Can you freeze baby food into popsicles
Fruit & Yogurt Homemade Popsicles using Leftover Baby Food -
Breakfast, Dessert, Products we Love, Snack
by Kelly Dedeaux
This is a sponsored project by Kendal King Group/The Women Bloggers, LLC. All opinions are mine alone. #CookingWithGerber
Did you know that my twins are just shy of 18 months older than my youngest? That means I had three in diapers at the same time, one learning to sleep through the night while the others learned to run and climb, one drinking a bottle and the others learning to eat more solid foods. It was a CRAZY time! One thing we did with that many young ones was stock up heavily on baby cereal and baby foods – which was great until they started to outgrow them and we had a bunch left. There’s so many recipes we learned to use them in, like these yummy and easy Fruit & Yogurt Homemade Popsicles using Leftover Baby Food! Oh, and don’t miss our $50 Gift Card giveaway at the bottom 🙂
It’s getting hot out there, so these are the perfect summer snack. Plus, you can just quickly make them and store them in the freezer, then they’re ready when you are! For these, you’ll need some Nestle Gerber Yogurt Blends and Gerber 2nd Foods Baby Food from Walmart (we’re sharing another AMAZING recipe later this week – doughnuts! – using Gerber Oatmeal Cereals, so grab those while you’re there, too).
Why would I use baby food and cereal in my recipes, you may ask? They’re all-natural without added sugars, making them a much healthier choice than what I could grab at the store. Plus, being this simple to make and having control over what goes into my kids’ food is a definite bonus!
Now I did two different recipes, but you can mix it up based on the flavors you have or want. My kids were split between which was the favorite – the Peach Lemonade or the Mixed Fruit!
Table of Contents
Ingredients – Peach Lemonade
- Gerber Yogurt Blends Peach flavor (4 individual containers)
- Gerber 2nd Foods Baby Food Peach flavor (2 individual containers)
- 1/2 can Sparkling Lemon-flavored drink
Ingredients – Mixed Fruit
- Gerber Yogurt Blends Strawberry Banana flavor (4 individual containers)
- Gerber 2nd Foods Baby Food Apple flavor (2 individual containers)
- Gerber 2nd Foods Baby Food Apple Strawberry Banana flavor (2 individual containers)
- 1/2 – 1 can Sparkling drink
The directions are the same for both
Directions
- Mix all of the ingredients together.
- Carefully pour (or use a funnel) into your popsicle molds.
- Freeze then enjoy!
See – super easy! You could even let your kids get in on the fun and let them try mixing different flavor varieties to make their own popsicle recipe.
Don’t forget to grab some Gerber Cereal while you’re at Walmart for our delicious doughnut recipes coming later this week! There’s four varieties: Gerber Oatmeal Single-Grain Cereal, Lil’ Bits Oatmeal Banana Strawberry, Oatmeal Banana Cereal or Multigrain Cereal.
This content may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. We may earn money, free services or complementary products from the companies mentioned in this post. All opinions are ours alone…
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7 Healthy Popsicles for Babies & Toddlers (Hideen Veggies!)
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Home » Recipe Type » Frozen Treats » 7 Healthy Popsicles for Baby + Toddlers (made with fruits and veggies)
by Michele Olivier on June 26, 2020 (updated Jun 28, 2022)
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5 stars (14 ratings)
These 7 Healthy Popsicles for Baby + Toddlers are made with fruits & veggies(!!) and are so healthy you can feel great about serving them for any meal of the day – breakfast, snacks, lunch and even dinner! These anytime-anywhere popsicles will pretty much rock your kiddos summer life! Great for 9 months and older.
**this post has been updated from it’s original version
Healthy Popsicles for Baby + Toddler
We finally made it, SUMMER 🙌!
Which means it is already 85 degrees outside at 8am and my kids are sitting on my front porch happily licking away on popsicles for breakfast!
Popsicles for breakfast 🤔
You betcha!
Cuz, these homemade popsicles are filled with wholesome fruits, vegetables, a drizzle of your favorite natural sweetener such as honey, maple syrup or agave nectar, plus a few bonus ingredients like chia seeds, ginger and mint!
