Just Plane Jane

Motherhood Simplified

Categories: Dinner, Lunch, Recipes

Quick, Easy, and Delicious Naan Bread Pizza to Make In Your Air Fryer, That Your Kids Will Love

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Is it just me, or is coming up with lunch for kids is THE WORST!? Maybe it’s because I don’t want to cook a full meal, I’m in that midday tired slump, or I just don’t feel like making food that, let’s face it, they will only eat three bites of. (The cry of mothers everywhere!) And so, naan bread pizza was created!

My husband introduced to me curry and the delightfulness that is naan bread, after one of his deployments. Since then, I have been trying different curry recipes so we can enjoy it at home. One day, in my attempt to come up with a quick and easy lunch, I had some left over naan bread from a curry night and thought maybe that would make a tasty pizza… Turns out that naan bread makes a great pizza base!

That’s nice… But What’s So Great About Naan Bread Pizza?

Sure, you could grab some pre-made pizza dough and make a pizza pretty quickly. However, I would argue that making pizza with naan bread has some extra pros.

Easily Personalizable

One of the best things about these naan bread pizzas (deliciousness aside) is that they are so easily customizable. If one child wants pepperoni and the other kids want cheese, you can do that! When I make pizza, I like it loaded with all the toppings. This way I can have my loaded pizza and they can have their cheese pizza. It’s a win-win all around!

Great Recipe For Kids To Make

This is also a great recipe to include the kids in. 90 percent of the time, when we make these, I let each child make their own pizza. They absolutely love making their own personal pizza, and I enjoy letting them! If you’re worried about the mess, parchment paper to the rescue! Simply place a piece of parchment paper on their work space for easy clean up!

Cooking Optional

The last pro to making personal pizzas this way, is that you don’t actually have to cook it if you don’t want to! Think a certain delicious pre-packed lunch from the 90s. I have done this before with the bite size naan, and it was all kind of nostalgic! Not to mention, it is so much cheaper than buying a pizza lunch pack. You could easily use a bento box style lunch box and send these to school with your kids!

Side note: You know when you’re out grocery shopping with your kids and everyone is getting hungry? In this situation, I am often tempted to stop by a drive through on the way home. However, instead of going the fast food route, you can grab all the ingredients for these before you head home. Making these naan bread pizzas is faster (and cheaper) than stopping at the drive through! And bonus, you have more for another day!

OK! Here It Is! The Easiest Naan Bread Recipe!

Naan bread pizzas make a great lunch or dinner and they are so easy to make! You will definitely want to add this to your meal rotation.

Step One: Gather Your Ingredients and Supplies

Equipment Needed:

  • Air fryer or oven
  • Sheet pan (for oven cooking) or plate (for assembling)
  • Silicone brush or spoon for spreading sauce
  • Pizza cutter or knife.

Ingredients Needed:

  • Naan Bread – Mini or regular size depending on your preference.
  • Pizza Sauce – store bought or homemade works fine!
  • Shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • Pizza toppings of choice – i.e. pepperoni, olives, onions, peppers, garlic, mushroom, ham, etc.
  • Sea Salt – optional
  • Oregano – optional

Ingredients for Naan Bread Pizza

Step Two: Assemble Your Naan Bread Pizza

First, you will take a piece of naan bread and place it on a sheet pan or plate, depending on your cooking method.

Second, add the pizza sauce to your bread and spread with a silicone brush or spoon. You want to cover one entire side of the bread.

Spread pizza sauce on bread

Third, sprinkle the cheese on top of the sauced side of the bread. Spread it evenly around your bread. Sometimes we like to add a little dusting of some grated parmesan cheese too!

Fourth, add your toppings of choice. Spread the toppings evenly on the now sauced and cheesed side of the bread.

Add toppings to pizza

Finally, sprinkle a dash of sea salt and oregano on top of your topped pizza for a little extra pizzaz!

Cooking with kids tip: Assembling these naan bread pizzas is great for kids! If you are making these for multiple kids, let each child assemble their own pizza.

For easy mess clean up, place a piece of parchment paper on their workspace. Then simply roll it up and throw it away when finished!

Child spreading pizza sauce on naan bread

Step Three: Cook Your Naan Bread Pizza

Preheat your oven or air fryer to 425°F.

