French food for kids: 10 popular dishes to win them over

France may boast one of the richest and most sophisticated cuisines in the world, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of delicious options for children. Here are 10 great dishes to win them over:

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1. Pain au chocolat

If there is one French food that kids will always reach for, it’s a baked good stuffed with chocolate. The French are world-famous for their delectable sweet treats such as the croissant, brioche, and pain aux raisins, which they often enjoy for breakfast. But if there is one that is guaranteed to lure them out of bed in the morning, it’s pain au chocolat.

Easy for tiny hands to grasp, this delightful pastry is sure to win over any child. And best of all, it’s easy to eat on the go, meaning you can still start your days as a true Parisian with a café au lait and pain au chocolat at a local boulangerie. Though sans café pour vos enfants, of course; we’re not sure you want to cafinate and sugar them up at the same time.

Make your own pain au chocolat

• Follow this super easy recipe at home
• The photos for this recipe are a bit large, but it’ll do the trick
• Try your hand at this simplified recipe, also with photos

2. Pain perdu

Do your children love French toast? Well, in France, it’s called pain perdu, meaning “lost bread.” Born out of thrift, this dish revives stale baguette or brioche and turns it into something utterly comforting.

If you don’t know the drill: slices of old bread are soaked in a rich mixture of eggs, milk, and sugar, then pan-fried in butter until the edges caramelize and the center turns soft and custardy. Every French household has its own take: some add vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon, others serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar, fresh berries, or a swirl of jam.

Though it’s often seen as a weekend breakfast or goûter (afternoon snack), pain perdu is really a sweet reminder that even yesterday’s bread still has a second chance.

Make your own pain perdu

• Give this classic recipe a whirl
• Follow this step-by-step photo recipe
• This easy pain perdu recipe is pure magic

3. Buckwheat crêpes

Also known as a galette in Brittany and northwest France, the hearty and versatile buckwheat crêpe can be enjoyed as a snack or a main meal. Unlike the traditional sweet crêpe, which is made from wheat flour, the galette is made from buckwheat flour. This gives it a richer and savory flavor. The real beauty of this popular dish is that you can load it with all kinds of delicious and nutritious ingredients.

Some of the most popular fillings and toppings include ham, cheese, spinach, asparagus, and a fried egg. Of course, you can also make them sweet by adding fillings such as Nutella, jam, or fresh fruit. You can easily find great restaurants that specialize in buckwheat crêpes throughout France.

Make your own buckwheat crêpes

• Load up your crêpes with cheese, ham, and egg
• This recipe has easy step-by-step photos you can follow
• Make your own with this recipe

4. Croque Monsieur

More than just a sandwich, the croque monsieur has been an institution in France since the early 1900s. Its name comes from the French words croque (meaning ‘crunchy bite’) and monsieur (‘mister’). The dish is thought to have originated in a Parisian bistro back in 1910, where it first appeared on the menu as a quick but hearty lunch for the local workmen; hence its rough translation as a ‘bite for the men’.

Made with crunchy bread, melted Emmental or Gruyère cheese, and smoky ham slathered in Béchamel sauce, this delicious snack is sure to put a smile on little faces.

There are several variations of the recipe, too. Add a poached or lightly fried egg on top, for instance, and voila, you have a croque madame; otherwise known as a croque à cheval in some parts of Normandy. Meanwhile, a croque mademoiselle is a lighter, vegetarian version made from normal melted cheese served with cucumber, chives, and salad.

However you choose to make it, though, it will no doubt be a winner with your kids.

Make your own croque

• Watch this video recipe for a croque monsieur
• Follow this easy photo recipe for a croque madame
• Or try your hand at a croque mademoiselle

5. Pissaladière

Pizza is loved by kids the world over. But if you’re looking to add a French twist on the popular dish, then pissaladière is the way to go.

Originating just across the French-Italian border in Italy’s Liguria, it consists of sautéed onions, anchovies, and olives served on a crust. Notably, this is slightly thicker and doughier than a traditional Italian pizza. Simple to make and delicious to eat, the popular dish is a great option for either lunch or dinner.

