Kid Friendly Baked Alaska Halibut

I have been a seafood lover for as long as I can remember. But my kids? Not so much. I have two incredibly picky eaters who only try foods based on smell (uh-oh for seafood!), and two who will try anything. After much experimenting in the kitchen, I have discovered a few foolproof ways that I can get the entire family to eat seafood, like delicious Alaska halibut.

Tips for Getting Kids to Try Fish

It took me a few years, but seafood is finally a weekly staple in our household. This kid friendly baked Alaska halibut is one of our favorites! Here are a few guidelines that I stick to when encouraging my kids to try new foods, especially seafood.

• Do not pair a new food with something that you know your child doesn’t like. For instance, my son doesn’t like broccoli. If I pair seafood with broccoli, I can guarantee that he won’t try any of it! But if I pair the seafood with carrots or crunchy peppers or roasted potatoes, he is more apt to warm up to trying something new.
• Add a light breading, like in the recipe below. Kids naturally like fried foods, which often have a heavy breading. Mimic this outer texture with a lighter breading. Use gluten free or paleo flour for an even healthier option.
• Add a little spice. My boys adore spicy foods. By adding a touch of spice to the Alaska halibut, it creates a familiar flavor that I already know my kids like. Change this spice according to what flavor your kids like the best. Do they like Italian flavors? Use oregano and basil! Do they like a heavy layer of spice? Use chili powder!

Kid Friendly Baked Alaska Halibut Ingredients:

• 12 oz. Alaska halibut, fresh or frozen. This can be purchased year round from your local grocer.
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• A little less than 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander
• Salt
• Ground pepper
• Olive oil or olive oil spray

How to Make This Recipe

This recipe uses a traditional dredging technique. If you already make your own breaded dishes at home, then you will find this recipe quick and familiar. However, this recipe is different than other breaded recipes in that the breading is very light.

If using frozen Alaska halibut, thaw according to the directions on the package.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

Milk the flour and the milk in a bowl.

Combine all the other dry ingredients, including salt and pepper to taste, in another bowl.

Place a piece of aluminum foil over a small baking sheet. Brush olive oil or spray olive oil over the aluminum foil.

Set up an assembly line on the counter with the egg mixture first, the dry mixture second, and the baking pan at the end.

Dredge the Alaska halibut through the egg mixture until it is completely covered.

Move the Alaska halibut to the dry mixture and dredge to cover.

Place the Alaska halibut on the baking sheet. Place small pieces of butter on top of the Alaska halibut.

Place the Alaska halibut in the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the Alaska halibut is cooked through and the outside is slightly browned.

Serve with a side of veggies or a salad (or a Sweet Potato Casserole)!