If you’re struggling to get your child to eat salmon–or any kind of seafood, really–don’t hide the effort; hide the fish. No better way of doing that than mixing it with things your child probably already likes–mainly, a lot of cream cheese–and then stuffing it into something your child will surely like: a popover that’s pure delish and the right kind of squish. We call these salmon puffs, mostly because “carb ball hiding salmon” didn’t quite have the same ring; whatever you call them, your picky eater will remember them not just as the fun bready thing you served instead of the yucky pink thing but also as dinner.
(Note: this recipe for salmon puffs assumes you’re cooking more and/or a larger piece of salmon than the amount listed–you’ll just need to set a little bit of that fish aside to make these for your child. To make a bigger batch of salmon puffs, just double or triple the ingredients listed.)
Ingredients Overview
- Butter: Provides the fat necessary for that rich, pastry-like flavor and helps the puffs rise.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural base for your popover shell.
- Eggs: These act as the primary leavening agent, creating the steam that “puffs” the dough in the oven.
- Salmon: Cooked until flaky; this provides the protein and omega-3s hidden inside the mousse.
- Cream Cheese: The “secret weapon” that creates a smooth, familiar texture toddlers love.
- Garlic and Mustard Powder: Subtle aromatics that cut through the richness without being spicy.
- Lemon Zest: Adds a bright, fresh note to balance the savory fish.
Steps Summary
- Prep the Protein: Cook the salmon in the air fryer or oven until it flakes easily with a fork.
- Make the Pâte à Choux: Boil water and butter, then stir in flour and eggs until a cohesive dough forms.
- First Bake: Scoop mounds of batter onto a parchment-lined pan and bake at 400°F to create the structure.
- Dry the Interior: Reduce heat, poke a hole in each puff to let steam escape, and bake again to ensure they aren’t soggy.
- Blend the Filling: Combine cooked salmon, cream cheese, and seasonings in a blender until completely smooth.
- Stuff and Serve: Spoon the salmon mousse into the cooled puffs and serve to your waiting toddler.
FAQ
Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, you can bake the shells in advance and store them in an airtight container for 24 hours; however, for the best texture, wait to fill them until just before serving so the puffs stay crisp.
What if I don’t have a blender for the mousse? You can use a food processor or even finely mash the ingredients with a fork, though the “hidden” nature of the fish works best when the filling is completely smooth.
My puffs didn’t rise—what happened? The most common culprit is opening the oven door too early. The steam needs consistent high heat to lift the dough; keep that door shut until the first 20 minutes are up!
Can I use canned salmon? Absolutely. Just ensure you drain it well and remove any stray skin or bones before blending it with the cream cheese.
How do I store leftovers? Store filled puffs in the refrigerator for up to two days. Note that the bread will soften significantly, but they still taste great!
Is this recipe freezer-friendly? The unfilled shells freeze beautifully for up to a month. We don’t recommend freezing them once they are filled with the cream cheese mixture, as the texture of the mousse may change.
Recipe Links
What to Serve With Salmon Puffs
- The Toddler Broccoli Recipe — A simple, tender green side that pairs perfectly with the buttery popover shell.
- Vegetable Mac and Cheese — An easy hack to make the blue box be a vegetable.
- Cauliflower Nuggets — Another handheld that’s more chicken nuggie than vegetable.
More Toddler Recipes Like This
- Salmon Cakes — Another great finger-food option that uses flaky salmon in a crispy, easy-to-hold format.
- Salmon Rillettes— A similarly creamy, spreadable take on salmon that’s perfect for younger children.
- Best Salmon Filets For The Family — If looking for a recipe for the rest of the salmon you have, try this tasty and accessible approach
And check out all of toddler dinner recipes!
Easy Salmon Puffs For Toddlers: Seafood For Picky Eaters
Description
These Salmon Puffs are the perfect way to introduce seafood to your little one by pairing flaky fish with a creamy, kid-approved filling inside a soft popover. They are easy to hold, fun to eat, and can be customized with your toddler's favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep, Cook, and Assemble
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If you need to cook the salmon, do so by heating it in an air fryer or oven set to 340 degrees for 3-4 or 5-6 minutes, respectively.
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Preheat your oven to 400.
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In a small saucepan, bring butter and a half a cup of water to a boil. Reduce heat to Low and add flour and eggs; stir until combined.
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On a baking pan covered with parchment paper, scoop one (small) or two (big) spoonfuls of the batter onto the baking pan; repeat, leaving at least an inch between each mound, until all batter is used.
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Bake puffs for 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven, then reduce oven temperature to 250.
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Poke or punch in a sizable hole in the side of each puff–enough that a small spoon can slide into it. Return puffs to the oven and cook for 7-8 minutes.
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While the puffs bake, make the salmon mixture by adding to your blender the cooked salmon*, cream cheese, garlic and mustard powders, zest of a lemon, and a pinch of salt; blend until smooth and mousse-like.
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Scoop up the salmon mixture onto a small spoon and stuff into puffs.
Serve
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The puffs are soft and chewy, and can easily be consumed by even a young toddler. We’ve intentionally designed them to be subtle–it’s all about the texture here–so no shame in allowing your child to treat them like a hot dog and run them through the usual condiments.
Adapt
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You can use smoked salmon here, or even a premade fish spread–just don’t add any additional salt to the mixture and add an additional squeeze or two of the lemon. Feel free to experiment with just about any filling–tuna fish or pumpkin work well, too–but be sure and keep the filling smooth and creamy.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size 2 puffs
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 215kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16g25%
- Potassium 160mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
- Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
- Sugars 0.5g
- Protein 9g18%
- Vitamin A 145 mcg
- Calcium 35 mg
- Iron 1.2 mg
- Vitamin D 1.8 mcg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
