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Freeze baby food ice cube tray


Tips on Freezing and Best Containers

Learn the secrets to storing and freezing homemade baby food for ultimate freshness—AND the best baby food storage containers to use to ensure that you never waste what you make!

Baby Food Storage

Going through the effort to make homemade baby food really only works if you have a good plan for how to store the food to ensure that it stays fresh and that baby has plenty of opportunities to enjoy it. After making a LOT of baby food for my third kiddo to send with him to daycare, I got into a good routine of making and storing baby food—both in the fridge and freezer. Here’s how you can do it too.

TIP: You can find my favorite baby food recipes here.

Homemade Baby Food Storage: In the Fridge

You can store baby food in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 3 days. You can use masking tape and a Sharpie to label the containers with the contents and the date if you have a hard time keeping track of when you made something. (It’s definitely helpful to do that!)

Best Baby Food Storage Containers

I have a four favorite baby food storage containers that I use regularly.

1. Wean Green Baby Food Cubes

These are small, incredibly durable, and made from glass. They’re easy to clean and last forever. (Seriously, I’ve been using the same set for 7 years and they’re still as good as new!) $19.99 for a set of 4

2. Easy Lunchboxes Mini Dippers

These small containers are a perfect size for 1-2 frozen baby food cubes and they’re my go to for packing food for a baby to take to daycare. They also nest nicely when stored in the cabinet. $7.95 for a set of 8

3. Beaba Food Storage Containers

I have two sets of these and I use them regularly for larger amounts of baby food (you could probably fit 4 cubes of frozen food) and for toddler snacks. When assembled, they snap together, so they’re an easy way to stay organized. $14.95 for a set of 6

4. Oxo Tot Baby Food Blocks

This neat system is easy to keep contained in the fridge and is also made from a polypropylene body that is PVC, BPA, and phthalate free. They are dishwasher and microwave safe. $9.99 for a set of 6

Homemade Baby Food Storage: For Freezing

Storing homemade baby food in the freezer allows you to make a bigger batch at once, and then serve it to baby over the course of a few weeks or months.The easiest way is to use an ice cube tray, which has the added benefit of portioning out the baby food nicely.

TIP: Any ice cube tray will do. You can use silicone ice cube trays if you prefer a non-plastic option.

Baby Food Storage Without An Ice Cube Tray

If you don’t have an ice cube tray or you’d just rather not use one, you can place a predetermined amount of baby food into a pint-size freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible, press flat, and seal. Place flat in the freezer to freeze. Then you can thaw the entire bag in the fridge overnight, or break off a portion of it to thaw.

How to Store Baby Food in the Freezer Step by Step

  1. Place baby food into each compartment of the ice cube tray, or fill as many as you need to with the amount of baby food you have.
  2. Cover (if your ice cube tray has a cover) and freezer for 4-6 hours or overnight.
  3. Pop out frozen cubes and transfer to freezer storage bags. Label as desired with the type of baby food and the date.
  4. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

TIP: I like to have a bag of sweet fruit purees and more savory vegetable purees to avoid having too many separate bags in the freezer at any given time. Then you can combine them into baby food combinations easily!

How to Thaw Baby Food

To thaw baby food, simply remove a cube (or as many as you need) and place into airtight containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge and serve. 1 cube may be plenty for a baby aged 6-7 months and older babies may enjoy two cubes.

Tips for the Best Baby Food Storage

  • Keep fresh baby food in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
  • Use a regular ice cube tray to freeze, a silicone ice cube tray with a lid, or a small freezer bag with the contents pressed flat.
  • Store frozen baby food in a freezer storage bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To avoid freezer burn, try to remove as much air as possible from the storage bags.
  • Label your bags with the contents and the date.
  • To thaw baby food, simply remove a cube (or as many as you need) and place into airtight containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Use leftover baby food to flavor yogurt, baby oatmeal, baby rice cereal, smoothies, or cottage cheese.
  • See some of my favorite Baby Food Pouch recipes here for more ideas on how to serve your baby food!

