How long to boil carrots for baby finger food

Puree Carrots For Baby Recipe

Published: Aug 3, 2022 by Dora · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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This puree carrots for baby recipe is a great stage 1 baby food recipe that can be made in 3 ways and served either as carrot puree, carrot mash and baby-led weaning for your 6 month old baby or older. Only 5 min prep.

*This post has been reviewed by Dora Babic-Cikos, PhD Nutritional Science

Ingredients and nutrition

Ingredient: this is a stage 1 baby food puree so we will just use 1 ingredient - a carrot (for carrot puree combinations scroll to the bottom)
Type: you can use any type of carrot you like, including baby carrots or even antioxidant rich purple carrots
Nutrition: it will depend on what type of carrots you use, but the majority are full of carotenoids, antioxidants that have been found to protect from cancer. Carrots mostly contain water and complex carbohydrates (and fiber) and are a low glycemic index food, meaning they don't spike up the blood sugar like processed carbs
How to store carrots: unwashed carrots keep at room temperature for a week or so, or a little longer in the fridge. If you want them to last longer then wash, peel, and submerge in cold water to store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks

How to cook carrots for baby recipe?

There are 3 methods to make carrot puree for babies: steaming, boiling and roasting.

Steaming retains the most nutrients, followed by roasting and then boiling. Most of the beneficial nutrients found in carrots are water-soluble meaning that they are released into the water while cooking. That's why roasting and steaming are far better options than cooking.

TIP: If you want to try out baby-led weaning in addition to puree, scroll below to find instructions on how to prepare and serve baby-led weaning carrots.

Method 1: How to steam carrots for puree?

Trim the tops, peel, wash the carrots and cut them into chunks.
Place water in a saucepan. Once boiling place the carrots in a steamer basket on top, cover and steam for about 15 minutes until soft. Retain the water from steaming for the puree.
Transfer the carrots to a blender, food processor or Vitamix and blend. Add water tablespoon by tablespoon until you reach the desired consistency.

Method 2: How long to boil carrots for baby food?

Trim the tops, peel, wash the carrots and cut them into chunks.
Place water in a saucepan. Once boiling add the carrots, cover, turn the heat to medium and cook for about 15 minutes until tender.
Transfer the carrots to a blender, food processor or Vitamix and blend. Add water tablespoon by tablespoon until you reach the desired consistency.

Method 3: Roasted carrot baby food

Preheat oven to 400°F / 200°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Trim the tops, peel, wash the carrots and slice them horizontally.
Drizzle with olive oil so they soften while roasting and spread them in one line on the tray.
Roast for about 30 minutes.
Transfer the carrots to a blender, food processor or Vitamix and blend. Add water tablespoon by tablespoon until you reach the desired consistency.

How to feed carrot to baby?

Carrot baby food for 6 month old baby:

Puree carrots - have a few spoons available. Place puree on a preloaded spoon in front of the baby so they can explore. Or place a tiny bit of puree on the tray so they can dip their finger and then lick it. The more we allow children to have control over their feeding the better their relationship with food will be.
Mashed carrots for baby food - If you have already given your baby many different stage 1 purees and they are doing great with feeding then you can offer them mashed carrot which has a little bit more texture. Follow either the boiling or steaming method and then mash the carrot with a fork. Give them a preloaded spoon or place a small amount in front of them.
Baby-led weaning - using the boiling or steaming method make sure the carrots are cut in half horizontally and they are so soft that they can be mashed in between your fingers.

Baby food carrot for 9 month old baby+:

Pincer grasp - this is a great time for your baby to try developing their pincer grasp skills so cut the boiled or steamed carrot into pieces the size of your fingernail and serve on the baby's plate or tray.

Carrot baby food storage

Puree is best stored in airtight containers in the fridge. In freezer use ice cube trays or specific trays for baby puree like this one from Keedo Feedo.
Store in fridge for 3 days and freezer for up to 6 months
Thaw overnight in fridge in airtight container
To serve remove it 2 hours in advance from the fridge so the puree reaches room temperature and then you don't have to reheat it
Reheat in a small saucepan on the stove with a tsp of water

Baby allergy to carrots?

Carrots are not really classified as a common allergen but that doesn't mean someone cannot be allergic to carrots. The good thing is that known carrot allergies haven't been shown as fatal and severe ones but rather manifest as an oral allergy mostly when a raw carrot is ingested.

Main symptoms are itchiness of the mouth and/or throat and swelling of the mouth, tongue, or face. The bad thing here is that a small baby won't be able to tell you if they have an itch so it is very important to observe your baby each time a new food is offered (including carrots) and check for any unusual symptoms or behavior while eating.

If you notice that your baby is allergic, immediately remove all foods from their mouth and reach out to your doctor/pediatrician.

Carrot puree baby food combinations

If you are passed stage 1 baby puree and you want to make homemade baby food more exciting you can combine carrots with:

Chicken
Sweet Potato
Pumpkin
Butternut squash
Apples
Pears
Peach
Beef
Chicken Butternut squash puree
Zucchini Sweet Potato Puree
Olive oil
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Curry powder

FAQ

Can carrots be given to babies?

Yes, carrots are a great first food for baby because they are a sweet vegetable with lots of vitamins. They can be given to babies from 4 months onwards. However most recommendations state that babies should start solid foods at 6 months old. See here more recipes for 6 month old baby.

How to give carrots to babies?

