Image: Shutterstock
Sushi is a famous Japanese dish made of raw seafood and vinegared rice. But, some children may not like the raw taste of seafood. In that case, we bring some alternative sushi recipes for kids in this post. These include the traditional sushi recipe followed by a few other dishes that resemble sushi. They contain children’s favorite ingredients to get the best taste and nutrition. Also, they are easy to prepare. You may pack them for school lunch or make them instantly when your little ones crave something interesting from your kitchen table.
Key Pointers
- The traditional use of raw fish in sushi may not be suitable for or preferred by children.
- Kid-friendly alternatives to raw fish include meat and vegetables such as chicken, cucumber, carrots, and avocados.
- Fruits such as mango, peaches, berries, and bananas, as well as ingredients such as candies, raisins, and marshmallows, can also be used to make sushi that children may enjoy.
- Fillings for kid-friendly sushi can include puffed rice, maple syrup, mayonnaise, honey, peanut butter, coconut milk, filling cream, cream cheese, and vanilla extract.
- Instead of the traditional nori sheets, fruit roll-ups, chocolate dough, wheat tortillas, whole wheat bread, and sliced cucumber can be used to wrap the sushi.
Sushi Recipes For Kids
1. Baby Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 200 grams of sushi rice
- 375ml of cups water
- 3 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 6 nori sheets
- Bamboo mat
- Carrot sticks
- Cucumber sticks
- Cooked chicken
- Avocado slices
How To:
- Place sushi rice and water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave it aside for 15 min.
- When the rice cools, sprinkle vinegar and sugar. Stir thoroughly.
- Cut the nori sheet in half. Place the shiny part upside down and put some rice on it. Press down with fingers to a depth of 0.5 cm.
- Arrange the fillings on top of the rice in a line. Roll the nori strips and cook into six or eight pieces using a sharp knife.
- Cover and refrigerate for 60 minutes, so that the sushi softens.
Quick tip2. Fruit Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 3 tortilla rolls
- 1 cup mango, chopped
- 1 peach, cut into pieces
- 1 apple, cut into pieces
- 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons of cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
How To:
- In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream cheese.
- Spread the cream cheese over the tortilla rolls.
- Line the sides of the tortillas with the chopped fruit.
- Roll it up tightly and then cut it into pieces. You can also shape it like nigiri. The fruit sushi for kids is ready.
3. Veggie Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 1 English cucumber
- 1 carrot, peeled and shredded
- ¼ cup of raisins
- ½ cup of cream cheese
- Chives
How To:
- Slice 8 long slices of cucumber using a peeler.
- Place a small amount of carrot at the end of the cucumber slice.
- Add a spoon of cream cheese and press raisins into it.
- Roll up the cucumber carefully and secure with a chive.
4. Peanut Butter And Fruit Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 4 slices of whole wheat bread
- ½ cup of peanut butter
- 1 apple, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
- ¼ cup raisins
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
How To:
- Toss the apple strips with lemon juice and leave them aside.
- Flatten the slices of bread using a rolling pin.
- Cover the sushi mat with a plastic wrap.
- Spread peanut butter on each slice of bread and add the desired fillings on the edge of the slice of bread.
- Roll the slices carefully, tucking the ingredients. Slice into 5 to 6 pieces and serve this easy sushi recipe for kids.
5. Strawberry Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- Vanilla Cake
- 2 cups of filling cream
- ½ vanilla beanstalk
- 1 cup of diced strawberries
How To:
- Cut the vanilla cake in half, long ways to get two rectangles.
- Flatten the cake using a rolling pin and keep in the refrigerator.
- To make the filling, beat powdered sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla until thick and fluffy.
- Spread the filling into the center of the roll and spread gently.
- Roll up the ends and wrap tightly in a cling film.
- Refrigerate overnight and cut into sushi sized pieces before serving.
6. Coconut Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 1 cup uncooked sushi rice
- ¼ cup of sugar
- ¼ cup of light coconut milk
- 10 orange sections
- 20 fresh raspberries
- 1 carton vanilla yogurt
- A dash of salt
- Cooking spray
How To:
- Bring rice and water to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the water absorbs. Leave it aside to cool.
- Transfer the rice to a large bowl. Add salt, sugar and coconut milk and mix gently. Let it stay for 20 minutes.
- Coat the hands with cooking spray and divide the rice mixture into 18 equal portions. Give each portion an oval shape.
- Top the nine ovals with orange sections and nine with raspberries. Cover and chill before serving.
7. Peanut Butter Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 1 soft wheat tortilla
- 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon currants
- Cinnamon
- Honey
How To:
- Spread a layer of peanut butter over the tortilla, leaving a ¼ inch gap at the edge.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the peanut butter and place a banana in the middle of the tortilla.
- Roll up the tortilla tightly and cut into 8 small pieces.
- Drizzle honey over it and serve sushi for children in a bento box with rice or noodles and some vegetables along with chopsticks.
8. Carrot And Avocado Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 1 ½ tablespoon of sushi rice
- 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar
- Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- 4 nori sheets
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 medium-sized carrot, grated
How To:
- Place vinegar and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
- Transfer the rice to a ceramic dish and add vinegar to it.
