As a parent, the thought of providing your baby with the best nutrition is always top of mind. Many moms and dads feel a strong pull towards making Homemade Baby Food, excited about offering fresh, wholesome meals to their little ones. However, the reality of a busy life with kids can make the idea of preparing baby food from scratch feel overwhelming. Between schedules, work, and other children, finding the time and energy seems like a huge challenge. The good news is that creating nutritious and delicious Stage 1 baby food purees at home is much simpler than you might think! There are numerous healthy and delicious foods that can be easily transformed into smooth, first-stage baby food with minimal effort and just a few basic kitchen tools.
Quick Tip: For all these recipes, a standard kitchen blender works perfectly. There’s no need to invest in specialized baby food makers unless you specifically want one.
Table of Contents
Simple Baby Food Recipes for 6 to 8 Month Olds
These homemade baby food recipes are specifically designed for babies who are just beginning their solids journey, typically around 6 to 8 months old, and are accustomed to thinner purees. However, these recipes are also perfectly suitable for older babies and toddlers. Each puree can be served individually, or you can get creative and combine them to introduce your baby to a wider range of flavors!
Pro Tip: To boost the nutritional value of these fruit and vegetable purees, consider adding healthy fats and protein. Stir in a spoonful of plain yogurt suitable for babies, creamy coconut cream, or even a dollop of homemade avocado puree to enhance both flavor and nutrition.
The Easiest Method for Making Homemade Baby Food
In my experience, the most straightforward and accessible method for preparing baby food at home is simply using a blender. With fresh, high-quality ingredients and a little water, breast milk, or formula to adjust the consistency, you can effortlessly create nutritious meals for your baby without needing any fancy or specialized equipment that you might only use for a short period.
Important Note: To ensure your blender works efficiently, start with at least 1 cup of your chosen base ingredient. This quantity is usually needed for the blender to effectively process and create a smooth puree.
Essential Tools for Homemade Baby Food Preparation
To get started with these simple homemade baby food recipes, you’ll need just a few basic kitchen tools:
- Blender: A standard blender is ideal. For smaller batches, a strong immersion blender can also work well.
- Liquid for Thinning: Have water, baby formula, or breast milk on hand to adjust the puree consistency as needed.
- Knife: A good kitchen knife for chopping fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces.
- Spoon & Bowls: For handling ingredients and serving the finished baby food.
- Ice Cube Trays: Perfect for freezing baby food in convenient portions.
- Freezer Bags: For storing frozen baby food cubes.
- Baby Food Storage Containers: Baby food storage containers are great for fridge storage and portability.
Optional Tool: If you prefer a single-purpose appliance, consider using one of the best baby food makers to streamline the process.
Understanding Stage 1 Baby Food
Stage 1 baby foods are designed for infants who are just starting to eat solids. These are typically very smooth, thin purees, making them easy for babies to manage in their mouths. Current recommendations suggest waiting until around 6 months to start solids. While store-bought Stage 1 foods are often marketed for babies 4+ months, and focus on low-allergen options, it’s beneficial for babies to experience some texture even in early purees.
Transitioning to Stage 2 Baby Food
Stage 2 baby foods usually have a slightly thicker consistency and may combine multiple ingredients, offering a broader range of flavors and nutrients. Most babies are ready for Stage 2 purees around 7-8 months old, or once they have comfortably mastered thinner purees. My approach to baby feeding incorporates both purees and baby-led weaning foods, so I focus more on baby’s developmental readiness rather than strictly adhering to age-based stages.
Convenient Backup: For those times when homemade isn’t feasible, I recommend Amara Organic Baby Food (paid affiliate link). These are dehydrated organic blends that you simply mix with breast milk, formula, or water for a quick and healthy meal.
Now, let’s explore 10 simple and nutritious homemade baby food puree recipes that require absolutely no cooking!
1. Avocado Puree
Making avocado puree for your baby is incredibly simple. All you need is a ripe avocado, a blender, and a touch of lemon juice if you plan to store it. If your avocado is perfectly soft, you can even mash it with just a fork! Avocado puree is an excellent first food as it’s low-allergen and packed with healthy fats essential for baby’s development.
Detailed Recipe: Find the full recipe for Avocado Puree for more tips and variations.
2. Bean Puree
Introducing a variety of food groups early is beneficial, and beans are a fantastic addition to your baby’s diet. You can easily make bean puree using chickpeas, pinto beans, black beans, or white beans. Simply blend cooked beans with water, formula, or breast milk to reach the desired consistency. Bean puree is delicious on its own or mixed with a little sweet potato baby food or butternut squash puree for added flavor and nutrients.
