly format with features like ingredient lists, step-by-step instructions, and nutritional information.

Features:

  • User-friendly recipe format
  • Ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions
  • Nutritional information
  • Print-friendly recipes
  • SEO optimized

Why Choose WP Recipe Maker: WP Recipe Maker is perfect for food bloggers who want to present their recipes in a professional, easy-to-read format that enhances user experience.

WP Recipe Maker Plugin

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WPForms

Summary: WPForms is a powerful form builder plugin for WordPress. It’s perfect for creating contact forms, survey forms, and registration forms. WPForms is known for its drag-and-drop builder, making it easy to create beautiful forms in minutes.

Features:

  • Drag-and-drop form builder
  • Pre-built form templates
  • Responsive design
  • Conditional logic
  • Integration with email marketing services

Why Choose WPForms: WPForms is ideal for bloggers who need versatile, easy-to-create forms to engage with their audience and grow their email list.

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6. Cameras and Photography Equipment

Canon EOS Rebel T7i

Summary: The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is a fantastic entry-level DSLR with excellent image quality and a user-friendly interface. It features a 24.2MP sensor, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a versatile autofocus system, making it ideal for capturing stunning food photos.

Features:

  • 24.2MP sensor
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Versatile autofocus system
  • User-friendly interface
  • Excellent image quality

Why Choose Canon EOS Rebel T7i: This camera is perfect for beginner food bloggers who want to take high-quality photos without a steep learning curve.

Canon EOS Rebel T7i

Canon EOS Rebel T7i


Nikon D3500

Summary: The Nikon D3500 is another excellent DSLR option for beginners. It boasts a 24.2MP sensor, great battery life, and intuitive controls. Its lightweight design makes it easy to handle, and it delivers sharp, vibrant images perfect for food photography.

Features:

  • 24.2MP sensor
  • Great
  • 24.2MP sensor
  • Great battery life
  • Intuitive controls
  • Lightweight design
  • Sharp, vibrant images

Why Choose Nikon D3500: This camera is ideal for new food bloggers looking for a reliable and easy-to-use DSLR that produces stunning photos.

Version 1.0.0

Nikon D3500


Sony Alpha a6000

Summary: The Sony Alpha a6000 is a compact mirrorless camera that offers high performance in a small package. It features a 24.3MP sensor, fast autofocus, and excellent low-light capabilities, making it a great choice for food bloggers who need portability without sacrificing quality.

Features:

  • 24.3MP sensor
  • Fast autofocus
  • Excellent low-light capabilities
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • High-quality video recording

Why Choose Sony Alpha a6000: This camera is perfect for food bloggers who want a portable, high-performance camera for both photos and videos.

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony Alpha a6000


Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod

Summary: A good tripod is essential for stabilizing your camera and achieving sharp, clear shots. The Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod is lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for both indoor and outdoor food photography.

Features:

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Easy-to-use joystick head
  • Quick-release plate
  • Sturdy build
  • Ideal for both photo and video

Why Choose Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod: This tripod is perfect for food bloggers who need a reliable and versatile tripod for various photography settings.

Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod
Version 1.0.0

Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod


7. Photo Editing Software

Adobe Lightroom

Summary: Adobe Lightroom is the industry standard for photo editing, offering powerful tools to enhance and organize your photos. Its presets and easy-to-use interface make it a favorite among photographers for achieving professional-quality images.

Features:

  • Powerful editing tools
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Presets for quick edits
  • Photo organization and management
  • Cloud storage options

Why Choose Adobe Lightroom: Lightroom is perfect for food bloggers who want professional-quality photo editing and organization in a user-friendly package.

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Canva

Summary: Canva is a user-friendly tool for creating graphics, ideal for social media posts, blog banners, and other visual content. It offers a wide range of templates and design elements, making it easy to create stunning visuals even if you have no design experience.

Features:

  • Wide range of templates
  • Drag-and-drop design tools
  • Extensive library of design elements
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Free and premium options

Why Choose Canva: Canva is great for bloggers who want to create beautiful graphics quickly and easily, with no design experience required.

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8. Email Marketing Services

ConvertKit

Summary: ConvertKit is designed specifically for bloggers and creators, offering powerful features to grow and engage your email list. It includes easy-to-use automation tools, customizable opt-in forms, and detailed analytics to help you optimize your email marketing strategy.