- Place a nori sheet shiny side down. Spread the rice over the nori sheet and two teaspoons of mayonnaise on the center of the rice.
- Arrange carrot, avocado and carrot over the mayonnaise. Roll up firmly, cut into pieces and serve with soy sauce and sushi ginger. For a similar culinary experience, you can give teriyaki sushi a try with a side of spicy wasabi.
9. Chocolate Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 12 oz. chocolate
- 2 oz. corn syrup (can use maple syrup instead, corn syrup tends to be very processed)
- Sticky Rice
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cup apple juice
- Seasonal fruits julienned
How To:
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and add corn syrup ( or maple syrup) to it. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Boil the rice with apple juice. When it starts simmering, reduce the heat and cook the rice for 10 minutes.
- Knead the chocolate double and roll out paper thin. Cut the chocolate into strips and put rice on it. Now arrange the fruit on top of rice and roll neatly.
- Cut into pieces and serve.
10. Candy Sushi
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 1 tablespoon of butter cut into pieces
- 12 regular marshmallows
- 2 cups of puffed rice cereal
- 4 fruit roll-ups any flavor
- 8 strips of licorice candy
How To:
- Melt butter in a saucepan over heat and add the marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows dissolve completely.
- Remove from the heat and add the cereals. Stir and coat the cereal evenly.
- Roll out the fruit roll up and place the cereal on the fruit roll up.
- Place the licorice twist in the center and spread out the cereal mix.
- Wrap the sushi neatly and place in the refrigerator. Cut into pieces and serve.
11. Sushi Sandwich Rolls
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need:
- 1 slice whole grain bread
- ¼tsp mayonnaise
- ¼tsp mustard
- 2 slices turkey lunchmeat
- 1 small carrot (cut into sticks)
- 1 small cucumber (cut into sticks)
- 1 slice cheese (cut into sticks)
How To:
- Cut away the bread crusts and roll the bread slice thinly using a rolling pin.
- Spread mustard and mayonnaise on the bread.
- Next, place the turkey slices.
- Arrange carrot and cucumber sticks.
- Place the cheese sticks.
- Roll the bread tightly, squeezing in the contents while rolling.
- Seal the roll by pressing along the seam.
- Cut the roll into coins and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. At what age can kids eat sushi?
Generally, sushi made of raw fish or seafood bears the risk of foodborne illnesses. Since children under five have still-developing immune systems, sushi containing raw seafood should be avoided for them (1). However, you can feed your child sushi made with cooked seafood, veggies, and vegan ingredients from a young age.
2. What are some kid-friendly alternatives to raw fish in sushi?
Kid-friendly sushi alternatives to raw fish can include various cooked proteins, vegetables, and fruits. Cooked chicken, avocado, cucumber, and carrots provide fresh, crunchy textures. For a sweet twist, fruits like mango, strawberries, or even banana slices could be great options. However, be aware of potential allergens and ensure the ingredients are fresh, age-appropriate, and well-cooked.
3. How do you make sushi healthy for kids?
You can try several things to make sushi healthier for your child. For instance, avoid raw shellfish like crab and select low-mercury fish, such as skipjack tuna, or salmon, if you add fish to sushi (2). Use dried nori sheets, veggies, and healthy foods, such as seeds, to increase sushi’s nutritional value. You can also replace fish or seafood with plant-based protein foods like tofu, edamame, and tempeh to help your child try different flavors and textures of sushi.
4. Can sushi help children lose weight?
Sushi alone cannot directly lead to weight loss, but incorporating it as a healthy snack option in a child’s diet can contribute to overall health and well-being. The crabs or fish in sushi are good sources of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and the seaweed wrap of maki sushi provides iron, calcium, and vitamin A. Additionally, substituting white rice with brown rice and including vegetables in the roll can provide added nutritional benefits. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that sushi can be high in sodium and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet (3).
These are a few exciting sushi recipes for kids you could try. As children may not like the flavor of raw fish, we have presented you with sushi recipes made of different ingredients. These recipes are so delicious and colorful that you would be surprised at how much your child likes them. Furthermore, these recipes include children’s favorite ingredients, making them perfect finger foods for kids that they cannot say no to when served. To encourage your child to consume sushi, involve them in the making process. Since sushi is prepared in some fashion, they may like it even more.
Infographic: Delicious Sushi Dishes For Children
Getting your children to eat exotic foods can be pretty challenging. Sushi, on the other hand, is loved by children. Take a look at this infographic to discover interesting sushi dishes for children. You can add a twist to your essential snacks and present sushi rolls playfully and creatively.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Simple Sushi Recipes For Kids
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Bring the children to the kitchen for an enjoyable time crafting sushi! Acquire the skills to create delectable sushi rolls together, fostering a delightful culinary experience for both you and your little ones.
References
- Safe food handling for children ages 5 and under.
https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/files/publichealth-envhealth-food-safety-children.pdf - Is it safe for my child to eat sushi?.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Is-it-safe-for-my-child-to-eat-sushi.aspx - Sushi and Diabetes.
https://hopkinsdiabetesinfo.org/sushi/
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