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!
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:
Ideal for quick lunches, daycare meals, or snack time. Prep in under 10 minutes and customize as your toddler grows!
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.
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.
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.
Allow a few minutes to rest and congeal before cutting.
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.
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.
Servings 2
Serving Size 1/2 sandwich
* 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.