You can either give as a carrot puree, mashed with a fork, very soft but in bigger chunks for baby-led weaning, or if your baby is ready for pincer grasp then cut into small pieces. All methods require carrots to be cooked until soft.

Can you puree raw carrots for baby?

No because they are a very hard vegetable so it is better to cook. Also, for younger babies their digestive system is not yet developed to be able to efficiently process raw carrots so eating raw ones (if they are at all able to) might lead to digestive problems like tummy ache or constipation.

Does carrot puree cause constipation in babies?

Carrots or carrot puree are not a known constipation-causing food since it does contain fiber but each body and digestive system reacts differently so constipation after eating carrot puree cannot be ruled out. If you notice that your baby has trouble passing stool and is cramped after eating carrot puree than you might want to cut back on it for a few days and offer it alongside fiber-rich foods such as wholegrains or seeds.

If you've tried this recipe for kids then rate the recipe below and leave us a comment!

More homemade baby food recipes you will enjoy

Puree Carrots for Baby Recipe

This puree carrots for baby recipe is a great stage 1 baby food recipe that can be made in 3 ways and served either as carrot puree, carrot mash and baby-led weaning for your 6 month old baby or older. Only 5 min prep.

5 from 4 votes

Author: Dora

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Servings 6

Fridge Life? 3 days

Freezable? 3 months

▢
Small Blender optional
▢
Food Processor optional
▢
Vitamix optional

▢ 500 g carrots
▢ ¼ cup water

Method 1: How to steam carrots for puree?

Trim the tops, peel, wash the carrots and cut them into chunks. Place water in a saucepan. Once boiling place the carrots in a steamer basket on top, cover and steam for about 15 minutes until soft. Retain the water from steaming for the puree.
Transfer the carrots to a blender, food processor or Vitamix and blend. Add water tablespoon by tablespoon until you reach the desired consistency

Method 2: How long to boil carrots for baby food?

Trim the tops, peel, wash the carrots and cut them into chunks. Place water in a saucepan. Once boiling add the carrots, cover, turn the heat to medium and cook for about 15 minutes until tender.
Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend. Add water tablespoon by tablespoon until you reach the desired consistency.

Method 3: Roasted carrot baby food

Preheat oven to 400°F / 200°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Trim the tops, peel, wash the carrots and slice them horizontally. Drizzle with olive oil so they soften while roasting and spread them in one line on the tray. Roast for about 30 minutes.
Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend. Add water tablespoon by tablespoon until you reach the desired consistency.

Age: 4-6 months and up

Storage:

Airtight containers in the fridge. In freezer use ice cube trays or specific trays for baby puree like this one from Keedo Feedo
Store in fridge for 3 days and freezer for up to 6 months
Thaw overnight in fridge in airtight container
To serve remove it 2 hours in advance from the fridge so the puree reaches room temperature and then you don't have to reheat it
Reheat in a small saucepan on the stove with a tsp of water

Baby-led weaning: to serve baby-led weaning use the boiling or steaming method but cut the carrots in half lengthwise and make sure they are so soft they can be mashed between your fingers before serving to the baby.

Serving: 1gCalories: 34kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 58mgPotassium: 267mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 13922IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 0.3mg

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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

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

baby carrot puree

Carrots rich in beta-carotene are a very important product in baby food. Follow our simple step-by-step guide to learn how to introduce carrots to your baby's diet and how to make baby carrot puree.

Before starting the preparation of carrot puree, let's figure out how many months you can introduce carrots into complementary foods. Do not rush and introduce carrots into complementary foods as one of the first vegetables, since an allergy to carrots in infants is possible. What vegetables are better to start with complementary foods, see the table of complementary foods. nine0027

However, from 7-8 months you can try to give a little carrot puree to the baby. Don't forget how to introduce complementary foods: start with a small dose (half a teaspoon of carrot puree is enough) in the morning meal so that during the day you can see if the child has an allergic reaction. With normal tolerance, gradually increase the serving.

Read also: Carrot vitamins for the whole family

Step 1: Choose and buy carrots

Look for carrots with a smooth surface and bright orange color. The root crop should be of natural shape, without bends. Do not buy carrots with a blackened top - it indicates that the vegetable is stale.

Step 2: Wash and prepare the carrots for cooking

Wash the carrots under cold running water. If you're worried about nitrates, you can soak it for 2 hours in cold water. Clean and remove greens. Cut the carrot into small pieces. nine0027

Read also: 10 Myths and Facts About Nitrates in Homemade Baby Food

Step 3: Prepare the Carrots

Pour water into a medium saucepan, place over heat and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer carrots until soft. How much to cook carrots for feeding? Approximately 10-15 minutes. Drain and rinse the carrots in cold water for three minutes to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Puree carrots

Puree the carrots in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add water as needed to achieve desired consistency. After your baby is ready for more solid foods, usually around 10 months old, instead of mashing the carrots, you can cut them into pieces.

Step 5: What goes best with carrot puree

Carrot puree is delicious on its own or paired with other vegetables, fruits, meat and fish. After the child has mastered the monocomponent vegetable puree, you can mix carrots with various fruits, other vegetables, meat or fish. nine0027

Try combining carrot puree with:

broccoli:
green beans;
peach;
zucchini;
sweet potatoes;
brown rice;
lentils;
veal;
chicken.

Try our recipes for fish puree with carrots or vegetable puree with broccoli and cheese containing carrots or carrot puree with chicken, peppers and sweet potatoes. nine0027

Step 6: Freeze the carrot puree

Leftover carrot puree can be refrigerated and kept in a special container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.