How long do you boil sweet potatoes for baby food
Sweet Potato Puree - Healthy Little Foodies
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By: Amy
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Sweet Potato Puree is a delicious and versatile puree that is easily made using only one ingredient. Whether you are looking for a tasty side dish, a healthy baby puree, or a nutrient-rich addition to baked goods, yogurt or oatmeal, sweet potato puree is a great choice.
Jump to:- Reasons To Love This Puree
- Video Tutorial
- Ingredients
- Step by Step Instructions (With Photos)
- Great Ways to Use Sweet Potato Puree
- Recipes Using Sweet Potato Puree
- Storage Instructions
- Recipe FAQs
- Sweet Potato Puree
Reasons To Love This Puree
- Nutritious - Sweet potato is a healthy pantry staple, containing a good mix of nutrients and vitamins.
It is high in dietary fibre and a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Potassium
- Versatile - Enjoy as a side dish, stirred into sauces, as a pie topper added to baking, top oatmeal or serve as a baby puree.
- Easy to Make - Bake sweet potato until soft, then puree in a food processor or blender.
- Delicious - Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and baking the potato gives a richer, sweeter flavour compared to other cooking methods.
Video Tutorial
Ingredients
Making homemade sweet potato puree is easy and you only need one ingredient - sweet potato!
If you are going to bake with sweet potato puree, stick with just sweet potato. However, if you are serving it as a side dish or baby puree, you might choose to add some extra ingredients such as butter, oil, herbs and spices.
Step by Step Instructions (With Photos)
There are several ways to cook a sweet potato and all methods will work for pureeing but, in my opinion, roasting provides the best-tasting puree.
- Wash and dry the potatoes. Using a fork, pierce the potatoes several times, on both sides. Place in the oven and roast for around 50 mins or until the potato is wrinkled and tender.
- Allow the sweet potatoes to cool for around 10 minutes and then peel the potato
- Place the flesh in a food processor.
- Blend until smooth.
Great Ways to Use Sweet Potato Puree
- Add to Oatmeal with a little cinnamon for a warm and comforting start to the morning.
- Use in baking - Great for adding sweetness, using as a binding agent and for adding moisture to baked goods.
- Add to risotto - Adds a different, yet tasty, touch to a risotto. This sweet potato and mushroom risotto looks amazing!
- Stir into Sauces - Add some creaminess and sweetness to a range of different sauces such as this Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.
- Mix into smoothies - Sweet Potato goes well with a range of smoothie ingredients and will make a smoothie ultra creamy.
- Extra Smooth Pie Topping - Great for kids with textural issues. Use it to top this Lentil and Sweet Potato Shepherds Pie
- Use as an Egg Replacement in Baking - Learn more in this egg substitution guide.
Recipes Using Sweet Potato Puree
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
- Freeze: Spoon the puree into ice-cube trays and freeze until solid. Once they’re fully frozen, quickly pop them all out and place the frozen cubes into a freezer bag or container and return to the freezer.
Recipe FAQs
Do you have to roast the sweet potato or can I use a different cooking method?
I believe that roasting produced the best-tasting puree but you can also boil or steam the sweet potato.
Boiling - Peel the sweet potato and cut it into 1.5 cm (half-inch) cubes. In a pan, bring water to a boil and add sweet potato chunks. Reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, around 15 minutes.
Steaming - Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1.5 cm (half-inch) cubes and steam, using a steamer, until soft.
Do you need to use a food processor to make the puree?
No, you can also use a...
Blender - A high-speed blender works great.
Stick Blender - Place the cooked potato into a large jug/pan and blend until smooth
Masher - Provides a chunkier puree
Can I serve this sweet potato puree to a baby?
Yes. Sweet Potato Puree can be enjoyed as it is or mixed with a range of other pureed or mashed foods. Some suggestions include….
Apple puree, Pear puree, Carrot puree, Parsnip puree, Pea puree, Pumpkin puree, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Lentils, Chicken puree, Beef puree, Yoghurt
If you want to add more texture to your puree, simply mash using a masher or blend for a shorter time
Can I thin out the sweet potato puree?
Yes, you can thin it out with a splash of milk (you can use breast milk or formula when making it for a baby.
