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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    We Never Questioned These 20 Foods—Now Kids Won’t Eat Them

    Published: Apr 1, 2026 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    There was a time when these foods showed up on the table and nobody thought twice about it. They were packed in lunchboxes, served at dinner, and eaten without complaint. Now, mention them to kids and you’ll likely get a confused look, or a hard no.

    Why Kids Refuse Fried Pickles Now

    A batch of golden-brown Southern Fried Pickles is scattered on a dark textured tray, with a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce in the corner.
    Fried Pickles. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Once a beloved crunchy snack, fried pickles now get pushed aside by picky eaters. Discover how this tangy treat is losing its charm with younger palates.
    Get the Recipe: Fried Pickles

    Scalloped Potatoes Kids Skip

    A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole.
    Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham with Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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    This creamy ham and potato bake is losing favor with the younger generation. Layers of cheese and ham that adults love are now skipped by kids at the table.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham with Gruyere

    Why Chex Mix Isn’t Kid-Friendly Anymore

    A close-up of bowls filled with bold homemade chex mix—Chex cereal, pretzels, and small baked crackers—set on a gray cloth and tray, perfect for trying your favorite chex mix recipe oven style.
    Bold and Buttery Homemade Chex Mix. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Chex Mix, once a crunchy favorite, is now often ignored by kids. The bold, buttery flavors and textures that adults love are too much for some younger palates.
    Get the Recipe: Bold and Buttery Homemade Chex Mix

    Boiled Peanuts: A Lost Favorite

    A bowl of boiled peanuts.
    Southern Boiled Peanuts in a Dutch Oven. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These salty, tender peanuts are now less appealing to kids despite their Southern charm. The unique texture and briny flavor are often a turn-off for younger eaters.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Boiled Peanuts in a Dutch Oven

    Molasses Cookies Kids Skip These Days

    Soft and Chewy Blackstrap Molasses Cookie Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Molasses cookies are chewy, spiced, and once a holiday staple, but kids today often pass them by. The bold ginger and cinnamon flavors can feel too strong for younger taste buds.
    Get the Recipe: Soft and Chewy Blackstrap Molasses Cookie Recipe

    Hot Brown Sliders: Adults Love, Kids Won’t

    A hand uses a spatula to lift a cheesy Hot Brown Slider from a pan filled with golden, seasoned slider sandwiches.
    Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders with Cheese Sauce and Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These mini Hot Browns are decadent, cheesy, and layered with turkey and bacon, but kids tend to avoid them. The richness and multiple flavors can be overwhelming for little ones.
    Get the Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders with Cheese Sauce and Bacon

    Why Dill Pickle Coleslaw Isn’t a Hit

    Dill Pickle Coleslaw. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    Dill pickle coleslaw packs tangy punch that kids often shy away from. Its sharp flavors make it a side dish more popular with adults than younger eaters.
    Get the Recipe: Dill Pickle Coleslaw

    Pimento Cheese Balls Kids Pass Over

    Cheese balls with a toothpick on a tray.
    Mini Pimento Cheese Balls with Bacon and Pecans. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich, cheesy pimento balls are a party classic that kids often ignore. The creamy texture and bold toppings like bacon and pecans are adult favorites, not children’s.
    Get the Recipe: Mini Pimento Cheese Balls with Bacon and Pecans

    Rhubarb Custard Pie Kids Avoid

    A slice of rhubarb pie with whipped cream on top.
    Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This tangy custard pie is a classic dessert many kids skip. The tart rhubarb flavor makes it more appealing to adults than younger taste buds.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie

    Ham & Potato Casserole Kids Don’t Touch

    A spoon full of ham casserole.
    Baked Ham Cheese & Potato Casserole (No Canned Soup) . Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This creamy, cheesy casserole is filling but often overlooked by kids. The combination of ham and potatoes is more nostalgic for adults than appealing for little ones.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Ham Cheese & Potato Casserole (No Canned Soup) 

    Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole Kids Skip

    Southern Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (No Rice). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This creamy casserole with a buttery topping is a Southern favorite, but kids often ignore it. The mild flavors and creamy texture don’t always win over younger eaters.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (No Rice)

    Chocolate Chess Pie Kids Overlook

    A chocolate chess pie topped with whip cream swirls.
    Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie with Cornmeal. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich chocolate chess pie is a Southern classic that kids often leave behind. The fudgy texture and deep cocoa taste appeal more to grown-up palates.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie with Cornmeal

    Apple Cider Donuts Kids Pass On

    Old-Fashioned Apple Cider Donut Recipe. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

    These apple cider donuts have a crispy, cinnamon-sugar exterior but are often skipped by kids. The spiced cake flavor is more nostalgic for adults than appealing for little ones.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Apple Cider Donut Recipe

    Kentucky Hot Brown Kids Won’t Touch

    Classic Kentucky Hot Brown with Béchamel Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    The open-faced Kentucky Hot Brown is rich, creamy, and full of layers adults adore, but kids often shy away. The béchamel sauce and bacon can be too complex for little palates.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Kentucky Hot Brown with Béchamel Cheese Sauce

    Carrot Salad Kids Don’t Favor Anymore

    Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad with Raisins. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This shredded carrot salad is lightly sweet and refreshing, but kids often skip it. The simple dressing and raisins appeal more to grown-ups than little eaters.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad with Raisins

    Why Kids Are Skipping Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

    Famous Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This classic Masters-inspired sandwich is being left behind by younger taste buds. Creamy, cheesy, and rich, it’s now more of a nostalgia bite than a daily favorite.
    Get the Recipe: Famous Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe

    Swedish Meatballs Lose Their Kid Appeal

    Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Jam. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Once a family favorite, these creamy meatballs are now skipped by picky eaters. The sweet tang of lingonberry jam isn’t landing with today’s younger generation.
    Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Jam

    Chipotle Pimento Cheese: Too Bold for Kids

    Pimento Cheese with Cream Cheese and Chipotle Peppers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This smoky, tangy pimento cheese is winning adult taste buds but missing kids’ lists. Perfect as a dip or spread, yet too spicy for little ones.
    Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese with Cream Cheese and Chipotle Peppers

    Southern Pickled Shrimp Isn’t a Kid Favorite

    Southern Pickled Shrimp. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    This tangy, marinated shrimp appetizer is being passed over by younger eaters. Its bold pickled flavor makes it more of an adult snack than a kid-friendly treat.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Pickled Shrimp

    Ambrosia Fruit Salad Isn’t Winning Kids’ Hearts

    Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Marshmallows – No Cool Whip. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This sweet, creamy fruit salad is less popular with kids than it once was. Bright and nostalgic, it now mainly delights adults at family gatherings.
    Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Marshmallows – No Cool Whip

    Kids Today Can’t Believe We Ate These 16 Foods

    A collage of four Southern foods everyone ate back then kids today refuse to try: churros in a basket, cornbread with butter and honey, fried okra with dipping sauce, and a baked peach cobbler in a white dish with a spoon.

    From lunchbox staples to weeknight dinners that were once completely normal, these foods didn’t raise any eyebrows at the time. Today, though, they leave younger generations confused, amused, or downright horrified.
    Grab it here: Kids Today Can’t Believe We Ate These 16 Foods

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    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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