Now this may seem strange, but cooking these is totally optional! The great thing about these little pizzas is they can also serve as a yummy lunch-able dupe! (The bite size naan are awesome for this method). Sometimes we change these up a little and make pizza sandwiches, or pizza “tacos” as my kids like to call them.

If you are cooking your pizza it only takes a few minutes!

For the air fryer method: Transfer your pizza from the plate directly into the air fryer. Cook at 425°F for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

For the oven method: Place your sheet pan with the pizza on it inside the oven. Bake at 425°F for about 8 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CAUTION HOT: Using an oven bit, carefully remove your pizza from the air fryer or oven, and let cool.

Finished naan bread pizza

Step Four: Slice and enjoy!

Once your pizza is cool, you can cut your pizza in half or in quarters. If you are using the mini size, you can always eat it like a hand pizza, or fold in half for a “pizza taco”! 😉

Try making these when you don’t think you can do chicken nuggets for lunch another day.

Feeding kids can be tough. Make it easy with simple recipes that you know your kids will love and want to eat. Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Do you have any other go to lunch ideas for kids? I love hearing from you!

You’re doing a great job!

Naan Bread Pizza

Quick & easy naan bread pizza you can throw together quickly! Your whole family will love making and eating these personal size pizzas in variety of ways.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1

Equipment

  • Air-fryer If you don't have an air fryer, your oven will work too!
  • Sheet Pan If not using an air fryer
  • Brush or spoon For spreading sauce
  • Pizza Cutter or knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 piece Naan bread Mini or regular size depending on your preference
  • 1-2 Tbsp Pizza sauce Extra for dipping if desired
  • 1/4-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • other pizza toppings of your choice optional
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt optional
  • 1/2 tsp oregano optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven or air fryer to 425°F.
  • Place piece of Naan Bread on a plate or sheet pan.
  • Add desired amount of pizza sauce (about 1-2 Tbsp) to naan bread and spread to coat one side of the bread.
  • Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese around the area of the bread covered in pizza sauce. Cover thoroughly.
  • Add any other desired toppings on top of the cheese. (Pepperoni, olives, green pepper, garlic, onion, mushroom, etc)
  • Sprinkle top of pizza will a little sea salt and oregano.
  • Transfer naan bread pizza from plate to the air fryer for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. If using the oven, place sheet pan in over for about 8 minutes until cheese is melted.*
  • Caution Hot: Carefully remove pizza from air fryer or oven and allow to cool on a plate.
  • If desired, cut pizza in half or quarters.*

Notes

* These naan bread pizzas don’t actually have to be cooked. If you eat them as is, it’s similar to a lunchable pizza (only better!). If you can find the naan bites, those are great for eating without cooking too!
* Sometimes we change these up and fold them in half and make a “pizza sandwich” or “pizza taco” as my kids like to call them.
Keyword easy meals, kid friendy food, naan bread, naan bread pizza, personal pizza, pizza, quick, quick and easy
Categories: Dinner, Lunch, Recipes

The BEST Way To Make Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Grilled Cheese: a timeless comfort food that families have been enjoying for generations. Honestly, you really can’t go wrong whipping up a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch or dinner. Bread and cheese, who doesn’t love that glorious combo? And while the classic recipe is great, I’m here to show you the best way to make grilled cheese.

The secret to making a mouthwatering grilled cheese is to add cheese to the outside of the sandwich as well as the inside. Trust me on this. Crispy, crunchy cheese adds a texture and flavor that will blow your mind!

Now if you really want to tickle your tastebuds, add some unexpected flavors to your grilled cheese. I personally love adding jalapeño to the outside (inside too, when I’m feeling extra spicy!). Some other tasty additions are pesto, garlic butter, bacon, tomato, and green onions. Don’t be afraid to get creative with it! You might just discover the next big thing in grilled cheese!

Not to mention, grilled cheeses are easily customizable per person and what flavors they like! So, if your kids like a basic grilled cheese best, you can still spice your own up without adding a bunch of extra work for yourself. We love that!

The best way to make grilled cheese really is easy.

Adding cheese to the outside of your sandwich or adding some other flavors is simple. It only requires a few extra steps that are totally worth it! I am confident that this will become a family favorite in your house.

