If your baby has started reaching for a taste of your food, it could be that she is eager to try something besides pureed peas. When it comes to your little ones' first finger-fed bites, you want to serve up something nutritious, tasty, and easy to gnash and swallow. We've found just the stuff!
From yummy breakfasts to delectable dinners, these recipes won't take long to make and will make baby smile as he feeds himself.
What are your baby's favorite finger foods?
Image via Elena Shashkina/shutterstock
Sweet Potato Snacks
Merissa of Little House Living created these Sweet Potato Snacks, which are free of nuts, gluten, dairy, soy, and corn, to accommodate her little guy's food allergies. She notes that the tiny shapes are perfect for little hands to grab.
Mini Chicken & Carrot Meatballs
Baby will love these succulent little Mini Chicken & Carrot Meatballs, created by Michele of Baby Foode.
"These mini chicken and carrot meatballs are a perfect first finger food for baby, but don't be surprised when the rest of the family starts popping them in their mouths as well," she says. "Filled with ground chicken, carrots, spinach and applesauce, these mini meatballs are a healthy (and completely addicting) food for baby and the entire family!"
Broccoli & Cheddar Nuggets
Broccoli & Cheddar Nuggets incorporate cooked and chopped broccoli and shredded cheese in one yummy bite. Bread crumbs give these little fritters a nice crust. They're baked, not fried, making them a bit of a healthier, handheld snack for the whole family.
Fruit Salad
Dicing up apples, berries, and melons and making your own Fruit Salad is a great way to get baby some nutrients and antioxidants. It's a sweet afternoon snack to tide your little one over 'til dinner.
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Apple Turkey Loaf Slices
if you want to feed baby a tasty and nutritious dinner, try this Apple Turkey Loaf. You can slice it and then break it up into smaller pieces. It's soft and smoother because it's made with ground turkey and pureed carrots.
Sweet Potato Fries
Can anyone resist Sweet Potato Fries? Let baby know what he's been missing while eating only the pureed form of this spud. A dash of cinnamon and a sprinkling of brown sugar make these an easy-to-eat treat the whole family can enjoy together.
Whole Wheat Apple & Oat Pancakes
Dana of 3 Boys Unprocessed says she loves serving up her Whole Wheat Apple & Oat Pancakes because "oats provide long-lasting energy and are iron rich, so I feel good about feeding them to my toddler and baby as well."
Carrot & Apple Muffins
Carrot & Apple Muffins from Kristy at Southern In Law make a yummy and healthy breakfast for baby! Made with applesauce, grated carrots and apples, this is a nice soft start to your little one's list of morning entrées.
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Baked Apple Rings
Baked Apple Rings and baked apple chips are a delicious and healthy snack — especially when they're sprinkled with cinnamon! Put your apple corer to good use!
Mac & Cheese Cups
You can make these adorable Mac & Cheese Cups right in your mini muffin tins. Recipe creator Sarah of Live a Little Wilder says they make an awesome finger food, and they reheat well too!
