Sweet potato and spinach baby food
Spiced Spinach & Sweet Potato Baby Food Puree
An iron rich, deliciously silky and flavorful homemade baby puree! packed with nutritious spinach and sweet potato with a hint of sweet spice, this baby food has it all: ticking lots of nutritional boxes while helping baby learn gourmet flavors to boot!
So after a pretty long pause, we are back with another iron rich vegetarian baby food recipe! Woo!
So far, my baby food recipes have proven popular and I am so happy to hear how many babies across the globe have enjoyed them.
But let’s face it, babyhood is short, so there were only so many ideas I could test on Veggie Jr before she grew up and moved on.
Fast forward a couple years… along comes baby #2 and before I knew it, my mini blender and I picked up where we left off. After working our way through his big sister’s old tried and trusted recipes, the little man’s being treated to some new blends too!
I am excited to start sharing them with you all.
Starting here… this spiced spinach and sweet potato puree! This one ticks lots of boxes:
Iron rich
Iron is the first nutrient that babies start needing to get from solids rather than milk. Makes sense to prioritise iron with baby’s first meals, and for those who don’t eat meat, we need to additionally make sure we’re combining plant based iron (like spinach!) with sources of Vitamin C (sweet potato!) to make that iron absorbable.
Legitimately tasty
When you’re making my baby food recipes, I want you to lick the spatula and feel good about what you’re serving your baby. This one is delicious thanks to the addition of gentle spices to the spinach.
I’ll finish whatever he isn’t having, thankuverymuch.
I am all for adding gentle spices and flavorings to baby food. It makes a lot of sense to introduce the tastes you enjoy cooking with from the start. Studies have shown it can help with a range of food acceptance later on too.
Though I think we need to be realistic and understand that it’s biologically normal for toddlers and children to be picky, and your choice of puree recipes probably won’t make or break their picky eating habits aged 2 and 1/2.
It still feels great to feed your baby a meal that you can agree is delicious.
Super smooth & creamy
This puree works well for babies who are just starting out on solids, or who have shown themselves not to like too much texture. Blended sweet potato has a lovely silky texture and the spinach completely pulverizes into it.
You don’t need a fancy blender to get this one super smooth either. My mini food processor can’t turn everything into super smooth baby food, but it manages this recipe very well.
The Method: How to Make This Spinach & Sweet Potato Puree
So there’s a printable recipe card with full instructions below, but if you’re researching baby food recipes on the internet, there’s a distinct possibility you haven’t slept for 6 months or so. I will therefore show you the whole process in photos first so you can get a sense of what you’re getting yourself into.
You’ll bake some sweet potato. I find the quickest and easiest way to do this is to slice the sweet potato and cook it face down in a pan.
Then you’ll scrape out the flesh.
(You could steam the sweet potato if you prefer! I just prefer the taste and texture of baked, and find steaming awkward.)
While you’re waiting on your sweet potatoes, you’ll sautee some spinach in garlic, ginger and nutmeg.
The nutmeg scent is a little strong at first, but don’t worry – it’s getting blended into lots of sweet potato which mellows it right out.
And blend!
Now be sure to sneak a taste before serving to baby.
Yummy, right?
I do hope your baby agrees! And be sure to check our my other iron rich puree recipes if you’re in the market for more:
More Iron Rich Baby Foods
Spiced Spinach & Sweet Potato Baby Food Puree
An iron rich, deliciously silky and flavorful homemade baby puree! packed with nutritious spinach and sweet potato with a hint of sweet spice, this baby food has it all: ticking lots of nutritional boxes while helping baby learn gourmet flavors to boot!
5 servings (70ml / 2.
5oz)
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
4.55 from 60 ratings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
- 1 medium, or 1/2 large sweet potato
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 100 g (3.5 oz) spinach, about 3 large handfuls, no need to be too precise
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Bake your sweet potato. Slice into quarters and place face down on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Poke a few holes into them with a knife and bake at 400F / 200C for around 25 minutes until soft.
Meanwhile, prepare your spinach. In a frying pan, lightly sautee garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add the spinach and nutmeg and continue to sautee on a low heat until just wilted.
When the sweet potato is ready, scoop out the flesh with a spoon and blend with the spinach until completely smooth.
Add water or baby’s usual milk as desired if you would like to thin the puree out.
Suitable for freezing up to 6 months.
Course: Baby Purees
Author: Christine Melanson
Serving: 1g, Calories: 43kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 2g, Sodium: 30mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g
Joseph Joseph Datable Baby Food Container Set, 15-Piece
Magimix Mini Chopper, Red (a Happy Veggie Kitchen fave!)
Sweet Potato Spinach Baby Food
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This spinach baby food recipe blends spinach, sweet potatoes, yogurt and peanut butter for a balanced and nutritious introduction for homemade baby food or baby led weaning. They can even be frozen as baby teething popsicles.
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I know what you’re thinking…a baby food spinach recipe? If you’re buying spinach sweet potato baby food from the store, I imagine it wouldn’t taste too good.
But, this sweet potato food recipe incorporates spinach and DOES taste good because we have some other secret ingredients in there as well.
There are several sweet potato baby food combinations that work and spinach is one of them.
Here are over 20 ways you can use sweet potatoes, including as sweet potato finger foods.
Spinach baby food is probably not the first thing you think of when introducing solids.
But, the fact of the matter is that spinach is very nutritious and works well in a sweet potato spinach baby food mixture.
Spinach is high in:
- Vitamin C – Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps promote skin health and immune function
- Vitamin A – Spinach is full of carotenoids, which the body converts to Vitamin A
- Iron – Iron-rich foods are great for early introduction, as breastmilk iron stores begin to decrease around 6 months.
- Vitamin K– Essential for blood clotting.
- Carbohydrates and protein
- Fiber – This can help with baby bowel movements and regularity.
Spinach is one of many sweet potato baby food combinations that are a nutritious combination. I prefer to mix spinach with another fruit or vegetable when making a baby food spinach recipe.
Some other baby food combinations with spinach include:
- peas and spinach
- pears and spinach
- apple and spinach
- banana and spinach
Homemade Sweet Potato Baby Food with Spinach
Making your own sweet potato baby food is very easy if you have a blender, nutribullet or other baby food maker.
Baby led weaning sweet potato recipes are so easy because no matter how you serve them, they are very safe for baby and very nutritious. See this whole post about sweet potatoes for baby led weaning.
And even as babies become toddlers, sweet potato recipes for toddlers are just as easy and fun!
Just think about all of the sweet potato baby food recipes you can make.
Sweet potatoes mix well with many things because they have a natural sweetness and caramelized taste so the sweet potato puree combinations are nearly endless.
Baby led weaning with sweet potato is one of our favorite introductions to solids. I talk more about our 6 month baby led weaning foods journey.
Honestly, sweet potato puree baby food is so versatile! Skip the storebought stuff and just make your own. Whether you’re spoon feeding, doing modified baby led weaning or full on blw, this can be an option.
You can preload it on a spoon for baby to feed himself, or you can spoon feed it to baby.
How to Make Sweet Potato for Baby
Sweet potato is a great first food for babies because it’s soft.
It can be mashed, or served in “fry” shape. You can also puree it, use it in meatballs or burgers, sweet potato popsicles and more.
Some of my favorite ways to include sweet potatoes in baby led weaning are:
- sweet potato pasta
- sweet potato smoothie with beet
- sweet potato zucchini muffins
- baked sweet potato oatmeal
- sweet potato veggie breakfast casserole
- spinach sweet potato tater tots
Ingredients For Sweet Potato Spinach Baby Food Recipe
You probably have all or most of this stuff already!
- Sweet potato – slew of nutrients listed above, carbohydrates, and natural sweetness
- Spinach – iron source and a versatile green
- Peanut butter – healthy fats and a great way to introduce allergens.
Fat is necessary for babies’ and growing kiddos’ brains! - Full fat yogurt – healthy fats, protein, calcium, probiotics, great way to introduce allergens
- Salt – optional, for flavor
- Cinnamon – optional, for flavor
Optional Add In’s– You could also add in breastmilk or formula, or substitute that for the yogurt, although I like the consistency that full fat greek yogurt adds.
Is Peanut Butter Baby Food Safe?
I get it: baby food recipes with peanut butter can be scary. It can be scary to introduce nuts, especially if you have a family history of allergies.
I would definitely recommend consulting with your pediatrician before serving a peanut butter baby food combination. It is completely optional, so you can leave it out if you choose, or substitute it with another nut butter or seed butter.
I talk more about introducing allergen foods to babies in my baby french toast recipe post.
While avocado and peanut butter baby food may be more common, I love the combination of spinach, sweet potatoes and peanut butter. I find it nutritious and delicious.
If you don’t want to use peanut butter, you can also use this baby friendly peanut powder. Or leave it out completely.
How to Make Baby Sweet Potato Recipe
I would recommend microwaving the sweet potato to cook it. It cooks evenly all around, it cooks quickly, and there are no hard or crisp spots.
Plus, it only takes 5-6 minutes and once you let it cool, it becomes easily mashable.
Then, you’ll just add it to the blender along with everything else and blend. It couldn’t be easier.
Can you freeze and make spinach sweet potato pops?
If you wanted to serve these as frozen sweet potato spinach popsicles for baby, just add the pureed food (like a smoothie consistency) to popsicle molds. These have worked really well for us as baby popsicles for teething.
How to store
To store this baby spinach food recipe, just keep in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also store in freezer safe containers for up to 3 months.
Can you use this homemade sweet potato baby food as a dip?
Absolutely! Since this baby food is high in fats, it also makes for a great dipping sauce for babies and kids. Use it any way you would a dipping sauce – for fries, veggies, fruits, oatmeal, bread and more!
Prep Time 3 minutes
Additional Time 1 minute
Total Time 4 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato, cooked and peeled
- ½ cup full fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup spinach
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- breastmilk or formula, for blending (optional)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender to get a smooth consistency.
Add more milk if you want a more liquid consistency.
Notes
You can add a splash of milk, breastmilk or formula if necessary, for blending.
To make as teething popsicles, pour puree into popsicle molds and freeze.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 50Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g
Did you do baby led weaning? What were your babies’ favorite foods?
Sarah Schlichter is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition.
She specializes in sports nutrition and intuitive eating, and recipe development. She also co-hosts the podcast, Nail Your Nutrition.
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
At what age to give
American parents begin to give sweet potatoes to the child, starting at 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 as 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 is high in vitamin A. It is suitable for babies from 7 months old who are already 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 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
Organic Baby Food, Stage 2, Sweet Potato, Apple & Spinach, Organic Baby Food, Stage 2, Sweet
Sorry, this item is not available.
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Features & Description
-
-
Brand
Sprout Organic
-
Quantity
99 g
- 9002 Shape 002 Snacks
-
- 6 months and up
- Always clear - no GMO Pledge of Integrity
- USDA Organic
- Gluten Free
- Only real, honest and pure ingredients
- Made only from ingredients found in your kitchen!
- Sprout Clear Promise
- Whole Foods, No Concentrates
- No Preservatives
- BPA Free Packaging
- QAI Certified Organic
Refrigerate and Store After Opening consume within 24 hours. Do not microwave or freeze bags.
Ingredients
Contains nothing but: organic sweet potatoes, organic apples, organic spinach, water, organic lemon juice.
Warnings
This product has a small lid and may suffocate children under 3 years of age.