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5 from 6 votes
Author: Amy
Sweet Potato Puree
Sweet Potato Puree is a great first food for when you start weaning your baby. However, this delicious puree shouldn't be limited just to babies. Stock some in your freezer to add extra nutrition, flavour and texture to oatmeal, sauces or baked goods.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
- ▢ 2 Medium Sweet Potatoes
Preheat oven to 200C / 400F and line a baking tray with baking paper/foil.
Wash and dry the potatoes. Using a fork, pierce the potatoes several times, on both sides.
Place in the oven and roast for around 50 mins (checking after 45 mins), or until the potato is wrinkled and tender.
Allow the sweet potatoes to cool for around 10 minutes, peel the potato and place the flesh in a food processor.
Blend until smooth.
- If using large sweet potatoes, cut in half, lengthways, before roasting.
- The length of time needed will depend on the size and thickness of the potato.
Nutritional information is a ROUGH guide only, calculated using an online nutrition calculator.
Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 10690IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Course:Baby Food, Ingredient
Cuisine:Western
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Meet Amy
Amy Whiteford runs the blog Healthy Little Foodies. She is a mum to two, has a BSc (Hons) Food Science, PGDE Primary Education and a Certificate in Childhood Nutrition.
She uses her experience and knowledge to create healthy and delicious recipes for kids. Explore the site for creative ideas, tips, and inspiration! Read more
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Sweet Potato Baby Food Recipes
If you’re on the hunt for a healthy food for baby boy or girl, you can’t go wrong with the sweetest of carbs, the sweet potato. The amber-hued vegetable is rich in not only carbohydrates but also a number of essential nutrients, including potassium, calcium and a number of vitamins (A, B and C). Nothing but goodness, right?
So when can you introduce sweet potatoes into your baby’s diet, and how do you cook them, anyway? Read on to learn everything you need to know about sweet potatoes for baby. Plus, get two sweet potato baby food recipes to try at home!
What Are the Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes have a long list of health benefits, including a healthy mix of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants.
The vitamin C and iron levels in sweet potatoes can help to boost the immune system, while the magnesium and potassium (an electrolyte) benefit heart health. And while sweet potatoes are a carbohydrate, they’re a complex carb that releases sugars slowly into the bloodstream, so no worries about spikes here. And they’re high in carotenoids like beta-carotene, which can help ward off cancer.
When Can I Introduce Sweet Potatoes Into My Baby’s Diet?
You can introduce sweet potatoes, a stage one food, into baby’s diet around 6 months of age–around the same time you can introduce most solid foods into a baby’s diet.
What to Look for When Shopping for Sweet Potatoes
When choosing sweet potatoes to make sweet potato baby food, you want to pick firm sweet potatoes without any cracks or bruises (or soft spots). Avoid refrigerated sweet potatoes if possible—cold can alter the taste of these sweet treats.
Sweet Potato Food Allergy: How to Look Out for It
While it’s less common than, say, being allergic to peanuts or dairy, some people are allergic to sweet potatoes.
If baby is allergic to sweet potatoes, he will likely react shortly after consuming the food. Symptoms vary, but there could be facial swelling, a rash or itchiness, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, baby could even have trouble breathing. If baby displays any worrying symptoms, promptly take him to the hospital for immediate care.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes for Baby Food
Now that you’re a sweet potato expert, let’s dish on all the ways you can prepare them for baby. There are three main ways to cook sweet potatoes for babies: baking them, boiling them or steaming them in a baby food maker. It’s completely up to you which to choose (though it’s worth noting that boiling sweet potatoes will help them retain their antioxidant powers while also keeping their glycemic index low). For more information on each option, read below.
How to Bake Sweet Potatoes for Baby Food:
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
Preheat oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Wash and scrub sweet potato well and cut in half lengthwise. Place sweet potato on sheet skin side up. Using the tip of a sharp knife or a fork, prick the skin of the sweet potato. Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and bake until sweet potato is soft, about 30 minutes. Using tongs, turn each half over and let cool.
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
Once cooled, scoop out the flesh using a spoon. Smash the scooped-out sweet potato flesh using a potato masher or the back of a fork.
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
A blender or a food processor can also be used to puree the sweet potato, and you can add water, breast milk or formula as needed to thin it out. Continue adding liquid and mashing until the desired consistency is reached.
How to Boil Sweet Potatoes for Baby Food:
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
Peel sweet potato and cut into half-inch cubes. In a pot, bring water to a boil and add sweet potato chunks. Reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
Transfer tender sweet potato chunks to a food processor and blend until smooth. You can also mash the sweet potato using a potato masher or a fork. Reserve some of the cooking liquid or use breast milk or formula to thin out the sweet potatoes to the desired consistency for baby.
