Baby Food Recipes
Deciding what to make for baby when they start eating solids can be a little daunting, so I wanted to put together a resource that breaks it down by age. Included in this post you’ll find ideas for what to feed a 6 month old baby, an 8 month old baby, a 10 month old baby, and a 1 year old. Each child is unique, has a unique appetite, and will progress through the phases of starting solids differently, so adjust as needed for your child. (You can refer to my post on the best First Foods for Baby-Led Weaning, too.) Keep in mind that babies should avoid most added sugars and salt for baby should be limited, so simply eliminate them as needed from any recipes. If you’re making something to share with a baby, you can salt your serving to taste. (You can also try Homemade Baby Food Combinations, my Baby Pancakes, and the yummiest Baby Pasta.)
Baby Food Recipes 6+ Months
Offering a 6 month old baby nutritious, flavorful foods is a great way to set them up to experience a range of flavors starting solids. Some babies will show more interest in food than others, so don’t worry if your baby takes a month or so to get into food…or dives right in from the start! Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox. You can of course use Baby Oatmeal and Baby Rice Cereal, and feed these purees to baby or offer them on a preloaded spoon so baby can feed herself. You can find the full information on the baby led weaning style of feeding.
Apple Puree
Learn how to make fresh, homemade apple puree in minutes with this SUPER quick and easy method.
Easy Avocado Puree
Learn how to make SO EASY avocado puree for your baby—and the best way to prevent it from browning so you can store leftovers for later.
Banana Puree Baby Food
Turning ripe banana into a super smooth baby food is quick and easy. Which makes this Banana Puree baby food a great one to start with and make often as your baby explores solid foods!
Best Broccoli for Baby (Puree and BLW-Style)
Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse that is easy to prepare for babies. Learn how to make broccoli puree, BLW-style broccoli, and broccoli finger foods.
Butternut Squash Baby Food Puree
Transforming a whole or precut butternut squash puree into smooth, silky baby food is so easy.
Favorite Carrot Baby Food
Turn fresh carrots into a simple, nourishing Carrot Baby Food with this easy method—whether or not you have a baby food maker.
Cantaloupe for Baby
Learn safe ways to serve cantaloupe to a baby (and to toddlers) with this easy guide.
5-Minute Mango Puree
Learn the easiest way to transform fresh or frozen mango into a smooth homemade baby food with this easy Mango Puree.
Easy Green Bean Baby Food
Learn how to make quick and flavorful Green Bean Baby Food as a baby-led weaning food or as a Stage 1 or 2 puree. (You may also like my Boiled Green Beans as a BLW option.)
5-Minute Peach Puree
Transform ripe peaches into perfectly smooth Peach Puree that babies, toddlers, and us grown ups will love.
Easy Pear Puree
Learn how to make the EASIEST Pear Puree for your baby or toddler with a super simple method and the best flavor.
Easiest Pea Puree
This super simple Pea Puree is so fresh and delicious. It’s an easy baby food or side dish that you can add flavor to as desired.
Fresh Raspberry Puree
Learn how to blend up the easiest Raspberry Puree as a Stage 1 baby food—or as a simple fruit sauce to stir into yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal, or with pancakes.
Favorite Sweet Potato Baby Food
With one super simple cooking method, you can roast sweet potato wedges to serve one of three yummy ways—BLW style, mashed, or pureed into classic sweet potato puree.
Quinoa for Babies (Quinoa Baby Food)
Transform nutrient-rich quinoa into a delicious baby food—with options for older kids and parents to share it—with this simple method.
Favorite Zucchini Baby Food
Learn the easiest way to make flavorful Zucchini Baby Food—with options for baby-led weaning zucchini and also zucchini puree—with one simple method.
Baby Food Recipes 7/8+ Months
Once baby has had a range of foods, you can start offering more textures and combinations such as the recipes and ideas below.
Easy Mango Smoothie
This Mango Smoothie recipe is super dialed-in to ensure it’s creamy, naturally sweet, and easy to make. Serve in a pouch or a straw cup.
Strawberry Smoothie Recipe with Yogurt
If your kids love those expensive bottles of drinkable yogurt at the grocery store or you’re looking for a super simple (and super yummy) smoothie recipe, you have to try this one.
Extra Veggie Marinara Sauce
Add extra veggies to your next pot of marinara sauce for more nutrition and the classic flavor that your family expects. (You may also like my Vegetable Sauces for Pasta.)
