If you are looking for inspiration for your baby's first foods, here are 10 delicious homemade baby puree recipes you must try. These recipes are suitable for babies from 6 months of age who are ready to start solids. They are also made with simple, wholesome ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen or local market.
Before you start, make sure you have a good blender or food processor, some ice cube trays or baby food containers, and a steamer or a large pot with a lid. You will also need to wash, peel, and chop the fruits and vegetables and cook them until soft. Then, you can puree them with water, breast milk, or formula and adjust the consistency according to your baby's preference. You can also add some spices or herbs for extra flavor, but avoid adding salt, sugar, or honey to your baby's food.
Ready to get started? Here are 10 delicious homemade baby puree recipes that you must try!
- Carrot Puree
Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for healthy vision, skin, and the immune system. Carrots also have a sweet and mild flavor that most babies love.
To make carrot puree, you will need:
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
- Steam the carrots for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender.
- Transfer the carrots to a blender or baby food processor, and add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve warm or cold, or freeze for later use.
- Sweet Potato Puree
Sweet potatoes are another excellent source of beta-carotene and vitamin C, B6, and potassium. They also have a creamy and sweet taste that babies enjoy.
To make sweet potato puree, you will need:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
- Steam the sweet potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes or until soft.
- Transfer the sweet potatoes to a blender or food processor, and add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve warm or cold, or freeze for later use.
- Apple Puree
Apples are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They also have a refreshing and sweet flavor that babies like. You can use any variety of apples, but Gala, Fuji, and Golden Delicious are especially good for making purees.
To make apple puree, you will need:
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
- Steam the apples for 15 to 20 minutes or until soft.
- Transfer the apples to a blender or food processor, and add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve warm or cold, or freeze for later use.
- Pear Puree
Pears are also high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They have a mild and sweet flavor that babies love. You can use any type of pears, but Bartlett, Anjou, and Bosc are particularly good for making purees.
To make pear puree, you will need:
- 4 medium pears, peeled, cored, and chopped
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
- Steam the pears for 15 to 20 minutes or until soft.
- Transfer the pears to a blender or food processor, and add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve warm or cold, or freeze for later use.
- Banana Puree
Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. They also have a creamy and sweet taste that babies adore. Bananas are one of the easiest fruits to puree, as they do not require cooking or peeling.
To make banana puree, you will need:
- 2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
- Mash the bananas with a fork or transfer them to a blender or food processor.
- Add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Do not freeze; bananas turn brown and lose their flavor when frozen.
- Avocado Puree
Avocados are a good source of healthy fats, folate, and vitamin E. They also have a buttery and mild flavor that babies enjoy. Avocados are another easy fruit to puree, as they do not require cooking or peeling.
To make avocado puree, you will need:
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
- Mash the avocado with a fork or transfer it to a blender or food processor.
- Add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Do not freeze, as avocados turn brown and lose flavor when frozen.
- Pea Puree
Peas are a good source of protein, iron, and vitamin K. They also have a bright green color and a sweet flavor that babies like. You can use fresh or frozen peas, but ensure they are organic and free of added salt or sugar.
To make pea puree, you will need:
- 2 cups of peas, fresh or frozen
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
Steam the peas for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender.
- Transfer the peas to a blender or food processor, and add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency. You may need to strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove skins or lumps.
- Serve warm or cold, or freeze for later use.
- Green Bean Puree
Green beans are a good source of vitamins A, C, K, and folate. They also have a crisp and mild flavor that babies like. You can use fresh or frozen green beans, but ensure they are organic and free of added salt or sugar.
To make green bean puree, you will need:
- 2 cups of green beans, fresh or frozen
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
- Steam the green beans for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender.
- Transfer the green beans to a blender or food processor, and add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency. You may need to strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove skins or lumps.
- Serve warm or cold, or freeze for later use.
- Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin is a good source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber. It also has a rich and sweet flavor that babies like. You can use fresh or canned pumpkin, but make sure it is pure and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
To make pumpkin puree, you will need:
- 2 cups of pumpkin, fresh or canned
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
- If using fresh pumpkin, peel and chop it, and steam it for 20 to 25 minutes or until soft.
- If using canned pumpkin, skip this step.
- Transfer the pumpkin to a blender or food processor, and add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve warm or cold, or freeze for later use.
- Peach Puree
Peaches are a good source of vitamins C, A, and potassium. They also have a juicy and sweet flavor that babies love. You can use fresh or frozen peaches, but ensure they are organic and free of added sugar or syrup.
To make peach puree, you will need:
- 2 cups of peaches, fresh or frozen
- Water, breast milk, or formula
Instructions:
If using fresh peaches, peel and chop them, and steam them for 10 to 15 minutes or until soft.
- If using frozen peaches, skip this step.
- Transfer the peaches to a blender or food processor, and add some water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve warm or cold, or freeze for later use.
Making baby food puree is a great way to introduce your little one to various flavors, colors, and textures. Try these 10 delicious homemade baby puree recipes and watch your baby enjoy his or her first foods!
