Easy, Tinned Tuna Fish Cakes - For Baby Led Weaning
Table of Contents
What To Serve With Fishcakes
When serving yummy fishcakes to your baby for baby-led weaning (BLW), you can pair them with soft cooked vegetables like peas, carrots, or sweet potatoes. These vegetables are easy for babies to pick up and chew, promoting their self-feeding skills.
You can also serve the fishcakes with some mashed avocado or a side of fresh lemon yogurt for added creaminess.
Ensure the fishcakes are cooled down sufficiently to prevent any burns and cut them into small, manageable pieces for your baby to handle easily.
Supervise your baby closely during mealtimes to ensure safe eating practices. A great recipe for the whole family.
Tuna Fish Cakes For Baby?
Growing up I loved a fish cake! I remember that was always my go-to order from the fish and chip shop with chips and a bit of gherkin. The mere thought of those crispy, golden patties filled with yummy flavours would make my mouth water.
Whether it was a special family gathering or a regular weeknight dinner, fish cakes always brought a sense of joy to the table. The sizzle of the frying pan echoed throughout the house, creating an irresistible aroma that drew everyone to the kitchen.
The first bite always delivered a burst of satisfaction, as the tender fish melted in my mouth, complemented by the crunchy exterior. The fish cakes acted as a delectable gateway to the rich and diverse world of fish, leaving an indelible mark on my taste buds and instilling a life-long love for culinary adventures.
Can I Serve My Baby Tuna Fish Cakes?
Potato tuna cakes are an excellent option for baby-led weaning, providing a nutritious meal for your little one.
Packed with essential nutrients like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins, tuna fish cake promotes healthy growth and development. The soft and moist texture of the cake allows babies to easily grasp and feed themselves, helping them develop their fine motor skills.
With subtle flavours of tuna complemented by delicate herbs and spices, this dish introduces babies to new tastes and encourages them to explore a variety of flavours from an early age.
The tuna fish cake is not only a delicious and nutritious option for baby-led weaning but also a versatile dish that can be customised by adding mashed vegetables, making it a perfect choice for introducing new textures and flavours to your baby's diet.
Including Fish In Baby’s Diet
I wanted to create a fish cake that was super easy to make if you are in a rush, but at the same time you know that your little ones will be getting something that is nutritious as well. Introducing fish to a baby's diet can provide benefits for their development and overall health.
Fish, especially fatty fish like salmon, is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain development.
These essential nutrients aid in promoting cognitive function, visual development, and even support a healthy immune system. When introducing fish to a baby, it is important to cook it thoroughly and remove any bones entirely to ensure their safety.
Starting with mild fish and gradually increasing the variety can help babies develop a taste for this nutritious protein-rich food.
A Great Gluten Free Option
Whilst a traditional fish cake is covered in breadcrumbs, I have created this recipe without as they are just as yummy without a breadcrumb layer, plus this makes them Gluten Free if you’re using Gluten Free oats!
I really wanted to focus on speed and not make them too complicated but still have the yumminess of a traditional fish cake.
Fresh Fish Or Tinned Fish
I have decided to use a tin of tuna as the star of the show here, as tuna is something that most of us have in our cupboards, plus it is reasonably inexpensive with most fish nowadays being very expensive.
If you didn’t want to use tuna, it is worth exploring the frozen aisle, as you can get some lovely white fish which is reasonably priced compared to fresh fish. For example, I picked up a frozen bag of fish for £2.50 which had approximately 5 pieces of white fish in the bag, not bad!
Including tinned tuna in moderation for baby-led weaning can be beneficial for a variety of reasons.
Tinned tuna provides a convenient and affordable source of protein, which is essential for the growth and development of babies. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain development.
Additionally, tuna contains important minerals like iron and iodine, which support healthy blood cell production and thyroid function.
However, it is important to note that tuna can contain mercury, so it's crucial to choose "light" varieties and limit intake to once or twice a week. When introducing tinned tuna to babies, it is advisable to consult with your health visitor and follow their guidance to ensure safe and healthy consumption.
Using Oat Flour Instead Of Plain Flour
You will see I have decided to use oat flour here, this is mainly for added fibre purposes to give this recipe an all round hit of protein and fibre to fill little tummies up for longer. If you used Gluten Free oats this would also make the fish cakes Gluten Free as previously mentioned.
Including rolled oats in a baby's diet during the baby led weaning stage can provide numerous benefits. Rolled oats are highly nutritious, rich in fibre, and contain essential vitamins and minerals. The soft and chewy texture makes them an ideal food for babies to practice their chewing skills.
Being low in sugar and gluten-free, rolled oats are easy to digest and suitable for babies with sensitive tummies. They also help regulate blood sugar levels, keeping babies feeling fuller for longer.
