At two your kiddo can start eating tuna; tuna sandwiches are an obvious lunch option thereafter. Introduce it right and you’ve got a easy, no-cook solution every week for years to come. Low effort, big rewards: that’s the goal.
Smooth is the way here: pulsing the tuna w/avocado turns it almost mousse like; toasting the bread gives it that crunchy-soft contrast they love. And cheese–well, that’s just a given (especially if you want to cover up the fish). If you’ve had the Tunacado sandwich at Joe and the Juice, that’s the model here: simple pleasure, enhanced greatly by strategic use of texture. Be sure and make one for yourself–you’ll see what we mean.
Check out our other great sandwich recipes!
Overview: Making Tuna Sandwiches For Toddlers
Introducing these tuna sandwiches to toddlers will be a sure hit with little ones—it’s creamy, flavorful, and perfectly sized for tiny hands. It’s a great way to introduce fish, protein, and healthy fats. Toddlers love it because:
- Soft bread that’s easy to chew
- Mild-flavored tuna with melty cheese
- Lightly toasted for gentle texture
Ideal for quick lunches, daycare meals, or snack time. Prep in under 10 minutes and customize as your toddler grows!
Ingredients
- 2 slices soft bread
- 1 tsp mayonnaise (or light spread)
- 1 slice mild cheese (e.g., American or cheddar)
- 1/4–1/3 cup canned tuna, well-drained
- Optional: finely chopped celery or pickle (for older toddlers)
Steps to Make Tuna Sandwiches For Toddlers
- Preheat skillet to medium heat.
- Lightly spread mayo on each bread slice.
- Layer cheese on one slice.
- Top with tuna—spread evenly.
- Cover with second slice (mayo side down).
- Grill gently until golden and cheese starts to melt—about 2–3 min per side newdadskitchen.com+9newdadskitchen.com+9youtube.com+9.
- Cut into toddler-friendly pieces like strips or small shapes.
FAQ
Q: Can I skip the cheese?
A: Yes, though cheese adds calcium and helps keep it together—ideal for little eaters.
Q: At what age is it safe?
A: Once your toddler is handling soft solids (around 12–18 months), you can introduce this sandwich.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Keep uneaten portions in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Q: Can I add veggies?
A: Absolutely—finely diced celery, carrot, or pickle can add mild crunch.
How to Introduce Tuna Sandwiches To Toddlers
Description
Drawing inspiration from the "Tunacado" at Joe & Juice, this mousse'd tuna finish sandwich is a rich and easy lunch treat for your toddler to enjoy.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
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Peel, de-pit, and halve your avocado; throw the fruit into the blender. Add in contents of one can of tuna, one spoonful of mayo, two squirts of mustard, the juice of the lemon, a shake of black pepper, and any other seasonings your child likes.
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Pulse until contents of blender are combined and mousse like in texture. Chill for at least thirty minutes.
Cook and Assemble
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Heat a pan to Medium. lightly coat each side of bread with mayonnaise; place a slice of cheese at the bottom of slice, spread tuna over the cheese and place a slice of bread on top and lightly press down to adhere contents.
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Cook sandwiches in pan until golden brown on the underside roughly two minutes; flip and do the same with the other side.
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Allow a few minutes to rest and congeal before cutting.
Serve
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Because of the creaminess of the tuna, the sandwich can be a bit soft to handle--we recommend cutting it into fingers if your child may struggle holding and biting a larger food object (i.e., half a sandwich). Since the sandwich is pretty mild, feel free to side with a favored condiment; fruit is also a good choice to accompany.
Adapt
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While turning this recipe's "-melt" approach is an obvious move--especially if your kiddo loves grilled cheese already--you could skip the cooking part altogether by toasting the bread and then melting the cheese on top via the microwave, which will save you a bit of time. We recommend serving it open face if taking this approach.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
Serving Size 1/2 sandwich
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 150kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 7g11%
- Sodium 150mg7%
- Potassium 170mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 15g5%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Protein 11g22%
- Vitamin A 70 mcg
- Calcium 90 mg
- Iron 1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
