Surefire hits: Top 23 family meals that kids can’t say no to!

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If you’re tired of the dinner table negotiations and the age-old “just three more bites” mantra, we’ve got your back. Here are 23 family meals that are delicious, kid-tested and approved.

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Three slow cooker tacos with chicken, lime, avocado and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The slow-cooked tender chicken with zesty spices is an instant hit. Let kids build their own tacos and watch them get excited about dinner again!
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Air Fryer Meatballs

Plate of frozen meatballs with toothpicks sticking out of them.
Air Fryer Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These meatballs are little orbs of flavor that are crispy outside but oh-so-juicy inside. They’re bite-sized, making them perfect for little hands and big appetites.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Meatballs

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These chicken legs are dripping in tangy BBQ sauce and slow-cooked to perfection. The tender meat practically falls off the bone, ensuring kids are both satisfied and delighted at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Take the best parts of a taco, add in some rice, and watch it vanish from plates. This skillet dish combines beloved flavors in a way that kids just can’t resist.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Air Fryer Pizza

Pizza in basket of the air fryer.
Air Fryer Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get that pizzeria-style crispy crust right at home with the air fryer. It’s pizza on demand, and we all know that’s one meal kids always cheer for.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pizza

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Who doesn’t love a restaurant favorite made easily at home? With a creamy sauce and tender chicken, this pasta dish feels like a treat every time.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Air Fryer Burgers

Burger on a bun topped with cheese, tomato, onion and bacon.
Air Fryer Burgers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These burgers have that irresistible outer crisp and juicy center, all without the grill. It’s backyard BBQ taste from your kitchen that kids always crave.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Burgers

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

A bowl of this isn’t just soup; it’s an adventure of flavors and textures. Kids love slurping the fun noodles and exploring the savory ingredients swimming alongside.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

Three bacon wrapped hot dogs in buns topped with cheese and onions.
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Just when you thought hot dogs couldn’t get any better, enter bacon! The salty crunch wrapped around a classic hot dog ensures kids will be asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

Frozen Chicken Tenders

Air fryer frozen chicken finger on a plate.
Frozen Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

A classic kid favorite but without the wait of defrosting. Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy inside, these tenders are always a hit at the family table.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Chicken Tenders

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The creaminess and cheesiness of this dish are off the charts. By cooking slowly, every noodle is infused with flavor, making it impossible for kids to resist a second serving.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Chicken and Waffle Casserole

Piece of chicken and waffle casserole on a plate.
Chicken and Waffle Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This dish serves up the best of both worlds – savory and sweet. Kids love the fun combination, and honestly, who can say no to chicken and waffles together?
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffle Casserole

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Cheese covered slow cooker chili mac in the crock pot with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Combining the warmth of chili with beloved macaroni makes for an unbeatable combo. It’s the sort of comfort food that kids will scoop up, bowl after bowl.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Ham, Egg and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

Breakfast sandwich with ham, egg and cheese on waffles.
Ham, Egg and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Imagine breakfast classics sandwiched between fluffy waffles; it’s a morning delight kids eagerly wake up for. The savory ham paired with gooey cheese and a soft egg creates a sandwich masterpiece.
Get the Recipe: Ham, Egg and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This dish is all about tender chicken bathed in a creamy, dreamy sauce. As it simmers away, it develops flavors that kids find utterly comforting and downright delicious.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Four chicken drumsticks with parsley on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Achieving that perfect crispy skin and juicy inside has never been easier. Kids devour these because they’re everything a chicken leg should be, minus the greasy fingers.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple

Slice of ham steak with pineapples on top on a plate with asparagus.
Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

It’s a tropical twist on ham that’s both sweet and savory. The caramelized pineapple on top adds that burst of juiciness, making every bite an adventure kids want to embark on again and again.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Merge the magic of tacos with the convenience of a casserole and you get this winner! It’s like a fiesta in every bite, ensuring kids will dig in without hesitation.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Chicken drumsticks and thighs coated with BBQ sauce on a wooden cutting board with herbs.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Why wait for a summer BBQ? With a crispy skin and slathered in tangy sauce, this chicken brings the BBQ vibes straight to your dinner table, much to the kids’ delight.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Slow cooker chicken with BBQ sauce in a crock pot with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Soft, juicy, and packed with flavor, this pulled chicken is like a hug in a bun. It’s the kind of dish that, once tasted, kids remember and ask for on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Pieces of chicken on a plate of spaghetti.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get ready for a crispy exterior with melted cheese on top, making this classic Italian dish irresistible. It’s like bringing a slice of Italy to the family dinner table, and kids are here for it.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Chick-fil-a Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl.
Chick-fil-a Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This soup has a way of warming you up from the inside out. Its hearty ingredients and familiar flavors make it an instant favorite, and let’s be honest, anything Chick-fil-a inspired is a kid magnet!
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-a Tortilla Soup

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Plate of spaghetti and meatballs topped with parmesan.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Spaghetti and meatballs just got a whole lot quicker but still kept all its charm. Serving up this classic in record time means kids dive into their beloved pasta dish faster, with smiles all around
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

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