It’s a win-win 🏆 for all!
Reasons to Love these Homemade Popsicles
- homemade
- healthy
- no refined sugar
- great for ages 9 months and up
- full of healthy fruit and veggies
- healthy frozen treat
- also great for toddlers, kids and even adults
- can be served for breakfast, snack, lunch or dessert
- 5 minute prep time
- great for picky eaters
- naturally gluten, nut and dairy-free
- Place all ingredients into a blender according to directions.
- Blend for at least 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth, adding in more water if needed. Since we are only making a small amount of mixture for these popsicles, some bigger blenders might have a hard time processing these recipes. If that is the case with your blender, you can either keep scraping down the sides and 10-15 seconds or make a double batch.
- Pour the mixture into the popsicle molds.
- Place the popsicle molds into the freezer and freeze for at least 5 hours or preferably overnight.
- Un-mold and serve!
Ingredients Needed:
- strawberries – fresh or frozen
- cherries – fresh or frozen
- cooked beet – home-cooked or store-bought
- vanilla extract
- honey (omit for babies under 1 year)
- water
Ingredients Needed:
- oranges
- carrots
- ginger
- honey (omit for babies under 1 year)
- water
Ingredients Needed:
- pineapple – fresh, frozen or canned
- mango – fresh or frozen
- butternut squash chunks
- chia seeds
- honey (omit for babies under 1 year)
- water
Ingredients Needed:
- honeydew melon chunks
- kiwi
- spinach
- mint
- honey (omit for babies under 1 year)
- water
Ingredients Needed:
- strawberries – fresh or frozen
- raspberries – fresh or frozen
- butternut squash chunks
- lemon
- honey (omit for babies under 1 year)
- water
Ingredients Needed:
- purple grapes
- blackberries – fresh or frozen
- cooked beet – home-cooked or store-bought
- honey (omit for babies under 1 year)
- water
Ingredients Needed:
- banana
- sweet potato – raw or cooked
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- dates
- honey (omit for babies under 1 year)
- water
- Green Tropical Smoothie Popsicles
- Yogurt Fruit Popsicles for Toddlers + Kids – 8 Fun Flavors
- Yogurt Unicorn Bark
- Healthy Yogurt Parfait Popsicles
- Healthy Funfetti Popsicles
- Strawberry Lemonade Slushies for Toddlers + Kids (refined sugar-free)
- Popsicle Molds – Zoki Classic Popsicle Mold: are great for kids that want more than their mini version.
They still have a drip guard, so again, not so messy! (similar version). I also love these Silicone Ice Pops Tray: such a cute and fun popsicle tray. I found the popsicles were super easy to remove from this tray! - Blender
- Measuring Cups
STRAWBERRY CHERRY BEET POPSICLE
- 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen, thawed if using frozen, but keep juices
- 1/2 cup pitted cherries, fresh or frozen, thawed if using frozen, but keep juices
- 1/2 small cooked red beet, I used the pre-cooked beets from Trader Joes
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, optional
- 2-3 tbsp honey, maple syrup or agave nectar (see notes below on honey)
- 1-2 tbsp water
CARROT ORANGE GINGER POPSICLE
- 2 medium oranges, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/4 tsp ginger, minced
- 2-3 tbsp honey maple syrup or agave nectar (see notes below on honey)
- 1-2 tbsp water
PINEAPPLE MANGO SQUASH POPSICLE
- 3/4 cup pineapple, fresh, frozen or canned (thawed if using frozen, but keep juices)
- 1/2 cup mango fresh or frozen (thawed if using frozen, but keep juices)
- 1/4 cup butternut squash chunks, peeled and roughly chopped, fresh, or frozen (thawed if using frozen, but keep juices)
- 1/8 tsp chia seeds
- 2-3 tbsp honey maple syrup or agave nectar (see notes below on honey)
- 1-2 tbsp water
KIWI HONEYDEW SPINACH POPSICLE
- 1 cup honeydew melon, chunks
- 1 kiwi, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 mint leaves (optional)
- 2-3 tbsp honey maple syrup or agave nectar (see notes below on honey)
- 1-2 tbsp water
STRAWBERRY RASPBERRY SQUASH POPSICLE
- 1 cup strawberries, chopped, fresh or frozen (thawed if using frozen, but keep juices)
- 1/2 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen (thawed if using frozen, but keep juices)
- 1/4 cup butternut squash chunks, peeled (thawed if using frozen, but keep juices)
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2-3 tbsp honey maple syrup or agave nectar (see notes below on honey)
- 1-2 tbsp water
BLACKBERRY GRAPE BEET POPSICLE
- 3/4 cup purple grapes
- 3/4 cup blackberries, fresh or frozen, (thawed if using frozen, but keep juices)
- 1/2 small cooked red beet (I used the pre-cooked beets from Trader Joes)
- 2-3 tbsp honey, maple syrup or agave nectar (see notes below on honey)
- 1-2 tbsp water
BANANA SWEET POTATO CHOCOLATE FUDGSICLE
- 1 medium banana
- 1/4 cup sweet potato, raw or cooked, peeled or chopped
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 dates, pitted
- 2-3 honey maple syrup or agave nectar (see notes below on honey)
- 1-2 water
CARROT ORANGE GINGER POPSICLE
1.