Quick side bar: Cooking together is a great family activity! This recipe is pretty easy to let the kids help with. (We won’t turn the griddle on right away, so no worries of little fingers getting burned!) Ok, now back to what you came for! 😉

Let’s cut to the chase. Here’s how to make the best grilled cheese.

Step One: Gather your ingredients and supplies

You will need…

  • A griddle or skillet – A griddle is highly recommended if you’re making multiple sandwiches.
  • Butter knife or rubber spatula for spreading butter.
  • Bread of your choice – Sometimes I get real fancy and make a fresh loaf of bread, but regular sandwich bread is good too!
  • Slices of your favorite cheese – Grab some cheddar jack if you’re feeling feisty.
  • Shredded cheese – This is for the outside crunchy cheese layer.
  • Chopped or diced Jalapeño (I prefer fresh vs. pickled) or other additions of your choice.

Ingredients needed to make grilled cheese
Any bread will work! Sometimes I like to use homemade bread. Sometimes I use store bought bread. Whatever you have is perfect!

Step Two: Butter your bread.

Using a butter knife or rubber spatula, butter one side of each slice of bread (2 slices per sandwich) with softened butter. You want your butter to be room temperature. If the butter is cold, it will not spread. If the butter is melted, the bread absorbs it too quickly and it just doesn’t taste as good. (Look, I’m no professional chef, but I’ve made a lot of grilled cheeses and melted butter just doesn’t work the same. I’m sure there’s some sort of kitchen sciencey stuff to it…)

Set your buttered bread aside for the next step.

Cooking with Kids Tip: I find that spreading things on bread is easier for little hands with a rubber spatula.

How to make the best grilled cheese: step two. Butter bread

Step Three: Add shredded cheese to your griddle. (Do not turn the griddle on yet!)

Next, you’re going to make little cheese “piles” on your griddle. (One for each sandwich if you are making multiple at one time.) You want the cheese pile to be large enough to cover the outside of your bread slice. Therefore, the amount of cheese you will use may vary. Plus, cheese is meant to be measured with the heart.

If you are adding anything else to the outside of your sandwich, you will add that to your cheese pile. for example, Jalapeño slices.

Cooking with Kids Tip: Since we aren’t heating the griddle yet, placing the cheese on the griddle is a great job for little helping hands!

Step Four: Place bread and cheese on griddle

Once you’ve sprinkled your shredded cheese piles on the griddle you are going to place the bread right on top of them, buttered side down. After you’ve done that, add your cheese slices to the bread and top with the second slice of bread. (Buttered side up this time!)

Another trick to a great grilled cheese is to cover all of the inside bread with cheese. If your bread isn’t square or your cheese slices are a bit big, you may need to tear the slices so they fit. If it looks a little Frankenstein-esque you’re doing it right!

Cheese placed on bread slice

Step Five: Turn up the heat!

Heat your griddle to medium and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.

When making more than one grilled cheese at a time, I find that it ends up being a race to get all the sandwiches assembled before they start to burn. I like to get everything on the griddle and then turn the heat on. This gives the inside cheese time to melt before the outside is over-done.

Step Six: Repeat step three, and flip.

Just before you are ready to flip the sandwich over, make another pile of shredded cheese (and additions) next to the sandwich. When your cheese is in place you can flip the sandwich over on to the cheese pile.

Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until golden brown on both sides of the bread, and the cheese in the middle is melted.

the best way to make grilled cheese: Finished product

Step Seven: Enjoy! You have now learned the best way to make grilled cheese!

Now is the time to dig into to that cheesey goodness! Savor every bite because you are a cooking QUEEN!

Final thoughts on my discovery of the best way to make grilled cheese…

My whole family loves crispy cheese (Think the top of a casserole). One day I was feeling inspired by that love of crispy cheese. So, I decided to try adding cheese to the outside of my sandwich and it turned out to be a grilled cheese game changer.

P.S. I’m sure this is not a unique to me recipe, so I am not claiming that this was invented by me. I just thought of it, and tried it one day.

If you ever feel afraid to experiment with your cooking, don’t be! Experimental cooking gives you so much more confidence in the kitchen, not to mention it’s really fun! Especially when everyone loves what you made. I used to be a recipe stickler, but I have come to enjoy cooking so much more since I’ve given myself kitchen freedom.