How to Steam Sweet Potatoes in the Baby Food Maker:
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
Peel sweet potato and cut into half-inch cubes. Add the sweet potato chunks to the bowl of your baby food maker. Follow the instructions for your device and add as much water, formula or breast milk as needed to the steaming container. Puree until smooth.
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
Once the sweet potato baby food puree has cooled completely, transfer it to a serving bowl or freezer-safe container. Prepared sweet potato baby food keeps for one month in the freezer.
Sweet Potato Baby Food Recipes
Looking to amp up the flavor of your sweet potato baby food? Try one of these sweet potato baby food recipes, created exclusively for The Bump by Karen Biton-Cohen.
She crafted a sweet potato and pear baby food puree, as well as a chicken, apple and sweet potato baby food puree. For both sweet potato baby food recipes, see below.
Sweet Potato Baby Food Recipe With Pear Puree
(a Stage 1 recipe, appropriate at 4 to 6 months of age)
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
1/2 cup sweet potato puree + 1/4 cup pear puree OR 1 large sweet potato + 1 pear
- Steam all the ingredients.
- Blend the ingredients together until smooth for a tasty baby treat.
Sweet Potato Baby Food Recipe With Apple + Chicken Puree
(a Stage 2 recipe, appropriate at 6 to 8 months of age)
Image: Karen Biton-Cohen
1 cup cooked, diced chicken (light or dark meat) + 1/2 cup sweet potato puree + 1/2 cup apple puree + cooking liquid
- Add 3 drumsticks or 1 breast to a pot of boiling water.
- Reduce to a simmer and boil until cooked thoroughly (usually about 30 minutes).
- Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool before dicing it.
(Note: If you used drumsticks, remove the skin at this point.) - Blend the diced chicken, sweet potato and apple purees and 1/4 cup cooking liquid until smooth. Add more cooking liquid (or water) as needed to achieve a smooth consistency.
cooking recipes and age limits
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Sweet potato or sweet potato is an excellent choice for baby food. It is pleasant in taste (reminiscent of a mixture of potatoes and pumpkin or carrots with added sugar) and creamy texture (in the form of a puree), is liked by many babies and rarely causes allergies. But since this product is still a curiosity in Russia, our mothers will need explanations. So at what age can you give sweet potato to children and how to cook it properly for complementary foods?
Content
From what age to give
American parents begin to give a child to the child of the BATTS, to the child of the six months.
This is one of the first complementary foods introduced to a baby in the US after weaning.
The first sample (1 teaspoon is enough) is offered in the form of a thin, homogeneous puree. It is easily absorbed by the body of the baby. The delicate creamy texture makes it easy for the baby to swallow and digest such food.
After that, they wait three days without introducing other new foods into complementary foods. That allows you to track the negative reaction and stop feeding sweet potatoes in time.
After about 2 months, the baby can try boiled sweet potatoes, mashed with a fork or grated on a fine grater. Almost all children like its moderately sweet taste.
After a year sweet potatoes are good to combine with rice or oats to increase the nutritional value of dishes.
Can a child eat sweet potatoes raw?
Complementary food with mashed potatoes for children.
Ingredients
| Nutrients | Content per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Proteins | 1. 6 g |
| Omega-6 | 0.01 g |
| Dietary fiber | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20.1 g |
| Calories: | 86 kcal |
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development of the child. It contains a lot of water (up to 77%), vitamins (A, B6 and C), potassium, iron, organic acids, antioxidants. And low fat.
Sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates, so the glycemic index (GI) of the product is lower (55) than that of the usual potato (from 70).
Is sweet potato good for kids
Baby likes sweet potato puree with turmeric
Sweet potatoes can bring many health benefits to a child if they are part of a child's diet. Key properties:
- Fights constipation. Sweet potatoes are a valuable source of fiber. 100 g of the product contains about 3 g of dietary fiber, which prevent constipation and strengthen the baby's digestive tract.
- Source of beta-carotene (provitamin A). This vitamin is essential for healthy vision. Its presence in the children's menu is a must and helps to improve eye health.
- Strengthens the immune system. Vitamins C and E in the composition increase the body's defenses, help the child fight infections.
- Good for the skin. Makes her look healthy and radiant.
