French Radishes with Butter & Salt

If you’ve never tried radishes with butter and salt, you’re in for a delightful surprise. This classic French snack is as simple as it gets—fresh, crisp radishes served with a generous swipe of good-quality sweet cream butter and a sprinkle of flaky finishing salt. It’s typically enjoyed in France as a snack, appetizer, or even breakfast, and it’s a beautiful way to let fresh ingredients shine.

But beyond its simplicity, this little dish offers so many learning moments for kids—from harvesting and washing produce, to practicing knife skills and garnishing, to exploring new textures and flavors. And as a bonus, it’s also really delicious!

How to make this recipe

This snack is so easy to make, you will soon be able to make this any time you want! For the full set of directions, make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below. Here is a brief overview:

Ingredients:

• Fresh radishes (any variety—long French breakfast radishes are traditional)
• High-quality butter (European-style works beautifully)
• Flaky finishing salt (like Maldon or Fleur de Sel)

Instructions:

1. Wash & dry the radishes – Scrub gently under cool water to remove any dirt. Let kids help rinse and pat them dry.
2. Trim & slice (optional) – Trim the roots and tops. You can serve them whole, halved, or sliced thin. This is a great time to practice safe knife skills with supervision.
3. Spread the butter – Smear a little butter on top of each radish (or on a plate for dipping). Let kids try using a small butter knife or spreader.
4. Sprinkle with salt – Finish with a small pinch of flaky salt for just the right pop.
5. Enjoy immediately – Serve as an after-school snack, a fun appetizer, or part of a weekend brunch spread.

How kids can help

This is a perfect snack for kids to help with from garden to table.

• Harvest radishes – If you’re growing radishes at home, let them help pull them from the soil!
• Wash the veggies – Great practice for prepping produce.
• Practice knife skills – Older kids can help trim or slice the radishes.
• Spread the butter – Fun for all ages, and great for fine motor development.
• Sprinkle salt & garnish – Let them add the final flourish before serving.

Want to start gardening with your kids? Check out my Kid-Friendly Garden Plans & Journal Bundle—it’s packed with simple, fun ways to help kids grow their love for veggies (and actually eat them!).

Let’s talk about it: Conversation starters for curious kids

Radishes with butter and salt are a great sensory food experience. Here are a few prompts you can use to spark fun, low-pressure conversations:

• “What does the radish smell like?” (peppery, earthy, fresh)
• “Can you describe how the butter changes the taste?”
• “What do you like better—the crunchy part or the creamy part?”
• “Do you think this would taste different with a different kind of salt?”
•  “What other veggies do you think would be fun to eat this way?”

These questions help kids build food language and stay curious instead of critical, which makes trying new things feel more like play and less like pressure.