No-cook recipes tick so many boxes: quick, easy, energy-saving and perfect for kids to get involved with. Plus, they can be brilliant for using up any leftover fruit and veg you have, so you can get creative and cut down on food waste, too. Win-win!
From beautiful salads and speedy sweet treats to vegan rolls and vibrant smoothies, we’ve put together a list of our favourite flavour-packed, no-cook recipes that don’t require a hob or an oven. These recipes can all be made with raw ingredients (some require you to boil the kettle, but that’s it) – just assemble the ingredients to create something truly special. Whether you’re planning ahead for a busy week or looking to save energy, these simple recipes are here to help you enjoy a great meal, without spending loads of time in the kitchen.
So what are you waiting for? Try our delicious no-cook recipes now!
A quick veggie wrap is a great lunch to have up your sleeve. Packed with beetroot, carrot, cabbage and pear, it’s a celebration of seasonal veggies that help you eat the rainbow. Feel free to swap in your favourite firm fruit and veg or use up what’s in your fridge. And don’t forget to get the kids involved in making them – they’ll love creating their own combos.
Not your typical spag bol, this recipe uses courgette as a fun substitute for spaghetti and blitzed cauliflower in place of Parmesan. Soaking some of the ingredients overnight means they soften beautifully, and are easier to digest than if totally raw. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a total joy.
Check out these 17 tasty courgette recipes
These colourful winter rolls are perfect as a dinner party starter or a light lunch. The sweet chilli and pickled ginger dipping sauce adds a spicy kick to these rolls, making them a perfect pep-up for the colder months. To cook the noodles, simply soak them in very hot or warm water from the kettle (depending on packet instructions) – happy days!
Vibrant beetroot, crisp apples and peppery watercress come together to make an elegant salad that is on the table in just 20 minutes. Super-fresh and easy to rustle up, this is ideal as a starter or a light weekday lunch. Can’t get hold of candy beetroot? Simply use all red beetroot instead.
Check out our full list of beautiful salad recipes
These fruity smoothie combos are really simple to whiz together and work brilliantly as a fuss-free breakfast or a satisfying sweet snack. Plus, they’re fun to make with the kids. You can make these smoothies with fresh fruit, but they’re also great using frozen fruit, too – freeze any fruit that’s on the turn and it’ll be ready for you to use for these recipes.
This rich no-bake chocolate cake with crunchy nuts and meringue is perfect for a dinner party pudding or kids’ party cake. It looks ridiculously impressive, but is actually a breeze to make – and a guaranteed hit with children and adults alike. Have some fun with it and swap in things like popcorn, marshmallows, stem ginger or desiccated coconut!
Straightforward, deliciously fresh and ready in just 10 minutes, this easy chopped salad is a great way to get kids trying out different types of veggies. The beauty of this salad is that you can swap in any other crunchy and seasonal veg – think broccoli, white or red cabbage, peppers, radishes or whatever else you fancy.
Satisfyingly chewy and packed with dates, berries, nuts and seeds, this fantastic flapjack recipe is a winner every time. It works brilliantly as a mid-morning snack or a lunch box pudding and is great to take with you when you’re on the go. If you have any leftovers, simply bag them up and freeze for a later date.
Head to our budget-friendly recipe hub for more delicious dishes and inspiration to help you save money in the kitchen.
