How To Cook Fish For Baby Led Weaning

It’s a great idea to get fish into your babies nice when they’re starting out weaning, but how do you do it? Here we share how to cook fish for baby led weaning (and traditional weaning!) as well as some of of our favourite fish recipes for babies.

What Age Can I Introduce Fish Into My Baby’s Diet?

You can introduce fish from the minute your baby starts weaning. White fish, oily fish, even tuna and mackerel are all safe to give to your baby as part of a balanced and varied diet.

What Are The Benefits Of Giving My Baby Fish?

Fish, particularly oily fish such as tuna or salmon, is an excellent source of protein as well as being a good source of Omega-3; something that is recommended for brain and eye development. As such, fish is a great addition to a weaning baby’s menu and a good taste to get them used to as they grow.

What’s The Best Fish For Baby Led Weaning?

The best fish for baby weaning tends to be white fish such as cod. White fish is firm enough to hold its shape but can also often be flaked into good sized pieces for babies. It’s easy to cook, easy to prepare and normally one of the most affordable types of fish available.

Can I Give My Baby Salmon?

Yes, you can give a weaning baby salmon, either flaked on its own or as part of another meal.

Can I Give My Baby Tuna?

Yes, you can give a weaning baby tuna. We tend to use tuna that’s canned in spring water rather than oil or brine.

How To Cook Fish For Baby Led Weaning…

It’s important that you only serve your baby or toddler fish that has been cooked thoroughly. Once your fish is cooked, you can cool and serve chilled from the fridge if you prefer. Below, we cover the main ways that we would cook fish depending on the type of fish that you’re including.

How To Cook Cod For Baby Led Weaning

Cod, or other white fish, can be cooked either by oven baking, pan frying or poaching. We prefer to poach white fish in order to keep it nice and soft for baby as sometimes oven baking or pan-frying can result in a harder ‘crust’ on the edge of the flake. To poach cod in the oven, run the fillet of fish through your fingers to feel it for small bones. Once you’re happy, place it on a flat baking tray on top of a large piece of tin foil. Bring the foil up around it to form edges and add a couple tablespoons of water. Then bring the tin foil together on top, to form an enclosed parcel of cod and water. Cook for around 10-12 minutes until the cod is opaque in the middle (i.e. it’s no longer translucent). You can perform the same by using milk or melted butter. Once cooked, allow to cool slightly and flake into slices to serve.

How To Cook Salmon For Baby Led Weaning

Salmon, can be cooked either by oven baking, pan frying or poaching. As above, we tend to poach salmon in order to keep it nice and soft for baby and to contain the fish smell! To poach salmon in the oven, run the fillet of fish through your fingers to feel it for small bones. Once you’re happy, place it on a flat baking tray on top of a large piece of tin foil. Bring the foil up around it to form edges and add a couple tablespoons of water. Then bring the tin foil together on top, to form an enclosed parcel of salmon and water. Cook for around 10-12 minutes until the salmon is opaque in the middle (i.e. it’s no longer translucent). Once cooked, allow to cool slightly and flake into slices to serve.

How To Cook Tuna For Baby Led Weaning

Whilst you can buy fresh tuna for weaning, the majority of people will use tinned tuna. When using tuna in recipes for your baby, you may find it best to opt for tuna tinned in spring water in order to reduce salt levels found in brined tuna or the additional greasy texture of tuna in oil. Tinned tuna is already cooked so you can use this directly from the tin, heat it by tipping it into a bowl, breaking it up and microwaving for 30 seconds or so to warm through (check for hot spots!). Personally we prefer to stir it through recipes near the end to warm it up.

Fish Recipes For Baby & Toddler

Some of our favourite recipes for getting fish into your baby or toddler’s diet are:

Fish fingers for babies – delicious, quick and a lot easier than you think to make!

Tuna sweetcorn pasta – a simple store cupboard weaning meal that can be served hot or cold

Salmon pasta – switch out the tuna for cooked salmon mixed in just before serving for an extra Omega 3 boost

Salmon & sweet potato fishcakes – perfect for babies, toddlers and even grown ups!

Cod & couscous balls – ideal finger food that tastes as good as it looks