Cooking carrots for baby finger food

Carrots for Baby Led Weaning (with Recipes)

By Min On March 29, 2022, Updated April 10, 2022

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Carrots are the perfect finger food for babies. Here's how to cook it as well as serving suggestions for 6 months and up.

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When can babies eat carrots?
Health Benefits
Are carrots safe for babies?
Cooking Methods
How to serve for Baby Led Weaning
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrot recipes for babies
How to Cook Carrots for Babies

When can babies eat carrots?

This nutritious vegetable can be offered to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.

If you’re unsure, be sure to grab my FREE handout!

Health Benefits

Just like sweet potatoes, carrots are one of the best food sources of beta-carotene. Once consumed, the body converts it to vitamin A, which is key for good vision, cell growth, and a healthy immune system.

They are also a good source of several B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium, and fiber.

They come in different colors and are all wonderful to introduce to your baby. They contain similar vitamin and mineral content, but where they differ is their antioxidant profile.

The orange-fleshed ones are rich in carotenoids whereas the purple varieties are rich in anthocyanins. White-fleshed carrots have the lowest amount of antioxidants.

Are carrots safe for babies?

Raw carrot sticks and baby carrots are choking hazards, so it's important that they are offered in an appropriate size and texture. Let me show you how! It is also not a common allergen.

Note that carrots (organic and conventional) contain arsenic and other heavy metals that are found in the soil and water. While this may be concerning, it's nearly impossible to avoid these contaminants. So DON'T stop offering!

Just like with rice, as long as you are offering a wide variety of foods and not serving carrots all the time, there's no need to worry.

Cooking Methods

Here are the two best cooking methods for babies. It's VERY important that the vegetable is cooked until soft enough to be easily smooshed between thumb and forefinger.

I personally don't recommend roasting carrots for this age as the exterior of the vegetable can get too crispy or even burnt before it softens. You can boil, but I don't recommend it as most of the nutrients will leach into the water.

In regards to size, cut into big strips. Once cooked, you can cut into smaller pieces depending on your baby's age. This way you can serve both big and small pieces as I suggest below.

Steam

Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Add carrots, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 15-20 minutes. It should be easily pierce-able with a fork.

Steam roast

This method is my personal favorite! If you are new to this cooking method, there is no need to feel intimidated. It's SO easy to do, and much more flavorful than plain steaming.

Plus you can toss the carrots with oil, which will aid in the absorption of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin.

How it works:

The hot oven and moisture from the veggies create steam (once covered) making them soft, but because they’re roasted, the flavors become more concentrated.

Simply add carrots to a baking pan, toss with oil and seasoning(s) of choice, COVER, and roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes! Perfectly soft and flavorful!

It's ok if they overlap a little bit. It will create more steam resulting in softer carrots.

Learn more about steam roasting as well as cooking times for ALL other vegetables

How to serve for Baby Led Weaning

6+ months old

Pureed - Add cooked carrots into a blender and blend until smooth. Add breastmilk/formula, water, or even broth to thin out to desired consistency.

Mashed - Whether you are advancing in texture after doing purees or starting with baby led weaning, this is such an easy and versatile way to serve carrots to your baby.

Finely grated - I like to use a lemon zester or the smallest hole in the box grater.

You can add mashed or finely grated carrots to:

Homemade baby oatmeal
Quinoa
Lentils
Chia Pudding
Overnight oats/quinoa
Toast
Yogurt
Vegetable omelette

6-9 months old

Bigger is better and safer at this age so your baby can easily grab the food with their palm and bring to mouth.

Cut into big strips (at least 1 inch in width). Again, the carrots should be easy to smush between your thumb and forefinger.

Once your baby has had more experience with texture, you can try offering shredded carrots by using the small or larger hole on the box grater.

Related: Right food size and texture for baby led weaning

Examples

These are actual plates that I served to my daughter at this age. If interested in learning more, check out my 3 month meal plan.

A big carrot strip + Quinoa carrot ricotta fingers + yellow squash
Add to baked goods: Veggie chickpea sticks (from my Beginner Bites cookbook) + broccoli
Chop and add to any family meals
Add finely grated carrots to other foods: Overnight carrot cake oats

9+ months old

As your baby develops their pincer grasp and is able to pick up small pieces of food using their thumb and finger, you can cut into small, bite-sized pieces. I still suggest continuing to offer larger pieces so they can practice taking bites.

I emphasize this because my son was the ultimate shoveler, and cutting into small pieces only made it worse. With my second baby, I offered her large pieces along with bite-sized pieces, and it’s definitely helped her to slow down and to take bites rather than shovel.