I’d love to hear your feedback if you have another storage technique or container that you love, so please comment below!

Make Baby Food In Bulk And Freeze Them Easily With The Best Ice Cube Tray For Baby Food

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Do you always have to bring the food processor or a personal blender out of the cabinet every time you feed your baby? I can imagine how tiring that could get. Why don’t you just invest in an ice cube tray for baby food? There are numerous ice cube trays specially designed to contain and freeze food purees you’ve prepared in bulk for your precious one.

Now you may wonder— why not use an ordinary ice cube tray instead? Wouldn’t that suffice?

Well, there are several good reasons why you shouldn’t use ice cube trays for this purpose. One is that most ice cube trays aren’t free of the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) which can be toxic. This chemical can seep into the baby food that you store in the ice cube tray. Another reason is that ice cube trays don’t have a cover, and this could lead to freezer burn that can affect the quality of food.

And lastly, why would you put food in your ice cube trays? Doesn’t that sound disgusting?

With a baby food ice cube tray, you can store as much baby food as you want. You can also use this tray for making small ice cubes. A baby food ice cube tray is definitely worth getting, right?

Anyway, I’ve listed down several ice cube trays that are designed for baby food. But before you read their reviews, you might want to know first what you should look for in a baby food freezer tray.

What To Look For In An Ice Cube Tray For Baby Food

1. Free Of Chemicals

Aside from being BPA-free, the ice cube tray that you should get should be free from other toxics such as phthalates which have been linked to breast cancer and type II diabetes as well as PVC which can damage the liver.

2. Size

The ideal ice cube tray for baby food is compact enough to be stored even in the smallest freezers. I would also recommend that you get an ice cube tray that is easy to stack with other freezer items.

Baby food homemade in ice cubes tray ready to be frozen

3. Cover

The last thing you want to happen is for the food to spill. Thus I suggest that you get an ice cube tray that has a very secure cover. The cover must also be easy to slide in and out of the tray.

4. Ease Of Cleaning

Get an ice cube tray that is dishwasher-safe so that cleaning it won’t be a problem at all.

5. Capacity

It’s really up to you how much baby food that the ice cube tray you get can hold. Most trays have a cube of about an ounce in capacity.

Top 5 Ice Cube Trays for Baby Food Available On The Market Today

RANK PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT IMAGE EDITOR SCORE
​
#1 Mumi&Bubi Baby Food Freezer Storage Trays Starter Kit
#2 OXO Tot Baby Food Freezer Tray
#3 Vremi Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lids
#4 JumpTots Silicone Baby Food Tray
#5 Suntake 2Packs Silicone Ice Cube Trays

#1 Mumi&Bubi Baby Food Freezer Storage Trays Starter Kit

https://www. amazon.com/Mumi-Bubi-Starter-Freezer-Storage/dp/B004A9ZF3Y/

Mumi&Bubi Baby Food Freezer Storage Trays Starter Kit

This starter kit features two premium quality and stackable baby food freezer trays with lids. These trays are compact enough to be stored in most freezers. Each tray has a 21-ounce capacity, with 21 one-ounce cubes for maximum storage.

The trays are certified BPA and PVC-free. These trays are also dishwasher-safe thus you should have no problem in washing them.

Moms and dads will also appreciate the e-guide with 27 recipes that can help them get started in making baby food.

You might have experienced how difficult it is to remove ice cubes from traditional ice cube trays. You won’t go through such ordeal when you use this ice cube tray because the cubes are rounded at the bottom. This makes it easier for you to lever out the cubes and then put back the rest in the freezer.

PROS

  • Compact and stackable trays great for small refrigerators or freezers
  • The trays have a large lip designed to prevent overflow
  • The trays are very thick and durable
  • thumbs-o-upThe trays are transparent so you can easily see what’s inside

CONS

  • The lids are thin and flimsy
  • The lids are difficult to secure

#2 OXO Tot Baby Food Freezer Tray

https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Baby-Freezer-Protective-Cover/dp/B0038JE5Y2/

OXO Tot Baby Food Freezer Tray

This baby food freezer tray features a flat and colorful cover that would let you control the number of cubes that you can access at a time. Each cube of the 14 has a capacity of about ¾ ounce.

