Abuelita’s Kitchen: Easy Latin American Snacks to Make with Kids

Even the pickiest preschooler perks up at the smell of something warm and sweet baking in the kitchen. What if I told you that those family snack times could also be the perfect chance to sprinkle in a little Spanish?

Cooking is hands-on, fun, and full of opportunities to learn new words naturally. In fact, studies show that children are more likely to remember vocabulary when it’s tied to movement and senses—smelling, tasting, and touching. That’s why cooking simple Latin American snacks with your child can be both a memory-making activity and a playful introduction to Spanish.

Today, let’s step into Abuelita’s kitchen, where traditions come alive through food. These three snacks—churros, arepas, and empanadas—are simple enough to make with kids and full of cultural flavor.

Why Cooking Teaches More Than Recipes

Cooking together gives children a sense of independence, boosts motor skills, and teaches early math concepts (think measuring and counting). According to UNICEF, kids who help in the kitchen are more likely to try new foods and adopt healthier eating habits. Add Spanish vocabulary into the mix, and you’ve got a multi-sensory learning experience they’ll remember.

When your preschooler dips churros in cinnamon sugar, they can also practice saying azúcar (sugar). As they press dough circles for empanadas, they can learn masa (dough). These little moments tie language to joyful experiences, which is exactly what we want at this stage.

Snack 1: Churros (Spain & Mexico)

Churros are crunchy, golden sticks of fried dough rolled in sugar and cinnamon. In Mexico, they’re often enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate.

Kid-Friendly Twist: Instead of deep frying, you can bake churros by pipetting strips of dough onto a baking sheet with a pastry bag.

Spanish Vocabulary:

• Churro (choo-rroh) – churro
• Azúcar (ah-SOO-kar) – sugar
• Canela (cah-NAY-lah) – cinnamon

Cultural Note: Churros are believed to have originated in Spain, but they’ve become a beloved street food across Latin America.

Snack 2: Arepas (Colombia & Venezuela)

Arepas are round, flat corn cakes made with pre-cooked cornmeal (harina de maíz). They can be grilled or baked and filled with cheese, ham, or avocado.

Kid-Friendly Twist: Preschoolers can help shape the arepas like playdough before an adult cooks them.

Spanish Vocabulary:

• Arepa (ah-RAY-pah) – arepa
• Queso (KEH-soh) – cheese
• Agua (AH-gwah) – water

Cultural Note: Arepas are a daily staple in both Colombian and Venezuelan households, much like bread in the U.S.

Snack 3: Empanadas (Argentina & Beyond)

Empanadas are small pastries filled with savory ingredients like beef, chicken, or cheese. Their name comes from the Spanish verb empanar, which means “to coat with bread.”

Kid-Friendly Twist: Use store-bought dough to save time. Let your child help scoop filling and press the edges closed with a fork.

Spanish Vocabulary:

• Empanada (em-pah-NAH-dah) – empanada
• Carne (CAR-nay) – meat
• Horno (OR-noh) – oven

Cultural Note: Empanadas vary by country. Argentina is known for beef empanadas, while seafood versions are popular in Chile.

How to Make Cooking a Learning Moment

Here are a few ways to maximize language learning while keeping things lighthearted:

1. Label ingredients in Spanish with sticky notes—sugar becomes azúcar, flour becomes harina.
2. Sing while you cook. Use simple chants, such as “Azúcar, azúcar, sweet sugar,” to repeat words naturally.
3. Use counting words. Ask your child to count “uno, dos, tres” when measuring spoonfuls.
4. Connect culture to storytime. After making arepas, read a picture book about Colombia or Venezuela to reinforce the experience.
5. Celebrate effort. Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation; praise their curiosity and willingness to try.

Bringing Abuelita’s Kitchen Home

Cooking Latin American snacks is about much more than food. It’s a bridge between culture, family bonding, and language learning. Even if your child has never spoken Spanish before, these small, playful exposures help lay a foundation for future fluency. And what better way to give that gift than by sharing a warm churro or a cheesy arepa with your preschooler?

If you’d like even more ideas for introducing Spanish through culture, check out this resource from Homeschool Spanish Academy, where we share tips, activities, and free printables designed for families like yours.

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