How to puree baby food recipes
6 Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2)
6 easy and tasty baby food combination recipes: Sweet Potato Apple, Asparagus Apple, Blueberry Banana Quinoa Flax, Peach Pear, Avocado Peach Pineapple Kale and Pineapple Mango.
Earlier this week I shared a recipe for carrot baby food, which is a great first food for babies. Today I’m sharing 6 baby food combinations that work for babies who are a little older, around 6-8 months. The combos I’m sharing are mostly fruit and vegetables, but there is one combo with quinoa and flaxseed as well. All of these combos have been taste-tested and approved by Olivia. She gobbled up each of them!
Baby not ready for stage 2? I’ve got a collection of 10 baby food purees for stage 1 eaters!
The recipes I’m sharing here are just to give you some ideas of how to make different baby food combos, but there are so many other combos you can make – the options are endless and it’s fun to get creative!
Just last week I made a new combo inspired by carrot cake with steamed carrots, pineapple, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. I’ve also been making Olivia peanut butter banana oatmeal (with quick oats) and chia pudding made with breast milk. She loves both!
I haven’t introduced Olivia to meat, but we’ve given her eggs and I’m hoping to have her try meat soon. I’ll likely start with salmon since it’s packed with so many nutrients. Fingers crossed she likes it!
How to Make a Fruit or Veggie Puree
Alight, so let’s cover the basics first… how to make a basic baby food puree with fruit or veggies. It’s actually really easy. That said, if you’re brand new to making baby food purees it might be helpful to review my homemade carrot puree or sweet potato puree recipe. Here’s the basic process:
- Prep: wash the fruit/veggies with water. Peel and chop into smaller pieces. Some fruits and veggies don’t need to be peeled because once they’re cooked the peel will come right off.
- Cook: cook the fruit/veggies by steaming, boiling or roasting. You’ll know it’s done when the veggies are soft and tender.
I like to use a fork to test this. If it goes in really easily, I know it’s done. Let cool and peel (if you waited to peel). - Blend: place cooked fruit/veggies into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth (or the consistency you desire), adding liquid (water, breast milk or formula) as needed.
Do You Need to Steam Fruits and Veggies for Baby?
It’s recommended that most fruits and veggies are steamed (or cooked) before serving until baby reaches around 8 months of age. Some foods require cooking (like apples and sweet potatoes), just so they’re soft enough to puree. For softer foods (like a ripe peach or blueberries) steaming/cooking is optional, but helpful for babies 6-8 months of age because cooking makes the food easier to digest and baby will able to absorb more nutrients from the food. As you’ll see in my recipes below, I like to use a steamer basket to steam most of my fruit and veggies before pureeing.
Bananas and Avocado
Bananas and avocado are the exception and they are great options to have on hand because you can easily just mash, thin with liquid (if needed) and serve.
How to Make Baby Food Combinations
For all of these combination recipes, I steamed each fruit/veggie separately and then made the combos using the measurements I share in the recipes. I did it this way because I was batching all of these combos at once and I’m only able to fit so much in one pot, but also because the steam time varies for most fruits and veggies (see below). Of course, you will find some recipes (on other sites) that involve cooking the items that are combined all together, but I found it easier just to steam all of my ingredients separately, measure and then blend them together. Do what feels easiest for you!
How to Blend Baby Food
Once your fruit/veggies are cooked, it’s time to blend. For this you can use a blender, food processor or even an immersion blender. I’ve been using my Vitamix and LOVE it for making baby food because it’s really powerful and makes the blends so smooth and creamy. Some foods don’t need to be blended for babies who are okay with a more chunky texture.
You can simply mash them well with a fork.
Peeling the Fruit and Veggies
I highly recommend peeling your fruits and veggies because peeling results in smoother purees and makes the food easier for baby to digest. Some foods, like carrots, should be peeled before cooking, but other foods like sweet potato, apples, peaches and pears tend to have skin that peels right off after steaming. Ultimately it’s up to you whether you want to peel the fruit/veggies before or after steaming. Test it both ways and decide which option is easier for you. I’m team peel after steaming!
- 1 avocado
- 1 bunch of kale
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 1 banana
- 2 apples
- 2 pears
- 4 peaches
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 pineapple
- 1 mango
- quinoa
- ground flax
Steaming Time For the Fruits and Veggies
As I mentioned above, it’s recommended that most fruits and veggies (even soft ones) are steamed (or cooked) before serving babies who are 6-8 months.