Banana Bread Oatmeal
Share this naturally sweet oatmeal recipe that relies on ripe banana for amazing flavor.
Shortcut Butternut Squash Risotto
This shortcut Butternut Squash Risotto has a super simple method and make-ahead steps so you can cook this family meal even when the littles are underfoot!
How to Make Overnight Oats
They pack protein, probiotics, vitamin C, fiber, and healthy fats—and all you need to do to make them is to stir the ingredients together and let it hang out in the fridge while you sleep!
Red Lentil Sweet Potato Soup
With rich flavors and a creamy texture, this is a yummy soup to share with a baby.
Creamy Carrot Soup
With fruits, veggies, and beans for creaminess and added nutrients, this is a delicious soup to share with a baby.
Baby Food Recipes 9+ Months
Continue offering nutrient rich fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, protein, iron-rich foods for kids, and some dairy such as plain whole milk yogurt. Most babies in the 9-10 month range are able to pick up and eat pea-size pieces of food, so aim for about that size with their finger foods and be sure to dice them up. Foods should also continue to be soft, so make sure the foods are easy to squish between your fingers. Soft finger foods are great for this age (they’re often called “Stage 3 baby foods“). Babies at this age can eat many of the same foods as the rest of the family, but still may need extra attention to the size of their food (a small dice is good) and the texture. Continue to avoid anything too crunchy, sticky, or hard.
Extra-Veggie Baby Pasta
Serve up a filling, yummy baby meal with this easy Baby Pasta. It includes a tomato based sauce with extra veggies and beans blended in for an iron-rich meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
2-Ingredient Baby Pancakes
Made with just egg and a fruit or a veggies, these baby pancakes are super simple and super tender. A perfect first pancake!
zucchini slice
With just a few simple ingredients, you can bake up this Zucchini Slice. It’s great as a BLW Breakfast or meal, and can be diced up for babies.
Easy Carrot Hummus
This easy Carrot Hummus recipe, which packs in a cup of fresh carrots, is an easy baby meal. Spread onto a toast stick or serve off of a spoon.
Moroccan Lamb Meatballs
With a mellow, kid-friendly flavor, veggies tucked inside, and an easy baking method that makes cleanup a breeze, these Lamb Meatballs are a delicious recipe to share with a baby. Dice up to serve.
Simple Sauteed Apples with Cinnamon
Made with just three ingredients (and no added sugar!), these simple Sauteed Apples are a yummy way to serve apples to babies. Dice small to serve. (These Baked Apples work, too.)
Quick Sauteed Cinnamon Pears
Whenever I have a few pears on hand—or pears that just won’t ripen—I love turning them into these cooked pears. Cook until soft and dice to serve.
Quick and Easy Sesame Tofu
Tofu is one of my go-to affordable protein sources and after serving it to my kids enough times, they finally like it and I can never seem to make enough.
Favorite Sweet Potato Pancakes
These healthy Sweet Potato Pancakes are made with whole grains, taste naturally sweet, and are a yummy way to pack some veggies into breakfast.
Easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Made with just a few wholesome ingredients, this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal cooks up fast and easily—which is exactly what you want in a breakfast!
ABC Baby Muffins (with Apple, Banana, and Carrot!)
Made with a nutrient-packed ingredient list, these tender Baby Muffins are a perfect first muffin.
Baked Oatmeal Cups with Cinnamon and Raisins
These easy Baked Oatmeal Cups are an ideal way to serve oatmeal to babies, baby-led weaning style, and to toddlers who like to feed themselves.
Banana Spinach Pancakes
These sweet Banana Spinach Pancakes are a favorite when you’re looking to boost nutrition in a favorite breakfast option.
Pastina Soup
This cozy soup is filled with soft textures and can be served more or less brothy.
Extra-Veggie Minestrone
This is a great soup for babies eating finger foods and is so easy to make, too.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets (with Sweet Potato)
They’re packed with nutrition and have a veggie right in the mix for an extra healthy punch.
Healthy Mashed Potatoes with Broccoli
It’s quick and so yummy and is one of our favorite family side dishes to share.
Sweet Spinach Muffins with Banana
Each bite is packed with nutrients from greens and fruit—and the interior is so moist that even babies can enjoy these easy blender muffins!
10-Minute Pan-Seared Chicken
With just 3 simple ingredients and a 10-minute cooking time, this Healthy Pan-Seared Chicken is such a great weeknight dinner option. Shred into small pieces to serve.
