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Super juicy and tender, these baked shrimp cakes are baby and kid-friendly! Of course, the adults can enjoy them too. Make extra so there’s enough for everyone! You’ll love how easy these shrimp cakes are to make with only a handful of ingredients.
![three shrimp tofu cakes with rice and broccoli served in a white bowl](https://www.mjandhungryman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_4314-58.jpg)
We are HUGE lovers of shrimp. They are delicious, yes. But what I really appreciate is how EASY it is to cook them. Because ya know, sometimes cooking fish at home can feel…a bit intimidating.
Of course, you can do all kinds of fancy things with shrimp (Shrimp and Tofu Pad Thai, Vietnamese BBQ Shrimp noodle Bowl) But most of the time, I simply cook in a pan with some oil or butter and seasonings and serve with some vegetables and pasta or cooked grains. Get in my belly!
Ingredients
![all the ingredients laid out on a white background](https://www.mjandhungryman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ingredients-5.jpg)
- Shrimp: Fresh or frozen
- Tofu: Firm. don’t use the soft variety as the cakes won’t hold together well.
- Vegetables: feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Just be sure to chop them finely.
- Egg: this recipe doesn’t require eggs. But, if your child isn’t allergic, try coating the cakes on both sides in whisked egg. It adds extra moisture, richness, and nutrition to the cakes while imparting a lovely golden color. Again, it’s not absolutely necessary.
Everything you need to know about: Shrimp and Tofu for Babies
Dietitian’s Tips
There is another top allergen in this recipe, tofu. So you may want to test for it prior to trying these cakes. That way, if your baby does have a reaction, you’ll know which ingredient is the culprit.
And if you’re curious about my stance on soy and whether or not it’s safe for babies, read this post – what’s the best milk for toddlers?
Why I added tofu in this recipe is because it’s a great source of many of the key nutrients during the early years – iron, protein, calcium, and zinc. It’s also what makes these cakes super tender and moist!
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. I like to use the flash freeze method.
Other Baby-Friendly Seafood Recipes
Did you make this baby and toddler-friendly Asian Shrimp Tofu Cakes? Follow me on Instagram post a photo and tag me, post a photo on my Facebook page, or save it to Pinterest. I love to see what you’re making!
![a close up shot of cooked shrimp tofu cakes on parchment paper](https://www.mjandhungryman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/featured-image-12-300x300.jpg)
Easy baked shrimp cakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 150 grams (1/3 pound) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 150 grams (5 ounces ) firm tofu
- 90 grams (about 3/4 cup) finely chopped vegetables of choice (I used onion, red bell pepper, carrots), see note
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1 egg (optional), whisked
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or silicone mat) and set aside.
- Add shrimp and tofu to food processor and pulse until ground and forms a thick white paste.
- Transfer to a bowl and combine with the rest of the ingredients. Shape into 6 even-sized cakes.
- Optional: Dip cakes into the dish with the whisked egg. Make sure to coat both sides.
- Transfer to prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Notes
- Shrimp: Fresh or frozen
- Tofu: Firm. don’t use the soft variety as the cakes won’t hold together well.
- Vegetables: feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Just be sure to chop them finely.
- Egg: this recipe doesn’t require eggs. But, if your child isn’t allergic, try coating the cakes on both sides in whisked egg. It adds extra moisture, richness, and nutrition to the cakes while imparting a lovely golden color. Again, it’s not absolutely necessary.
Hi, I’m not sure what I did wrong, but these became mush in the oven :/ any advice? I followed the recipe, used frozen shrimp and firm tofu, red peppers for the veggies and dipped the balls in egg.
Love the tofu in these. I keep in freezer and steam in microwave Anyday dish. My 8m old loves them.
MJ has Bittman simplicity and flavor, but uniquely kid -friendly. Best recipe developer I’ve found as a new mom!
Aww thank you so much! Means a lot. truly!
These just came out of the oven and look great. I didn’t get them ready in time for dinner, so wondering the best way to reheat? Thanks for all your clever ideas!
HI! I would reheat at 350F for 5 minutes or so until warmed through or microwave
Thanks for this recipe. This was a huge hit with my baby. He devoured them. So now I want to make a big batch.
Question, do you freeze them before cooking or after cooking please?
Thank you
Yay!! I freeze after!