If your baby is older you can experiment with using fresh blueberries, peaches, pears, pineapple and mango that hasn’t been steamed, so long as the fruit is ripe and soft. I actually used fresh blueberries when making the blueberry banana quinoa flax combo.
- Sweet potato: 12-15 minutes
- Apple: 10-12 minutes
- Asparagus: 7-13 minutes
- Blueberries: 5-10 minutes
- Peach: 2-4 minutes
- Pear: 10-12 minutes
- Pineapple: 5-10 minutes
- Mango: 5-10 minutes
Frozen fruit and veggies also work for these recipes. You’ll likely just need to steam them a bit longer.
6 Easy Baby Food Combinations
Here are six different baby food combinations. I’ve listed them in order of the level of complexity from the least complex (peach pear) to most complex (blueberry banana quinoa and flax).
Peach PearIngredients: 2 steamed and peeled pears and 3 steamed and peeled peaches + water or breast milk to thin (if needed)
Asparagus AppleIngredients: 1 bunch of steamed asparagus, 1 steamed and peeled apple + water or breast milk to thin
Sweet Potato Apple CinnamonIngredients: 1 steamed and peeled sweet potato, 1 steamed and peeled apple, pinch of cinnamon + water or breast milk to thin
Avocado Peach Pineapple KaleIngredients: 1 avocado, 1 steamed and peeled peach, 1/2 cup steamed pineapple and 1/2 cup of steamed kale + water or breast milk to thin (if needed)
Pineapple MangoIngredients: 1 cup steamed pineapple + 1 cup steamed mango + water or breast milk to thin (if needed)
Blueberry Banana Quinoa Flax
Ingredients: 1 pint steamed blueberries, 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, 1 ripe banana, 2 Tablespoons of ground flaxseed + water or breast milk to thin (if needed)
How to Store Homemade Baby Food
Once you have the baby food blended to the consistency you want, let the mixture cool and then transfer into BPA-free storage containers or into an ice cube tray.
I’ve been using silicone ice cube trays and these 4 oz glass storage containers. The ice cube trays are great for younger babies who aren’t eating as much volume because you can defrost one cube at a time. While the 4 oz jars are great for older babies who are eating more than 1 oz at a time.
We had the ice cube trays on hand, and I just recently bought the WeeSprout glass storage containers that are specifically for baby food. I like that they have measurements on the side of the jars and that they’re glass instead of plastic (no worry about BPA). They are also freezer, dish-washer and microwave-safe. Plus they come with colorful lids that you can write on with a dry eraser marker to note the item and date.
When using the ice cube trays, I like to let the food freeze overnight (or until solid) and then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag so I can free up the ice cube tray for more food prep. I used plastic freezer bags for these photos but have since purchased reusable Stasher bags to use.
They’re freezer safe and non-toxic and a healthier option for the environment.
The baby food combos will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can You Freeze Baby Food Made with Frozen Fruit or Veggies?
Yes, you can freeze baby food that has been made with frozen fruit or veggies as long as you have cooked the frozen foods first. You shouldn’t let frozen foods thaw (without cooking), puree and re-freeze.
Can You Freeze Baby Food Made with Breast Milk or Formula?
Freezing baby food that has been mixed with fresh breast milk is totally fine, however you should not freeze baby food that has been mixed with previously frozen breast milk. Frozen and thawed breast milk should never be re-frozen.
Most formula companies don’t recommend freezing formula, but from what I’ve read it’s okay to freeze homemade baby food that has been mixed with formula to thin.
Another option is to freeze the baby food purees without adding any liquid.
With this method you can thaw the baby food puree in the fridge overnight and then thin the food to the desired texture with breast milk or formula right before serving.
This post all about freezing baby food has a ton of great insight and tips.
Don’t Forget to Label
I highly recommend labeling any baby food you make before storing it! It’s amazing how quickly you forget what day you prepped the food once it goes into the fridge or freezer. #mombrain
How to Reheat or Thaw Frozen Baby Food
To thaw frozen baby food, I recommend taking the jar out of the freezer the night before you want to use it so it can defrost in the fridge overnight. If you need to use it right away, you can thaw it using a water bath. Some people will recommend microwaving the frozen puree using the defrost setting, but I prefer these two methods:
- Defrost in the refrigerator: Place frozen puree cubes into a jar or baby’s serving dish, cover, and place in the refrigerator overnight.