Features:

  • Easy-to-use automation tools
  • Customizable opt-in forms
  • Detailed analytics
  • Tagging and segmentation
  • Integrations with various platforms

Why Choose ConvertKit: ConvertKit is perfect for food bloggers who want a powerful and intuitive email marketing platform to grow their audience and engage with readers.

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Bluehost Professional Email

Summary: Bluehost Professional Email provides a reliable and professional way to communicate with your audience, clients, and collaborators. With a custom email address that matches your domain, you can build trust and brand consistency. Whether you’re managing a food blog or a small business, Bluehost’s professional email services help you stay connected and organized.

Features:

  • Custom Email Address: Create email addresses that match your domain, such as yourname@yourblog.com, enhancing your professional image.
  • Easy Management: Manage your emails effortlessly with an intuitive webmail interface and integration with popular email clients like Outlook and Gmail.
  • Generous Storage: Enjoy ample storage for your emails, contacts, and attachments, ensuring you never miss an important message.
  • Advanced Security: Keep your emails safe with robust security features, including spam protection and virus filtering.
  • Mobile Access: Stay connected on the go with mobile access, ensuring you can check your emails anytime, anywhere.
  • 24/7 Support: Access round-the-clock customer support to help you with any issues or questions.

Why Choose Bluehost Professional Email: Bluehost Professional Email is perfect for bloggers and business owners who want a professional, reliable, and easy-to-manage email solution. By using a custom email address, you enhance your brand’s credibility and make it easier for your audience to remember and contact you.

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9. Social Media Tools

Tailwind

Summary: Tailwind is an essential tool for scheduling and analyzing your Pinterest and Instagram posts. It offers smart scheduling, analytics, and a range of features to help you grow your social media presence and drive traffic to your blog.

Features:

  • Smart scheduling
  • Detailed analytics
  • Content discovery tools
  • Instagram and Pinterest management
  • Community and networking features

Why Choose Tailwind: Tailwind is perfect for food bloggers who want to efficiently manage their Pinterest and Instagram accounts and grow their social media presence.

Tailwind makes my marketing for me

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Blog2Social

Summary: Blog2Social is a powerful social media automation plugin designed to help bloggers manage and promote their content across various social media platforms. It simplifies the process of scheduling and sharing your blog posts, ensuring that your content reaches a wider audience with minimal effort. With Blog2Social, you can save time and increase your blog’s visibility.

Features:

  • Automated Social Media Posting: Schedule and automatically share your blog posts on multiple social media networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and more.
  • Customizable Posts: Customize your social media posts with unique descriptions, hashtags, and images for each platform to maximize engagement.
  • Best Time Scheduler: Automatically schedule your posts at the best times for each social network to reach the most audience.
  • Content Calendar: Use the drag-and-drop calendar to manage and organize your social media posts, ensuring a consistent posting schedule.
  • Social Media Preview: Preview your social media posts before they go live to ensure they look perfect on each platform.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Track the performance of your social media campaigns with detailed analytics and reporting tools.

Why Choose Blog2Social: Blog2Social is perfect for food bloggers who want to streamline their social media marketing efforts. By automating the process of sharing your content, you can save time, increase your blog’s reach, and focus more on creating delicious recipes and engaging content.

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10. Online Courses and Learning

Food Blogger Pro

Summary: Food Blogger Pro is an all-in-one platform that offers comprehensive courses on food blogging, photography, video, and more. It’s a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced bloggers looking to improve their skills and grow their audience.

Features:

  • Comprehensive courses on blogging, photography, and video
  • Community forums for support and networking
  • Regular updates and new content
  • Expert advice and tutorials
  • Step-by-step guides

Why Choose Food Blogger Pro: Food Blogger Pro is perfect for food bloggers who want to learn from the best and access a wealth of resources to improve their blogging skills.

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Kids Resource Library

Grab these incredible children’s picture books about food that your children will love!

The Great Pancake Escape

The Great Pancake Escape serves a hearty helping of humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure, proving that even the most ordinary foods can have extraordinary dreams. It’s a tale of liberation, friendship, and the universal search for a place to exist without the fear of being gobbled up. Perfect for breakfast enthusiasts and freedom fighters of all ages, this book will leave readers hungry for more. Read More.

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