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! And check out all our great toddler lunch ideas!
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.