Detailed Recipe: Get the complete guide for making Bean Puree and explore different bean options.
3. Blueberry Puree
Using fresh or frozen blueberries, you can create a vibrant and antioxidant-rich blueberry puree. This simple berry puree is bursting with fresh flavor and beneficial nutrients. It’s delicious served on its own or mixed into plain whole milk yogurt or baby oatmeal. Keep in mind that blueberry puree tends to thicken as it chills in the refrigerator, so stir well before serving.
Detailed Recipe: Learn how to make Blueberry Puree in just minutes with this quick recipe.
4. Kiwi Puree
Kiwi puree offers a unique and tangy flavor that many babies enjoy, especially those who seem to have adventurous palates. It’s also a fun and easy puree to prepare and store. When making kiwi puree, it’s important to select very ripe and sweet kiwis. Taste the kiwi before pureeing to ensure it’s not overly tart. If it is a bit tart, you can balance the flavor by mixing it with banana or Instant Pot applesauce.
Detailed Recipe: Follow the recipe for Kiwi Puree to ensure the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
5. Mango Puree
Mango puree, made from fresh or thawed frozen mango, blends into a silky smooth puree in seconds. This tropical fruit puree is bright, flavorful, and packed with vitamins that support a healthy immune system. Similar to kiwi, taste your mango to ensure it’s sweet and ripe. If the mango is slightly tart, you can enhance its sweetness by blending it with Applesauce or ripe Banana Puree.
Detailed Recipe: Discover how to make Mango Puree in just 5 minutes for a quick and easy baby food.
6. Peach Puree
Transform fresh or thawed frozen peach slices into a delicate and smooth Stage 1 baby food with this simple blender method. While a high-powered blender can handle peach skin, for the smoothest puree, it’s best to strain it out. This step is quick and ensures a perfectly velvety texture. Peach puree is a delightful alternative to applesauce, offering a different flavor profile and nutritional benefits.
Detailed Recipe: Get the easy-to-follow recipe for Peach Puree and learn the best techniques for straining.
7. Whipped Peanut Butter
Whipped peanut butter might not be the first thing that comes to mind for baby food, but it’s a surprisingly nutritious and safe option. Introducing peanut butter early is now recommended to help reduce the risk of developing peanut allergies. To make whipped peanut butter baby food, simply mix water into unsweetened creamy peanut butter until it reaches a smooth, whipped consistency similar to yogurt. This method makes peanut butter safe and easy for babies to eat – it’s smooth, not too sticky, and packed with protein.
Important Information: Learn more about when and how to introduce peanut butter to your baby for safe introduction guidelines.
8. Pineapple Puree
Blend fresh or frozen pineapple chunks into a creamy and tropical baby food puree. Pineapple puree is delicious on its own or paired with plain whole milk yogurt. As with other fruits, taste your pineapple to ensure it’s not too tart. If it is, you can mellow the tartness by adding Apple Puree or ripe Banana Puree.
Detailed Recipe: Follow the simple steps for Pineapple Puree and bring a taste of the tropics to your baby’s palate.
9. Strawberry Puree
Fresh strawberries blend into a perfectly smooth homemade puree without needing any added liquid. Strawberry puree is naturally sweet and flavorful, and can be served as is or mixed with applesauce for a milder flavor. The taste of your strawberry puree will depend on the sweetness of your berries, so choose ripe, fragrant strawberries for the best results.
Detailed Recipe: Discover the quick method for making Strawberry Puree and enjoy the fresh berry flavor.
10. Banana Puree
Ripe bananas are ideal for making homemade baby food, requiring just a blender to transform them into a smooth puree. Banana puree is a classic first food for babies because it’s naturally sweet, easy to digest, and readily available. For the best flavor and digestibility, use ripe bananas with brown spots, which indicate they are at their peak sweetness and softer texture.
Detailed Recipe: Learn how to make perfect Banana Puree and tips for choosing the ripest bananas.
Homemade Baby Food Storage Tips
The most convenient way to store homemade baby food is to freeze it in ice cube trays. Simply pour your freshly made purees into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and transfer them to labeled freezer bags. Frozen homemade baby food can be stored for up to 3 months. This method is perfect for preparing baby food in batches and makes it easy to portion out individual servings for daycare or meals throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Baby Food
What are the best foods for baby-led weaning?