Not only can this kitchen freedom create a newfound -or rekindled- joy for cooking, it can reduce so much of your stress around feeding your family. For one thing, kids can be a real pain to feed. One day they love something, the next they don’t… Nevertheless, I have found that being able to simply toss something together has helped me come up with a much wider variety of things that my children will regularly eat.

Give the best way to make grilled cheese a try!

Let me know in the comments if you tried making grilled cheese this way! Did you add any extras that you or your family loved? I can’t wait to hear from you!

You’re doing a great job!!

Pin to try making these later. And if you loved it, share this recipe with your friends and family!

Looking for some more inspiration? Check out a few of our recent posts!

Golden brown grilled cheese ready to eat!

The Best Way To Make Grilled Cheese

Level up your traditional grilled cheese with a few simple steps.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 1

Equipment

  • 1 Griddle or Skillet
  • Knife
  • Butter Knife or Rubber Spatula for spreading butter

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices Bread of Choice
  • 2 slices Cheese of Choice
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup Shredded Cheese of Choice The amount is really dependent on the size of your bread slices and your taste preference. Measure that cheese with your heart!
  • Softened Butter*
  • 1 Jalapeño, sliced or diced.* Optional

Instructions
 

  • Using a butter knife or rubber spatula, spread softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Cover the entire side on each bread slice. Set aside
  • Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese onto griddle (or skillet) in a small pile that is large enough to cover the surface of the bread. (If using Jalapeños add them to the shredded cheese pile.)
    Shredded cheese placed in a pile on griddle
  • Place buttered side of bread face down on top of the shredded cheese pile that is on your griddle.
  • Place cheese slices on top of the non-buttered side of your bread. Make sure to cover the entire surface of bread. If your cheese slices are too big, or your bread is a different shape, tear your cheese slices to make it fit.*
    Cheese placed on bread slice
  • Place second slice of bread, buttered side facing up, on top of the other slice of bread to create a sandwich.
  • Heat griddle to Medium. ( I wait to turn my heat on until my grilled cheese is assembled so the outside doesn't cook fully before my inside cheese has had a chance to melt)
  • Cook about 3-4 minutes until golden brown.*
  • Right before you flip your grilled cheese over, sprinkle the rest of your shredded cheese into a pile on griddle to flip the sandwich on to. (If using Jalapeño, add to shredded cheese as well)
    Cheese with jalapeño on griddle
  • Flip your sandwich over, buttered side down.
  • Cook about 3-4 minutes until golden brown and inside cheese is melted. Remove from griddle and turn off heat.
    Golden brown grilled cheese ready to eat!

Notes

* Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature. If it is cold, it won’t spread easily. If it is melted, the butter absorbs it too fast, and it just doesn’t taste as good.
* If you are using Jalapeño and want some added Jalapeño flavor, you can add some chopped Jalapeño to the inside of your sandwich. Add Jalapeño when you add your sliced cheese.
*Cook times may vary depending on how thick your bread is, and the amount of cheese you use on the outside.
* Other Flavor Variations: Pesto is a great addition to a grilled cheese as well! I spread it on the inside of my bread (the side that is not buttered.) Try using garlic butter instead of regular butter for the outside of your bread. Sliced tomatoes, bacon, and green onions are a few other things that I think taste great on a grilled cheese. 
Keyword bread, cheese, easy meals, family recipes, grilled cheese, grilled sandwich, hot sandwiches, kid friendy food, toddler approved food

Categories: Breakfast, Recipes

Quick and Easy Strawberry Pancakes Your Kids Will Love! Perfect for Valentine’s Day Breakfast!

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You want to feel festive for Valentine’s Day but you are just so tired. You never get the amount of sleep you really need, your kids are alway hungry in the morning (what’s that all about anyway?!). Pancakes are a go to breakfast in my house. They are quick, easy, and my kids love them. But sometimes I am looking for an easy way to jazz up regular pancakes. And so strawberry pancakes were born!

The great thing about strawberry pancakes is they give your pancakes that festive Valentine’s day pink without adding any dye. Now, don’t get me wrong. While I am not above using food dye, if I can do it with food instead, I try to. Obviously, these pancakes aren’t a Valentine’s day exclusive (how great would they be in the summer with fresh strawberries on top? YUM!)

