10 of the best kid-friendly recipes for fish and seafood! These Kid-Approved Fish Recipes are the perfect way to introduce fish to kids!
I kind of think that fish is the forgotten superhero of the food world.
We seem to be constantly reminded about the benefits of fruit and vegetables in our families’ diet.
And they do indeed play a very important role in delivering the nutrients that we need!
But fish and seafood don’t seem to be quite so high on our radars in terms of its health benefits.
There are so many fantastic health benefits to eating fish and here are just a few of the headline points:
Health Benefits of Eating Fish
* A great source of protein which helps build strong and healthy muscles and bones which is obviously key for the small people in our lives!
* Vitamin A contributing to healthy eyes and skin.
* It contains Vitamin B which helps convert food to energy and helps build new blood cells.
* Also contains Vitamin D to help absorb calcium
* Iodine which contributes to keeping metabolism at the right level.
* Contains Iron too to make new blood cells
* Oily fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel and fresh tuna are great sources of Omega -3 fatty acids which are important for brain development (perhaps why fish is often referred to as “brain food”)!
How To Get Your Kids To Eat Fish
Now I know that a lot of people either “don’t like fish” or presume that because they have a small person in tow, that fish will be a point blank refusal at mealtimes, but not all fish is strong in flavour (you know, like “fishy” fish!)
A lot of white fish like cod, haddock and tilapia for example, are very mild in flavour and there are so many different ways of cooking and presenting a fish dish that even the pickiest of eaters will be asking for more!
Thinking about how you serve fish when introducing it to kids is really important!
Putting it together with foods they are already familiar with or making it texturally familiar will all help!
Because it’s so nutritionally beneficial, I really wanted to put together a collection of easy fish recipes for you to get your kids trying a wide variety of fish!
So, here’s my roundup of 10 fantastic kid approved fish and seafood recipes your kids are sure to love!
Healthy Fish Recipes For Kids
Tuna Sweetcorn Bites
These Tuna & Sweetcorn Bites are a great way to introduce fish to your picky eater. Small bites of mashed potato, tuna and sweetcorn in a crispy coating.
Crunchy Panko Polenta Fish Fingers
These are nothing like the store bought fish fingers that I grew up on, they actually taste and look like fish and are yummy! They are such a good starting point for kids who won’t eat fish.
Salmon & Prawn Linguine
This is a great recipe for the whole family! Combining new food like fish with a food that a fussy eater is already familiar with (in this case, pasta) can be a good way to get them trying new foods!
Healthy Fish Finger Sandwich
Comfort food can still be healthy! These super tasty Fish Finger Sandwiches are lightly coated in breadcrumbs and then air fried for a crunchy coating! By using the fresh fish fillets in my recipe rather than store bought fish fingers, you can also save money!
Tuna Nicoise Frittata
This frittata combines, tinned tuna, green beans, sweetcorn and new potatoes to make a really great finger food that little hands can easily get to grips with whilst introducing them to fish!
Fish Tostadas with Peach Salsa
These little fish tacos make a brilliant fish dinner that is light and summery! Let the kids get involved in putting their own tacos together to make dinner time more fun and interactive!
Creamy Salmon Pasta
A simple creamy pasta dish made with salmon, frozen peas and cream. A great way to encourage get kids to eat fish and ready in just 15 minutes. The perfect mid-week family meal.
Crispy Baked Salmon Nuggets
Salmon is one of those foods that I am always trying to get my kids to eat. It is a really great source protein for growing bodies, not to mention an excellent way to get essential Omega-3 fatty acids or “healthy fats” into them.
And these little golden brown baked fish nuggets are brilliant for little fingers!
Mild Red Thai Prawn Curry
A quick, easy and super tasty Thai Red Prawn Curry recipe that’s mild enough for kids. A new family favourite for sure!
Salmon Fishcakes
Serve these fish cakes with homemade chips or go super healthy with homemade sweet potato wedges with a side of homemade tartar sauce and you’ve got a really filling but healthy dinner for the entire family to enjoy together!
Lemon & Herb Fish Fingers
Super easy to make using only simple ingredients and really healthy too, your kids are sure to love this recipe for Lemon & Herb Fish Fingers.
Cod is perfect for little taste buds as it’s not too overpowering and you can also adjust or even leave out the lemon zest to dial down the flavour even more if this is a first introduction to fish for kids!
If you enjoyed these kid approved fish recipes, then please do leave me a comment and a star rating below. You can also share your pictures with me on Instagram. I always love to see your creations!
You might also like this Kid-Friendly Chicken Recipe collection
Clyde Tucker says
Good ideas to try out, Super easy to make using only simple ingredients and really healthy too, your kids are sure to love this recipe for Lemon & Herb Fish Fingers.
Vicky says
Thank you!
Dionne says
So many good ideas here. I like to try and get my daughter to have fish at least once a week but quite often run out of ideas on how to serve it so thanks for putting all these lovely recipes in one place! We are currently working our way through trying them all!
chioma says
Good ideas to try out. Salmon and mackerel are the top hits for my toddler. I used ground dried fish to make her my native meals and baby purees.
Ciara Attwell says
Oh wow ground dried fish is a genius idea!!
Faye says
We love fish here! It took a while to persuade the little man but he converted at about 18 months. Lots of super ideas here thank you.
Ciara Attwell says
Thanks Faye!
Ciara Attwell says
Thank you Faye!