I wasn’t exactly sure what to call these – salmon patties, cakes, or bites. They are the perfect size for baby led weaning and toddlers! Enjoy as a snack, meal, or add to lunch boxes for daycare, preschool, and beyond. They freeze beautifully too! You should also try these salmon quiche and salmon balls next ;).
Ingredients
Salmon: Wild caught Alaskan salmon has been shown to be the best option. Choose “no salt added” or “low sodium.” Also, look for BPA-free lining. You may find small bones, which you don’t need to go through the trouble of removing. They are edible and will provide a boost of calcium. Vegetables: You can use whatever you have on hand. I personally like to use the three included here. You don’t have to be super exact with the amounts either. Just as long as you get 1 cup total you’ll be fine. Seasonings: Again, feel free to swap out with whatever you prefer. However, I highly encourage you to try with smoked paprika! It adds a subtle smoky flavor that is just so good! Panko: you can also use breadcrumbs. Ground flaxseeds : you can swap with 1 egg if there’s no allergy. Here’s everything you need to know about serving nuts and seeds to your baby!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Finely chop the vegetables Cook until softened. Add all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Combine until well-incorporated. Shape into firm balls then flatten slightly using your palms.
Time-saving tips
Prepping the vegetables is the most time-consuming part. I love using my mini manual food chopper for small tasks like this. While you can chop all the different vegetables together, I like to do them separately so you don’t over pulse Otherwise, they will get too mushy. While you are at it, I recommend that you chop extra to enjoy throughout the week. Add them to:
oats and eggs yogurt lentils French toast muffins peanut butter waffles
Tips for preventing salmon cakes from falling apart
Due to the variation in moisture content of canned goods, your cakes might not hold together well. If so, first try adding a bit more breadcrumbs. If that doesn’t work, add another flax egg, although I’ve never had to do this. Remove extra moisture: Pat the salmon dry after rinsing. COOK the veggies! Raw vegetables hold a lot of water, which will get released during cooking. It will also add more flavor so definitely don’t skip this step! Shape the mixture FIRMLY into balls first then flatten slightly between your palms.
Mango yogurt sauce
While these patties are delicious on their own, serving them alongside a dip/sauce can make them more approachable to kids. You can blend the mango until completely smooth (here’s how to make homemade mango puree)or leave it slightly chunky. I prefer the latter for added texture exposure. Just like with vegetables, puree a whole mango and enjoy throughout the week in different ways. How to Cut Mango for Babies
Salmon Cakes for baby
For 6-8 month old baby:
Start with just 2-3 pieces of food. Seeing too much food on their plate can be overwhelming for babies. You can preload the mango sauce onto a spoon and lay it directly on the tray for your baby to pick up or hand it to them. I absolutely LOVE this spoon. It’s just the perfect design for tiny, clumsy hands. This plate is pretty awesome too! It’s attached to the most powerful suction and is super spacious, allowing plenty of space for exploration!
For 9-12 month old baby:
Once their pincer grasp develops, you can cut the salmon cakes into bite-sized pieces. But you don’t have to. Serving the cake whole will be good practice for taking bites. Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me! This recipe was originally published in 2014, when this blog was a fun hobby of mine, and my focus wasn’t on infant and toddler nutrition. I modified this to make it baby and kid-friendly! Hope you enjoy!