Place all ingredients into a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes on high speed or until completely smooth. This mixture will have some pulp in it from the oranges, which you can strain in a fine-mesh strainer if you prefer your pops completely smooth. My pops were not strained. Pour mixture into popsicle molds, place in freezer and freeze for at least 5 hours.
BANANA SWEET POTATO CHOCOLATE FUDGSICLE
1. Place dates in a small bowl. Pour hot water over the dates until completely submerged. Let soak for 5 minutes.
Place all ingredients into a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes on high speed or until completely smooth. This mixture can be a little thick, add in more water if needed. Pour mixture into popsicle molds, place in freezer and freeze for at least 5 hours.
ALL OTHER POPSICLES
1. Place all ingredients into a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes on high speed or until completely smooth. Pour mixture into popsicle molds, place in freezer and freeze for at least 5 hours.
Age: roughly 9 months and older. For babies under a year, omit the honey.
Yield: 9 mini popsicles
Storage: Store in freezer for up to 2 months
Note on Honey: For babies one year and under, omit the honey. I find that these popsciles are sweet enough for baby, but you can also add in a touch of maple syrup if you prefer.
Note on Sweeteners: I woud say these popsicles are lightly sweetened. If you prefer a sweeter popsicle, you can add more sweetener of your choise. You can also omit the sweetener altogether.
Note on Yield: This recipe will make roughly 3/4 – 1 cup of popsicle mixture which is enough to fill the Zoku Mini Mold. If you are not using this mold, then you will have to adjust the recipe accordingly.
If there was a little extra popsicle mixture left over, I like to thin it out with a little water and give it to my girls as a juice:)
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How to freeze baby food - Encyclopedia Baby food
Levchuk Victoria©Knowing how to freeze baby food, you can cook and store whole batches of homemade food for a child, because this is a real find for busy parents.
Table of Contents:
There are several ways to freeze baby food - they all work equally well - but may take up varying amounts of freezer space.
All ways …
…you should prepare homemade baby food and then refrigerate it as quickly as possible to prevent bacterial growth.
Any food left at room temperature for more than two hours is not safe for a child to consume and should be thrown away.
To cool cooked food quickly, you can try putting it in a shallow container - you can even dip the container in a pot of cold water to help speed up the process. nine0005
How to freeze baby food - Method 1
Thoroughly clean the ice mold and the spoon that will be used in filling each section. An ice tin with a resealable lid is ideal as it protects food from frostbite or picking up any odors from the freezer. If there is no mold with a lid, you can cover with food-safe plastic wrap. Some people use foil, although we don't recommend it as some of the foil will remain in the food! nine0005
Place the filled ice cube tray in the freezer, and - once completely frozen - place them in ZIP bags that take up less space in the freezer.
This method produces small portions of baby food that are ideally sized - typically around 30 grams or so.
One cube per meal may be enough for a child to start with, but as they grow, you may need to increase the number of cubes at a time or increase the ice cube tray.
