This year has forced many of us to cook much more often than usual (read: all. the. time.), so you may find yourself searching for fun things to learn how to cook after endless months of ramen noodles.
No judgement.
There’s never been a better time to learn how to cook and these recipes will remind you that cooking can actually be fun.
Ask yourself: when was the last time you learned how to cook something just for fun?
If you had time to spare in the kitchen, what would you want to learn to cook?
Here I’ve gathered up 10 fun things to learn how to cook that are also insanely delicious.
From snacks to entrées to desserts, these recipes will remind you of why you learned how to cook in the first place.
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In no particular order, here are 10 fun things to learn how to cook:
1. Giant Skillet Cookie
Idk about you, but a Giant Skillet Cookie definitely tops my list of fun things to learn how to cook. I mean, crispy edges, a chewy center, and no pre-determined serving size??
Sign me up.
This Giant Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie from Bon Appétit is super easy to learn how to cook: no special equipment required. Just a mixing bowl and an oven-proof skillet and you’re good to go.
Get the recipe: How To Make A Giant Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
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2. Pull-Apart Bread
We’re all familiar with the classic “monkey bread” but I’m a big fan of the savory varieties of this fun to make and fun to eat pull-apart bread.
Pull-apart bread can be made with all kinds of fillings, but I particularly like this Brie and Cranberry variety from Delish.
This is the perfect holiday appetizer recipe and one of my favorite fun things to learn how to cook. It’s even better when served with a generous pour of your favorite white wine.
Get the recipe: How To Make Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
3. Frittata
Frittatas are not only fun to cook, they are the perfect meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
What’s even better? They can be made with almost anything you’ve got on hand.
Personally, I love a combo of bacon or pancetta with potatoes, veggies, and cheese, but you choose your own adventure. Once you’ve got the ratios memorized, you’ll be making frittatas on repeat.
Get the recipe: How To Make A Frittata With Just About Anything
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4. Famous Cookies
In case you missed it, one of the most exciting things to come out of the pandemic was Hilton’s release of the famous DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.
Baking chocolate chip cookies is already a fun activity, but attempting to create an iconic cookie is a challenge I’ll take any day.
These cookies make excellent holiday gifts if you can resist eating the entire batch straight from the cookie sheet.
Get the recipe: How To Make DoubleTree’s Signature Cookies
5. Twice-Baked Potatoes
Twice-baked potatoes are a comfort food classic and make the list of fun things to learn how to cook because playing with potato skins is fun.
What I love about a twice-baked potato is it has all of the best qualities of a mashed potato shoved into the crispy skin of a baked potato, aka perfect potato goodness.
I often eat this overstuffed variety as a main course, and I have zero regrets.
Get the recipe: How To Make Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes
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6. Pesto Sauce
You may not realize it, but Pesto is not only fun to make it’s also incredibly versatile. And it gives me an excuse to use a food processor, which is always fun.
The basil, pine nut variety may be the classic but pesto may be made with any combination of herbs or greens and nuts that you like.
Take this variety that’s made with arugula, spinach, jalapeño, and walnuts, for example. It’s so good you may never go back to the classic.
Get the recipe: How To Make Spicy Pesto
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7. Grilled Cheese
Ok, yes, grilled cheese is obviously a fun thing to learn how to cook because it involves melting cheese and smashing a sandwich in a hot pan.
But, grilled cheese isn’t limited to just cheese and bread, so once you master the technique you’ll be creating grilled cheese masterpieces in no time.
This recipe from Delish uses butter to toast the bread, which I still think is better than mayo (sorry to all you grilled cheese with mayo supporters).
Best addition to grilled cheese? Two words: tomato jam. (get my recipe here)
Get the recipe: How To Make The Best Grilled Cheese
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8. Soft Pretzels
This year it feels like everyone is baking bread. Yawn. But soft pretzels? Yes, please.
I am a huge fan of soft pretzels and making them at home is really fun. Not to mention super delicious.
Alton Brown’s recipe is easy to follow and results in perfectly crispy, chewy, salty pretzels that are good dipped in just about anything.
Get the recipe: How To Make Homemade Soft Pretzels
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9. Pierogi
Not familiar with Pierogi? Allow me to introduce you to the best little potato dumplings.
Pierogi may not be the first thing you think of when looking for fun things to learn how to cook, but these are exceptionally fun to make if you’ve got a little time to spend in the kitchen.
The result is a perfectly crispy, chewy dumpling filled with creamy, cheesy potatoes. Aka worth it.
Get the recipe: How To Make Better-Than-Grandma’s Potato & Cheese Pierogi
10. Toffee
Toffee is a favorite treat of mine around the holidays. As a kid our next door neighbor would host a Christmas Eve party every year and one of the dessert items was always homemade toffee.
I always imagined it would be difficult to make, but it’s surprisingly fun. This hazelnut variety from Valerie Bertinelli is a delicious twist on the classic almond or peanut and I’m here for it.
Plus it makes a perfect holiday gift for neighbors and friends (who will be impressed at your candy-making skills).
Get the recipe: How To Make Salted Hazelnut Toffee
Enjoyed these fun things to learn how to cook? Now get The Honest Answer to How Long Does It Take To Learn To Cook!
