Search

Backpack Chefs

Backpack Chefs was created for kids starting in elementary school through middle school, as a way to help them use the ingredients coming home in weekend food bags. From snacks to basic meals to full meals, recipes are designed to excite kids about cooking and empower them with basic cooking skills that they can build on over time. 

Green backpack icon with bread, milk, apple, cabbage and canned bean icons in it and the words Backpack Chefs below

Kid Chefs, Junior

Graham cracker topped with cream cheese and canned fruit

These no-cook recipes are great for kids just learning their way around the kitchen. Designed for chefs 5-7, these recipes help kids make quick snacks and lunches. 

Go to Recipes

Kid Chefs

Bagel melt with chicken and cheese

These low-cook recipes are perfect for kids who are just getting started with cooking. Designed for chefs 8-11, these recipes help kids make snacks and simple meals. 

Go to Recipes

Teen Chefs

Three fruit muffins on a blue plate

These recipes are a starting point for kids and teens who have mastered the basics. Designed for chefs 12 and older, these recipes help kids and teens cook on stovetop and oven. 

Go to Recipes

About Backpack Chefs

Backpack Chefs was created in partnership between the Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP) and the Wyoming Department of Health, in coordination with weekend food bag programs around Wyoming. Recipes were developed by CNP, then tested and filmed with kids from the CNP team family. 

A special thank you to University of Wyoming Extension for filming the recipe videos, to the UW Family & Consumer Sciences Department for use of their kitchens, and to our CNP chef kids for volunteering their time and enthusiasm. 

Contents of this page were developed using federal funds under award number B04MC54586 and Wyoming SNAP-Ed funds. 

* The Cent$ible Nutrition Program is funded by USDA SNAP-Ed and EFNEP. SNAP-Ed assists individuals and families who receive, or are eligible to receive, benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). EFNEP assists families and youth with limited resources  in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed behaviors necessary for nutritionally sound diets and contributes to their personal development and the improvement of total family diet and nutritional welfare. Visit our Qualify page to learn more. 

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This material was funded by USDA’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program-EFNEP. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The full nondiscrimination statement can be found here. 

Issued in furtherance of extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kelly Crane, Director, University of Wyoming Extension, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming Extension, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071.

The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

Translate »