If you haven't already, this is a good time to introduce utensils. Your baby will most likely just play around or toss it. But it’s still great for exposure!

Try forking a piece of carrot and plate on their plate. Be sure to continue modeling. They are like sponges and learn by watching you!

Pictured: lentil balls with Indian Spiced Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots

Frequently Asked Questions

Can carrots make babies gassy?

It can do to its high soluble fiber content. However, just like with broccoli and beans, you shouldn't eliminate them completely.

If your baby is gassy but doesn't seem to be in discomfort, there's no reason to worry. If your baby is extra gassy after eating carrots, you can cut back on how frequently they are served.

When can babies have raw carrots?

There is no set timeline as to at exactly what age you should try offering them. That's because every child is different. It depends on many different factors, such as the number of teeth and your child’s eating/chewing skills.

So be observant, stay close, and move forward as you and your child feel confident and ready. Here's how to introduce raw vegetables to your toddler.

How should I store leftovers?

Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Since they're very soft in texture, I don't recommend freezing them. If you have a lot of leftovers and want to invite more variety, add them to the recipes I suggest below!

How should I reheat leftovers?

I suggest reheating very briefly in the microwave. Otherwise, the carrots will get too mushy. I like to serve straight from the fridge or allow to come to room temperature.

Carrot recipes for babies

Breakfast/Lunch

If you want to learn how to prepare other specific food(s), check out my How To Series!

How to Cook Carrots for Babies

Carrots are the perfect finger food for babies. Here's how to cook it as well as serving suggestions for 6 months and up.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

▢
Baking Mat

▢ 2 medium carrots, sliced into thick strips
▢ 1 tablespoon oil (for steam roast)
▢ seasoning(s) of choice (for steam roast)

Steam

Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Add carrots, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 10-15 minutes. It should be easily pierce-able with a fork.

Steam roast

Add carrots to a baking pan, toss with oil and seasoning(s) of choice. It's ok if they overlap a little bit. It will create more steam resulting in softer carrots.
COVER with baking mat, and roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, until fork tender.

To store: Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Since they're very soft in texture, I don't recommend freezing them.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

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About Min

Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

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Carrots For Babies: Ways To Cook, Serve & Recipe Ideas By Age

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Carrots for babies make the perfect first solid baby food beginning with 6 months of age, when they show signs of interest for complementary foods.

Learn how to prepare baby’s first carrots whether they’re steamed, puréed, mashed, grated or roasted and serve according to baby’s age. As well as healthy recipes you can make with carrots for your little one.

With a little prep you can make nutritious and convenient carrot baby food particularly when introducing carrots as baby led weaning or first finger food.

Carrots For Babies

Just like sweet potato, carrots have a soft texture (when cooked) with a sweet mild flavor which is quickly accepted by babies. Carrots make a great first vegetable to be introduced to your baby whether you choose to make carrot puree, serve carrot sticks as finger food or when making stage 2 carrot baby food recipes.

Benefits of Eating Carrots For Babies

Carrots are a top source of beta-carotene (then transformed by the body into vitamin A) and also rich in many natural bioactive compounds responsible for the maintenance of the baby’s normal function of the immune system, skin, mucosal membranes, and normal vision.
Note: To help the body convert more beta carotene into vitamin A, the carrots should be eaten with a small amount of fat. A healthful source of fat you could use is avocado, nuts, seeds or cold pressed oils.
Carrots, being rich in fiber can help slow the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream and additionally prevent the baby from getting constipated.

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How To Cook Carrots For Babies

Here are some suggestions on how to cook carrots for babies, while retaining their nutrients, taste and texture:

1. Steaming:

How To Steam Carrots For Baby Food

Peel the carrots. Slice into desired size pieces.
Bring 1 inch of water to boil in a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket and cover with a lid.
Steam on medium-low heat for approximately 12-15 minutes (it depends on the size) or until they are soft when pierced with a fork. Then you can cut into smaller pieces if you need to, according to your baby’s age.

Carrot prep for steaming: peel, cut and steam.

Steaming is one of the best ways to prepare carrots for baby led weaning. This method of cooking preserves the most of it vitamins as there is less contact with water and has a short exposure to heat.

Steaming carrots for baby, checking the softness after steaming.

2. How To Bake/ Roast Carrots As Baby Finger Food

If you want to bake carrots for your baby, you have two options: cut then bake, or bake first and then once soft, cut into smaller pieces.