- Healthy calories. Sweet potatoes contain only 0.1 g of fat at 86 kcal per 100 g. Therefore, they are among the healthy foods for babies, especially those with insufficient weight (hypotrophy). High-calorie sweet potato promotes weight gain and physical development of children.
- Prevents the development of anemia. Iron in the composition prevents anemia in a child with insufficient intake of a trace element with food or after severe blood loss (abdominal operations, injuries, etc.).
- Strengthens bones. Calcium, which is also found in sweet potatoes, is vital for the growth and development of children's musculoskeletal system.
Can sweet potatoes cause allergies
Sweet potatoes rarely cause allergic reactions in babies. That is why it is suitable for complementary foods. However, it is possible.
Signs of sweet potato allergy:
- vomiting,
- rash (including around anus),
- diarrhea,
- bloating due to indigestion.
Vomiting and diarrhea can sometimes cause not only allergies, but also intestinal infections in the finished dish. For example, with insufficient sanitation of tubers or children's dishes.
Babies may spit out sweet potato puree when switching to solid foods for a variety of reasons.
There may be other side effects, which are usually minor and easily manageable.
Caution! With ulcerative colitis and some other serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, sweet potato dishes are prohibited. Be sure to discuss the possibility of introducing sweet potatoes into complementary foods with your pediatrician.
Excessive consumption can provoke the formation of kidney stones.
How to choose baby food
The choice of food for children's table should be taken seriously. If possible, choose organic sweet potatoes grown without the use of pesticides and other chemicals.
Here are a few tips to help you make your choice:
- Choose medium-sized tubers with firm, smooth skins. If they are not on sale, take small ones (large ones have a lot of starch).
- Set aside specimens that are too soft with brown spots on the skin, punctures, signs of rot, and emit an unpleasant odor.
- The richer the color of the potato skins (white/cream, pink, red and purple), the more valuable antioxidants the product contains.
Storage details
In this case, the refrigerator is not the right place. Sweet potato storage options:
- in a covered box in the kitchen at room temperature for up to 1 week;
- in a cool pantry or cellar at +13-16°C - up to 2 weeks.
Sweet potato puree can be frozen in ice cube trays
Boiled sweet potato puree can be frozen ahead (add a drop of lemon juice to prevent browning). It can be kept in the freezer for up to a year, but it is better not to use it for feeding children - during the defrosting process, bacteria quickly begin to multiply in the starchy mass.
How to cook for weaning
The first thing to do is wash the tubers thoroughly before peeling and cutting. Then remove the skin or leave (for baking) and thermally process (until soft) in one of the following ways:
- Baking. Preheat oven to 220°C. Pierce each tuber in several places and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes. Cool and remove the skin.
- Cooking. Peel sweet potatoes, cut, boil in clean water.
- Under pressure (pressure cooker). Peel the sweet potato, cut into slices or cubes, place in a pressure cooker and wait for 1-2 whistles (guided by softness).
- For a couple.
Peel and cut the product, place in a double boiler and cook. - Microwave. Peeled potatoes cut into small slices and do in each hole. Place in the microwave and turn on the maximum power for about 10 minutes.
Puree the finished sweet potato with a blender, potato masher or regular fork. If necessary, add some boiled water.
Baby sweet potato recipes
Let's see what can be done with sweet potato for a child.
Smooth sweet potato puree
One-component sweet potato puree
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sweet potato,
- 1 cup water or vegetable stock.
Cooking method:
- Cook sweet potato using any of the available methods.
- Mash while still warm.
- Add half a glass of water or vegetable stock and beat or stir well.
- Add the rest of the water/broth to make a thin, smooth puree that a child can easily swallow.
Carrot and sweet potato puree
This puree has a high content of vitamin A.
It is suitable for babies from 7 months old who have already become familiar with complementary foods (containing two or more ingredients).
Two-component puree with carrots and sweet potatoes
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sweet potato,
- 1 medium carrot,
- 1 cup water or vegetable stock.
Preparation:
- Grate thoroughly washed and peeled carrots and cut the peeled sweet potatoes into small pieces.
- Boil them together in the same water until they are soft.
- Cool and puree.
Sweet potato chicken soup
This dish contains a nutritious broth rich in protein. But it is only suitable for children who are accustomed to non-vegetarian food.
Chicken and sweet potato soup
Ingredients:
- 100 g lean chicken mince,
- 5 glasses of water,
- 1 cup boiled sweet potatoes.