If you stored the puree in a jar or storage container, simply place the jar the fridge. - Water bath: Place frozen pureed cubes in a small container and set in another larger container with warm water. Replace the water as needed. Once defrosted, portion the food into individual bowls, cover, and refrigerate until serving.
Be sure to use any of the defrosted food within 48 hours of being defrosted and do not re-freeze.
More Recipes for Babies and Toddlers
- 10 Baby Food Purees (Stage 1)
- Baby Pancakes
- How to Make Oatmeal For Babies
- Carrot Baby Food
- Peach Baby Food
- Baby (+ Toddler) French Toast
- Applesauce
- Baby Yogurt Melts
- Butternut Squash Puree
- Sweet Potato Puree
6 Baby Food Combinations
4 from 93 votes
6 easy and tasty baby food combo recipes: Sweet Potato Apple, Asparagus Apple, Blueberry Banana Quinoa Flax, Peach Pear, Avocado Peach Pineapple Kale and Pineapple Mango.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Peach Pear
- 3 steamed and peeled peaches
- 2 steamed and peeled pears
- water, breast milk or formula to thin (I didn’t need extra liquid for this one)
Asparagus Apple
- 1 bunch of steamed asparagus
- 1 steamed and peeled apple
- water, breast milk or formula to thin
Sweet Potato Apple Cinnamon
- 1 steamed and peeled sweet potato
- 1 steamed and peeled apple
- pinch of cinnamon
- water, breast milk or formula to thin
Avocado Peach Pineapple Kale
- 1 avocado
- 1 steamed and peeled peach
- 1/2 cup steamed pineapple
- 1/2 cup of steamed kale
- water, breast milk or formula to thin (I didn’t need extra liquid for this one)
Pineapple Mango
- 1 cup steamed pineapple
- 1 cup steamed mango
- water, breast milk or formula to thin (I didn’t need extra liquid for this one)
Blueberry Banana Quinoa Flax
- 1 pint steamed blueberries
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 Tablespoons of ground flaxseed
- water, breast milk or formula to thin (I didn’t need extra liquid for this one)
Pick which combo you want to make, steam the fruits and veggies (using the steam times listed in my chart above).
Add all ingredients for the combo you’re making into a high powered blender or a food processor. Blend until you reach the consistency you desire. You can make the purees smooth and more liquidy for young babies or thicker and chunkier for older babies.
Serving: 1/6 of peach pear recipe Calories: 63kcal Carbohydrates: 16g Protein: 1g Sodium: 1mg Potassium: 211mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 12g
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Please leave a comment and star rating on this post and share on social media using the hashtag #eatingbirdfood. I love seeing your recipe shares!15 Stage One Baby Food Purees (4-6 Months)
Home » Feeding Style » Baby Food Purees » Stage One » 15 Stage One Baby Food Purees
These 15 Stage One Baby Food Recipes will tempt your baby’s taste buds! These simple, homemade baby food recipes are made with nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables with an added pinch of spice that makes these purees out-of-this-world delicious! They’re great for babies 4-6+ months of age!
Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Are you looking to make your baby homemade purees, but don’t know where to start? Does the process intimidate you?
Then you have come to the right place! Here you will find 15 of my all-time favorite starter baby food purees that have been viewed (and made) millions of times by my readers and combined have over 400 5-star reviews!
I would also like to personally welcome you to the wonderful world of baby food, this is a fun (and yummy) club to be in.
Does your baby’s first bite need to be boring?
Of course not!
Baby’s food can (and should be) delicious from the very start!
While it may seem daunting at first, making your own baby food is super easy once you get the hang of it.
And I’m here to walk you through it every step of the way.
First time making homemade baby food? Then I suggest you start this journey by reading my in-depth Guide on How to Make Homemade Baby Food.
The detailed guide goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and so much more! You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!
15 Stage One Baby Puree Video
While the recipes themselves are simple, in this video I will show you how to add in a pinch of cinnamon, rosemary, curry, or mint to quickly roasted or steamed fruits and vegetables that enhance their natural flavors. In other words, these are simple purees that I am pretty sure you will want to eat as well!
What is In Each Puree Recipe
After going through this guide, you will want to check out some (or all!) of the homemade baby food recipes below. Each recipe goes into detail about the:
- produce that is in the puree
- benefits of that produce for your baby
- recipe cooking options
- detailed photos and videos with step-by-step instructions
Reminder: The homemade baby food recipes below are made for babies that want to try the most delicious food from the very first bite! 😋
Helpful ToolsLet’s start with a few of my favorite kitchen essentials to make the best homemade baby food purees! These kitchen tools will help make the process of cooking, blending, and freezing baby food hassle-free.
