Creamy Salmon + Steamed Zucchini Fries for Toddler Recipe
Soft, buttery, gut-loving real food for babies, toddlers, and even tired mamas
If there’s one thing I’m always looking for as a mom, it’s a meal that checks all the boxes: nourishing, easy on digestion, toddler-approved, and simple enough to pull together on a busy day.
These Salmon Bites + Steamed Zucchini Fries are exactly that.
Soft. Silky. Loaded with brain-building fats, gentle proteins, minerals, and gut-healing probiotics — if you choose to add a little raw milk kefir at the end.
And best of all?
Even picky toddlers can't resist dipping, scooping, and munching their way through this gentle, delicious meal.
Let’s dive into why this needs to be a regular in your real-food mama rotation.
Benefits of This Salmon Recipe
Wild salmon provides DHA, EPA, iodine, selenium, and B12 for brain, immune, and nervous system development.
Butter or ghee gives toddlers the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K2) their growing bodies need to absorb nutrients properly.
Creamy additions (cottage cheese, sour cream, half and half) offer gut-soothing, easily digestible protein and probiotics.
Meat Stock (optional) sneaks in gut-healing gelatin and extra minerals for connective tissue and immune support.
Optional raw milk kefir brings probiotics to populate the gut microbiome, helping digestion, skin health, and mood regulation.
Plus — the soft, silky texture makes it PERFECT for little mouths just learning to chew or toddlers who prefer "melt-in-your-mouth" foods.
Ingredients You’ll Need
1 small wild-caught salmon fillet (about 4–6 oz)
1 tablespoon butter (or ghee)
2–3 tablespoons blended cottage cheese, sour cream, or half and half
1 tablespoon meat stock (optional)
Tiny splash of raw milk kefir (optional, stirred in after cooling)
Pinch of sea salt (skip if under 1 year)
Optional: pinch of dried dill or parsley for flavor
How to Make the Creamy Salmon Bites
Cook the Salmon
Steam or bake salmon at 350°F for about 12–15 minutes until it flakes easily.
Flake the Salmon
Gently flake the salmon, making sure to pick out any small bones.
Create the Creamy Base
Melt butter or ghee in a pan over low heat.
Stir in the flaked salmon and your choice of:
Blended cottage cheese (for thicker, cheesy richness)
Sour cream (for a tangy, silky feel)
Half and half (for buttery silkiness)
Optional Boosts
Stir in a tablespoon of meat stock for minerals and gelatin.
Once off the heat and slightly cooled, stir in a small splash of raw milk kefir for probiotic support.
Season and Serve
Add a pinch of sea salt and herbs if using.
Let cool slightly and serve creamy and soft!
Bonus: Steamed Zucchini Fries (The Perfect Toddler Side)
Zucchini makes the perfect soft “fry” to dip, scoop, and balance out the richness of the creamy salmon.
How to Make Zucchini Fries:
Slice zucchini into toddler-friendly sticks or thin half-moons.
Steam over simmering water for 5–7 minutes — soft but not mushy!
Let cool slightly before serving.
Serving Tip:
Mash a few zucchini pieces right into the creamy salmon for extra fiber and minerals — or serve them separately for a fun, pick-it-up-and-dip-it meal!
The mild flavor and soft texture make these a toddler favorite — and the natural water content keeps digestion smooth and hydration up.
Why This Meal is Perfect for Toddler Nutrition
Toddlers need a balance of fats, proteins, minerals, and gut-friendly foods — and this meal delivers on all fronts.
Proteins build strong muscles, enzymes, and hormones.
Healthy fats fuel brain growth and steady blood sugar.
Collagen + gelatin (from bone broth) support skin, joints, and gut lining.
Minerals from salmon, butter, and zucchini (potassium, magnesium, iodine) support metabolism and calming sleep.
Probiotics (from kefir) build the gut microbiome that shapes immunity, mood, and digestion for years to come.
This isn’t just a meal.
It’s real food working for your little one’s development on every level.
Tips for Picky Eaters
Keep the textures soft and simple: Babies and toddlers often reject mixed textures before they’re ready. These bites are silky and gentle on the tongue.
Offer it "deconstructed": Put creamy salmon in one bowl and zucchini fries on the side. Let your child choose what to eat first.
Dip Dip Dip: Offer a tiny dish of homemade meat stock or a little cultured sour cream for dipping. Toddlers love the “dip and taste” game.
Serve it warm, not hot: Warm but not too hot foods are often more accepted by sensitive little palates.
Model eating: Sit down and eat a bite yourself first! Nothing makes a toddler curious like seeing mama happily eating what’s on their plate.
Food doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful.
It just needs to be real.
These Creamy Salmon Bites + Steamed Zucchini Fries are about as close to toddler mealtime magic as you can get — nutrient-dense, soft, nourishing, and packed with the good stuff their growing bodies crave.
Made with love, served with patience, and enjoyed with little messy hands and happy faces.
That’s the beauty of real food.
You've got this. And your little one’s gut, brain, and future self will thank you.