The versatility of rolled oats allows for endless meal options, from porridge to homemade oaty bars, introducing a variety of flavours and textures to expand the baby's palate. Including rolled oats in a baby's diet not only ensures a healthy start, but also sets the foundation for a lifelong love of nutritious foods.
Potatoes In Baby’s Diet
Including potato within a baby-led weaning tuna fish cake recipe adds a delightful twist to this nutritious dish. The soft and creamy texture of the potatoes complements the flaky tuna perfectly. Potatoes are a versatile ingredient, providing a good source of carbohydrates and essential nutrients like vitamin C and potassium for growing little ones.
When incorporated into the tuna fish cakes, the potato brings a mild sweetness that enhances the overall flavour profile, making it an enticing and satisfying option for introducing fish to babies.
The combination of tuna and potato creates a well-rounded meal that is not only delicious but also packed with protein and essential nutrients, fostering healthy eating habits from an early age.
These are so yummy and even when my little boy is being a bit fussy with food he will always eat these! So They are great for picky eaters and for the whole family.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
I believe that the taste of a dish should transport you to a world of culinary bliss. That's precisely what my tantalising tuna fish cakes will do. Made with love and a touch of culinary mastery, these delectable cakes are the epitome of flavour and texture.
My carefully selected ingredients, including tuna and a hint of zesty lemon, create a yummy blend that will get those taste buds moving.
Whether you're planning a casual lunch, a family dinner, or looking to impress your baby my tuna and potato patties promise to be a sensational hit. So why make my tuna fish cakes? Because they are an experience worth savouring—an embodiment of culinary delight that will leave you craving for more.
Ingredient information
Tuna chunks in spring water - I use this tuna can as I just prefer it and I find it is the cheapest to buy in the supermarket.
Potato - A fish cake with potato I just love and it really gives a great light fluffy texture to the fish cake, which I love. Great for sore gums!
Parsley - I had fresh parsley to use up in the fridge when I created this recipe, but you can use dried and works just as well.
Lemon - Lemon and fish is a delicious combination and I just knew it would be a great addition to this recipe.
Ground oats - Ground oats are literally just that. I blitz the oats in my Nutri-bullet to get ground oats or oat flour.
Egg - The egg is what binds the fish cakes together so a vital ingredient.
Olive oil - I add olive oil to a frying pan, as I just love the taste but you can use some unsalted butter or vegetable oil.
Black pepper - I love to use black pepper for seasoning. The recipe does not need salt
Serving suggestion
I like to serve this with a fresh lemon yogurt dip.
Or you could serve alongside sweet potato wedges or roasted carrots and, of course some peas or low sugar baked beans.
They are great on their own with a side of broccoli tots, for a substantial lunch.
Storage Instructions
As I have used tinned tuna here and it is for your baby, you can keep in the fridge for 1 day, but they cannot be frozen and then reheated, as the tuna from the can has been cooked and then you are cooking the tuna again. So these are best eaten on the day. Or eaten the next day from the fridge cold.
If you use raw tuna and then cook it yourself, or any raw flaked fish, then these fish cakes can be frozen for up to 3 months and then defrosted and then re-heated.
The best way to store the fish cakes are in a large airtight container using parchment paper to separate each fish cake. Or you can use freezer bags still using the parchment paper to separate the fish cakes to prevent them from sticking.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Frying pan - I love the non-stick surface of this particular frying pan and it’s suitable for all types of hob.
Large bowl - I like to use a stainless steel mixing bowl - they are usually lightweight and easy to clean.
Nutri Bullet - I have found a blender to be an invaluable tool in the preparation of many of my baby led weaning recipes.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Recipe | Easy, Tinned Tuna Fish Cakes - For Baby Led Weaning
Makes 6 medium sized fish cakes
1 can (145g) tuna chunks in spring water
1 medium potato, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon dried parsley (fresh if you have it)
Squeeze of half a lemon
4 tablespoons ground oats
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil
A grind of black pepper
Instructions
Boil the potatoes in hot water for 15 minutes or so until they are soft. Mash them well with a fork or potato masher, and leave to cool.
Drain the tuna and add to a mixing bowl, along with the potato, parsley, lemon juice, oats, egg and a grind of black pepper.
Mix all the ingredients together until combined, you can use your hands for this or a spoon.
Shape into round balls and place on a baking sheet. If you can refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, on a medium-high heat, place the balls in the oil and push down with a spatula, thickness at least 1cm.
Cool for 2 minutes each side until golden brown.
Hope you and your family enjoy!
Recipe notes
It is important to leave the potatoes to cool down before you shape with your hands. You could use a sweet potato if you prefer, this will make the fish cakes a bit sweeter, just make sure the mixture isn’t too wet if you decide to use a sweet potato.
You could use tinned salmon if you prefer to make salmon fishcakes as an alternative recipe.
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