You can find a full list of my favorite baby and toddler food making tools in my online Shop.
- Blender or Food Processor
- Freezer Storage Tray
- Fridge Storage Containers
- Stasher Bag
- Baking Sheet
- Steamer Basket
- Medium Saucepan
- Reusable Pouches
- High Chair
- Suction Bowl and Spoon Set
- Bib with Food Catcher
Learning Resources: looking for the best high chair, cups or spoons for your baby? Then we’ve got you covered! Here you will find How to Find the Best High Chair for Baby, an easy guide on Best First Open Cups for Baby (plus 4 tips when introducing a cup) as well as 3 Tips on How To Spoon Feed Baby (plus – our favorite spoons for purees or BLW).
Frequently Asked QuestionsCan babies have spices in their food?
Yes, yes, yes! Babies can absolutely have spices mixed into their purees from the very first bite.
Adding a pinch of spice or herbs to a baby’s food makes it taste better and gives the food additional medicinal properties. Read more here. But as I always say — you do you! If you don’t want to add spices to your baby’s food, you can certainly leave them out. Don’t worry, I give instructions on each recipe card for both.
What about allergies? Can spices cause an allergic reaction?
My rule of thumb is that unless there is an immediate family member that has a true allergy to a certain spice or food, then introducing your baby to spices at the same time as new food is completely acceptable. Spice and herb allergies in babies and adults are very rare. But remember, it’s always recommended to keep an eye on your baby when introducing any new food or spices.
At what age should I start my baby on baby food purees?
When a baby can start on solid foods is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age.
Some of the developmental milestones babies need to reach to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready for solids.
All of our baby food recipes are designed to enhance the natural taste of the fruits and veggies while keeping as many nutrients intact as possible. In other words, the goal is to make a puree that’s both healthy and delectable.
There are several ways you can cook baby food purees, but the main techniques I use are:
- Steaming
- Roasting
- Simmering
- Raw
Keep in mind, that as long as the produce is cooked until soft, that there isn’t a right or wrong way to cook it for baby food.
If a recipe for broccoli calls for steaming but you want to roast it because you will already be roasting some broccoli for yourself for dinner, then go ahead and roast the broccoli for your baby’s puree. Play around and have some fun with it!
Adding Spices to Baby PureesIt’s encouraged that you can serve your baby a homemade puree with a pinch of spices or herbs from the very first bite.
Benefits of Spices
- boost and compliment any fruit or vegetable puree
- broaden baby’s emerging palate
- add more flavor and depth into their foods
- decrease picky eating in the years to come
- have medicinal properties in them — they can help with digestive issues, boost brain functions, repair muscle tissues, and so on.
While each puree recipe on this site has a selection of spices or herbs that complement the flavors of the fruit or vegetable in the puree, it’s up to you if you want to add them.
You do you! Either way, the puree recipes on this site will be delicious.
Top Spices to Add to Baby’s Puree
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Basil
- Mint
- Parsley
- Mild Curry Powder
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Garlic
- Rosemary
Every recipe below has specific instructions on how to store that particular puree, but these are the general guidelines.
How to Freeze Baby FoodYour freezer is about to become your new best friend, allowing you to keep several weeks’ worth of baby purees at the ready. Whenever you make a puree, put several ounces in the fridge for your little one to enjoy that week, then freeze the rest of the batch for your baby to eat at a later date. Please make sure you get it in the puree into the fridge or freezer within 1 hour of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
- Make a puree.
- Let it cool slightly.
- Transfer the puree to freezer trays or freezer jars.
- Cover the freezer trays with a lid or plastic wrap.
- Label with date and name of puree.
- Place the tray in the freezer.
- Let it freeze for at least 5 hours.
- Take the tray out of the freezer.
- Crack the purees out of the trays.
- Place the frozen purees into zip-lock baggies or stasher bags.
How to Store Baby Food
Purees can be stored for up to four days in an airtight container in the fridge or 4 months in the freezer.
How to Thaw Baby Food
Thawing may seem like a no-brainer, but it never hurts to know your options. There are three different ways to thaw purees.
Microwave- Take the frozen puree cubes that you want to serve out of your freezer.
- Place them in a glass microwave-safe container.
- Microwave in 20-second increments, stirring every time.
- The puree is ready when it is just warm to your touch.
- Grab two clean spoons, one for you and one for your baby, and test your puree before serving.
