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If you’re looking to add more seafood or more plant protein into your child’s diet, you’ve landed on the right recipe. This easy, kid-friendly take on Korean “jeon” (fritters) creates nutritious baked tuna-tofu patties that kids will love eating at home or on the go.
In this freezer-friendly, make-ahead recipe, we turned Korean tuna-tofu “jeon” (fritters), which are commonly fried, into baked patties.
The combination of tofu and tuna create a soft but crispy fritter that’s seasoned with onion, garlic, salt and pepper.
Related: One of these tofu patties offers kids about 4 grams of protein. Do you know how much protein your child needs a day? Read our blog about protein for kids to learn more.
Tuna-tofu patties recipe for families and kids
This is a great recipe for families because each batch makes 12 burger patties, so you can refrigerate or freeze the leftovers for future meals.
The patties also offer kids and toddlers plenty of nutrients thanks to the combo of tuna and tofu.
Serve tofu-tuna patties to your children as a snack, lunch or dinner. For kids who like dips, add ketchup or any other dip they like on the side.
You can also serve a tuna patty instead of a hamburger on burger night.
Tofu patties for school or daycare lunch
These patties can be served at room temperature, so they’re a great lunch for toddlers and kids. Pack them into any bento-style lunchbox with warmed rice in a thermos, a fruit or veggie, and a dipping sauce or ketchup on the side.
Lunch packing tip: To pack ketchup in a lunchbox, use a condiment container.
If your child is a picky eater or if they are hesitant to try new foods or recipes, we always recommend getting them involved in cooking and food preparation. When they help you prepare meals, they can learn about foods in a low-pressure way.
See if your kids will help you make these tuna-tofu fritters! Mixing with clean hands helps the ingredients in this fritter recipe come together, and some kids may enjoy getting their hands dirty and helping you make them.
Note: Be mindful that your child doesn’t taste the raw egg in the mixture!
If your child chooses not to touch the ingredients, it’s best not to force them.
To make these tofu burger patties, you’ll need to press half a block of tofu. Pressing the tofu helps squeeze out excess moisture, which makes it easier to work with. You can do this while you gather the rest of the ingredients to make the recipe.
To press tofu, place tofu on layers of paper towels. Place a small cutting board on top of tofu and place heavy objects such as books or canned foods on top of the cutting board. Let the water squeeze out for a few minutes.
Scoop 2 tablespoons of tofu-tuna mixture per patty and place on a baking sheet. Spray the tops with oil.
Bake at 400 degrees F / 204 degrees C for 15 minutes. Flip patties, spray with oil and bake for 10 more minutes.
How to store tuna patty leftovers
These patties can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen after baking for up to 3 months.
To freeze patties, arrange them in a single layer on a cutting board lined with parchment paper. Freeze baked patties for a couple of hours, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container.
Heat the frozen patties in the microwave before serving them or packing them in your child’s lunchbox.
What to serve with baked tuna-tofu fritters
You can serve these kid-friendly patties with ketchup or your child’s favorite dip.
To round out the meal, we suggest pairing tuna-tofu patties with rice, quinoa or other grain. We also recommend serving a fruit or veggie on the side, like seedless grapes or cucumbers. Note: Whole grapes are considered a choking hazard for children until age 4.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine tofu, tuna, onion, egg, cornstarch, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Using your hands, crumble tofu and tuna while mixing with other ingredients.
Form small patties using about 2 Tbs. of mixture per patty. You should end up with about 12 patties. (Note: If the mixture is too crumbly, add a bit more cornstarch.) Place patties on the baking sheet, making sure they are not touching each other.
Spray oil on top of the patties and bake for 15 minutes.
Carefully flip the patties and spray with oil on top. Bake for 10 more minutes.
Notes
While gathering ingredients, press tofu for a few minutes to squeeze out excess moisture. To press tofu, place tofu on layers of paper towels. Place a small cutting board on top of tofu and place heavy objects such as books on top of the cutting board.
Tuna tofu patties can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Heat the patties in the microwave before packing them in a lunchbox.
To freeze patties, arrange them on a single layer on a cutting board lined with parchment paper. Freeze for a couple of hours, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Heat the patties in the microwave before packing them in a lunchbox.