Cooking method:
- Boil the minced chicken in a saucepan with a little water.
Don't forget to skim off any excess fat while boiling. - Transfer the boiled sweet potato to a blender and add the prepared chicken broth to it.
- Blend until smooth.
- If the soup is too thick, add boiled water.
Sweet potato rice porridge with milk
This recipe is rich in dietary fiber, which helps prevent constipation. It is also a healthy dessert option for toddlers without the use of sugar.
Sweet potato baby rice porridge
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice,
- 4 medium sweet potatoes,
- 3 glasses of water,
- 1 cup breast, goat, coconut or cow milk.
Cooking method:
- Boil diced sweet potatoes and rice in a little water.
- After 10-15 minutes after boiling (when the products are half cooked), add milk and mix.
- Let stand 10-15 minutes.
- Cool slightly to serve to a child.
Sweet potato with peas and cauliflower
Another great recipe for babies from 7 months old.
The dish has absorbed the virtues of three vegetables: sweet potatoes, peas and cauliflower.
Sweet potato puree with green peas and cauliflower
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sweet potato,
- 1/4 cup green peas,
- 1/2 cup cauliflower flowers,
- 3-5 cups of water (depending on desired consistency).
How to cook:
- Wash, peel and dice the sweet potato tuber.
- Boil all vegetables in water.
- Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Blend with a blender until smooth.
Video: how to make sweet potatoes for baby food
Sweet potatoes also combine with other foods suitable for baby food such as apples, pumpkin, zucchini, legumes, corn, cabbage and broccoli.
Nutritionists recommend pairing high-carbohydrate sweet potatoes with high-fiber greens (spinach, dill, and parsley).
More recommendations and recipes in our Instagram. We look forward to visiting!
Parsley for children: from what age can it be given.
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Author: Yakusheva Tatyana
⏰ How to cook sweet potatoes and how long
Home » How to cook vegetables? » How much to cook sweet potato?
How to cook vegetables? Elena 02
Boil sweet potatoes for 30 minutes.
How to cook sweet potato
You will need - sweet potato and water
1. Wash the sweet potato, cut off the peel with a sharp knife.
2. Divide large fruits into two parts, do not cut small ones.
3. Place the sweet potato in a saucepan, fill with cold water until it completely covers the sweet potato.
4. Pour a teaspoon of salt into a saucepan with sweet potatoes, place on medium until water boils.
5. Reduce the heat under the sweet potato pan to low.
6. Boil the sweet potato for 30 minutes with the lid closed.
7. Check the readiness of the sweet potato by piercing it with a fork, the boiled sweet potato should be soft, but should not boil.
Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients
Sweet Potato - 3 Medium
Garlic - 3 Prongs
Carrots - 1 Large
Ginger - 3 Inches Fresh Root
Leek - 396 Miles 2 Stems Dried flax seeds - 3 teaspoons
Cold-pressed linseed oil - 7 drops
How to make sweet potato soup
1. Wash the leek, cut into thin rings.
2. Wash carrots, sweet potatoes, peel, cut into cubes 1.5 cm thick.
3. Heat a skillet with olive oil over low heat.
4. Fry the leeks in hot oil for 2 minutes.
5. Add chopped carrots, sweet potatoes to the leeks, fry for a few minutes.
6. Pour the fried vegetables with a little boiling water so that it completely covers them, simmer for 15 minutes until soft.
7. Peel and grate the ginger.
8. Add ginger to stewed vegetables, hold on the stove for a minute, remove from heat, cool slightly.
9. Chop the peeled garlic.
10. Put the vegetable mass from the pan into a blender, pour in the linseed oil, grind into puree.
11. Pour soup into bowls, garnish with flax seeds.
Phusnofacts
- Sweet Potato - is a tuber-bearing plant similar to potatoes, but larger and sweeter in taste, earning the name "sweet potato".
- Sweet potato is grown primarily in tropical and subtropical countries, in some areas of the temperate zone. Especially popular in India, Indonesia, China. In Russia, sweet potato grows as an annual crop in several regions. In Bashkiria, tubers are germinated in a greenhouse for 5 weeks, after which they are transplanted into open ground. Sweet potato is also grown in Khakassia.
- Calorie content of sweet potato is only 10% higher than that of potatoes (86 kcal / 100 grams), and the amount of nutrients is 2 times.
- Sweet potatoes are similar in appearance to potatoes, but do not have eyes.