Heating Tip: To prevent the microwave from unevenly heating the puree, which can leave it with cold and really hot spots and can burn your baby’s mouth, make sure you stir between each interval and taste test it before serving to your baby.
Refrigerator
This one takes the longest time, but it is an excellent alternative to using a microwave.
- Take the frozen puree cubes you want to serve out of your freezer.
- Place the cubes in an air-tight glass container.
- Place the container in the fridge and let the cubes thaw for 8 to 12 hours, usually overnight.
- Do not leave the puree in the container to thaw on the counter or anywhere out of the fridge, as bacteria will start to grow at a rapid rate — which is definitely not recommended.
- Note that the puree will be cold but thawed. So if your baby likes their puree warmed, you’ll have to finish the job using the microwave or stovetop method.
- In a small saucepan, add the frozen puree cubes you want to serve to your baby.
- Over medium-low heat, gently cook the puree until warm, stirring occasionally.
Thawing Tip: Some infants like their puree cold, warm, or really warm, and some will eat it no matter the temperature. You will get to know your baby’s personal preferences as the two of you bond over food.
Feeding Tips
- Make sure baby is showing readiness signs for eating – good control of their head and trunk, sitting with minimal assistance, bringing hands or toys to their mouth, and appearing interested in your food when you’re eating.
- Follow your baby’s lead – when feeding purees from a spoon, sometimes there’s a tendency to keep offering bites past the point of your baby being full. Always follow your baby’s cues for when they are done eating. Turning away from the spoon, closing her mouth, or pushing food away are all signs that your baby is finished with the meal.
- Throwing spoons – is a common phase that all babies go through at one point or another. One of the best ways to handle spoon throwing is to ignore it and keep feeding your baby as usual (with an extra spoon you already have at the table). If your baby ends up also throwing back up spoons #2 AND #3, simply encourage your baby to eat with their hands until they appear to be finished with the meal.
Top Rated Baby Food Purees
Pea Baby Puree (Stage One)
4.91 stars (87 ratings)
A delicious way to introduce peas to baby. Mild peas paired with a fresh hint of mint – a mouth-watering combo!
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Apples Baby Food Puree
4.77 stars (60 ratings)
This Apple Baby Puree recipe is a wonderful first food for baby! A delicious nutrient-dense puree that baby will go gaga over!
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The Best Sweet Potato Baby Food
5 stars (61 ratings)
This Homemade Sweet Potato with Curry Baby Food Puree is a fun and exotic first puree for baby! Great for 4+ months and is completely freezer-friendly!
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Broccoli Baby Food
4.
82 stars (77 ratings)
This Broccoli Baby Food with olive oil recipe is a great way to introduce healthy green vegetables into your baby's diet. A delicious puree full of essential vitamins and healthy fats for growing baby
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Oatmeal for Babies (Stage One)
5 stars (41 ratings)
This Oatmeal Recipe for Baby is made with simple nutrient-dense ingredients in less than 10 minutes, and it's perfect for baby's first bite or added into their favorite fruit or veggie puree. Great for 4+ months and up.
Get the recipe
Avocado for Baby – Puree & BLW
5 stars (16 ratings)
Avocados are a superfood and great first food for babies 6 months and up. Serve them pureed, smashed, or as a finger food for baby-led weaning.
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WeeSprout Baby Food Freezer Tray
My all-time favorite freezer tray! Individual servings pop out easily.
The hard plastic lid snaps on with ease and allows for convenient stacking of freezer trays. Dishwasher safe!
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Butternut Squash Baby Food
5 stars (32 ratings)
This homemade Roasted Butternut Squash Baby Food Puree not only contains calcium, folate, vitamins A and C and fiber but it is also a deliciously smooth way to introduce butternut squash to your baby!
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Green Bean Baby Food
5 stars (37 ratings)
Green beans are steamed until just tender, this puree has a mild taste for baby's palette.
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Creamy Mango-licious Baby Food Puree
4.87 stars (30 ratings)
This 5-minute Mango Baby Food Puree is a great way to introduce baby to the magical taste of one of the world's healthiest fruits – MANGOS!
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Pear Baby Puree (Stage One)
5 stars (22 ratings)
This smooth and creamy homemade Pear Baby Puree is a wonderful first puree for baby – easy on the taste buds and great for their growing bodies!
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Peach Baby Puree (Stage One)
5 stars (16 ratings)
Smooth and creamy, this homemade Peach Baby Puree delivers big on taste with naturally sweetened peaches and flecks of vanilla bean.
