These creative homemade baby food recipes prove that it's easy to make your own baby food with the right inspiration!
If you find yourself in a rut feeding your baby the same few things over and over, try some of these ideas to introduce new flavors without spending too much time in the kitchen. Parent-recommended baby food makers and storage containers will make the job easier, too!
From first foods to finger foods, we're collecting the best homemade baby food recipes for purees, chunky blends, muffins, and teething relief.
Healthy Baby Rusks Teething Biscuits
Age 6+ months
Vanessa M.: Making your own teething biscuits is not as difficult as you'd think, and you will have the assurance that your baby isn't eating added sweeteners, artificial flavors/colors, or preservatives. To make this recipe, simply boil sweet potato alongside a chamomile tea bag to give it a gentle flavor. Puree the sweet potato, then mix with oat flour and coconut oil until it creates a soft dough. Roll, slice, and bake!
From My Kids Lick the Bowl
Easy 4 Ingredient Turkey Meatballs for Baby
Vanessa M.: When your baby is ready for finger foods, Easy 4 Ingredient Turkey Meatballs are just the thing to satisfy your baby's hungry tummy. The super soft texture is ideal for babies with few teeth, and the high protein keeps those growing bodies happy. Lean ground turkey is blended with steamed sweet potato, oatmeal baby cereal, and unsweetened applesauce, then rolled into mini meatballs that are baked.
From Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Basic Chicken & Apple Baby Food
Age 7/8+ months
Vanessa M.: This recipe for Basic Chicken & Apple Baby Food is a great way to introduce meat into your baby's diet. Chicken breasts and Pink Lady apples steam together in foil packets and are then pureed with added water to reach the desired consistency. The sweetness of the apples flavors the chicken beautifully, so your little one will be sure to baby sign for "more, more"!
From Buona Pappa
Baby Cereal Pancakes
Vanessa M.: Baby cereal makes nutritious and tasty pancakes that are perfect for babies at the finger food stage. Whole wheat flour, barley or rice baby cereal, and oat baby cereal are mixed together with mashed banana, eggs, and infant formula or the milk of your choice. Melted butter and apple juice are optional ingredients as well as seasonings like cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla.
From Momtastic Wholesome Baby Food
Banana, Avocado & Apple Baby Muffins
Vanessa M.: Banana, Avocado & Apple Baby Muffins are tasty oat-based muffins that have no added sugar. They are naturally sweetened with bananas, avocado, and applesauce, and are nutrient dense due to all the wholesome ingredients. Older babies and toddlers will love this good-for-you snack; they are great to have for breakfast as well!
From My Fussy Eater
Banana + Tofu + Pear
Vanessa M.: Don't let the tofu scare you away from this recipe. Not only is it protein-packed with natural plant protein and vitamins, but it is easy to prepare and tastes like a banana milkshake! Its natural sweetness wins babies over every time. Simply blend banana, sprouted tofu, and pear together. Freezes great too.
From Baby FoodE
Quinoa Ratatouille
Vanessa M.: This recipe does require some stovetop cooking, but in about 15-20 min you can make a hearty, healthy meal that will satisfy your little one. Quinoa Ratatouille combines protein-packed quinoa with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes with basil, onion, and garlic.
From Love and Duck Fat
Butternut Squash + Cherries + Flax Seeds
Age 6+ months
Vanessa M.: This recipe blends steamed butternut squash, gently steamed cherries, and flax seeds together to create a superfood blend that is perfect for babies. Flax seeds are high in Omega-3 and high in fiber. The texture is great for storing in reusable food pouches, making it a healthy meal when you are on the go.
From Baby FoodE
Baby Chia Pudding
Age 8+ months
Vanessa M.: Baby Chia Pudding is a tasty way to introduce babies to the health benefits of chia seeds. Chia seeds are loaded with healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, which helps with brain, eye, and nervous system development. It is also high in protein and is easily digested by babies. In this recipe, chia seeds are stirred into melted coconut oil with cinnamon, vanilla, and the natural sweetener of your choice such as maple syrup or coconut nectar, then stirred together with coconut milk for a creamy and healthy pudding. Bonus: no pureeing or cooking required!
From Fried Dandelions
Baby Food Vegetable Lasagna
Age 8+ months
Vanessa M.: Even babies can enjoy the flavors of homemade lasagna with this easy recipe for Baby Food Vegetable Lasagna. Carrots, zucchini, garlic, onion, and pasta blend together with tomato paste, oregano, parmesan, and ricotta cheese. This is a great recipe to adapt for certain ages - you can cook it until it is extra soft and puree finely for younger babies, or pulse it in your blender to make a chunkier version for older babies.
From Love and Duck Fat
Beet, Blueberry, and Banana Puree
Vanessa M.: This recipe for Beet, Blueberry, and Banana Puree produces a brightly colored, sweet puree that even the pickiest baby will devour. Beets are exceptionally healthy for everyone, even babies, as they contain high amounts of calcium, potassium, and vitamin K. Simply steam beets for 15-20 minutes, then puree with fresh blueberries and bananas. To minimize staining, you may find it more convenient to use reusable or disposable baby food pouches.
From Little Mashies
Chicken and Corn with Cilantro Puree
Age 9-12 months
Vanessa M.: This easy recipe for Chicken and Corn with Cilantro Puree is a great way to introduce your baby to the unique flavor of cilantro. By steaming the cilantro along with the chicken, corn, and brown rice, the flavor becomes mellow enough for tiny taste buds to enjoy. After steaming, it only takes a few seconds to puree it all together to a baby-friendly consistency.
From Baby Bullet Blog
Kale, Pear, and Carrot Baby Puree
Age 6+ months
Vanessa M.: Kale doesn't usually make its way into our baby's food, but blogger Barbara of Bouna Pappa says it should! Kale is packed with essential vitamins like A, C, and K, and has more bone-building calcium than milk. It is also a great way to add iron to your baby's diet. This recipe for Kale, Pear, and Carrot Baby Puree steams the ingredients before pureeing them and thinning with water.
From Bouna Pappa
Peach + Cauliflower Baby Puree with Ginger
Age 6+ months
Vanessa M.: Combining vitamin-rich cauliflower and sweet peaches with the zesty taste of freshly grated ginger creates a baby food puree with perfectly balanced flavors. It has some amazing health benefits as it is so packed with nutrients that are just what growing babies need. Did you know ginger soothes upset tummies and acts as a natural remedy for gassiness? Just remember a little bit of ginger goes a long way!
From Baby FoodE
Baby Oatmeal Recipe to Help Your Baby Sleep
Vanessa M.: This recipe for Baby Oatmeal was created with ingredients that will help baby sleep better at night. Baby oat cereal, bananas, and chamomile tea all have specific properties like potassium and magnesium to soothe and calm your baby. Bananas add sweetness babies love!
From Pregnant Mama Baby Life
Primary photo: Caroline Attwood on Unsplash
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
