An easy baby and kid friendly fish recipe your child will eat, fish cakes for kids and babies. Quick and delicious with a tasty dip to serve alongside your kid’s fish cakes. Plus, tips for serving to babies and picky eaters. Affiliate links are used below.
Before kids I LOVED cooking and would pour over recipes to make something new and different for dinner several times a week. After kids, cooking is one of the many items on my to-do list, but I persevere because I want my kids to be exposed to a variety of textures, flavors, and types of food. I know this is important. I believe in it. But, a girls got to keep her sanity. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for finding or creating really simple, but tasty, kid friendly recipes and meals (that I’ll also enjoy). For years now, one of my favorite go-to recipes has been an easy fish cakes for kids recipe, that also happens to be perfect for babies and young toddlers. Score!
Personally I love fish, and it’s a protein I try to rotate into our meals 1-2 times a week. I don’t want to get stuck giving fish sticks every time, and a plain old filet of fish doesn’t go over too great for all my kids, especially my toddler and 5 year old with a history of picky eating. That’s where the fish cakes come in, because it can be really hard to find kid friendly fish recipes.
In general, fish recipes for kids need to involve some type of breading! Just like my kid friendly tilapia recipe. Kids also need to be able to pick up the fish and hold it easily.
The reason I’m calling these “fish cakes for kids” are because they have a mild, but highly palatable flavors for kids, also very important for kiddos. These kid’s fish cakes also have the necessary element of bread in the way of breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs get mixed in which allows them to resemble little patties with a similar-ish consistency to hamburgers when served. That’s a texture a lot kids are used to. It’s also a texture a lot of picky eaters gravitate towards. Let’s talk more about that…
Fish Cakes for Picky Eaters
Most parents of picky eaters will tell you that their picky eater doesn’t eat fish. Fish can be a difficult texture, it might be slimy. It’s usually very soft. Sometimes it has a strong flavor. For picky eaters, it can send them running for the hills, and they literally may try.
As you’ll find in the fish cakes for kids recipe below, the fish is pulverized BEFORE it is cooked which gives these fish cakes the even consistent texture that is more a picky eater’s speed. Breadcrumbs are also added in, which gives some familiar flavors and tastes.
Please don’t misunderstand me though. These fish cakes are not magic. It may take several tries before your picky eater is willing to give it a try. In fact, it can take up to 12 or more attempts. But, you’ll have a lot more success with fish cakes for kids than you will a filet of cod. I have a tasty dip that is perfect alongside this recipe too, and even if your picky eater doesn’t like to dip, it’s worth working on because once a picky eater finds a dip they like, it can be a total game changer with what their willing to eat. So, give the kid friendly remoulade a try below or serve with a tried and true favorite they prefer. Read more about how to use dips to get picky eaters to eat more!
If you need some more help helping your picky eater, boy, have I got you covered. Head over to the best strategy for picky eaters and dealing with picky eaters to learn more!
Fish Cakes for Babies
As I already mentioned, this recipe could also easily be called fish cakes for babies! Again the texture is perfect and the flavor is mild. Once you baby is eating chunks or slices of bread or cheese easily they are ready for fish cakes. This could be as young as 9 months of age. At this young age you’ll want to dice the fish cakes into tiny bite sized pieces about the size of your fingernail. As they get a bit older the chunks can get a bit bigger. I love using these Funbites cutters to dice them up quickly and easily, especially once they are toddlers.
Finding different foods for babies can be tricky, if you need some inspiration head to table food ideas for babies and meal ideas for toddlers.
Easy Fish Cakes for Kids
Alright, let’s walk through this fish recipe for kids. It’s super easy, I’ll show you step-by-step. At the end you’ll find a printable recipe! This recipe serves 2 adults and 2-4 kids, depending on how much your kids eat. In general, 1 filet of fish will serve 2-3 kids.
