Best Pumpkin Baby Food Plus Flavor Combos

Fall and winter are a great time of year to make fresh baby food—and pumpkin is a nutrient-dense option to have in the mix. If you are out and about at farm stands or the local pumpkin patch, look for a pie pumpkin and plan to make some puree! You can serve pumpkin baby food plain, with added healthy fats (such as avocado, coconut, or yogurt), or with other baby foods to make baby food combinations. It’s a mellow-tasting baby food to make and enjoy during the fall. And you can easily freeze it for future easy baby meals. (You may also like Apple Puree, Acorn Squash Baby Food, Carrot Baby Food, and Baby Snacks.)

Ingredients You Need

To make this pumpkin baby food, here’s a look at what you’ll need to have on hand and ready to go. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.

Pie pumpkin: You need a pie or sugar pumpkin—not the kind you buy to carve into a jack-o’-lantern—for the best flavor. I made this recipe with a Winter Density Squash, an heirloom variety grown by one of our local farmers. Olive oil, butter, or other oil: To ensure that the pumpkin slices don’t stick to the pan and to add beneficial fats to the mix, I like to add oil to the recipe. Optional spices or herbs such as cinnamon, rosemary, sage, or cumin.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at how to make this pumpkin baby food recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information, including the amounts and the timing. TIP: The amount of puree you wind up with will depend on the size of your pumpkin.

Baby Food Combinations with Pumpkin Puree

You can combine this simple puree with an equal amount of the following purees:

Apple Puree Banana Puree Pear Puree Avocado Puree Plain whole-milk yogurt Full fat coconut milk Baby Oatmeal

TIP: You can also get creative and add it to any other baby foods that sound good!

How to Store

Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze, add the cooled puree to a silicone ice cube tray and freeze until firm, then transfer cubes to a zip top freezer bag and store for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Find more about freezing baby food since this is a great way to keep the batch fresh.

Best Tips for Success

Stir in a little olive oil, butter, or avocado oil to add flavor and healthy fats to the puree before serving. Serve plain or combine with another baby food. Serve the puree on a spoon or add to a Homemade Baby Food Pouch. You can also use this puree in other recipes including Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins, Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes, Pumpkin Smoothies, and Pumpkin Oatmeal for older kiddos (and parents).

I’d love to hear your feedback on this baby food recipe if you try it—I love hearing from you all!