Another bonus is this recipe is so simple you can easily let your kids help you make them. My kids love to help in the kitchen. The minute I look like I am going to make anything, they are dragging chairs into the kitchen. I’ll be honest here, sometimes their “help” isn’t that helpful but they are so cute dragging their chairs in to help me, I can’t be mad. Not to mention that cooking together makes for a fun family activity.

Let’s get to it! Valentine’s day strawberry pancakes coming right up!

Step One:

Gather all your ingredients and equipment.

Equipment you will need:

  • Blender
  • Griddle or large skillet
  • Medium or large size mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring Cup

Ingredients you will need:

  • 1 cup Frozen or fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup Water (more as needed)
  • 2 cups Pancake mix (Our favorite is Krusteaz)
  • Butter or Butter non-stick spray
Ingredients and equipment needed for Valentine's day pancakes

Step Two:

Add strawberries and water to blender. I put the strawberries in a measuring cup so my kids could dump them into the blender. Measure those strawberries with your heart, if you want more go for it!

1 cup of strawberries in measuring cup for kids to help.
Strawberries covered in water inside blender
You want the water to cover most of the strawberries so the mixture won’t be too thick. We are going to replace the water in the pancake mix with the strawberry puree.

Step Three:

Puree strawberries until smooth and runny.

Strawberry puree in measuring cup so kids can help pour

Step Four:

Set your strawberry puree aside for a minute. Meanwhile, add the pancake mix to your mixing bowl. Take your strawberry puree and add it to the pancake mix. After that, use the whisk to combine. If your mix looks clumpy, add a little water until you achieve the desired consistency.

Pancake mix needed for Valentine's day pancakes.

Step Five:

Heat griddle or skillet to medium heat. Spray with non-stick spray or coat with butter. Use a measuring cup or ladle to pour pancake batter circles onto the prepared griddle or skillet.

Valentine's day Pancake mix poured into circles on griddle

When the pancakes start to bubble, flip. Cook for an additional 1 – 1 1/2 minutes until golden brown.

Valentine's day pancakes on griddle after flipping.

Step Six:

Serve your Valentine’s day strawberry pancakes with syrup or strawberry topping. You can add a dusting of powdered sugar or festive Valentine’s day sprinkles for an extra festive feel!

Valentine's day pancake on a plate with sprinkles for kids to eat.

Now, ENJOY!

Being a little festive for the holiday doesn’t have to be stressful. Your kids aren’t going to remember the “Pinterest/ Instagram worthy” meals or gifts. However, they will remember the time you spent with them and the small things you did to make each day special. You’re doing great!

If you tried these, let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out some of our latest posts here!

Strawberry Pancakes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 5 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Frozen or fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup water more as needed
  • 2 cups pancake mix I like Krusteaz
  • Butter or Butter Spray You can use other types of non-stick spray. I like to use butter for pancakes.

Optional

  • 1/2 tsp Strawberry Extract For a stronger strawberry flavor
  • Sugar to taste for sweeter flavor
  • Powdered sugar or sprinkles
  • Syrup or Strawberry topping

Instructions
 

  • Add strawberries and water to blender.* Put the lid back on and puree until smooth and runny. (We are replacing the water in the pancake mix, so you don't want it too thick.)
  • Add pancake mix and strawberry puree to a mixing bowl.
  • Whisk until slightly thickened.* If your pancake mix is clumpy, add water to achieve desired consistency.
  • Heat griddle or pan to medium heat. Lightly spray pan with non-stick spray, or coat with butter.
  • Using a ladle or measuring cup, pour circles of pancake batter onto prepared griddle. When pancakes get bubbly, flip and cook for an additional 1 -1 1/2 minutes. Pancakes are done when golden brown.
  • Serve with syrup, or strawberry topping. Add a dusting of powdered sugar or a pinch of sprinkles for some fun! ENJOY!

Notes

*  If adding sugar and/or strawberry extract add to the blender with strawberries and water.
*  The thicker your pancake mix, the thicker your pancakes will be.
*  These pancakes give a more subtle strawberry flavor. If you want a stronger strawberry flavor you can add more strawberries, or strawberry extract. If you want a sweeter strawberry flavor add a little sugar to your strawberry mixture.
Keyword breakfast, easy, easy breakfast, kid friendly breakfast, kid friendy food, pancakes, quick, quick and easy, strawberry, strawberry pancakes, valentine’s day
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