One big milestone in your child’s first year is adding solid foods into their diet. While you can undoubtedly get baby food from the store, there are probably some of you out there seeking to whip up your own creations. below you will find some basic baby food recipes for each stage, along with all the kitchen gadgets you need to make this process a breeze!
The Basics
Before we get to recipes, there are a couple of things you must know. From the kitchen gadgets you need to the best ways to store your baby food, below you will find our tried and true Rookie mommy tips! The age a lot of mommies start feeding their baby and creating baby food recipes is at 6-8 months.
Must-Haves When trying These baby Food Recipes
There are a couple of kitchen appliances that will make these baby food recipes even a lot more simple. One thing you might want to consider is a baby food maker.
At first glance, it seems a blender could get the job done but these actually do so much more. They can both steam and puree. We have a whole post going over all the best baby food makers here!
You also may want to invest in a cutting board and a good chopping knife. The pureeing process will be much much easier if you cut harder veggies and fruits into small pieces.
How to store baby Food
Making baby food is one thing, but then where do you store all your delicious creations? When you whip up a batch of baby food, you are undoubtedly going to need containers. These OXO containers are great or these baby brezza pouches both make for great easily storable baby food containers.
You can also keep it incredibly basic and use an ice cube tray!
What about Allergies?
Of course, one of the nerve-wracking things about starting solids is figuring out allergies. We highly recommend introducing only one food at a time and then closely enjoying for any signs of an allergic reaction.
You can also look into using powders like Lil Mixins which slowly introduce high allergy foods like peanuts and eggs to your baby. They give your baby exposure to these foods early which can actually help stop allergies from happening later on.
Food allergies are complicated, and we highly recommend going over them with your pediatrician.
Homemade baby Food Recipes for new Eaters
The beginning of your baby’s food journey will probably be full of purees and lucky for you, these are really basic to make. In fact, these baby foods are so basic to make, I wouldn’t even really qualify these as recipes!
Avocado Puree
Cut Avocado in Half
Mash Avocado with a Fork or put it in the Food Processor
Optional: mix with breast milk or Water until it reaches the desired consistency
Banana Puree
Slice Banana
Add to Blender and blend until it reaches desired consistency
Carrot Puree
Wash and Prep Carrots peeling off any greenery
Steam the Carrot until it is soft
Puree the Carrot in a Blender
Next step baby Food Recipes
Around 7-9 months, your baby is a lot of likely ready to step on from basic one ingredient baby food purees. This is when the baby food recipes get a little a lot more exciting!
Beets & Blueberries
Peel the beets and cut them into small cubes
Steam the Beets and Blueberries together for about 10 minutes
Blend the Steamed mixture into a Puree
Optional: mix with Breastmilk or Water until it reaches the desired consistency
Pear & Butternut Squash baby Food Recipe
Peel and De-seed the Butternut Squash
Peel and cut the Pear into cubes
Cut the Squash into cubes
Steam the Squash for 10 minutes, then add in the pear and steam for an additional 5 minutes
Puree together in a Blender
Chicken with sweet Potatoes and Carrots
Place a chicken breast into a Steamer Pot and steam for 3 minutes
Add Chopped sweet Potato and Carrots to the steam Pot and cook for another 5 minutes (ensure chicken is cooked through at temperature of 165 degrees)
Puree ingredients together in Blender
Baby Food Recipes That Are (Almost) like real Food
Here are some yummy options for your 9 to 12 month olds. Don’t worry, these are still very basic recipes! However, it is great for babies to get a little variety as they continue to grow and it is fine to start giving them some finger foods as well. Your little one will love these crazy delicious additions to their diet!
5 Veggie Pasta
Ingredients
1 cup of Pasta (there really are no policies here but we love shells and penne!)
1 cup of Chopped Vegetables: Peas, Carrots, green Beans, Broccoli, Zucchini
Olive Oil
Optional: Parmesan Cheese if your baby has been introduced to dairy
Directions
Cook Pasta according to Package
Chop and steam Vegetables
Mix together All Ingredients
Breakfast Muffins
This is one of our absolute favorite baby food recipes, and you can premake a big batch that will last up to a week!
Ingredients
1 1/4 cup of whole Rolled Oats
1/3 cup of plain Yogurt
1 Banana
1 Egg
2 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup
1 1/2 Teaspoons of baking Powder
1/2 teaspoonof baking Soda
Pinch of Salt
3/4 cup of Sliced Strawberries
Directions
Preheat oven to 350
Line a 24-count tiny Muffin Pan
Fold All ingredients together and Divide Evenly among Muffin Pans
Bake for 13-15 Minutes
Allow to cool and Serve!
Mini Quesadillas
Ingredients
2 small Tortillas
1/4 cup of Shredded Mozzarella or mild Cheddar
Directions
Place Tortillas on Preheated Skillet
Once golden Brown, add cheese to one side and place extra tortilla on top
Cover the skillet to melt the cheese
Let the tortilla cool off and serve!
Pro Tip: add additional toppings like vegetables, avocado, or shredded chicken when you feel your little one is ready
Mamas know best so when it pertains to feeding your baby solid foods, always depend on your own instincts and chat with your pediatrician. These recipes are a great place to start for each stage and will hopefully inspire you to make some of your own creations as well.
What homemade baby food recipe will you be trying out first? let us know in the comments!