If you want to really maximize your efforts, call your kids in and have them help you cook, the chances of them eating the fish cakes when their finished greatly increases. You can find strategies (and more recipes) for cooking with your kids in this pumpkin waffle recipe and berry sorbet recipe.
- Put 4 thawed or fresh cod (tiliapia works too) fillets, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper into a large food processor. This is the base of the recipe. I like to add in onion, garlic powder, parsley, and parmesan cheese for a tasty but mild flavor. Any and all of these are optional, and you can feel free to experiment with adding in other extras like spinach, dill, or mushrooms.
2. Pulse and blend until you have a ball of completely minced fish. The texture should be sticky and clumpy.
3. Scoop out a small palm full and form into a small patty. I like to keep the fish cakes small because kids manage and prefer small better. I line them up all on a plate. You can do this step earlier in the day and then refrigerate until dinner.
4. Heat a few tablespoons of butter or your preferred oil in a non stick skillet over medium heat. Once it starts to sizzle, place fish cakes in the heated oil for 3-4 minutes per side until browned on each side. That’s it friends! It’s that easy!
5. While the fish are sauteing, you can whip up this easy remoulade, I particularly appreciate this as an adult, but it’s totally kid friendly, even with a little bit of cocktail sauce mixed in which can be spicy. To make the dip, whisk together the mayo, cocktail sauce, and lemon juice. Place in the fridge until your ready to serve.
The Fish Cakes for Kids Recipe
Fish Cakes for Kids
Incredibly easy fish cakes for kids and babies
Ingredients
Fish Cakes
- 4 filets Cod or Tilapia
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 to 1/4 onion
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp parsley
Remoulade Dip
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 2-3 tbsp cocktail sauce
- 2 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
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Put all ingredients for fish cakes into a food processor and blend until mixed and fish is throughly minced. Mixture should be a sticky paste consistency.
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Scoop small handful of mixture and form into small cakes.
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Sautee in non stick skillet with butter/oil until lightly browned on each side.
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Whisk all ingredients for the remoulade and serve with fish cakes for kids. Add more or less cocktail sauce to your liking.
Tips for Serving Fish Cakes for Kids
- If this is a new food for your child and they are leary of or tend to flat out refuse new foods, serve it with something you know they like. Get more tips to help your child eat new foods.
- Have a carb lover? This fish cake works great on a bun too, you can serve it as a fish-burger, and even put a slice of cheese on top.
- Use fun utensils or toothpicks for cut up pieces. This fun element is all the motivation a kid needs sometimes. I love these little animal food picks. I can’t believe they’re this cheap!
- We recently ate our fish cakes with corn on the cob and diced zucchini, but sides of rice or pasta work perfect, too!
More Fish Recipes for Kids
Want some more fish recipes and ideas to serve your kids? These are on my list of recipes to try, well the first one is actually mine, and I’ll tell you that its also super simple!
Banana, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin Bread (Yes, I know it’s not fish, but its so kid friendly and healthy I had to share!)
Hey, if you gave this recipe a try let us know how it went in a comment below. Or, if you have any other fish recipes I’d love to hear about them, that way we can inspire each other!
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These fish cakes look absolutely delicious and super easy to make! I can’t wait to try them with my little ones. Love that they’re healthy too—perfect for introducing new flavors! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Thanks for the feedback! They are so good!
Try them and let us know how you like them!
Best,
Laura
Your Kid’s Table team member
I can’t believe how good these turned out. I wanted to try serving cod again to my toddler (he didn’t like it the first time around) so I was uncertain if he would like these. I followed the recipe as written except I didn’t add any salt (and it didn’t need more as my bread crumbs had enough of that). I made the creamy cocktail sauce to go along with the cakes (but with greek yogurt as the base and less mayo). My 14 month old devoured the cakes and the sauce. I thought they were super yummy too! I’ve frozen the leftovers.
Hi Jenny! Thank you so much for your review and feedback! So glad you enjoyed!!