Peel and chop the carrots into desired size.
Drizzle with oil (healthier oil to use is olive oil, avocado oil or grape seed oil) and coat evenly. Season with a touch of pink Himalayan salt (for babies 9 months+), dried herbs like sage, oregano or coriander.
Spread in one layer, on a parchment paper lined sheet pan (try not to use aluminum foil, when exposed to high heat, aluminum can leach into food).
Roast the carrots at 400F until soft and tender, approximately 25-35 minutes. Usually whole thick carrots will need a little more time.

Preparing carrot sticks for roasting.

If you intend to serve with a spoon, mashed or make a carrot puree, then you can bake (or steam) carrots whole.

Roasted carrots for babies as finger food.

3. How To Boil Carrots For Baby Food

Bring a pot with water to a boil.
Add the chopped carrots (0.5-1 inch thick slices/ sticks) to boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes, then drain (timing depends on the thickness of the carrots). For whole carrots – about 10 minutes.
Season if necessary, then you can cut into desired shapes / mash or make a carrot salad by grating them.

Boiling carrots for babies.

Boiling carrots usually is the least preferred method if you need just plain soft carrots. The most nutrients will leach into the boiling water that you will likely discard.

This method is best when you make soups and purees as you would keep the water with all the leached nutrients.

Boiling carrots will also reduce the vitamin content. Raw or steamed carrots provide the most nutritional value.

How Serve Carrots For Babies (+Recipes) By Age

Keep in mind that all babies develop at their own pace, your baby’s oral-motor skills, chewing and swallowing skills may differ from baby to baby, use your own common sense and logic to decide what your baby can handle.

For 6-month-old babies:

Finger food (BLW): offer the carrots (steamed and soft) sliced into thick strips or sticks so your baby can hold them in the fist and chew. Check out this carrot baby led weaning guide.

Carrot puree: after steaming or roasting, mix with water or stock to form a smooth puree or use less liquid if you want it thicker like mashed. At stage 1 serve plain carrot puree then at stage 2 you can mix it with other veggie or fruit purees.

Carrot puree stage 1.

Make a carrot salad mixed with other veggies like beetroot and with added protein like egg or avocado.

Carrot salad with beet and egg (for babies 6-7 months+ as BLW)

For a 9 month old baby – all of the above plus:

Start cutting the carrots up into tiny bite-sized pieces (half-moon slices), grated or shreds (again: steamed and soft) that he/she can easily pick up. That’s usually when the child has developed her pincer grasp.
Mashed carrots (steamed or roasted) with a fork (minimum or no liquid added).
Stage 2 (7-9 months): carrot puree combinations, with one or two more types of foods (including meat, grains, fruit and veggies).

Ways to prepare carrots for baby: 1) mashed carrots 2) thick carrot puree and 3) thin smooth carrot puree for younger babies. 4) Roasted carrot sticks as baby finger food.

Carrot soup with stock (blended to smooth consistency).

Carrot soup for baby.

Carrot juice (cold pressed, freshly made) not store-bought bottled (they’re loaded with sugar and most nutrients are already lost due to processing). You can serve it fresh in a sippy cup.

Carrot juice or soup served in a sippy cup for baby.

Carrot muffins (6-7 months+) for babies accustomed to baby led weaning method they might start earlier at 6 months while other kids might feel comfortable to eat muffins somewhere around 9 months.

Banana carrot muffins.

Healthy Oat Carrot Cookies With Applesauce

Healthy carrot cookies with oats and applesauce.

At 12-18 months (all of the above plus):

Carrots cooked to a soft consistency served in thin slices, shreds, or diced into small pieces mixed with other foods. Encourage your baby to use utensils, like fork or spoon.

All these shapes can be steamed and served to babies who developed the pincer grasp skill.

Raw carrots might be good at 14 months+ (some babies are not ready at this age though and might choke), it depends on the number of teeth and your child’s eating/chewing skills. If you observe that your child is quite skillful with chewing and biting, then there shouldn’t be a problem. Start serving a whole raw carrot then progress to smaller sticks.

The carrot serving suggestions below are for informational purposes only, not medical advice.

How soft should carrots be for baby?

The carrots should be soft enough for you to smash with your fingers, but still able to hold it’s shape. So that your baby could easily be able to gum or chew it even without teeth.

FAQ: Babies & Carrots

Are carrots hard to digest for babies?

In puree form, generally no. If carrots are served as finger food, they might pass through undigested because they don’t have teeth, enough enzymes and lack of an established gut flora. This is normal, as babies (under 12 months) don’t chew their food well and tend to process food quickly through the digestive tract. As your baby grows this will resolve itself.

Do carrots cause constipation in babies?