You can also make many different flavors of baby food by mixing and matching different fruit and vegetable cubes, for example, the combination of cubed apple puree with cubed carrot puree, delicious! nine0005
Which ice mold should I choose?
Some ice cube trays are specifically made for baby food and do not contain potentially harmful chemicals - but you can use a regular ice cube tray, or you might be advised to try a silicone mold, or even stainless steel trays, although the regular plastic version will do. if there is confidence in the quality of the workmanship.
How to freeze baby food - Method 2
Same as method 1, since the process of freezing baby food is the same, only silicone cake molds are used instead of an ice mold! Their flexibility makes it easy to remove food portions - plus, of course, their use is beneficial when the baby starts to eat more baby food!
How to Freeze Baby Food - Method 3
If no suitable freezer containers are available for baby food, baking paper can be used (although a little more freezer space will be needed initially).
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Simply spoon the cooked baby puree onto the baking sheet to form small mounds (though note that this will not work if the puree is too thin). We cover the baking paper with cling film, freeze, and then mix the servings of food into bags, as before.
How to Freeze Baby Food - Method 4
Another good way to freeze homemade baby food is to divide the puree into freezer-safe glass jars and place them in the freezer. nine0005
However, please note that you should never freeze baby food in glass jars unless the jar manufacturer has specifically stated that freezing is safe and possible.
Jars that are freezer safe must be properly labeled and distinguished from other tins (including commercial baby food tins) that are not strong enough to withstand the expansion of food that occurs during the freezing process. nine0005
This means that the jar may burst or, even worse, there may be small microcracks that cannot be seen with the eyes, but which will allow tiny pieces of glass to get into the baby's food.
How to Freeze Baby Food Method 5
Probably the most popular way to freeze homemade baby food is to use freezer trays or jars for baby food, there are so many options to choose from! nine0005
Manufacturers, recognizing the growing trend of parents to freeze baby puree, offer special forms of baby food that make life easier, well, because there is a lid! What's more, these molds are free of potentially harmful chemicals, which is something some plastic trays for general consumption are guilty of.
Tracking the finished product
Most types of baby food - especially puree - freeze perfectly. Sometimes you will have to experiment with texture, since the freezing process itself consists in the fact that the water in the product expands when it freezes, destroying the cell walls. This is especially noticeable when the whole food is frozen, for example a frozen banana will be very soft when thawed. nine0005
To reduce the hassle of freezing baby food here are some helpful tips.
.. - Do not puree too thin before freezing. Keep in mind that many foods become watery when thawed (especially fruits and vegetables), adding extra liquid before freezing will then add too much cereal to thicken!
- Herbs and spices tend to lose their flavor in the freezer. If a baby food recipe calls for them, it is best to add them after after the food is defrosted, just before heating.
- Baked foods - like homemade nuggets or fish fingers - are best frozen when almost cooked but not fully done. This is because the structure of the food when frozen and thawed can behave negatively.
— When freezing yogurt, remember that it may be too thin when defrosted. Sometimes stirring it well is enough to solve this problem - but in some cases, the resulting yogurt is too thin to eat with a spoon, so such yogurt can be used in a smoothie! nine0005
- A good result is obtained from freezing rice and oatmeal, which is good if the morning is like a nightmare and there is no time to organize a full breakfast.
Only cereals should not be made too thin before they are frozen .
- Many fruits - especially apples and pears - can look very brown when frozen and thawed. This discoloration is a natural and harmless result of the fruit being exposed to air, but if it's a concern, mixing lemon juice and fruit puree before freezing can solve the problem. Please note that citrus fruits can cause an allergic reaction in babies, so you can use it with a changed color! nine0005
- If you want to make your own stock of vegetable or meat broth, which is convenient, you just need to prepare a large batch at a time and freeze. It's worth trying freezing in ice cube trays or baby food trays, as discussed above - then the ideal size of small portions will be in the freezer to use as needed.
- If baby food has been frostbitten, fortunately food safety is not affected - just thaw and then cut or spoon away the affected areas. nine0005
How to defrost baby food
The safest and easiest way to defrost baby food is to put it in the refrigerator overnight before feeding.
