10+ 12 Month Old Recipes Your Little One Will Love

Introducing meals for your 12-month-old can be both exciting and challenging. At this age, children start exploring different flavors and textures, making it an ideal time to introduce a variety of healthy and tasty recipes.

Preparing nutritious meals for your little one helps them develop healthy eating habits early on.

During this stage, finger foods and easy-to-eat options are essential. These meals should be simple to prepare and packed with essential nutrients, ensuring your toddler gets everything they need for healthy growth. With these recipes, you’ll be ready to delight your child’s taste buds while making mealtime enjoyable for both of you.

1) Pea Purée

Pea purée is a great first food for your 12-month-old. It’s smooth, tasty, and packed with nutrients. You can easily make it at home using fresh or frozen peas.

Start by placing 2 cups of peas in a medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover the peas and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 8-10 minutes.

Once the peas are tender, drain them and place them in a blender. Blend until smooth. For added creaminess, you can mix in a little breast milk, formula, or water.

Ingredients

• 2 cups peas (fresh or frozen)
• Water (or breast milk/formula for creaminess)

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the peas in a medium saucepan.
2. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until tender.
4. Drain the peas and transfer to a blender.
5. Blend until smooth, adding liquid as needed.

2) Banana Purée

Banana purée is a simple and nutritious option for your 12-month-old. It’s a great first food when introducing solids. You can make it quickly with just a ripe banana.

To prepare, peel the banana and place it in a bowl. You can mash it with a fork for a chunkier texture or blend it for a smoother purée. If you want, add a little water or breast milk to adjust the consistency.

Banana purée is also perfect for mixing with other fruits like apples or pears. This not only adds flavor but also provides more nutrients.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel the banana.
2. Place it in a bowl.
3. Mash with a fork or blend until smooth.
4. Adjust the consistency with water or breast milk if needed.

3) Sweet Potato Purée

Sweet potato purée is a nutritious option for your 12-month-old. It’s naturally sweet and easy to digest. This dish can be a great introduction to solid foods.

To make it, start with fresh sweet potatoes. You can cook them by baking or steaming until they’re soft. Once cooked, simply peel the skin off and mash or blend until smooth.

You can also mix in flavors like a pinch of cinnamon for added taste. This makes it fun and exciting for your little one.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and pierce sweet potatoes with a fork.
3. Bake for about 45 minutes or until tender.
4. Let them cool, then peel the skin off.
5. Mash or blend the sweet potatoes until smooth.

4) Avocado Purée

Avocado purée is a healthy and creamy option for your 12-month-old. It’s packed with nutrients and tastes great. Plus, it’s easy to make!

To prepare, simply cut a ripe avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh into a blender or bowl. You can mash it with a fork if you prefer a chunkier texture.

For added flavor, mix in a little lime juice. This helps to prevent browning and adds a nice zing. Keep extra purée in an airtight container in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit.
2. Scoop the flesh into a blender or bowl.
3. Blend until smooth, adding lime juice if desired.
4. Serve immediately or store in the fridge.

5) Carrot Purée

Carrot purée is a tasty and healthy option for your 12-month-old. It’s easy to make and offers a smooth texture that babies enjoy. The natural sweetness of carrots makes it a hit with little ones.

To make this purée, start with fresh carrots. You can steam or boil them until they are tender. This usually takes about 15 minutes.

Once cooked, transfer the carrots to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth. You can add a little water or broth to reach your desired consistency.

Ingredients

• 2 medium carrots
• Water or low-sodium vegetable broth (as needed)

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and chop the carrots into small pieces.
2. Steam or boil the carrots for about 15 minutes, until tender.
3. Drain them and place in a blender.
4. Blend until smooth, adding water if needed.

6) Salmon & Spinach Fritters

Salmon and spinach fritters are a great choice for your 12-month-old. They are tasty, nutritious, and easy to make. These fritters combine healthy ingredients that your child will enjoy.

To make them, you’ll need fresh salmon and spinach. Mixing these with eggs and a little cornflour will give you a suitable texture for little hands.

You can cook the fritters in a frying pan until they are golden brown. They make for a delicious meal or snack.

Ingredients

• 100g boneless salmon fillet, skinned
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 20g cornflour
• Olive oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the beaten egg and cornflour together.
2. Add the salmon, spinach, and mix well.
3. Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat (around 350°F or 180°C).
4. Spoon small amounts of the mixture into the pan and flatten slightly.
5. Cook until golden brown on both sides.

7) Mac ‘n’ Cheese Veggie Muffins

Mac ‘n’ Cheese Veggie Muffins are a fun twist on a classic dish. They are perfect for your little one who is starting to explore new flavors. These muffins are packed with cheese and hidden vegetables, making them both tasty and nutritious.

Using different veggies adds great flavor and color. You can use spinach, carrots, or broccoli to keep things interesting. The muffin shape makes them easy for you and your child to handle during meals or snacks.

Ingredients

• 1 cup macaroni noodles
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or any cheese you prefer)
• 1 cup mixed veggies (like spinach and carrots)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the macaroni noodles according to package instructions.
3. In a bowl, mix the cooked noodles, cheese, veggies, egg, and milk.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tin.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

8) Slow Cooker Pot Roast

A slow cooker pot roast is a simple meal that’s perfect for your 12-month-old. This dish is tender and packed with flavor, making it easy for little ones to eat. Plus, it requires minimal prep time and cooks while you focus on other tasks.

Start by adding a beef chuck roast in the slow cooker. You can season it lightly with pepper. Then, add chopped carrots and onions for added nutrition.

Cook on low for about 8 hours (approximately 93°C) or high for 4 hours (about 149°C). The meat should be fork-tender and deliciously juicy.

Ingredients

• 1 beef chuck roast (about 3 to 4 pounds / 1.4 to 1.8 kg)
• 4 large carrots, chopped
• 2 small onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the beef chuck roast in the slow cooker.
2. Season with pepper, of desired.
3. Add the chopped carrots and onions.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
5. Check for tenderness before serving.

9) Chicken & Sweet Potato Croquettes

Chicken and sweet potato croquettes are tasty and healthy finger foods for your little one. They combine soft sweet potatoes with minced chicken, making them nutritious and easy to eat.

To prepare, start by cooking sweet potatoes until soft. Mix them with cooked chicken, spring onions, and some cheese for added flavor. Form the mixture into small shapes and coat them lightly with breadcrumbs.

You can bake the croquettes at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, until they’re golden brown. This dish freezes well, so you can make a large batch and use them later.

Ingredients

• 150g sweet potatoes, cubed
• 300g minced chicken
• 4 spring onions, chopped
• 30g cheese, grated
• 50g breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• Fresh thyme (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil or steam sweet potatoes until soft.
2. In a bowl, combine sweet potatoes, chicken, spring onions, and cheese.
3. Add half of the breadcrumbs and the beaten egg, then mix well.
4. Shape the mixture into small croquettes.
5. Coat the croquettes with remaining breadcrumbs.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

10) Baby Brown Rice Cereal

Making baby brown rice cereal is simple and nutritious. This cereal is a great option for your little one. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals.

To prepare brown rice cereal, all you need is brown rice. You can blend it to make a fine powder. This helps to create a smooth texture for your baby.

Cook the rice and then add water to achieve the right consistency. You can also mix in pureed fruits or vegetables to add flavor and nutrition.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the brown rice thoroughly under cold water.

2. Cook the rice in a pot with 2 cups of water. Then, bring it to a boil.

3. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 30-40 minutes until the rice is soft.

4. Let it cool slightly. Then, blend the rice with some water until smooth.

5. Serve warm or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.