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.)
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.
And check out all of toddler dinner recipes!
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.
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.
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.
Servings 4
Serving Size 2 puffs
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