Frozen baby food cubes take 8-12 hours to thaw in most refrigerators. Thawed baby food should be used within 24 hours.
Never, never re-freeze defrosted baby food as this creates a risk of food poisoning for the baby. nine0012
Freezing Homemade Baby Food Encyclopedia Baby Food
Viktoria Levchuk©
There are some important guidelines for freezing baby food that you need to follow, they are outlined on this page, and there is even a diagram of the foods that can be frozen. We will show you how to freeze freshly made puree and store it. It will be interesting to read.
Good to know!
- The remains of frozen baby food - what to do with them, we will find out in the article.
- Heading Frozen complementary foods - all about baby food cubes.
- New thinking on allergens
Easy to use sitemap Encyclopedia Baby Food with a list of all articles and recipes.
How long do you keep baby food in the refrigerator or freezer?
Contents:
- Freezer: 4-6 months (ideally used within 1 month or 3 months)
- Refrigerator (fruit/vegetables): 24 hours
- Refrigerator (meat, poultry, fish eggs): 24 hours
For optimal quality and nutrient retention, store frozen baby food cubes in the freezer within no more than 1-3 months.
Frozen baby food is safe to use if kept in the freezer for about 3-6 months without thawing again. However, it is more reasonable to use them in the region of 1 month to 3 months inclusive. Due to the amount of water crystals that accumulate in baby puree, and the fact that nutrients and important substances can be leached/evaporated when thawed due to these same water crystals, it is wiser to use your frozen baby food whenever possible. - no more than 3 months of storage. However, it is best to use within the first month after freezing, we advise.
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Most sources advise storing fruit and vegetables for 8 to 12 months in the freezer. This is mostly true of whole foods that are congealed in their natural state. This is also provided that the refrigerator compartment remains at a constant temperature below zero. Deep-freezing is best if you want to keep frozen food for a long time. However, it should be remembered that the instructions and recommendations for freezing food for long-term storage do not imply that the fruit or vegetable has been boiled and mashed. nine0005
How long can baby puree be kept in the refrigerator?
In the refrigerator, it is not recommended to store fresh pureed homemade baby food for more than 24 hours. This limitation ensures that the growth of pathogens in the puree is kept to a minimum and that the food does not take on the “refrigerator flavor”. This "rule" applies to vegetables, fruits, meats, etc.
If you do not plan to freeze homemade baby food, then baby food for the baby is prepared every day if he is too small until 8-9months, or every other day, older than the specified age.
Why freeze baby food?
Save parent time, reduce food waste and ensure food safety.
For example, one potato was baked in the oven, and then half was mashed and the other half was frozen.
Frozen vegetables or fruits are safe in baby food
Fruits and vegetables can be frozen. Using frozen fruits and vegetables is the second best option after eating fresh. The quick freezing process (food is frozen at a very low temperature and very quickly) actually preserves the nutrients optimally. Cooking destroys more important nutrients than freezing food. Contrary to myth, freezing food (particularly fruits and vegetables) does not destroy 100% of minerals and vitamins. The freezing process, subject to storage conditions at a constant temperature of zero degrees, does not contribute to the complete loss of nutrients and important substances - if this is the case, then most of the population is malnourished, since in winter we eat a huge amount of frozen foods.
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Frozen vegetables not cooked at the time of packaging must be cooked before eating. Please remember to read the labels of frozen bags, as some brands of frozen vegetables may be pre-cooked.
One of the most frequently asked questions is "Can I use frozen fruits or vegetables for baby food and then freeze the puree?". Since there are no studies that show that repeated freezing is negative and / or can negatively affect health. The problem is that it is necessary to cook food from products that have been frozen once. But the reality is that a frozen product, going through all the stages from a fresh look to a frozen product in a refrigerator in a store, can survive several defrosting and freezing, as it was written earlier, it is through water crystals that nutrients leave. Therefore, purchased frozen vegetables and fruits must be carefully selected, and we would not recommend preparing baby food from them for subsequent freezing of baby puree. It is clear that sometimes parents have no choice and have to start complementary foods with purchased frozen food, so we carefully choose the packaging and the manufacturer, without holes, without pieces of ice.