If you’re interested in baby-led weaning foods, follow this link for guidance. Opt for soft but easy-to-hold foods like roasted sweet potato sticks and steamed broccoli florets. You can also use any of these purees as a dip or pre-load them onto a spoon for baby to self-feed.
What are the best baby foods to start with?
Refer to my comprehensive baby food chart for month-by-month suggestions on introducing solids and expanding your baby’s palate.
What are some early finger foods to offer after homemade baby food purees?
Once your baby is comfortable with purees, you can introduce soft, small pieces of food. Find excellent ideas in my post about early finger foods for baby.
Essential Tips for Homemade Baby Food Success
- Start with Enough Ingredient: Use at least 1 cup of your base ingredient to ensure your blender has enough volume to process effectively and create a smooth puree.
- Adjust Consistency: Thin any homemade puree to the desired consistency by adding water, formula, or breast milk.
- Freeze for Freshness: Freeze any baby food you won’t use within 3 days. Freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer to freezer bags for storage up to 3 months. Thaw frozen baby food in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
- Taste Test Ingredients: Always taste fresh fruits to check for sweetness and ensure your puree isn’t too tart. To reduce tartness, mix with Banana Puree, Avocado Puree, Apple Puree, or Sweet Potato Baby Food.
- Boost Nutrition: To add healthy fats and protein, stir a little plain yogurt for babies, coconut cream, or Avocado Puree into fruit or vegetable purees.
- Liquid Options: Feel free to use breast milk or formula instead of water for thinning purees, which can add extra nutrients and familiar flavor.
- Flavor Combinations: Mix two purees together to introduce more complex flavors to your baby.
- Add Texture: For older babies ready for more texture, stir in baby oatmeal or hemp seeds to any puree.
- Explore More Recipes: For detailed instructions and variations, check out these individual puree recipes: Avocado Puree, Banana Puree, Bean Puree, Blueberry Puree, Kiwi Puree, Mango Puree, Pineapple Puree, Peach Puree, Strawberry Puree, Whipped Peanut Butter.
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I hope you find these simple homemade baby food recipes helpful! Please share your experiences and feedback in the comments below – I always appreciate hearing from you!
10 No-Cook Homemade Baby Food Recipes – Recipe Card
This section provides a quick recipe card for the 10 no-cook homemade baby food purees discussed.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 45 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Author: Amy Palanjian
Cuisine: American
Course: Baby Food
Calories: 42kcal
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 cup of your choice: blueberries, diced strawberries, diced peaches (peeled), diced kiwi (peeled), diced pineapple (peeled), diced banana (peeled), diced mango (peeled), diced avocado (peeled), OR beans (rinsed and drained)
- Water, formula, or breast milk as needed for thinning
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Choose your desired fruit, avocado, or beans and place them in a blender.
- If using blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, pineapple, mango, or beans, add ¼ cup of water and blend until smooth, adding more liquid as needed to achieve a thin, very smooth puree. If making avocado or banana puree, simply blend until smooth without adding water.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Equipment
- Blender or immersion blender
- Knife
- Spoon
- Bowls
- Ice cube tray (for freezing)
- Freezer bags or containers
Video
TIP: For more detailed information on baby food storage, including recommendations for the best small food storage containers, click here: baby food storage tips.
Recipe Notes
- For optimal blending, use at least 1 cup of your chosen base ingredient.
- Adjust the thickness of your homemade puree with water, formula, or breast milk to reach the perfect consistency for your baby.
- To freeze, pour puree into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer cubes to freezer bags and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Always taste your fresh ingredients to ensure they are sweet and ripe. If a puree is too tart, blend in a little Banana Puree, Avocado Puree, Applesauce, or Mashed Sweet Potato to balance the flavor.
- To enrich the puree with healthy fats and protein, stir in a spoonful of whole milk yogurt, coconut cream, or Avocado Puree.
- You can substitute breast milk or formula for water to add extra nutrition and flavor.
- Create exciting flavor combinations by mixing two different purees together.
- For babies ready for more texture, stir in baby oatmeal or hemp seeds.
- For more in-depth recipes and tips, refer to the individual puree guides linked throughout the article, including: Avocado Puree, Banana Puree, Bean Puree, Blueberry Puree, Kiwi Puree, Mango Puree, Pineapple Puree, Peach Puree, Strawberry Puree, Whipped Peanut Butter.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 0.25 cup, Calories: 42kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 40IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Leave a rating in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on Instagram!
This post was originally published in January 2020.
