Sardines Avocado Almond Baby Balls +6M GF No Bake

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If you are looking for an easy baby recipe, loaded with nutrients, brain boosting, iron boosting and that doesn’t require any cooking…you might want to try this one.

Few super food ingredients combined together for an unusual baby food combo: sardines, avocado, almonds, hemp seeds and oat cereals.

The final result can be a smooth puree or a finger food pending how much baby oat cereals you will add.

The procedure is very simple: in a bowl mash the avocado and the sardines into a paste using a fork.

Add the almond meal, hemp seeds and baby oat cereal. Add as much cereal as you need to obtain a dough consistency.

With your hands create small balls, baby bite size and serve! Yes, that’s how easy it is 🙂

Can I use another baby cereal?

Yes, you can replace oat baby cereal with any other baby cereal of your choice. If you wan to keep the recipe gluten free, I would suggest rice cereals.

Can I use steel cut oats or old fashioned oats?

Yes, If you want to use steel cut oats or old fashioned oats you will need to cook them prior combining with the other ingredients or soak them overnight to make them tender and more digestible.

Can I give sardines to my baby?

Yes, yes and yes!! Sardines are a bit underrated when it comes to baby food. It’s not so common to find a sardine baby food recipe even if they are an awesome choice when it comes to choose a fish for your baby food. Why is that? I think it’s simply related to the fact that sardines are not so common in adult recipes either. Well, while cooking sardines for your little one you might find a new food to try for yourself too 🙂

But let’s say a bit more about them. Sardines can be introduced in your baby’s diet starting at 6 months of age. Sardines are small fishes with a minimum amount of mercury due to their size and a high content of omega 3 fatty acids, iron and calcium. I consider Sardines and Salmon among the best two fish foods for babies…and adults too!

If you are worried about the mercury intake, you should consider substituting tuna with sardines…they both come canned in olive oil.

Curious fact: their name comes from the Italian island of Sardinia 🙂

Which Sardines to buy? Fresh or Canned?

Fresh sardines are not easy to find. I usually buy them in the summer at the fishmonger in Italy as I know that they come from the sea right in front of the place. Cooking them takes a bit of time as you do not want to taste the fish bones once cooked. They are the best choice if you can find them. I love to marinate them in water and vinegar or to bake them in the oven with a breadcrumbs crust on top or to use them for a pasta sauce. As fresh sardines are not so easy to find and a bit long to cook, I would suggest the easier canned version. Almost in every grocery store you should be able to find canned sardines.

For the recipe I used canned sardines, ready to be used in 10 sec. What to look for when you buy them canned?

First of all the amount of salt. Usually sardines in olive oil have less salt than the ones in water. If you have two containers to compare, check the sodium amount and pick the one with less sodium. If you can find a “no added salt” or “low sodium” option, that’s even better.

Sardines and Avocado: Gold Brain Fuel?

Yes, Sardines combined with Avocado are simply a gold brain fuel for your little one! They are both loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids, essential for your healthy baby development: they are fuel for your baby’s brain development, eyesight, cardiovascular health and cell growth. 

How to store the Sardine Balls?

You can refrigerate the sardine avocado balls in an air tight container for up to 3 days. Don’t worry if the avocado will oxidate a bit and turn brownish. The nutrients and flavor will not change, it’s just a change of color.

You can even freeze the balls in an air tight container for up to 3 months.

Sardines Avocado Almonds Baby Balls +6M GF
Ingredients
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 2 canned sardines fillets in olive oil, low sodium
  • 2 Tbsp almond meal
  • 1 tsp hemp seeds
  • 2 Tbsp oat baby cereal
Instructions
  1. In a bowl add the sardines and the avocado. Using a fork mash everything into a paste.

  2. Add the almond meal, hemp seeds, baby oat cereal. Combine into a thick paste.

  3. Using your hands form small baby bite size balls. Serve.

6 Comments

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  • Reply
    Denise
    July 13, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    what would be an acceptable substitute for hemp seeds? can I use flax?
    Thanks! Your recipes are lovely.

    • User Avatar
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      Barbara Lamperti
      October 19, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      Thank you so much! Yes, flax seeds are a good substitution, same amount, 1 tsp. Ciao!

  • Reply
    Jessica
    January 16, 2023 at 3:43 am

    How do i reheat this after freezing it?!

    • User Avatar
      Reply
      Barbara Lamperti
      June 6, 2023 at 12:46 am

      Good question! Place them in the fridge overnight up until completely tawed. Ciao

  • Reply
    Theresa
    August 9, 2023 at 1:09 pm

    Is there a nut free substitution for the almond meal?

    • User Avatar
      Reply
      Barbara Lamperti
      October 17, 2023 at 11:50 pm

      The easiest substitution will be breadcrumbs. Ciao!

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