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Basic Chicken Baby Food
4.43 stars (203 ratings)
This homemade Basic Chicken Baby Food is a great puree to add to any of your baby’s favorite fruit or veggie purees. Great for extra protein and flavor!
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Homemade Baby Rice Cereal
4.89 stars (52 ratings)
Using only 1-ingredient, this Homemade Baby Rice Cereal is a simple and easy recipe to make baby!
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Red Pepper Baby Puree
4.88 stars (33 ratings)
This Red Pepper Baby Puree recipe is a smooth, creamy and naturally sweet puree that is loaded with vitamin A, B6 and C. Great for 4+ months and older (or stage 1 puree).
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More Baby Fooe Purees
- Strawberry Baby Puree
- Blueberry Baby Puree
- Pumpkin Baby Puree
- Rasberry Baby Food
- Banana Puree
- Homemade Quinoa Baby Cereal
Or watch the shortened video here.
Pea Baby Food Puree
- 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 medium zucchini, roughly chopped (optional)
- 4 mint leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
Sweet Potato Baby Food Puree
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 1/4 tsp mild curry powder (optional)
- 1/4-1 cup liquid, (water, fresh breast milk, formula or sodium-free chicken stock) for pureeing
Roasted Banana Puree
- 4 bananas, cut lengthwise
- 1/8 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
Carrot Baby Food Puree
- 2 pounds carrots, trimmed, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2-1 cup liquid, (water, reserved water, fresh breast milk, formula or low-sodium stock) for pureeing
Apples Baby Food Puree
- 6 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Broccoli Baby Food Puree
- 2 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 1 small white potato, apple or pear, peeled and roughly chopped, roughly 1/2 cup (optional)
- 1 tbsp good quality olive oil (optional)
Butternut Squash Baby Puree
- 1 butternut squash
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1-2 tsp olive oil (optional)
- 1/2-1 cup liquid (water, fresh breast milk, formula, low or no-sodium stock or bone broth), for pureeing
Green Bean Baby Food Puree
- 1 pound green beans, fresh or frozen, trimmed
- 1 big pinch fresh basil, cilantro or parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Creamy Mango-licious Baby Food Puree
- 2 cups fresh or frozen mango, deseed, peeled and roughly chopped.
If using frozen mangos, thaw first - 1 medium banana (optional)
- 1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
Pear Baby Food Puree
- 6 pears, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/8 tsp cardamom or cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 cup water
Peach Baby Puree
- 3 fresh peaches or 12oz frozen peaches, do not thaw frozen peaches – use frozen
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean pod (optional)
- 1 pinch pinch nutmeg (optional)
Basic Chicken Baby Puree
- 1 8-ounce boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cubed
- 1 cups chicken or veggie stock, low-sodium or sodium-free
- 1 tsp dried parsley (optional)
Homemade Baby Rice Cereal
- 1 cup brown rice, I prefer organic short grain
- 2 cups water for cooking
- 1-2 cups of liquid for blending, (water, fresh breastmilk or formula)
Red Pepper Baby Puree
- 2 red bell peppers, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup white potato, apple or pear, peeled and roughly chopped
Oatmeal for Babies
- 2 cup water
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 tsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1/2 tsp hemp seeds (optional)
Avocado for Baby
- 1/4 avocado
- 1 tsp breast milk, formula or water
Pea Baby Food Puree
In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat.
Place the zucchini in a steamer basket, and place over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5 minutes.Add in the peas, and steam for an additional 3-5 minutes. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
Add the zucchini, peas and mint leaves to a blender or food processor and puree for 1 minute or until you have achieved the desired texture. If the puree is too thick, add in 1/4 cup of the reserved steamer water until you have the right consistency.
Note on Zucchini: while this is a 2 vegetable starter puree, zucchini allergies are very low, so I added it to this recipe to give the peas a mild taste and smoother texture. You can completely leave them out if you prefer. Just steam the peas as directed.
Sweet Potato Baby Food Puree
Heat oven to 400°. Line baking sheet with tin foil, parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Wash and dry the sweet potatoes.
Prick with a fork in several places and then place the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes – 1 hour or until a fork can easily prick the sweet potato. Let sit until cool to touch.Make a cut into the skin of the potato lengthwise and peel away the skin of the potato. Scoop out the sweet potato meat and place into a blender or food processor, adding in the mild curry powder and water.