Easy Stewed Peaches
Learn how to transform ripe peaches into delicious Stewed Peaches to serve as a simple snack, over oatmeal, or with yogurt. Dice small to serve.
Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Hash
With an easy method, this Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Hash is a simple breakfast-for-dinner idea that comes together super fast. Dice everything into small pieces to serve.
Best Baked Salmon Cakes (Salmon Patties)
Learning how to make Salmon Cakes is easy—and it’s a convenient and affordable way to serve healthy fish to a family.
Best Healthy Meatball Recipe (with Veggies)
With three kinds of veggies and the texture and flavor your kids expect, this Healthy Meatball recipe is a perfect family dinner option.
Homemade Baby Food Recipes for 1 Year Old
As your baby turns into a toddler, they can continue eating the same types of food—and you can keep expanding the textures you offer. And remember to offer a variety of foods for the best range of nutrients and foundation of flavors. These are some of our favorite recipes for 1-year-olds.
Favorite Baby Cookies
With a few flavor options—and a chance to use up lingering baby food purees including sweet potato, apple, and banana!—these are both nutritious and yummy.
Easy Zucchini Fritters Recipe
This idea is really great in the summer because it’s an easy way to use a lot of zucchini, but it also works at any time of the year.
Baked Banana French Toast Sticks
Make a batch of these super yummy French Toast Sticks to share with the kids. It’s so much easier to bake French Toast, rather than standing by the stove flipping each slice, and the leftovers store so well for future meals!
5-Ingredient Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
If your family loves creamy, cheesy pasta and you’re looking for a simple way to up their veggie intake—because aren’t we always?!—this super simple 5-Ingredient Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese needs to be on your menu asap.
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
With a simple cheese sauce—no standing and stirring over the stove here!—a solid dose of veggies, and a super creamy final result, this Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a fast lunch or dinner option for toddlers.
Easy Cheesy Rice (With Veggies!)
It’s SO easy, versatile, and stores wonderfully in the fridge. And it’s downright delish!
Easy Cheese Crackers Recipe
Mix up this easy-to-work-with cracker dough, then let the kids help roll and cut their way to the yummiest homemade Cheese Crackers recipe.
Homemade Broccoli Tots
With a handful of accessible, nutritious ingredients, you can bake Broccoli Tots that are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Favorite Cauliflower Tots
With just 6 simple ingredients, including nutrient-packed quinoa, these Cauliflower Tots are a healthy homemade finger food the kids (and the parents) will enjoy.
Quick & Easy Sauteed Carrots
They’re ready from start to finish in under 20 minutes—and the end result is tender, naturally sweet carrots.
Simple Green Smoothie Recipe for Kids
Start the day (or snack time!) with a simple Green Smoothie that’s designed to taste good and be easy to make—so it’s not too thick, includes accessible ingredients, and is sweet enough to help kids enjoy every sip.
Quick Spinach Pesto with Pasta and Peas
It’s mild, easy to make, and is a super quick family dinner that’s ready in about 20 minutes!
Big Batch Vegetarian Bean Chili Recipe
I love that this chili recipe is packed full of beans and veggies, making it a great source of Vitamin C and A, as well as vegetarian protein and fiber.
What foods can I puree for my baby?
You can puree any foods that you’d like to spoon feed your baby by adding a little breastmilk, formula, or water to the desired consistency.
What is the best food for baby to start with?
You can feel free to go with a nutrient dense fruit, vegetable, or baby cereal, or with something rich in iron such as beef. The rules have relaxed a lot in recent years, so as long as the food is a single food without added sugars or salts, there are really a lot of options! TIP: Find my best 10 No-Cook Baby Foods.
How do you make baby food with a blender?
You can puree almost any soft food in a blender simply by adding enough water to get the blender to blend. It’s often not possible to do a small quantity in a regular blender, but you can do 1-2 cups and freeze small portions in an ice cube tray. Just transfer the frozen cubes to a zip top freezer bag for storing baby food longer.
What’s the deal with baby food stages?
When starting to think about starting solids with baby, you’ll see a lot of labels of baby food stages. Learn what the terms Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 mean related to baby food—and the ages and recommended recipes that correspond to each. Baby Food Stages can be helpful to understand, though they are just a general guide.
I’d love to hear which recipes your baby liked best, so please comment below to share!
Sample Daily Toddler Meal Plan (And Feeding Schedules)
20 Easy Baby Meals
Master List of Baby Snacks
Best Baby Food Combinations
This post was first published September 2019.
