10 Seafood Recipes Your Kids Will Love

 

Kids know what they like, and most don't want to try new things, so it's a struggle to make something different for lunch or dinner. While they could eat boxed mac and cheese or hot dogs endlessly, you know they need more nutrients from natural foods. Seafood is an excellent source of nutrition, but how can you get children to eat it?

Check out these 10 seafood recipes your kids will love. They don't require much time or money, so the entire family can try new meals on any budget.

1. Crispy Cod Nuggets

Chicken nuggets are a staple food for kids. They love getting them fresh in the drive-thru or on their tray during school lunches. Transition them to seafood without giving them something completely new by making crispy cod nuggets at home.

Cut fresh cod into nugget-sized pieces, then bread and fry them. Serve with a yummy side like sweet potato fries and have fun experimenting with various spices to personalize the recipe.

2. Low-Calorie Shrimp Alfredo

Alfredo pasta is essentially the grown-up version of mac and cheese, so you may already serve it at home occasionally. When you want this classic meal without all the calories, you can serve low-calorie shrimp alfredo.

Kids will love this healthy alternative seafood dish, especially if you find pasta in unique shapes. Give it in a pasta pot for a little heat with cajun seasoning or add it to your bowl after serving the rest of the family.

3. Grilled Fish Wraps

Whether it's a hot summer night or a holiday celebration, grilled fish wraps are the perfect seafood alternative to burgers. Your children will love this hands-on food and all the tangy goodness inside. They can even help you make the salsa and fold the wraps so everyone has fun with this new recipe.

4. Breaded Fish Sticks

Four ingredients are all you need to make your kids fall in love with breaded fish sticks. They have all the fun of chicken tenders. Bake them in the oven or put them in your air fryer before challenging the kids to dunk them in new flavors, like tartar sauce.

5. Cod and Pea Bites

Fighting with your kids to make them eat their veggies is about to become a thing of the past. Cod and pea bites are fried mouthfuls of goodness that hide the peas behind a wall of flavor. Add a bowl of buttery pasta or serve them on a bed of fresh salad to round out this healthy meal.

6. Seared Salt Block Tuna Steaks

You can make seared salt-block tuna to turn your kitchen into the next biggest seafood restaurant. This summer dish features a chile and citrus flavor profile that impresses even the family's youngest members. Cooking with a Himalayan salt block is easy and is sure to fascinate the pickiest eaters.

7. Lobster Mac and Cheese

Kids rarely turn down a bowl full of steaming mac and cheese, so toss some lobster into the pot, too. You can even make this casserole dish ahead of time and reheat it in the oven when you have a busy night. Amp up the protein with a mix of lobster, crab and shrimp for a flavorful bowl of the ultimate comfort food.

8. Simple Fish Tacos

You're about to flip Taco Tuesday upside down. Get any fish you like at your local grocery store and marinate it before baking. Shred it with forks and serve with your kids' favorite taco fillings. The added corn slaw makes the perfect side dish for this colorful summer recipe.

9. Easy Tuna Pâté

When you find a stack of tuna cans in the back of your pantry and don't know what to do with them, make easy tuna pâté. The cheesy flavor balances out the taste of fish, so kids who usually shy away from tuna sandwiches won't mind it. It's also the perfect base for more flavorful experiments, like mixing in chili or hot sauce.

Depending on the night, you could make this a finger-food meal by serving it with crackers for dipping. It can also double as a sandwich filling between two slices of your family's favorite bread. You can toast or grill the sandwiches to take this recipe to the next level.

10. Homemade Seafood Pizza

Skip the delivery fees for your next pizza night and make homemade seafood pizza. This is a made-from-scratch recipe, including the dough. Indulge your inner baker and top the crust with plenty of cheese and bite-sized pieces of shrimp, scallops or anchovies. After just 10 minutes in the oven, you'll have a complementary dish for your family movie or game night.

Merge Their Favorite Foods

Although your children may not get excited at the thought of oysters or salmon-wrapped artichoke hearts, you can still introduce them to seafood by merging their favorite foods with new recipes. Try tuna steaks, seafood pizza, or lobster mac and cheese to show them that seafood can be fun and delicious.