Puree on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, adding in additional liquid in 1/4 cup increments if needed. I had to add in 1 cup of water to the puree pictured. Serve or freeze for a later meal.
Additional Spices: Feel free to use the following spices instead of the curry – 1/2 tsp of cumin, 1/4 tsp of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of cloves, 1 fresh garlic clove, 1/2 tsp of chopped fresh thyme, 3-4 basil leaves, 1/2 tsp chopped rosemary or even a big pinch of fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp ginger powder.
Or you can leave out the spices altogether.
Roasted Banana Baby Puree
Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place bananas on a baking sheet and roast for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
Place bananas and rosemary into a blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth. You may need to add additional water, so start by adding in 1/4 cup increments until you get the desired consistency.
Additional Spices: This recipe is also great with 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, or for a fun twist, 1/2 tsp mild curry.
Note on Bananas: while any ripeness of bananas will work, I have found that the bananas that are ripe to very ripe tend to work best in this recipe.
Carrot Baby Food Puree
In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat.
Place the carrots into a steamer basket, cover and cook for 9-11 minutes or until tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
Place the carrots, nutmeg and 1/2 cup of liquid into a blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes on high, adding 1/4 cup liquid at a time until you achieve the desired consistency. Serve and enjoy, or freeze for later.
Notes on Nutmeg: adding in spices to babies first purees are completely optional, but totally safe. Nutmeg rounds out the acidic taste carrots sometimes have and make this puree taste grounded and full-bodied.
Additional Spices: Feel free to substitute 1/2 tsp ginger powder or 1/4 fresh ginger, 1/2 tsp mild curry powder, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp finely minced fresh chives or 1/2 garlic clove instead of the nutmeg.
Apples Baby Food Puree
In a medium saucepan, place the apples, water and cinnamon.
Cover and heat on medium-low for 15-20 minutes or until apples are tender. Let cool slightly.Transfer all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth. For a chunky puree, quickly pulse the ingredients 10-15 times or until you receive your desired consistency. Serve or freeze for later.
Additional Spices: Feel free to sub in these spices instead of the cinnamon for this recipe – 1/8 tsp of cloves, 1/8 tsp of nutmeg, 1-2 leaves of fresh mint, 1-2 leaves of fresh basil, a pinch of fresh or 1/4 tsp of ginger powder or even 1/4 of coriander for a fun twist.
Apples: you can use any sweet apple in this recipe – Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, McIntosh, etc.
Broccoli Baby Food Puree
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the broccoli and potato (or apple/pear) into a steamer basket and place over boiling water, cover and steam for 10-12 minutes or until the broccoli and potato are tender.
Reserve water from the steamer. Let cool slightly.Add the broccoli, potato and olive oil into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding the reserved water from the steamer basket in 1/4 cup increments if needed.
Adding In Spices: Feel free to add in 1 tsp of chopped chives, 2-3 mint leaves, 1 tsp of chopped cilantro, 1/2 tsp cumin or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Butternut Squash Baby Puree
Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Line baking sheet with a silicone mat, tin foil or parchment paper.
Cut butternut squash in half, deseed and place flesh side up, skin side down. Optional – Feel free to drizzle the squash with 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil for some added healthy fat.
Bake for 45 minutes or until you can easily prick the squash with a fork. Let cool until you can handle the squash with your hands.
Scrape off the skin and discard. Place the butternut squash into a blender or food processor. Add thyme and puree for 1-2 minutes, adding water in 1/4 cup increments until you have your desired consistency. I had to add 3/4 cup of water to my puree shown below.
Additional Spices: Feel free to sub the thyme for 4 basil leaves, 1 tsp chopped rosemary, 1 tsp ginger powder, or 1 big pinch of fresh ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, or even 1/2 tsp of coriander.
Green Bean Baby Food Puree
Fill a medium saucepan with 2” of water and bring to boil over medium heat. Place the green beans (fresh or frozen) into a steamer basket over the boiling water, cover, and cook for 10 minutes or until tender. Let cool slightly. Reserve steamer water.
Transfer the green beans and herb to a blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, adding reserved steamer water in 1/4 cup increments if needed until you reach your desired consistency.
Adding Spices: you can add a big pinch of roughly chopped basil, cilantro, mint, parsley, or chives to this puree before blending.
Creamy Mango-licious Baby Food Puree
Place the mango, banana and nutmeg (if using) into a blender or food processor. Puree for 1 minute or until completely smooth. If your mango is not ripe enough, you might need to add in up to 1/4 cup of water while blending to get the right consistency. Serve or freeze for later.
