PB&J, Mac & Cheese, and 8 Other Childhood Recipes All Grown Up (2024)

Shutterstock / Joshua Resnick

Shutterstock / Joshua Resnick

Do you ever wish you didn't have all of the responsibilities that come with being an adult — paying bills, taking care of the house, and having to go to work every day? Sometimes, we wish that we could revert back to our kid selves. No worries on our minds — just school and nap time, playdates with our friends, and plenty of delicious kid-friendly snacks. I know one of my favorite parts of the day was getting home to a pudding cup, Bagel Bites, or a trip to McDonalds for a Happy Meal. While we can't make all the responsibilities go away, we can help you bring back those childhood foods — in a refined way.

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We used to love having chicken nuggets with a few French fries after school. Especially the ones that were shaped like animals — was that a hippo or a cow? We may never know. The taste of store-bought chicken nuggets was appealing then, but our palates have matured. To suit your adult tastes, make Asian Chicken Tenders — they're marinated with ginger, soy, and garlic.

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Sugary cereal, frozen waffles, and Pop Tarts are all on the list of foods that you used to eat before school. If you were running late, Pop Tarts were perfect, because they got you out the door in seconds flat. When you have some extra time on Sunday, make blueberry "Pop Tarts" for the next morning. They have a tart filling and a flakey crust that will put you in good spirits on Monday when you're getting ready for work.

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English muffins were a go-to breakfast when your parents were in a rush. For a more adult spin, turn English muffins into pizza bases and make mini caprese pizzas. This recipe is great for a weekend snack with friends — it'll make you and your guests nostalgic.

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When you were a kid, French fries deserved their own food group — they went with everything. Chicken tenders, chicken wings, burgers — they all required French fries on the side. As an adult, you probably shy away from greasy food, so make these Fresh Green Bean Fries as a healthy alternative.

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Pasta with gooey cheese — sign us up, please. While we loved mac and cheese from the box growing up, it's very simple to make the recipe from scratch. Also, homemade mac and cheese gives you control over calories and spices. For a refined version of a childhood classic, make Mac and Cheese Balls. They're great for a large group!

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When you came home after school, the two main priorities were eating good food and watching cartoons. Of course, the perfect snack was popcorn. Buttered popcorn is a classic, but when you're getting ready to watch Law & Order SVU, make some Garlic and Parmesan Popcorn. You will not regret it.

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Chocolate pudding snacks are iconic. You always hoped that your mom put it in your lunch box, but if she didn't, it was probably in the fridge when you got home. Now that you're all grown up, enjoy a more sophisticated Lemon Pudding — it's sweet and tangy, and delicious with vanilla ice cream.

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As a kid, even if you didn't have any of the other snacks that I named in this slideshow, I know for a fact that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches found their way into your diet. Elevate this dish and have a Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake. When you're having a bad day, it will surely cheer you up.

Photo Modified: Flickr / stu_spivack / CC BY-SA 4.0

Every now and then, your parents would probably treat you to a trip to the pizza shop and a piping hot slice of cheese pizza. Pizzas are so easy to make at home — the next time you're craving one, try our recipe for Pizza Margherita.

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One of the simplest after-school snacks to make was grilled cheese — cheese and bread toasted to perfection. For an adult version of the childhood classic, try Truffle Grilled Cheese.