Easy Tofu Balls For Baby They Will Love

If you’re looking for an alternative to meat, then you should try tofu balls for baby.

They are easy to make and use similar ingredients to making meatballs. 

The difference is that tofu is made with soy, which some consider to be healthier than meat. 

My family eats a lot of tofu because we’re environmentally conscious. 

Although we’re not vegan or vegetarian, we know that beef has a huge environmental impact because of the amount of methane gas (a type of greenhouse gas) that cows produce. 

We try to teach our kids how to enjoy vegetarian meals because they taste just as good as those with meat. 

Important Recipe Notes on BLW Tofu Meatballs 

These tofu balls have a different texture to meatballs

I feel the need to include a disclaimer here regarding the texture of tofu meatballs. They don’t taste like meat. I feel like this goes without saying, but I just wanted to put my disclaimer out there. 

They are a great alternative to regular meatballs, but they are still just tofu. The texture will be softer than meat.

Tofu contains soy

It’s important to note that tofu contains soy, which is a common allergen in children.

If this is your first time feeding tofu balls to your baby, then watch out for these signs of soy allergies.

This recipe also contains eggs

Egg is another common allergen that is part of this tofu balls recipe. We need eggs to bind the breadcrumbs and the tofu together.

So make sure your baby isn’t allergic to eggs if you want to make this recipe. It’s also a good idea to know the signs of egg allergies in kids.

You should also try – Easy Baby-led Weaning Breaded Chicken Breast 

Why Tofu Is Good For Babies and Toddlers

Tofu contains many nutrients that babies and toddlers need to grow.

They are an excellent source of plant protein. 

They also contain good fats like omega-3 fatty acids and nutrients like calcium and iron (source).

What To Serve With Tofu Balls For Baby

Serve it with rice 

Tofu balls taste great when served over rice. I like to make mixed vegetables and rice to eat with it. 

You can saute the rice and veggies with a little bit of teriyaki sauce to make it Asian style.

Serve it in tomato sauce and pasta

One of the best ways to serve tofu meatballs for babies is in tomato sauce. 

You can use it to replace regular meatballs and make spaghetti and tofu meatballs instead.

Eat it on its own

You don’t need to serve tofu balls with anything. You can feed it directly to your baby as a snack or a meal. It will taste just as good when served alone depending on how you spiced it.

How To Serve Tofu Meatballs For Baby-led Weaning

6-9 Months old

Between 6-9 Months old, you can Serve the tofu meatballs in large round balls for your baby. This will make it easy for them to pick it up and feed themselves. 

Make sure the meatballs aren’t too hot so your baby doesn’t get burned. 

9-12 months old

Between 9-12 months old, tofu balls can be served to your baby in smaller chunks. 

Babies this age would have developed the ability to pick up food with their pincer grasp.

Tips for Picky Eaters

Don’t pressure

Give your baby or toddler a chance to say no. It’s okay if they don’t like what we serve them. Keep trying. 

It takes at least 30 exposures for a baby to begin liking a food, so don’t give up.

Make it into a game

Sometimes I create games around the food I serve to get my kids interested in eating. 

A game we’ve played in the past is called “Here comes the airplane… open the garage”. This encourages them to open their mouth as I bring the food in like an airplane.

Sometimes my kids will try new foods this way.

Ingredients For BLW Tofu Balls

Tofu – I used extra firm tofu for this recipe but you could also use firm or soft tofu. I prefer extra firm tofu because it’s easy to mold them into balls

Breadcrumbs – you can make your own breadcrumbs or buy premade ones. I suggest you use plain breadcrumbs because Panko breadcrumbs will make your tofu too salty.

To make your own, simply toast whole wheat bread until it’s very hard. Then run it through a blender or food processor until it’s crumbly.

You will need half the breadcrumbs to mix into the tofu. The other half will be used to coat the tofu balls before baking them. 

Eggs – eggs are needed to help the tofu bind with the breadcrumbs. You will also need the egg to coat the surface of the tofu balls before baking them. 

Flour – the flour is only used to coat the surface of the tofu balls so that they can be dipped in egg and breadcrumbs afterward. This method allows the tofu meatballs to be crispy on the outside when you bake them. 

Spices – parsley, garlic, turmeric, and black pepper are the spices that I used. You can add whatever spices you prefer.

Cooking Directions – Tofu Meatballs for Baby

• Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Set out 3 small bowls. In the first bowl, whisk one egg with a little bit of water. In the second one, add ½ cup of the breadcrumbs. In the third bowl, add ¼ cup flour. 
• Crumble the tofu in a bowl. Add the remaining breadcrumbs, 1 egg, and all the spices into the bowl. Knead with your fist to combine all the ingredients.
• Spray a baking sheet with some cooking oil.
• Mold the tofu into balls. Dip each ball of tofu in the flour, making sure it is coated all around. Then dip it in the whisked egg, before dipping it in the breadcrumbs. 
• Place on the baking sheet. Repeat until all the tofu meatballs are on the baking sheet.
• Bake them in the oven for 30 minutes before serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

Crumble tofu in a bowl

Add any spices of your choice

Knead the mixture with your fist

Mold them into balls and Bake

FAQs About Tofu Balls For Baby

Is it safe for babies to eat tofu?

It is safe for babies to eat tofu as long as they’re ready to start solids. Babies can begin eating tofu around 6 months of age. Tofu is a great alternative to animal protein. Just make sure you watch out for signs of soy allergies.

What other ways do you serve tofu to babies?

Besides making tofu meatballs, you can also pan-fry them or bake them for your baby. 

Tofu Meatballs For Baby Storage Tips

Can I refrigerate tofu balls for a baby?

You can refrigerate tofu balls for babies for up to a week in the fridge. 

For optimal freshness, make sure you store them in an airtight container, in the coldest part of the fridge.

Can I freeze tofu meatballs for baby-led weaning?

You can freeze tofu meatballs for baby-led weaning. To freeze, place them in a ziplock bag or Pyrex container. 

Reheating BLW tofu balls For Baby

In the oven

To reheat tofu balls for baby, cut them in half, then place them on a baking sheet. 

Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat them for about 30 minutes or as long as it takes for the center to get hot.

In the microwave 

To reheat tofu meatballs in the microwave for your baby, cut them in half and place them on a microwave-safe plate.

Heat them on high power for about 3-5 minutes or until they’re hot in the middle.

Did you make this baby-led weaning recipe? 

Let me know in the comments how it turned out!