The green cover is not only bright and attractive but also prevents the freezer odor from affecting the content of the tray. It is also very easy to secure. The tray is also compact and easy to stack with other freezer items.

You will also love that the tray doesn’t stain easily thus clean-up of this product won’t be much of a concern. When it is time to clean it, you may want to pour hot water on the tray before popping it in the dishwasher.

PROS

  • The tray has a flat and colorful cover
  • The cover’s design allows users to control the number of cubes to be accessed
  • The cover is easy to secure
  • thumbs-o-upThe tray is compact and easy to stack

CONS

  • Its capacity is not as big as other food trays
  • Not the most durable as the tray cracks after a while

#3 Vremi Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lids

https://www.amazon.com/Vremi-Silicone-Cube-Trays-Lids/dp/B01H7BF1DA/

Vremi Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lids

This set features two ice cube trays with covers. Each tray can hold 21 ice cubes measuring 1.3 inches on all sides. The trays are made of flexible silicone. You will love how easy it is to pop the cubes out of the tray.

These are stackable trays that can help you maximize space in your freezer. And because these are dishwasher – safe trays, you need not spend a lot of time cleaning them.

These trays are also oven – safe so you can use them eventually once your babies have all grown up.

PROS

  • The trays are stackable and can help save space
  • Dishwasher-safe and thus easy to clean
  • It is easy to pop the cubes out of the tray
  • thumbs-o-upThe lids secure the trays

CONS

  • There is a heavy plastic smell that’s noticeable the first time you use it
  • The trays flex when full of food so be careful handling them

#4 JumpTots Silicone Baby Food Tray

https://www. amazon.com/Homemade-Storage-Solution-Silicone-Freezer/dp/B00LWHRh52/

JumpTots Silicone Baby Food Tray

These JumpTots trays are safe for freezing baby food as these are BPA and PVC free. They are also very flexible and getting the cubes out of them is relatively easy.

There are nine cubes in the trays with each cube having a 2-ounce capacity. The snap-on lids are clear and should let you see the food you have stored.

The lids also seal tightly, so there should be no spills when you use this tray. There’s also a clip on the lid to keep the cover tightly on the tray.

As in the case of the preceding item, this tray is safe to use in a clean toaster oven. You can also pop it in the dishwasher or clean it by hand.

PROS

  • The trays are dishwasher and oven safe
  • The cover is airtight and won’t cause spills
  • The lid is clear, and you will be able to see what’s inside right away
  • thumbs-o-upHuge capacity per cube

CONS

  • Less number of cubes compared to other trays
  • The lid is hard to put on

#5 Suntake 2Packs Silicone Ice Cube Trays

https://www. amazon.com/2Packs-Silicone-Storage-9Cavities-Conatiners/dp/B01IBU0TSI/

Suntake 2Packs Silicone Ice Cube Trays

These ice cube trays are also made of silicone which is 100% free from BPA and other harmful chemicals. It comes with clip-on lids designed to prevent bacteria and other odors coming from the freezer to affect or spoil the food stored in the trays.

This is actually a set of two trays of 9 cubes. Each cube has a capacity of 2.5 ounces. These trays are also safe to be used in the oven as these can resist temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

What I love most about these ice cube trays is that it is really easy to pop out a cube or two. It is very flexible but durable and won’t crack, unlike other ice cube trays.

And like the other ice cube trays in this list, these trays are very compact and easy to stack in the freezer.

PROS

  • It has clip-on lids to prevent food from spilling
  • Each cube has 2. 5-ounce capacity; the biggest in this list
  • It is easy to pop out a cube or two from the tray
  • thumbs-o-upThese trays are easy to stack

CONS

  • Only nine cubes in the tray
  • There’s a noticeable smell to it

Conclusion

So what’s the best ice cube tray for baby food for me?

