10+ Baby Food Recipes for Happy, Healthy Little Eaters
When feeding your little one, homemade baby food can be a fantastic option. Making baby food at home allows you to choose fresh ingredients, control the texture, and introduce your baby to a variety of flavors. This can make mealtime fun and healthy for both you and your child.
In this article, you’ll find a variety of simple and nutritious baby food recipes. Each recipe is designed to help you create tasty meals that are perfect for your growing baby.
From purees to more textured options, you’ll have plenty of choices to explore as you embark on this exciting food journey with your little one.
1) Pea and Mint Purée
This pea and mint purée is a delightful baby food that’s simple to make. It’s fresh, nutritious, and perfect for introducing your little one to new flavors.
Start by steaming 2 cups of fresh or frozen peas. You can do this by placing them in a steamer basket over boiling water for about 6-8 minutes. This keeps the peas bright green and full of nutrients.
Once cooked, transfer the peas to a blender. Add a handful of fresh mint leaves and a splash of water or baby-friendly broth. Then, blend until smooth and creamy.
This purée can be served on its own or mixed with other foods. Your baby will love the bright, fresh taste!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of peas
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- Water or baby-friendly broth
Cooking Instructions:
- Steam the peas for 6-8 minutes.
- Place peas and mint in a blender.
- Add a splash of water or broth.
- Blend until smooth.
2) Banana and Avocado Mash
Banana and avocado mash is a simple and nutritious baby food. Both ingredients are soft and easy for babies to eat. This mix is great for introducing flavors and textures.
To make this mash, start by selecting ripe bananas and avocados. Then, mash them together with a fork until you get a smooth consistency. You can add a little breast milk or formula to make it creamier if you’d like.
This recipe is perfect for babies six months and older. It’s full of healthy fats and vitamins. Your baby will enjoy the naturally sweet taste of this mash.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 ripe avocado
Cooking Instructions
- Peel the banana and avocado.
- Cut them into small pieces.
- Use a fork to mash the banana and avocado together.
- Mix until smooth. Add breast milk or formula if desired.
3) Carrot and Parsnip Purée
Carrot and parsnip purée is a tasty option for your little one. This recipe combines the sweetness of carrots with the earthy flavor of parsnips. It’s simple to make and packed with nutrients.
Start by peeling and chopping 2 carrots and 2 parsnips. Then, place them in a saucepan and cover with water.
Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Once cooked, drain the vegetables and transfer them to a blender. Blend until smooth. You can add a little water or breast milk to reach the desired consistency.
Ingredients
- 2 carrots
- 2 parsnips
- Water or breast milk (as needed)
Cooking Instructions
- Peel and chop 2 carrots and 2 parsnips.
- Place them in a saucepan and cover with water.
- Bring to a boil; simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
- Drain vegetables and blend until smooth.
- Add water or breast milk for desired consistency.
4) Sweet Potato and Apple Medley
The Sweet Potato and Apple Medley is a tasty baby food option. It mixes the natural sweetness of apples with the creamy texture of sweet potatoes. Your little one will enjoy this flavorful combination.
To make this dish, you need just a few simple ingredients. You can prepare it quickly, making it a convenient choice for busy days.
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
- 1 small sweet potato, peeled and chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Prepare the sweet potato by chopping it into small pieces.
- Put the sweet potato in a pot and cover with water. Boil for about 10-15 minutes until tender.
- Meanwhile, peel and chop the apple.
- Once the sweet potato is soft, add the apple to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Drain the water and mash or blend the mixture to your desired consistency. Add cinnamon if you like.
5) Chicken and Broccoli Purée
Chicken and broccoli purée is a nutritious choice for your baby. It combines protein with vitamins, making it great for growth. Plus, it’s simple to prepare!
To start, steam two cups of broccoli florets until they are tender. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to let them cool down a bit before blending.
Next, take one cup of cooked, diced chicken breast. Combine the chicken and broccoli in a blender. If you need, add a little water to reach your desired consistency.
Blend everything until smooth. You can serve it right away or store some for later.
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup cooked, diced chicken breast
- Water as needed
Cooking Instructions
- Steam the broccoli for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Let the broccoli cool.
- Combine broccoli and chicken in a blender.
- Add water if needed to blend smoothly.
- Blend until you reach the desired consistency.
6) Blueberry and Pear Blend
This Blueberry and Pear Blend is a tasty option for your little one. It combines the sweetness of ripe pears with the tartness of blueberries. This mix is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.
Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need fresh or frozen blueberries and ripe pears for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and chopped
Cooking Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the blueberries and chopped pears.
- Add a small amount of water if needed to help with cooking.
- Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes until the fruit is soft.
- Cool slightly, then puree in a blender until smooth.
Your Blueberry and Pear Blend is ready to serve! Enjoy introducing this nutritious meal to your baby.
7) Lentil and Sweet Potato Mix
This Lentil and Sweet Potato Mix is a great choice for your little one. It’s nutritious and easy to prepare. Lentils are packed with protein, while sweet potatoes provide vitamins.
To start, gather your ingredients. You can use this mix for babies who are ready for solid foods. The texture can be adjusted based on your baby’s needs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
- A pinch of salt (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Rinse the lentils under cold water.
- In a pot, add water or broth, lentils, and sweet potato.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Stir occasionally until lentils are soft.
- Mash or blend the mix to your desired consistency.
- Let it cool before serving.
8) Spinach and Potato Purée
Spinach and potato purée is a nutritious meal for your baby. This dish is simple to make and packs a punch of flavors and vitamins.
To start, wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them into small cubes. Then, wash the spinach and remove any thick stalks.
Boil water in a pot and add the potato cubes. Cook until they are soft, about 15 minutes at 212°F (100°C). Add the spinach in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Once everything is soft, drain and blend the mixture. Add a little milk, breastmilk, or formula to get the right consistency.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of potato
- 2 ½ cups of baby spinach
- Milk or formula (as needed)
Cooking Instructions
- Peel and dice the potato into small cubes.
- Wash the spinach and remove stalks.
- Boil the potato in water for 15 minutes.
- Add spinach for the last 5 minutes.
- Drain and blend until smooth.
- Adjust thickness with milk or formula.
9) Berry Oatmeal
Berry oatmeal is a tasty and nutritious meal for your baby. It’s simple to make and packed with vitamins. You can use fresh or frozen berries, depending on what you have at home.
Start with 1 cup of old-fashioned oats and 2 cups of water or milk. You can also add ½ cup of berries like blueberries or strawberries for extra flavor.
Heat the mixture in a pot over medium heat. Stir often until it thickens, usually about 5 to 7 minutes. For more taste, add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups water or milk
- ½ cup berries (fresh or frozen)
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- Splash of vanilla (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Combine oats and water or milk in a pot.
- Add the berries.
- Heat on medium, stirring often.
- Cook until thickened (5-7 minutes).
- Add cinnamon or vanilla if desired.
10) Mango and Yogurt Delight
Mango and Yogurt Delight is a tasty and healthy treat for your baby. This recipe combines the sweetness of ripe mangoes with creamy yogurt. It’s simple and quick to make!
To get started, gather fresh mango and plain yogurt. You can also use Greek yogurt for added creaminess and protein. This dish is perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Blend the mango into a smooth puree. Mix it with yogurt until well combined. You can adjust the amount of mango based on your baby’s taste.
Serve this delightful mix in a small bowl, and watch your little one enjoy! Your baby will love the sweet and creamy flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe mango
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
Cooking Instructions
- Peel and chop the mango.
- Blend the mango until smooth.
- Mix the mango puree with yogurt.
- Serve in a bowl for your baby to enjoy.