Mango Tip: I usually find that organic frozen mangos are easier and cheaper to find than fresh organic mangos, but if mangos are in season when you are making this recipe, by all means, you can use fresh over frozen. For fresh mangos, simply peel and chop.
Pear Baby Food Puree
In a medium saucepan, place the pears, cardamon and water, cover and heat on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until tender.
Let cool slightly.Using a slotted spoon, scoop the pears out of the saucepan, leaving water behind, and into a blender or food processor. Blend for 1-2 minutes until you have your desired consistency. If your pear puree is too thick, add the leftover cooking water in 1/4 cup increments.
Peach Baby Puree
If using fresh peaches, peel, pit and slice the peaches. If using the fresh vanilla bean pod, cut in half and then slice open lengthwise. Take the back of your knife or spoon and scrape out all of the vanilla bean, reserve.
In a medium saucepan, add the peaches and water, cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes (fresh peaches) – 10 minutes (frozen peaches). Right before the peaches are done cooking, add in the vanilla and nutmeg (or any other spices you prefer) and stir until incorporated—Cook for 1 more minute.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peaches to a blender or food processor, leaving all excess water in the saucepan.
You do not want to add any additional liquids, or the puree might be too thin. Starting on low and increasing to high speed, puree the peaches until smooth and creamy. Serve to baby or freeze for later.
Basic Chicken Baby Puree
In a medium saucepan, bring the cubed chicken, broth, and parsley to a boil over medium heat. Turn the heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until chicken is just cooked through. Let cool slightly.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a blender or food processor, leaving the broth in the saucepan. Reserve the broth.
Starting on low and working your way up to high-speed, puree the chicken until you reach your desired consistency, adding in broth in 1/4 cup increments if needed. I had to add in just 1/4 cup of broth to get the consistency seen in this photo.
Extra Healthy Fat: For some extra healthy fat, this puree is also wonderful, with a teaspoon of grass-fed butter (salt-free) added to the blender right before pureeing.
Homemade Baby Rice Cereal
IMPORTANT STEP: Place the rice in a fine-mesh colander and rinse with water until the water runs clear.
Transfer the rice to a medium saucepan and add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 35-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is evaporated. Each batch of rice cooks a little differently, so taste at 35 minutes to see if the rice is tender. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes, covered. If using fresh breast milk or formula for blending, I would remove the lid and let the rice cool for 15 minutes.
Place the rice into a blender or food processor and add 1/2 cup of liquid of choice. Blend for 1-2 minutes on medium-high speed until completely smooth and creamy, adding in the additional liquid in 1/4 cup increments, if needed, until you have your desired consistency.
Red Pepper Baby Puree
In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil.
If using a potato: place it in a steamer basket and steam for 10 minutes before adding peppers, and cooking for another 5-7 minutes.
If using pear or apple: add in the red peppers and apple or pear and steam for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
Add in all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and puree for 1 minute or until completely smooth, adding in a tablespoon of water at a time if needed.
Oatmeal for Babies
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add in 1 cup of old-fashioned oats along with the chia seeds, hemp seeds and any spices you are using. Turn down the heat to medium-low and cook the oats for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until all of the water is gone and the oats are soft. Let cool slightly.
Transfer the oats to a blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes, adding water in 1/4 cup increments if needed, until completely smooth.
I had to add 1/2 cup of water to my oatmeal. You will want the oat cereal to be on the thinner side, so it doesn't become sticky. The oats will continue to absorb liquid as they cool, so you can add more water, fresh breast milk, or formula as needed. Serve to baby or freeze for later. Type of Oats: This recipe is for old-fashioned oats: for steel-cut or instant oats, read the full post.
Adding Spices: you can add a big pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice mix or a smaller pinch of nutmeg or cloves to these oats before blending.
Chia and Hemp Seeds: are added for a nutritional boost, but you can add or omit them if you prefer. You can get both of these at any health food store or online here (chia/hemp).
Avocado for Baby
Age: 4-6 months and up
Yield: roughly 15-25 ounces, depending on the recipe
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Bumkins Baby Bowl
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Saucepan
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Recipe from Yulia Vysotskaya
Eggs in a water bath
900 must be fresh.
If your child likes eggs in a bag, you need to keep them in the oven for no more than five minutes, and if, on the contrary, he does not like liquid ones, tighten the pots or molds Yulia Vysotskaya
