There are lots of reasons why parents choose to feed their babies homemade foods instead of store bought ones. From saving money to avoiding additives, these foods are healthier and tastier than anything from a box, tin or packet.
Homemade baby food is easier to prepare than you might imagine. Before you try your kid on commercial baby foods, knock up a batch yourself. Read on below to find out how!
Easy Homemade and no-cook Baby Food Ideas
Learn how easy it is to make the easiest homemade baby food recipes for your little ones with these super simple no cook ideas. Also: the best tips for making and freezing them ahead so you can batch cook & simplify your days!
Baby Food | Homemade
As a parent, I know how hard it is to find the time to cook healthy meals for my family.
Baby Food Recipes for 6 to 9 Months
These recipes are designed for babies who are still eating thin puree foods, but you can also use them for older babies who are ready for thicker purees. You can serve each recipe as is, or combine several together to create your own unique flavor combinations.
TIP: If adding fat or protein to any fruit or vegetable purees, simply stir into a little whole milk yogurt or coconut cream.
Best Way to Make Baby Food
I’ve found that the easiest and best way to make baby food for my daughter is to use a Vitamix. I love using this blender because it makes everything smooth and creamy. It also helps me save money since I’m not buying expensive jars of baby food.
Start with at least 1 cup (250 mL) of any base ingredient to make sure there’s enough for the entire recipe.
Tools You Need to Make Homemade Baby Food
To make these baby foods you’ll need:
- Blender (or an immersion blender if yours is very strong)
- If you need to thicken your milk, use water, formula, or breast milk.
- Knife for chopping produce
- Spoon
- Bowls
- Ice cube tray
- Freezer bags for storage
- Baby food storage containers
- Plastic wrap
- Potato masher
Stage 1 Baby Food
Baby foods are usually made for babies who are older than 4 months old. These foods are often very thin and easy for babies to move around in their mouth. I follow the recommendation to wait until 6 months before starting solids, so I don’t worry too much about this distinction as I enjoy babies to experience some texture when eating their purees. (You will find baby foods at the grocery store that are low allergenic and meant for 4+ months old babies.)
Stage 2 Baby Food
Baby foods are usually made out of vegetables, fruits, meats, and grains. These foods are often thickened with starch or other thickeners. Some baby foods also contain multiple ingredients. Baby foods are typically introduced at around 7-8 months old, or once the child has mastered thinner purees.
1. Banana Puree
Ripe banana purees are an excellent first food for babies. They are easy to digest and taste delicious. Ripe bananas with brown spots are best for making banana purees because they are easier to blend
2. Mango Puree
This recipe is made with fresh or thawed frozen mangos. Mangoes are rich in vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. They also contain enzymes that help digestion. If you prefer, you can substitute bananas or applesauce instead of the mango puree.
3. Blueberry Puree
Blueberries are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, manganese, copper, folate, potassium, and antioxidants. Blueberries also contain anthocyanins, which may help protect against heart disease.
4. Kiwi Puree
This puree is great for kids who seem to love flavor. You will need to choose very ripe and sweet fruit, and taste it before making the puree to ensure it isn’t too tart. If it seems tart, you may want to add bananas or applesauce to the mixture.
5. Bean Puree
Baby‘s first foods don’t need to be all one food type. Beans are a great food to start out with because they are high in protein and fiber. You can do this simple bean puree with chick peas, pinto beans, or black beans, thinning it with water, formula, breast milk, or even baby food. This is a great recipe to mix with a little bit of sweet potato or butternuts squash.
6. Peach Puree
Peaches are a great source of vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. They also contain a lot of water, making them an excellent choice for babies. If you’re looking for a healthy option for your baby, peaches are a great choice.
7. Whipped Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a great first food for babies. It’s easy to mix and offers a lot of nutrition. If you add water to peanut butter, it will form a thick, creamy texture similar to yogurt. It’ll be smooth and not too sticky. It’s also high in protein.
8. Pineapple Puree
Blend fresh or frozen pineapple chunks with whole milk plain yogurt until smooth and creamy. You can also try adding applesauce or ripe banana puree to sweeten it up.
9. Strawberry Puree
Strawberries are delicious when eaten fresh, but they also freeze well. Pureeing them before freezing gives you a smooth, creamy texture that is perfect for ice cream. If you prefer a sweeter strawberry puree, add a bit of sugar to the blender.
10. Avocado Puree
To make an avocado puree for a newborn, you will need a fresh avocado, your hands, a spoon, and some lemon juice. If you plan to store the puree for later, add a bit of olive oil to help keep it fresh.
Top tips for making the best homemade baby food.
- Make sure that the blender has enough volume to blend well by using at least one cup of base ingredients.
- Thicken any homemade puree with formula or breast milk.
- Freeze your baby food in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer them into freezer storage bags for easy storage. You can store them in the freezer for up to three months. To thaw, place the bag in the refrigerator overnight.
- Taste test your purees to ensure they aren’t too sour. If you notice that your puree is too tart, add Banana Puree, Avocado Puree, Applesauce, or Mashed Sweet Potato to tame its sourness.
- You can add fat or protein to these fruit or vegetable purees by stirring in some whole milk yogurt, coconut cream, or avocado puree.
- If you want to use breast milk or formula instead of water, go ahead.
- Blend two purees together for a more complex flavor.
- Stir in baby oats or hemp seeds for added texture to any puree.
- To learn more about each of these, visit their respective pages.
Other puree ingredients to try
- green beans
- butternut squash
- apple puree
- green veggies
- almond milk
- rice cereal
- fresh fruit
The weening phase will come and go quickly and before you know it, your little one will be on solid food! But, with minimal effort, our examples above will provide a good choice for baby, that’s both nutritious and more affordable than store-bought baby food. All you need is a blender or food processor, some fruit and veg and you’ll have some food for baby in no time! All with the natural sweetness fresh food.