This lunch can be packed in regular lunchboxes and served at room temperature, like many Japanese-style bento boxes.
Ingredients with a “W” next to them are WIC-eligible items. WIC is the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children in the United States. It provides food to families with pregnant or postpartum women and young children. WIC-eligible items will vary based on location.
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About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Hee Jee is the founder and blogger of White Blank Space. She grew up in South Korea and immigrated to the United States for graduate school. Currently, she lives in California with her husband, who is originally from Mexico, and their two daughters.
This free veggie exposure shopping list and menu planner will give you ideas for bringing more veggies into your home (AND help you get your little one closer to eating them!).
If you’re looking to add more seafood or more plant protein into your child’s diet, you’ve landed on the right recipe. This easy, kid-friendly take on Korean “jeon” (fritters) creates nutritious baked tuna-tofu patties that kids will love eating at home or on the go.
Baked tuna-tofu patties
In this freezer-friendly, make-ahead recipe, we turned Korean tuna-tofu “jeon” (fritters), which are commonly fried, into baked patties.
The combination of tofu and tuna create a soft but crispy fritter that’s seasoned with onion, garlic, salt and pepper.
Related: One of these tofu patties offers kids about 4 grams of protein. Do you know how much protein your child needs a day? Read our blog about protein for kids to learn more.
Tuna-tofu patties recipe for families and kids
This is a great recipe for families because each batch makes 12 burger patties, so you can refrigerate or freeze the leftovers for future meals.
The patties also offer kids and toddlers plenty of nutrients thanks to the combo of tuna and tofu.
Serve tofu-tuna patties to your children as a snack, lunch or dinner. For kids who like dips, add ketchup or any other dip they like on the side.
You can also serve a tuna patty instead of a hamburger on burger night.
Tofu patties for school or daycare lunch
These patties can be served at room temperature, so they’re a great lunch for toddlers and kids. Pack them into any bento-style lunchbox with warmed rice in a thermos, a fruit or veggie, and a dipping sauce or ketchup on the side.
Lunch packing tip: To pack ketchup in a lunchbox, use a condiment container.
Related: See our review of the top lunchboxes for kids.
Picky eater tip
If your child is a picky eater or if they are hesitant to try new foods or recipes, we always recommend getting them involved in cooking and food preparation. When they help you prepare meals, they can learn about foods in a low-pressure way.
See if your kids will help you make these tuna-tofu fritters! Mixing with clean hands helps the ingredients in this fritter recipe come together, and some kids may enjoy getting their hands dirty and helping you make them.
Note: Be mindful that your child doesn’t taste the raw egg in the mixture!
If your child chooses not to touch the ingredients, it’s best not to force them.
Need more advice for making mealtimes stress-free? Download our free picky eating guide.
Tofu patty ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed to make these baked fritters with tofu and tuna.
How to press tofu
To make these tofu burger patties, you’ll need to press half a block of tofu. Pressing the tofu helps squeeze out excess moisture, which makes it easier to work with. You can do this while you gather the rest of the ingredients to make the recipe.
To press tofu, place tofu on layers of paper towels. Place a small cutting board on top of tofu and place heavy objects such as books or canned foods on top of the cutting board. Let the water squeeze out for a few minutes.
Related: Did you know tofu is made from soybeans? Learn how to get your child to try soybeans.
How to make tuna-tofu patties
How to store tuna patty leftovers
These patties can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen after baking for up to 3 months.
To freeze patties, arrange them in a single layer on a cutting board lined with parchment paper. Freeze baked patties for a couple of hours, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container.
Heat the frozen patties in the microwave before serving them or packing them in your child’s lunchbox.
What to serve with baked tuna-tofu fritters
You can serve these kid-friendly patties with ketchup or your child’s favorite dip.
To round out the meal, we suggest pairing tuna-tofu patties with rice, quinoa or other grain. We also recommend serving a fruit or veggie on the side, like seedless grapes or cucumbers. Note: Whole grapes are considered a choking hazard for children until age 4.
Get more ideas for in-season produce by reading our guides to the best fruit and vegetables for kids.
Easy, on-the-go lunch recipes for kids and toddlers
Here are more kid and toddler lunch recipes you might like.
Tuna-Tofu Fritters
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition