20 Baby Food Recipes and 16 Tips You Can Cook Today
Check out this article for more baby food recipes which are easy to prepare and make.
Honestly, I’ve never been much of a cook. The only things I can whip up with ease and little errors include fried foods. But now I guess I can add another achievement under my belt because apparently, I am already an expert in baby food recipes.
It may seem intimidating at first, but it’s not.
So, how do we do this? Keep reading.
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Contents
- 20 Baby Food Recipes
- Top 16 Tips When Cooking
- 1. Tell your pediatrician when you’re about to start with solids
- 2. Ensure that everything is fresh and clean.
- 3. Always choose fruits and vegetables and go organic.
- 4. Start with simple recipes.
- 5. Don’t save leftover baby food.
- 6. Avoid adding salt and sugar.
- 7. Offer food options in a variety of preparations.
- 8. Invest in a durable blender or food processor.
- 9. You can make big batches.
- 10. Be extra careful when heating baby food using the microwave.
- 11. Avoid fast food.
- 12. Enjoy meals together.
- 13. Don’t expect them to eat three times a day when they’re still starting out with solids.
- 14. Don’t stress it out. It’s crucial to maintain a calm and fun environment.
- 15. When making baby food in bulk, find several storage options, but you must also know how long before it’s considered unsafe for consumption.
- 16. You shouldn’t stop giving milk even when they have already started eating solids.
- Conclusion
20 Baby Food Recipes
At 4 Months
1. Carrot Puree
It is one of my favourites because carrots contain so many nutrients. Aside from high beta carotene content, it also has calcium, and Vitamins A and C.
But since there’s the issue of nitrates for carrots which aren’t commercially-prepared, you have to consult your paediatrician before making this.
What You Need
- One medium fresh carrot, washed, peeled and diced
- One medium sweet potato (optional), washed, peeled and cut into smaller pieces
Directions
- Put water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Adjust to medium heat and cook carrots for about 10-15 minutes or until tender.
- Drain and rinse the carrots in cold water to avoid overcooking them.
- If you plan on adding the sweet potatoes, steam them until soft.
- Put the carrots (and sweet potato) in the food processor and blitz until the texture is smooth.
- Let it cool before serving.
2. Avocado Puree
It wouldn’t be called ‘Nature’s Perfect Food’ for nothing. Avocado contains vitamins, nutrients and healthy fat.
If you want something more specific, it has iron, Vitamin E, fibre, potassium and folate. Plus, because of its creamy texture, it’s easier to eat and swallow.
What You Need
- One avocado, washed, peeled and cut into slices
- Formula or breast milk
Directions
- You can mash the avocado using a fork if you want a softer texture, or you can blend it until you reach the desired consistency.
- To thin it, you can add formula or breast milk.
- Let it cool before storing or serving.
3. Pea Puree
Peas boost the fibre to the baby’s diet which, in turn, will help control cholesterol and combat obesity.
What You Need
- 50g frozen peas
- Formula or breast milk
Directions
- Add water to the peas and steam for no more than 2 minutes.
- Strain the peas and put in the blender or food processor. Add milk slowly to achieve desired consistency.
- Serve when it has cooled down.
At 5 Months
4. Rice Cereal
Instead of using white rice, try the much healthier option which is the brown variety. Not only does it contain a significant amount of fibre, but it also has manganese and selenium.
What You Need
- Around 1-1.5 cups of brown rice
- 1 cup water
- Formula or breast milk
Directions
- Ground the rice in a food processor until it becomes powdery. Measure ¼ cup of rice powder.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
- Add the rice powder slowly while stirring the mixture.
- Let it simmer for around 10 minutes, with an occasional stir.
- To thin it out, add formula or breast milk.
5. Oatmeal Cereal
Rolled oats don't have any sodium or cholesterol. But it has carbohydrates, protein, iron, B vitamins thiamin and riboflavin, manganese, selenium and amino acids.
What You Need
- Rolled oats (avoid using the instant oatmeal pack)
- 1 cup water
- Formula or breast milk
Directions
- Ground the oats in a blender or food processor.
- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Measure ¼ cup of the ground oats and add to the liquid.
- Let it simmer for 10 minutes while stirring occasionally.
- Add milk to thin out the texture.
6. Barley Apple Porridge
Barley is an excellent source of fibre, B vitamins, amino acids, iron, copper, manganese, and phosphorus.
What You Need
- 1 cup barley
- 3 ½ cups water
- Chopped apples
Directions
- Soak the organic barley seeds overnight making sure to cover all the seeds with water.
- The next day, add the barley and 3 cups of water in a pressure cooker.
- Wait for five whistles and let it simmer for around 15-20 minutes.
- Once cooked, pour in the ½ cup water and chopped apples. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the mixture to a blender and blitz away until smooth.
At 6 Months
7. Apple and Pear Sauce
Just because you want to load on nutritious foods doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be tasty. This baby food is sweet but still healthy.
What You Need
- One apple, washed, peeled, cored
- One ripe pear, washed, peeled and cored
- Formula or breast milk
Directions
- Cut both the apple and pear into dices.
- Steam the apple first for two minutes. Then, add the pears and steam for another 10 minutes.
- Blend until you achieve the desired consistency. You can thin out the puree with milk.
- To provide variety in texture for the baby, you can make it chunky instead of smooth.
8. Mango and Banana Puree
Mango contains more than 20 vitamins and minerals while the banana has fibre, potassium, vitamin C and manganese to name a few.
What You Need
- One ripe mango cut into chunks
- One ripe banana, peeled and sliced
- Formula or breast milk
Directions
- Put the banana and mango chunks into the food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Add milk slowly to thin out the consistency.
- You can make this into popsicles (best for teething babies) or pour into an ice cube tray for future use.
9. Yoghurt and Berry Swirl
Yoghurt contains various nutrients such as calcium and protein. It’s also packed with vitamins. The best type is the unsweetened and pasteurised ones made from whole milk.
What You Need
- 125g fresh blueberries
- 125g fresh raspberries
- Plain Greek yoghurt
Directions
- Add both the blueberries and raspberries into the food processor and blitz away. Once smooth, strain using a fine-mesh sieve.
- Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and adjust to the medium heat. Simmer until it starts to thicken, around five minutes.
- Before serving, add yoghurt and swirl.
At 7 Months
10. Pumpkin Thyme Puree
Aside from essential vitamins and minerals, pumpkin also packs antioxidants and vitamin A. Thyme, on the other hand, is an excellent source of Vitamin A, C and K. It also has folate, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium.
What You Need
- One small organic pumpkin
- ½ tsp fresh thyme
- 1-2 cups formula or breast milk
Directions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After washing the pumpkin, slice off the top and cut lengthwise. Remove everything inside such as the strings and seeds.Take note that it’s not safe for babies and even toddlers to consume pumpkin seeds, so if you want to give it to them, you may need to refer to your paediatrician.
- Cut into chunks and put on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 45-60 minutes or until tender.
- Let it cool before removing the skin.
- Add into a food processor.
- Mix in the thyme and pulse until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Add milk to thin out.
11. Spinach and White Yams Puree
Heated spinach contains protein, fibre, Vitamins A and E, calcium and iron. White yam has fibre, the B-complex group of vitamins and other minerals.
What You Need
- ½ lb. fresh spinach, washed and stemmed
- ½ lb. yam, washed, peeled and diced
- 1 ½ cups water
Directions
- Add the yams to the water and bring to a boil.
- Let it simmer and cook the yams for around 10 minutes.
- Add the spinach and continue cooking until they’re both tender.
- Allow it to cool before adding to a food processor.
- Because this yields about 3 cups of puree, you can store some of these by putting them in an ice cube tray and freezing.
At 9 Months
12. Baby Beef Stew
This baby food recipe is slightly more complicated than the previous ones mostly because the preparation time is longer.
But that’s not to say it will be hard to pull off. It’s not the usual two or three-ingredient puree, but it will be worth it, I promise.
What You Need
- ½ lb. beef chuck boneless roast, cubed
- ¼ small onion, chopped
- Ten baby carrots, washed, peeled and chopped into 2-inch pieces
- One medium potato, washed, peeled and sliced into 1-inch pieces
- Two tsp olive oil
- 1 cup water
Directions
- Use a heavy bottom pot, pour the oil and put in medium heat.
- Add the beef chunks, searing for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Add the onion, carrots, potato, and water.
- Adjust the heat to low and cover the pot.
- Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes – check if the beef’s tender.
- Let it cool slightly before adding everything to a food processor.
- Pulse away until you achieve desired consistency.
13. Quinoa Banana Mash
Quinoa contains protein, and because of its nutty flavour, it has a certain deliciousness that kids and even babies will love.
It also has calcium, phosphorus, fibre, iron, and vitamins E and B. Banana is often called a ‘power food’ because of its potassium content and numerous vitamins.
What You Need
- ½ ripe banana, washed, peeled and sliced
- 3 tbsp. cooked quinoa
- 1 tbsp. formula or breast milk (or you can opt for a whole milk yoghurt)
Directions
- Put the banana slices in the bowl and mash it using a fork.
- Pour the quinoa and mix.
- Add the milk or yoghurt and stir. Don’t worry about the chunks because your baby will enjoy something new to his/her palate.
At 10 Months
14. Blueberry Banana Yogurt
Blueberry is a superfood that contains several micronutrients such as zinc, magnesium, B-complex, and vitamins A, E and K.
What You Need
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- One whole ripe banana, washed, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup whole milk yoghurt
- 1 cup water
Directions
- Bring the water to a boil. Add the blueberries and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the fruits become soft.
- Separate the liquid from the blueberries and set it aside. Add the latter to a food processor and pulse.
- To thin the mixture, you can add a few teaspoons of the liquid.
- Add the banana and yoghurt and pulse it again until smooth.
15. Fish and Veggie Parcel
Aside from increased focus and improved vision, white fish also helps enhance the baby’s immunity.
What You Need
- One white fish fillet
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- Four tsp formula or breast milk
- Two carrots, peeled and grated
- Two zucchini, grated
- Sprigs of dill
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut the fish into four pieces.
- Put tin foil under each piece.
- Add carrots, cheese and zucchini into each one of them, making sure the distribution is equal.
- Add one tsp of milk and some dill into the four parts.
- Wrap securely before putting on a baking tray.
- Cook for 15 minutes.
- Serve with brown rice or mashed potatoes.
16. Baby Guacamole
This recipe combines the nutritional benefits the babies can get from avocado, lime, yoghurt and fresh cilantro.
What You Need
- One small avocado, peeled and cut lengthwise
- One tsp. Fresh cilantro, minced
- 1 tbsp. plain whole milk yoghurt
- ¼ lime
Directions
- Cut the avocado into chunks and add to a bowl.
- Mash using a fork.
- Add cilantro, yoghurt and lime.
- Mix.
At 1 Year Old
Because there are fewer restrictions at this age, you can now experiment with various recipes which they (and the rest of the family) can enjoy.
17. Mashed Potato Cakes
What You Need
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 7 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- One egg, whisked
- butter for searing
Directions
- Combine mashed potatoes, parmesan cheese, 3 tbsp. Flour and egg into a bowl and mix.
- Take a scoop and mould into small patties.
- Put the remaining flour on a plate and use it for coating.
- Lightly coat each patty.
- Adjust to medium heat and coat the pan with a thin layer of butter.
- Sear each patty for three minutes on each side.
- Let it cool before serving.
18. Macaroni and Cheese Muffins
What You Need
- 2 cups whole grain macaroni (ribbon pasta is also a good option)
- 1 cup uncooked broccoli florets
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. white whole wheat flour
- 2 cups milk (you can still opt for formula or breast milk)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Follow package instructions in boiling the macaroni.
- Melt the butter in a skillet and add the flour.
- Adjust to medium heat and whisk together for a few minutes.
- Slowly add the milk while whisking for about five minutes.
- Continue whisking until it starts to thicken.
- Remove the skillet and add the cheese and cooked macaroni.
- For each muffin cup, fill with two tbsp. of macaroni and cheese.
- Add some broccoli or peas before adding another layer of macaroni and cheese.
- Top with more cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes.
19. Fiesta Bowl
What You Need
- 2 cups brown rice, cooked
- One can black beans, rinsed well
- 1 cup corn
- One avocado, cut into chunks
- handful cilantro
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- juice of 1 lime
Directions
- Mix everything in a bowl and serve.
At 12-18 Months
20. Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce Muffins
You can serve this for breakfast and snacks. Even the whole family can enjoy it because it’s both healthy and delicious.
What You Need
- One ¼ cups whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup blueberries (I prefer fresh ones)
- One ¼ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup applesauce
- ½ cup Greek yoghurt
- One tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. canola oil
- One large egg
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (flour, rolled oats, baking powder, soda, salt, and cinnamon).
- In another bowl, mix the applesauce, yoghurt, egg, brown sugar, and canola oil.
- Make a well in the large bowl and add the applesauce mixture while stirring.
- Fold in the blueberries.
- Fill 2/3 of each muffin cup.
- Bake for around 16-18 minutes. You can test if they’re ready using a toothpick (poke the middle of the muffin, and it should come out clean).
- Let it cool then serve.
Top 16 Tips When Cooking
Even if you’re the last person to enjoy the kitchen, there’s no need to worry about anything because first off, it’s different from adult food because this is less complicated. Sometimes, you don’t even have to measure anything.
The best part? You’re not at risk for burning the food! Now let’s jump right into these tried and tested tips:
1. Tell your pediatrician when you’re about to start with solids
The baby should be at around 4-6 months, but this will depend mainly whether they are developmentally and physically ready.
Some of the signs you have to look for include the following: has head control and can sit well without any support, absence of tongue-thrust reflex, has developed the pincer grasp and the baby shows readiness and eagerness to participate during meal times.
They should be willing to chew and may even try to grab the foods you are holding. If you’re not sure, you can ask for help from your doctor to assess the child.
2. Ensure that everything is fresh and clean.
I know this is too basic but sometimes, in our rush to get everything done, we tend to forget to wash our hands.
Remember that the baby still doesn’t have a fully developed immune system yet and they will need all the protection they can get because they are still susceptible to a variety of diseases.
You also have to make sure all the equipment and tools you will sure are cleaned. For the fruits and vegetables, you have to wash them as soon as possible even if you won’t use them immediately.
You should clean up everything before storing.
3. Always choose fruits and vegetables and go organic.
It goes without saying that you want your baby’s first foods to be nothing but healthy.
Some may opt for instant food but even pediatricians agree it’s not the best option. Aside from the fact that one serving is already packed with so much vitamins and nutrients necessary for the child’s health and development, they also get to appreciate a variety of tastes and textures, of course depending on how you prepare it.
Besides, that’s the whole point of making your own baby food – you know what ingredients you incorporate in every meal.
4. Start with simple recipes.
If you’re new to this, you don’t go overboard and stock on ingredients to make complicated dishes.
You can mash or puree one vegetable at a time. The reason isn’t just to save you time but also so you can watch out for any possible allergic reactions.
Besides, you have to introduce new foods at least every 2 or 3 days so you can quickly pinpoint the culprit if your child gets allergies.
It may be common for babies to exhibit untoward reactions to eggs but sometimes, there are those who get rashes and other symptoms from commonly used fruits and vegetables.
5. Don’t save leftover baby food.
It can be tempting to use whatever’s left from their breakfast for consumption later but it’s a big no-no even if you think it’s a waste to throw it away.
Bear in mind that while eating, your baby’s saliva could get into the food and that makes it prone to bacterial growth. To avoid any leftovers, you can feed them with a small serving and only add later.
Safety is always the priority and as I have mentioned earlier, they are vulnerable to diseases once exposed. You can minimize the risk with easy steps like this.
6. Avoid adding salt and sugar.
It may taste bland but that’s okay because babies’ kidneys still cannot tolerate high amounts of sodium and it may be dangerous in the long run.
Again, this is why it’s much better to stick to all-natural and organic baby food instead of using ingredients laden with preservatives (such as canned beans).
Sure, it’s not as time-consuming as doing it yourself but it has its downsides – DIY baby foods are healthier if you use the right ingredients.
For me, I try to avoid anything canned or packed as much as possible. Nothing beats good ‘ole fresh items to feed your little one.
7. Offer food options in a variety of preparations.
I know it can be frustrating to mums when the child refuses to eat something healthy like butternut squash, avocado or beans.
The thing is, you shouldn’t give up but you also shouldn’t force it to them. Remember, mealtimes should be fun and enjoyable.
Then again, take advantage of this time to introduce their palate to different textures and flavors. If they don’t like potatoes at first try, you can attempt again by mashing, pureeing or baking it.
Likewise, if they already have a favorite, don’t prepare it all the time to give way to other foods.
8. Invest in a durable blender or food processor.
I once made the mistake of buying a cheap one thinking it won’t be so heartbreaking if it broke.
The sad part is it gave up on me just a few days after the purchase. So I had to go for something strong enough to withstand rough usage on a daily basis. Before I learned the ice cube tray trick (which I will talk about later), I would puree and blend twice a day.
Basically, you have to think of it as an investment especially if you’re not practicing the Baby Led Weaning method because you have to use it until the baby can transition to something more solid.
9. You can make big batches.
To save time and electricity, you can whip up baby food in advance. It’s very simple, actually.
Once done, put them in the trays and freeze. Then if you’re about to use it, let it thaw. This is way safer than using baby jars because those are made of glass and thus, it can crack and break in the freezer which is dangerous.
Once frozen, you just pop out the food cubes and put them inside a sealed plastic bag. While you can still use them more than a week later, it’s still best to consume ASAP.
10. Be extra careful when heating baby food using the microwave.
I’ve never used this kitchen equipment to be honest.
It’s because it doesn’t heat the food evenly and often times, it just heats up the container. However, should you decide to microwave (don’t go for more than 15 seconds), watch out for the hot spots and let it cool before feeding to the child.
Stir it and test the temperature before giving it to the baby – what I like to do is pour a small amount on the inside of my wrist to ensure it’s safe for eating.
11. Avoid fast food.
The logic is simple: if it’s bad for you, then it’s the same thing for your child.
I understand the appeal of letting them have some French fries or chicken nuggets but they’re not getting any nutrient from it.
And those foods are laden with so much fat and sodium. Don’t even get me started on the preservatives. You see, McDonald’s is never a healthy option for anyone.
It’s delicious and appetizing, yes, but at the end of the day, it does more harm than good. If you want to serve something similar but healthier, you can make your own baked sweet potato fries.
12. Enjoy meals together.
Early on, you can let your baby join you during meal times. You can even take them to kid-friendly restaurants!
The rationale behind it is so they will know and understand the value of food. It’s also good for them to see other family members bonding over foods and enjoying it.
They will grow up looking forward to meal times because it’s such a pleasant time for everyone.
13. Don’t expect them to eat three times a day when they’re still starting out with solids.
They’re still new to this and you shouldn’t overwhelm their digestive system.
They will gradually transition to eating just like adults but for now, just take it slow. Don’t force them to eat something they don’t want because it will only end badly.
Besides, you will know when they’re full because they’ll start playing with the food and probably throw it on the floor or to you.
14. Don’t stress it out. It’s crucial to maintain a calm and fun environment.
Although you don’t want them to play with the food, you shouldn’t be too strict or uptight with their eating either.
As I already wrote, their first introduction to solids shouldn’t be stressful. Instead, consider this an opportunity for learning and experimentation because they get to try various shapes, textures and tastes.
15. When making baby food in bulk, find several storage options, but you must also know how long before it’s considered unsafe for consumption.
For baby jars with lids, you can put it inside the ref but it must be consumed no more than 2 days.
If you froze it in an ice cube tray and stored inside a sealed plastic bag, you can freeze it for two months.
Aside from using the microwave, you can thaw the cubed food by putting the plastic into a bowl of warm water.
16. You shouldn’t stop giving milk even when they have already started eating solids.
You see, until one year old, their primary source of nutrition is still milk. Yes, even if they have regular eating habits.
At this time, they’re still learning the ropes in eating – chewing, swallowing, holding the pieces. Just because they have nutritious foods in their diet doesn’t mean you should cut back on their milk.
Conclusion
They may have restrictions during the first year, but these baby food recipes prove that you can incorporate healthy ingredients and whip up tasty meals.
It’s a win-win situation for both of you. Besides, you don’t have to be an expert in the kitchen to make purees, trust me; I can honestly attest to this.
So if you’re wondering what you should prepare next, don’t be afraid to experiment because most fruits and vegetables go well together. Have fun cooking!
