Baby Finger Foods: Your Guide to Safe and Nutritious First Foods

Navigating the world of baby food can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s time to introduce finger foods. After your baby starts solids and shows signs of readiness for self-feeding, you might be wondering exactly what to offer and how to prepare it safely. It’s perfectly normal to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension as you embark on this new feeding journey!

This guide to Baby Finger Foods is designed to be your go-to resource. We’ll explore excellent first finger foods to get you started and then provide a comprehensive list of healthy and diverse options from each food group. Our aim is to make this transition smooth and enjoyable for both you and your little one.

TIP: For more detailed information on the initial stages of introducing solids, explore our starting solids guide. If you’re considering baby-led weaning or starting with purees, we also have specific resources on the best first foods for baby.

Healthy and Easy Baby Food Ideas

Sharing baby food ideas is something I genuinely enjoy because I understand the daily challenge of providing nutritious and appealing meals and snacks for our growing babies. As a parent of three, I know firsthand how demanding it can be to consistently come up with healthy options amidst the everyday chaos! These baby finger food suggestions are not only easy to prepare and serve but also packed with the essential nutrients your baby needs for healthy development.

TIP: I’m a strong advocate for SpoonfulONE, a fantastic company committed to the most comprehensive approach to early allergen introduction. They offer convenient and tasty mix-ins, puffs, and crackers that are perfect for babies and toddlers. You can discover more about their pediatrician-approved baby foods here. (sponsored link)

Best First Finger Foods for Babies

Around the 9-month mark, you’ll likely observe your baby developing the “pincer grasp,” the ability to pick up small objects between their thumb and forefinger. This exciting milestone signals their readiness for finger foods! When we talk about “finger foods,” we mean small, manageable pieces of food that babies (and toddlers) can safely and successfully feed themselves.

Here are some of my top recommendations for first finger foods. These options are all incredibly soft, safe for babies to handle, and easy for them to pick up and explore.

TIP: To add moisture and flavor to foods like tofu, ground meat, or meatballs, consider serving them with a spoonful of veggie puree (from a pouch) or a simple marinara sauce. It’s also important to know how and when to introduce peanut butter to your baby.

Baby Finger Foods: Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are excellent starting points for finger foods, offering natural sweetness and a wealth of vitamins and minerals. Some of my favorite early fruits and veggies to introduce to babies as finger foods include:

• Mashed roasted sweet potato, broken into small, manageable pieces.
• Warmed frozen peas, slightly mashed if needed to ensure they are soft and easy to handle.
• Softly cooked roasted zucchini, cut into finger-sized pieces.
• Diced roasted sweet potato or butternut squash, ensuring they are tender and easy to chew.
• Fresh blueberries, halved or quartered to prevent choking hazards.
• Fresh raspberries, gently broken into smaller, baby-sized portions.
• Banana, broken into small segments rather than slices, as segments are less slippery and easier for babies to grip.
• Avocado, diced and slightly mashed to achieve a soft and smooth texture. Ensure it’s ripe and very soft for easy eating.

TIP: A helpful guideline for starting finger foods is to offer pieces about the size of a pea. Foods should be soft enough to easily squish between your fingers. This size and texture make them easy for babies to pick up and eat, significantly reducing the risk of choking.

Finger Food Ideas: Carbohydrates for Baby

Incorporating complex carbohydrates into your baby’s diet through finger foods is beneficial for providing fiber, diverse textures, B vitamins, and sustained energy. Consider these carbohydrate-rich finger food options for your baby:

• Small pieces of whole-wheat toast, lightly buttered or with avocado.
• Soft-cooked pasta shapes (like penne or fusilli), plain or with a light sauce.
• Oatmeal fingers, baked until firm and cut into strips.
• Soft-cooked quinoa or rice, formed into small, manageable clumps.
• Whole grain crackers, choose low-sodium varieties and ensure they soften easily.
• Lightly toasted pita bread strips, perfect for dipping or eating plain.

Finger Food Ideas: Proteins for Baby

Offering a variety of proteins as finger foods is crucial for exposing your baby to a wide spectrum of essential nutrients. These protein-packed options are excellent for babies who are newer to finger foods—and are also great for toddlers:

• Shredded cheese (thicker shreds are generally easier for little fingers to grasp).
• Tofu, diced and lightly sautéed or steamed to a soft consistency.
• Flaked cooked wild salmon, ensure it is boneless and skinless.
• Lightly mashed meatballs, cut into quarters or smaller pieces.
• Shredded chicken, finely cut (our family enjoys sharing Butter Chicken with our baby, ensuring it’s shredded well).
• Ground beef, turkey, or chicken, cooked and broken into small, easily manageable pieces.
• Lightly mashed beans, such as black beans or chickpeas, offering both protein and fiber.
• Scrambled eggs, broken into small, soft pieces.
• Diced egg muffins, cut into baby-friendly sizes.

I’m always happy to answer your questions and love to hear about any finger foods your baby enjoys that aren’t listed here! Please share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below.

Best Early Finger Foods for Baby Recipe

As a general rule, aim to serve finger food pieces that are about the size of a pea initially. This size is easy for babies to handle, promotes self-feeding, and minimizes any choking risks. Remember to let your baby’s hunger cues guide portion sizes—start with small amounts to avoid food waste. The serving sizes provided are approximate, and nutritional information can vary based on the specific foods you choose.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Author: Amy Palanjian
Cuisine: American
Course: Baby Food
Calories: 124kcal
Servings: 1

Ingredients

First Finger Foods (Choose 1-3 per meal)

Fruits and Veggies

• 1/4 cup mashed roasted sweet potato (broken into small pieces)
• 1/4 cup warmed frozen peas
• 1/4 cup Roasted Zucchini
• 1/4 cup diced Roasted Sweet Potato or Butternut Squash
• 1/4 cup blueberries (cut in half or quarters)
• 1/4 cup raspberries (broken into small pieces)
• 1/4 cup banana slices (broken into small segments—they are less slippery this way versus slicing them)
• 2 tbsp avocado (diced and mashed slightly—be sure it’s ripe and very soft)

Whole Grains and Carbohydrates

(Original article is missing carb ingredients in recipe section, keeping it consistent)

Dairy & Proteins

• 2 tbsp Shredded cheese (such as mozzarella)
• 2 tbsp Tofu (diced and sauteed lightly or steamed)
• 2 tbsp flaked cooked wild salmon
• 1 lightly mashed meatball
• 2 tbsp finely shredded chicken (we love this Butter Chicken to share with baby)
• 2 tbsp ground beef, turkey, or chicken (broken into smaller pieces)
• 2 tbsp lightly mashed beans
• 1 Scrambled egg (broken up into small pieces)
• 1 Diced Egg muffin

Instructions

• For each meal or snack, choose 2-3 foods from a mix of food groups. Aim to include some healthy fat in most meals and protein in many too.
• Prepare the food, cutting into small pieces and/or mashing as necessary to make it easy and safe for your baby to eat.
• Begin with small portions and offer more as your baby indicates their hunger.

Recipe Notes

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
• Many foods that you already cook for your family can be adapted as baby finger foods. Just ensure they are soft enough to squish between your fingers and cut into small, chewable pieces.
• It’s very common for babies to make various facial expressions when trying new foods. Don’t assume they dislike something just because they wrinkle their nose!
• It can take time for babies to learn to enjoy new flavors and textures. Continue offering foods in small portions, even if they haven’t liked them in the past—and always make sure the food tastes good to you!

Nutrition

Calories: 124kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 164mg, Sodium: 81mg, Potassium: 344mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 9857IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 51mg, Iron: 1mg