Best,
Kalyn
What about any bones in the fish? Should I be worried or is the food processor going to cut up the potential fish bone so small that it wont be an issue?
Hi Zuzana,
Thanks for reaching out! You will want to make sure that the fish filet is boneless. If it isn’t boneless, be sure to pull out all the bones before it goes in the food processor. I hope that helps!
Best,
Andrea
Hi.
I have just made a batch for my 8month to try for her dinner as finger food.
Is it best to cook them all then freeze or freeze the ones i wont need before cooking them?
Hope you enjoy! You can cook and then freeze!
Best,
Desiree
The Cod filets I get tend to be very large. Roughly what weight would be equivalent to 4 filets, 1 lb?
Would you recommend freezing uncooked patties or sauteeing them first? thanks!
Cook them and then freeze!
Enjoy!
Hi! How could I safely defrost and reheat these cooked and then frozen fish cakes?
Could this be made with salmon?
We have not, but could definitely work.
Best,
Desiree
Hi Dear
I have my 1 year old twins who I started spoon feeding them. Its been a while I encourage them for self feeding. For fish I have made different fingerfoods but couldn’t grab their attention much, well the boy is veeery fussy-eater . This recipe was very quick and easy and they both liked it so much. My doughter had 2 cakes. My son, am glad he tried to put it in his mouth 😍. Thank you so much for sharing this
❤️
I have cooked extra and kept in freezer. Please let me know if cant be stored in freezer
YES you can store in freezer!
Awesome! So glad that you enjoyed and that your kids did as well! Thanks for letting us know!
Best,
Desiree
We have canned salmon and tuna on hand. My mother made salmon cakes when I was young (pretty gross, but she didn’t own spices). I’m wanting to make fish cakes for my 13 month old, and want to try this recipe. Would it be possible to use canned fish in place of the filets?
I love all of your useful information, and have used your site to guide me since he was 7 months old. Thank you!
Hey Charity,
You can definitely try! Let us know how it goes!
Best,
Desiree
Didn’t have any onions at home so I used scallions instead. Skipped salt but added some shrimps, two small boiled potatoes and some corn to the mix before blending. Served it to my 10 month old baby for dinner and she loved it!!! She’s not that picky but refuses to be spoonfed anymore and I found your website while looking for finger food ideas! Thanks!
AJ those substitutions sound great!! Glad she enjoyed!! Use the search feature in the menu bar to look for more recipes on our website 🙂
How many grams or ounces of fish is called for in the recipe?
There really isn’t a specific amount, it depends on the size of the fish you are using, but the average fish filet (approx. the size of a checkbook) weighs approx. 3 ounces.
Would these freeze well do you think?
Hey Alexandra,
YES!! You can freeze these and thaw as needed 🙂
Have fun!
Desiree
Your Kids Table Team Member
I cook and freeze. Then take out and defrost as needed, very good basic recipe.
Could these be made without egg? If so, is there a substitute I could use for my daughter who is allergic?
The egg is there to bind the ingredients together, but I’m sure you could use a substitute. 2 tbsp. of water, 1 tbsp oil, and 2 tsp. baking powder works as an egg substitute for baking. It may work with the fish cakes as well.
can you make these without the breadcrumbs if you do not have? Would avacado work for the mayo sub in these? thanks!
Hmm, I’m not sure about the breadcrumbs, they kind of work as the glue, but almond meal could work. Also, avocado may work great. Never tried it, let me know how it goes:)
Would this work without the dairy? We have an allergy in our home.
Oh yes, absolutely! I’ve made them dairy free many times!
This recipient is delicious and very easy to make. Wondering if this can be baked instead if fried?
5 stars for some reason it won’t work below.
It could definitely be baked, I’ve always sauteed them. You’ll have to experiment with the cooking time:)
What are some great healthy and kid-friendly sides for fish cakes?
Other than what’s listed at the end of the post I’d say raw veggies, particularly carrots, rice, homestyle crispy potatoes, pasta, zucchini, etc.:)