About

Overview

Making Banana and Corn Pancake Bites is a hands-on cooking activity that works well at tables in small groups. These soft, bite-sized snacks introduce children to wholesome ingredients like cornmeal and bananas. For a fun twist, try using blue cornmeal instead of regular cornmeal to introduce children to a traditional Southwestern ingredient.

Learning Objectives

  1. Children will explore the taste and texture of bananas and cornmeal in a fun and interactive way
  2. Children will develop basic food preparation and fine motor skills through mashing, mixing, and shaping.

Teaching Objectives

  1. Teachers will model healthy eating behavior by participating alongside the children.
  2. Teachers will guide children in safe food handling and preparation practices. for children.

Teaching Tips

  • Encourage children to take their time eating and describe what they notice about the flavors.
  • Remember that the more times children are exposed to a new food the more likely they are to develop a taste preference for that food.
  • Children are more likely to try a new food if an adult models the behavior!

Prep Info

knife and cutting board

Equipment Required

materials

Materials/Supplies

* Optional

handwashing illustration

Before the Lesson

  • Cover a tray or work surface with wax or parchment paper.
  • Ensure all cooking tools, such as mixing bowls and forks, are ready for use.
  • Immediately before the lesson, ask the children to put on their chef aprons, chef hats, and wash their hands.

Activity

Introduction

But first, what is something great chefs always do before they start cooking?” (Answer: Wash their hands!)

Activity Description

  1. Mash the Bananas:
    • Let the children take turns mashing the bananas with a fork in a mixing bowl. Discuss the texture change as the bananas become smooth and creamy.
  2. Mix in Dry Ingredients:
    • Add the cornmeal, rolled oats, and cinnamon (if using) to the mashed bananas. Encourage the children to mix everything until well combined.
  3. Add Sunflower Seed Butter:
    • Stir in the sunflower seed butter to help bind the mixture. If it feels too dry, add a small splash of water or milk to create a dough-like consistency.
  4. Shape Small Bites:
    • Using ½ teaspoon scoops, help the children shape the mixture into flat, 1/4-inch discs. This makes the bites small and safe to eat.
  5. Arrange and Chill:
    • Place the shaped bites on the prepared tray. For a firmer texture, refrigerate the bites for 20-30 minutes.
  6. Serve, Taste, & Discuss:
    • Serve each student a portion. Invite them to observe, smell, and feel the food. Let them decide if they want to taste it, and share their thoughts or personal connections.

Summary

Enrichment

Ask the children, “What other fruits can we use for Banana and Corn Pancake Bites? Could we use apples or pumpkin instead of bananas?”

Attention Teachers!

Following this activity, please fill out the teacher’s weekly log form for this lesson.

Weekly Log

Attention Teachers!

Following this activity, please fill out the teacher’s weekly log form for this lesson.