If getting your children to eat whole anchovies is a challenge, however, you can always opt for onion and anchovy puree. This gives each bite a lovely salty kick and your kids will be none the wiser. Because pissaladière is often served as an appetizer, it’s also perfect for getting the kiddies fed faster. That way, you can enjoy a more leisurely, stress-free meal.

Make your own pissaladiere

• This recipe will make you come back for more
• Try out this pissaladiere recipe
• Give this easy-to-follow recipe from The Guardian a go

6. Crespéou

If you’re looking for a dish that gets kids excited about vegetables, crespéou might just be your secret weapon. This cheerful Provençal omelette cake is made by stacking layers of colourful, veggie-filled eggs (think bright green spinach, sunny yellow peppers, and vibrant red tomatoes). It looks a bit like a rainbow when sliced, which makes it a hit with kids before they even take a bite.

Served cold and easy to eat with fingers or a fork, it’s ideal for lunchboxes, picnics, or lazy weekend meals. Mild in flavour but full of colour and fun, crespéou proves that vegetables can be playful and yet incredibly delicious.

Make your own crespéou

• Try your hand at this crespéou recipe
• Follow this traditional recipe
• Or use this recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi

7. Quiche Lorraine

Now, here’s a simple dish you can try at home. Quiche Lorraine is the perfect introduction to French food for kids. It consists of a pastry crust filled with savory egg custard and pieces of cheese and ham. Because it can be enjoyed either hot or cold, it’s a convenient snack to enjoy at home or when out and about, perhaps on a family picnic.

If you want to try making it yourself, you can simply buy a pre-made pie crust. Then all you need to do is fill it with your favorite combination of ingredients and bake it in the oven.

If you prefer to buy it ready-made from the supermarket, such as Auchan, you’ll find that it’s readily available throughout the country. And because it’s suitable for any meal or snack, it’s a great way to get your kids to enjoy French food while filling them up.

Make your own Quiche Lorraine

• This step-by-step recipe is pretty easy to follow
• Give this classic recipe a whirl
• Mary Berry also has a quick and easy recipe

8. Gougères

Light, airy, and just the right amount of cheesy, gougères are bite-sized puffs of joy that somehow disappear faster than you can bake them. Made from pâte à choux (the same dough used for éclairs) and packed with grated Gruyère or Comté, they puff up in the oven into golden, crisp clouds with a soft, savoury center.

Children love them because they’re warm, fluffy, and perfectly snackable – no forks, no fuss. But this French food is also a popular choice for grown-up kids. Whether served as an after-school treat, tucked into a lunchbox, or handed out warm at a family gathering, gougères are the kind of snack that gets everyone hovering around the kitchen, hoping for “just one more.”

Make your own gougères

• This recipe by Alain Ducasse has five stars
• Or watch this video recipe in English

9. Éclair

Speaking of pâte à choux, if there was ever a French food that’s popular with kids, it would be the éclair. Sleek, glossy, filled with creamy goodness, and shaped like little pastry submarines, these are the rock stars of the French pastry world.

They’re made from the delicate dough we mentioned before, baked until crisp and hollow, then piped full of silky custard or chocolate cream, and topped with a smooth layer of icing.

Whether you go classic with chocolate or adventurous with fruity fillings and colourful glazes, your children will love these for all the right reasons: they’re sweet without being overwhelming, fun to hold, and just messy enough to feel like a treat.

Make your own éclairs

• Learn how to make éclairs with this video recipe
• Discover the magic of this delicious recipe
• Try your hand at this classic recipe

10. Crème brûlée

Is there anything more satisfying than cracking the sugary, crispy crust of a freshly-baked crème brûlée with a spoon? If you’re looking for ways to make your kids fall in love with French food, then this is it. Creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside, crème brûlée is your child’s idea of heaven. And once they break the surface to discover the creamy pudding within, they’ll gobble it right up.

Of course, with all that sugar and fat in one delectable dessert, you probably won’t make this a regular treat. That said, the promise of that cracking sound might be enough to make your kids clear their plates.

Make your own crème brûlée

• This crème brûlée recipe is just perfect
• Make your dessert at home with this recipe