Usually carrots don’t cause constipation as they contain a good amount of fiber which increases the weight and size of the stool and it becomes easier to pass. If constipation occurs on a regular basis after eating carrots, it might indicate another problem: a digestive disfunction or an allergy.

Can babies choke on carrot?

Raw carrots, especially raw baby carrots are a chocking hazard for infants. They are hard to chew and can they can bite a piece off and chock (especially when they have a few teeth). If you really want to offer finger foods and do baby led weaning, make sure you offer a larger thicker piece and soft, so the baby could suck on it.

Can babies eat pureed raw carrots?

As long as you make it smooth there shouldn’t be a chocking problem. Raw carrots are actually more nutritious than those exposed to heat.

Can I give my baby a carrot for teething?

You can give a frozen cooked carrot. The carrot will defrost as baby chews. Some parents choose to give a whole raw carrot for teething babies (without teeth), but if you’re not comfortable with this, then don’t. Another option is to use a baby feeder with cooked carrots inside.

When can toddlers eat raw baby carrots?

If your baby has a lot of experience with the baby led weaning method and finger foods, then he/she might be ready for raw carrots at around 14 months. That’s when babies have ability to chew correctly and know how to spit out. Always watch carefully.

Carrot Recipes For Babies

Banana Carrot Muffins
Creamy Carrot Soup
Carrot Oatmeal Muffins
Carrot Pancakes

More Baby Food Preparation Tips

Sweet Potato For Babies (6 months+): All you Need To Know
Potatoes For Baby: How To Prepare & Serve
Cauliflower For Baby Ways To Cook & Serve
Ways To Prepare Butternut Squash For Baby
Oatmeal For Babies: When, What, How To Serve

Carrots For Babies: Ways To Cook / Serve By Age + Recipes

ThrivingNest

Learn how to prepare carrots for babies (6 months+) when starting solids, whether they're steamed, puréed, mashed, grated or roasted. Also how to serve according to baby's age and recipes you can make with carrots.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Baby Food

Servings 4

Calories 50 kcal

For Steaming / Boiling Carrots

2 medium carrots (peeled)
2-3 cups water (just enough to cover the carrots)

For Baking/Roasting Carrots

2 medium carrots (peeled)
1 tsp oil or melted butter ((olive, grape seed or avocado oil are all great))
pinch Himalayan pink salt (optional (for older babies))
pinch dried herbs (- optional) sage, oregano, basil etc.)

For Carrot Puree

2 medium carrots

Choose one of the options for blending the puree

1/2 cup liquid (water, breast milk, or homemade stock) (for a pourable puree (6 month old babies))
1/4 cup liquid (water, breast milk, or homemade stock) (for a thicker puree (7 months+))
2-3 tbsp liquid (for mashed carrots)

How To Steam Carrots

Peel the carrots. Slice into desired size pieces.
Bring 1 inch of water to boil in a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket and cover with a lid.
Steam on medium-low heat for approximately 10-15 minutes (it depends on the size) or until they are soft when pierced with a fork. Then you can cut into smaller pieces specific for your baby’s age and serve.

How To Bake/ Roast Carrots

You have two options: cut then bake, or bake first and then once soft, cut into smaller pieces.
Peel and chop the carrots into desired size.
Drizzle with oil (healthier oil to use is olive oil, avocado oil or grape seed oil) and coat evenly. Season with a touch of pink Himalayan salt (for babies 9 months+), dried herbs like sage, oregano or coriander, optional.
Spread in one layer, on a parchment paper lined sheet pan.
Roast the carrots at 400F until soft and tender, approximately 25-35 minutes. Usually whole thick carrots will need a little more time.

How To Boil Carrots

Bring a pot with water to a boil.
Add the chopped carrots (0.5-1 inch thick slices) to boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes, then drain (timing depends on the thickness of the carrots).
For whole carrots – you need to boil for about 10 minutes. Season if necessary, then you can cut into desired shapes or mash in purees.

2 carrots will yield approximately 1 cup of mashed carrot, or about 1.3 cup carrot puree if you mix with liquid.

When cooked, how soft should carrots be for baby? The carrots should be soft enough for you to smash with your fingers, but still able to hold it’s shape. So that your baby could easiy be able to gum or chew it even without teeth.

Serving: 1cupCalories: 50kcal

Have you tried any of these recipes? Your feedback is really helpful, please rate and leave a comment below recipe card!!

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Post Tags: #12-18 months#6-9 months#9-12 months

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Carrots are sweet and tasty, healthy and nutritious, that's why children love carrots! A small child is offered only boiled carrots, namely carrot puree, homogenized, homogeneous, without lumps.