I am picking the Suntake 2Packs Silicone Ice Cube Trays. I feel that the ice cube trays have the best combination of size, capacity, and durability. I also like that it is very easy to pop out the cubes out of the tray.

Of course, it’s really up to you to decide which one of the trays I’ve listed above is the best suited for your baby’s needs. In case you’ve bought one from any of the products listed above, why don’t you share your thoughts about the ice cube tray? Feel free to comment below or even better, share this article on your social media accounts.

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). nine0005

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

Utensils for storing, freezing and preparing baby food - let's discuss?

What does it take to cook a baby?

I am convinced that almost every kitchen already has everything. It remains only to buy containers for freezing and storage, which I did. There is no science here, but I will show off my purchases. Are we girls? And girls love all sorts of pretty things. After all, ideally, cooking for children should be joyful. So?

Ice Cube Container

Very handy at the start of weaning when you only need the smallest portions. You can start with one food cube, gradually adding more cubes. It is also convenient to freeze broths for baby food in them.

I have two containers - one Tupperware, one from Ikea (pink flowers).

Taperovsky is convenient because it has a lid. Still, it is very important for us to observe hygiene in regard to baby food. Ikeevsky can be wrapped in something, it's cheaper. But there are also silicone “pimps” at the bottom in Taperovsky, which help to squeeze out the cube more easily. nine0005

Brown taper tin. I highly recommend. You can freeze a lot of puree in it at once. Its volume is approximately one full meal (approximately 80 ml). Well, baking muffins for a three-year-old in it is ideal.

Storage and Freezing Containers

I looked at containers for a long time on various sites, and chose three types, with different principles of operation and volume. At first the baby needs less food, then more. Something can be mixed after defrosting. Therefore, it is convenient to have containers of different sizes. nine0005

Beaba for 80 ml. Agree, a beautiful container :) It happens in 4 colors. Mine is actually purple :)

Brown - all jars are inserted into one another. It is convenient to feed the baby from them.

Brother Max - could not pass by. Very comfortable. Can be attached to each other in different ways. Volume 40 ml. If there is not enough space in the freezer, it is convenient to separate them and scatter them in free places.

When the child grows up, these containers will fit, as well as ordinary small adults. I am a Tupperware fan. nine0005

Nibbler

I think everyone knows what it is. But just in case: an apple is placed in the net, for example, and the child sucks it without the risk of choking. With spoons for feeding in the same photo, everything is clear. Plastic soft, will not hurt the baby's gums.

And now let's discuss dishes. What do you need to have in the kitchen?

Immersion blender or stand blender - an absolute must! Needed for making mashed potatoes and mashed soups, as well as meat at first. It is important that the blender is powerful and has a “pulse” mode. When the baby grows up, we will not need an absolutely homogeneous puree, and it is convenient to break something into pieces in this mode. nine0005

Small and Medium Saucepans - even if you are cooking for a child, it is unlikely that you will be comfortable doing this in a large saucepan. It is good to have a small cast-iron for making stews.

Small and medium pans - again, the small size is more convenient for cooking not very large amounts of food.

Small and small (serving) casseroles - kids love casseroles, both sweet and meaty.

Strainer and Potato Press Nice to have, but not essential. A strainer is an alternative to a blender. It is good to wipe the berries in it. The potato press produces excellent mashed potatoes. Children usually love it very much.

The steamer is an excellent gentle food preparation. If I choose only for feeding the baby, I would buy a small one-story one. Although, in a two-story one, you can cook several products at the same time, for example, meat from below, vegetables from above. In a double boiler, it is easier not to digest vegetables, and such processing preserves more vitamins. nine0005

Cutting board and knife – cutting board preferably plastic, safe (antibacterial) and dishwasher safe.

Meat thermometer - not necessary, but especially restless mothers will be able to make sure that the meat has reached the right temperature (70 degrees).

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