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For example, from frozen vegetables (home-made or a good quality store-bought bag) that were raw when frozen, we cook a roast, we freeze the leftovers of the roast and use it for its intended purpose next time, but it is not worth freezing the roast after the last defrosting.
Why not re-freeze
Do not re-freeze thawed food, this is a correct statement. Re-freezing a defrosted product can affect the quality and taste (and possibly nutritional value) of the product, and when it is thawed, pathogenic bacteria may begin to multiply. It is always necessary to prepare defrosted food before re-freezing. The preparation of a thawed product then allows it to be re-frozen in a single cycle. Storing a bag of frozen fruits or vegetables makes food preparation a quick and easy solution. You do not need to defrost the whole package, just get the required amount of the product, and leave the rest in the freezer. nine0005
The easiest way to freeze baby puree is to spoon it into an ice mold, cover with plastic wrap so that there is no air access.
Before using the ice molds, they must be thoroughly cleaned with soap and boiled water. Some parents even immerse their ice molds in boiling water for sanitization (Note: Make sure the sanitization is suitable for the molds before use.)
There are many benefits to storing your child's homemade food in an ice mold:
- Each cube is approximately the same size, which allows parents to determine the amount of food a child consumes.
- Minimal waste by using only 1 cube at a time and not having to waste a lot of food.
- Another advantage is that the ice molds are close at hand and you don't have to go out and buy them.
- The time spent in the kitchen is significantly reduced.
You can transfer baby puree cubes to freezer bags, freeing up molds for the next batch of food and also freeing up some freezer space. nine0005
Do not forget about the labeling of packages with cubes of baby puree, write the date of freezing and the type of puree.
This will help you quickly remove the cube from the package, as well as monitor their expiration date.
Ice crystals on baby food cubes
Don't worry if ice crystals are visible on baby food cubes. It's not frostbite, but excess liquid used in mashing that rises and solidifies at the top of the cubes. These crystals or frost are not dangerous and will not make baby puree cubes inedible or harmful. nine0005
Frostbite - what is it and how to determine?
Frostbite looks like greyish brown spots on frozen food. It looks like a leathery type of texture and is easily noticeable. Crystals on frozen foods are not frostbite, but are the result of excess liquid during the freezing process and the formation of ice crystals.
Frostbite does not make frozen foods bad or harmful; it just makes the affected areas very dry. The only thing that can suffer in food that is frostbitten is the quality. You can cut off frostbitten areas and use the undamaged area of food.
Frostbite is the result of excess air in a frozen bag that sinks onto food. Eliminate air pockets in bags to help stop frostbite. nine0005
Can glass baby food jars or baby food jars such as Frutonyanya or Gerber be used? and also such banks are prone to rupture. Baby food jars are not manufactured for freezing or extreme heating. There are glass jars for freezing food in them, but they can be hard to find. Many people freeze in baby food jars, but I'm not a fan of this at all. After all, food is made for the baby because we want to give him the best healthy food; Do you really want to take the risk and freeze baby food in glass jars? nine0005
There are certain plastic jars that are specially made to withstand high temperatures and/or freezing. Therefore, it is best to use plastic containers or ordinary thick plastic bags, convenient and simple. There are also special freezer bags with a zip clip - an interesting option.
Can previously frozen breast milk or formula be used to make vegetable or fruit purees?
Do not use previously frozen breast milk to prepare puree to freeze later this baby food.
Breast milk must never be re-frozen in any shape or form.
Milk formula
You can freeze puree to which defrosted milk formula has been added. However, formula should not be frozen in bottles or cans. It is impossible to add the mixture to the previously frozen mixture and freeze it. If frozen milk formula is used for mashing, then it is necessary to freeze it at a time without defrosting. Freezing milk formula causes separation of fats and liquids, and the texture suffers accordingly. Although there is no health risk, the same happens with breast milk and cow's milk, the texture and quality suffer a little. However, it is best to prepare the milk formula before putting it in the baby puree and only then freeze the puree. This will be more useful and efficient. nine0005
Some formula manufacturers say that freezing any formula is not recommended, as the process can alter physical properties such as fat separation, which can be difficult for sensitive babies to digest.
