Introducing Takoyaki - a delicious and healthy Japanese snack that’s perfect for Australian toddlers! This easy-to-make dish is full of nutritious ingredients, including octopus and vegetables, and can be cooked in minutes. Not only is it packed with flavour, but it’s also fun to eat, making it an ideal snack for picky little eaters. With its deliciousness and convenience, Takoyaki will quickly become a staple on your toddler’s menu!

General Information

Servings: 10 Keywords: Takoyaki, savory pancake, Japanese pancake Calories: 379 Protein: 9g Carbs: 62g Fats: 10g Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 500 ml all-purpose flour
• 700 ml dashi (Japanese soup stock)
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons Tato (Japanese Worcestershire sauce)
• 100 grams octopus, cooked and cut into small cubes
• 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
• 1 tablespoon Mirin (sweet rice wine)
• 10 pieces Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
• 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
• 10-15 pieces Takoyaki batter balls
• 100 ml Tenkasu (tempura batter scraps)
• Canola oil, for frying

Directions

1. Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dashi, eggs, baking powder, takoyaki sauce, soy sauce and mirin. Set aside.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the octopus, green onions and katsuobushi.

3. Heat a large non-stick pan, add 1-2 tablespoons of canola oil. Once the pan is hot, add takoyaki batter balls and spread them out.

4. Add the octopus mixture on top of the takoyaki batter balls.

5. Add 1-2 tablespoons of tenkasu, to the top of the mixture.

6. Cook the takoyaki for 3-4 minutes until the bottom starts to become golden.

7. Flip the takoyaki and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

8. Serve takoyaki with a nibble of soy sauce and/or mayo.

Recommended Sides

• Pickled Ginger
• Japanese mustard
• Wakame seaweed salad

Tip: Takoyaki is best eaten fresh and hot, so don’t wait too long to serve it to your family - let it cool a bit to ensure it is not too hot for the little ones.

Hope you and your family enjoy this yummy Japanese treat. Let me know how it goes!