Not only is making homemade baby food much easier than most people realize, but it can also save parents a ton of money, too. As convenient as those pouches and jars might be, they can get pretty pricey after a while — and there are only so many flavors and combinations on the shelves. Preparing baby and toddler meals from scratch ultimately exposes kids to a wider variety of flavors, textures, and nutrients.
Still, it can be tricky to figure out what to serve and when. While prepackaged baby food comes conveniently labeled with the corresponding age and stage, the same can't be said for the raw ingredients in the produce aisle.
The truth is, there are very few hard-and-fast rules about which foods should be introduced at what ages, and recommendations can vary from pediatrician to pediatrician (and patient to patient).
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The recipes that follow are generally considered to be appropriate for the ages listed, but it's always wise to check with the doctor before adding any new foods to a baby's diet. And the majority of these dishes only require the most basic of cooking skills (just chopping, steaming, and puréeing for the most part) — some even make use of cooked ingredients that might already be on the table!
Feeding babies and toddlers doesn't have to be stressful or incredibly expensive — it can even be fun! (For real.)
4 to 6 months: Peas
Eventually, these little green guys (which are filled with fiber, lutein, iron and more) will make a perfect first finger food — but until then, peas also make a fantastic purée (though some parents wait until kids are closer to the 6 months end of the spectrum). Frozen peas are just as nutritious as fresh — but beware canned, since they tend to be higher in sodium — and they couldn't be easier to prepare: Just steam and blend!
4 to 6 months: Apples
Babies and applesauces go together like, well, babies and applesauce. Apples are an ideal first food because they're super easy to digest, delicious, and filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Just peel, core, steam, and purée them. Yum!
4 to 6 months: Sweet Potato
A great choice for baby's first superfood? Sweet potatoes, of course: They're packed with vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, potassium, copper, and manganese, and little ones usually love them. Bake or steam the sweet potatoes before blending to a smooth consistency.
4 to 6 months: Pear
Just as baby-friendly as apples, pears are filled with vitamin C, copper, vitamin K, potassium, and fiber — and they're just as easy to prepare, too (peel, core, steam, purée).
4 to 6 months: Green Beans
It can be slightly tricky to get a super-smooth consistency when puréeing green beans, but it's definitely worth the effort. They're high in calcium, vitamin K and vitamin C, and very few babies are allergic to them. Pro-tip: Steam and blend frozen beans instead of fresh, as they tend to be less grainy.
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4 to 6 months: Butternut Squash & Apple
Once baby tolerates apples well, try adding another gentle food, like butternut squash. Not only is it sweet and smooth, it's got plenty of beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and folate. Bake or steam before blending!
4 to 6 months: Avocado & Banana
The very first taste of solid food a baby has is likely to be a mushy bite of banana, but the avocado is an excellent choice too — it's the most super of all the super first foods! Besides having fiber, protein, folic acid, zinc, riboflavin, and other nutrients, avocados are also high in brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, this combo has the added perk of not requiring any cooking at all (just mash them up and mix!).
4 to 6 months: Papaya
Known to aid in digestion, papayas are also great sources of beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C, B, and other nutrients — and, like bananas and avocado, they don't require cooking before puréeing! (Note: Some people recommend waiting until closer to 6 months for this one.)
4 to 6 months: Nectarine & Blueberry
Blueberries are another bona fide superfood because they're high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C. Nectarines are likewise a good source of folate and potassium. Make sure baby can tolerate both of these fruits on his or her own before combining them, and hold off on the blueberries until little ones are closer to the 6-month mark (once upon a time, there was a "no berries before 12 months rule," but now, most doctors say there's no reason to wait that long if no allergies are present).
4 to 6 months: Squash, Carrot & Rice Cereal
Carrots have caused some controversy in the homemade baby food world, as parents were once advised to feed babies jarred carrots instead of fresh, which can be higher in nitrates (or at least to hold off until the age of 7 or 8 months for fresh carrots). Whether jarred or fresh, they're nutritional powerhouses (filled with beta carotene) and are also very easy to digest. If nitrates are a concern, try adding a little bit of jarred carrots to this otherwise fresh combo!
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6 to 8 months: Apple, Pear & Blueberry
Once baby is past the introductory phase with foods, parents can start to have fun combining them in various ways — and this trio of favorites is sure to please! Take the skins off the apples and pears before steaming; blueberries can be blended raw.
6 to 8 months: Spinach, Broccoli & Couscous
Here's something a lot of people don't know about spinach: When it comes to calcium content, this leafy green is right up there with dairy products — and broccoli isn't too shabby in the calcium department either. Couscous, meanwhile, adds protein and even more fiber to this meal (just make sure baby can tolerate wheat).
6 to 8 months: Apple, Carrot & Parsnip
Parsnips might not be one of the first root vegetables that comes to mind when one thinks of baby food, but perhaps they should be: High in B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, iron, and calcium, they're similar to carrots but with a sweeter, nuttier flavor (and can be prepared the same way!).
6 to 8 months: Sweet Potato & Cauliflower
Like broccoli, cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable. So while it might make baby a little gassy (especially at first), it's incredibly good for her: Vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium are just a few of the nutrients it provides. Steam until very tender before puréeing!
6 to 8 months: Mango, Apple & Banana
Babies typically love mangoes, and that's a very good thing: This tropical fruit is a wonderful source of iron, potassium, vitamin C, and more. And as long as it's ripe enough, it doesn't even have to be steamed before blending!
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6 to 8 months: Butternut Squash, Oats & Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great way to give baby's purées a little kick, especially since this ancient spice has more than flavor going for it (like antioxidants, manganese, and fiber!).
6 to 8 months: Dried Apricots, Carrot & Mango
No fresh apricots? No problem! Dried apricots can be used to make a purée once they've been simmered for about 15 minutes (and they're high in iron, as well as beta carotene and lycopene).
6 to 8 months: Blueberry, Oatmeal & Date
Dates are yet another food people don't often associate with babies — but probably should: High in potassium and iron, they're a super healthy treat! Steam fresh dates and remove the skins before blending (or use the soft insides of a dried date).
6 to 8 months: Squash, Prune & Carrot
Since we're on the subject of dried fruits, it's worth mentioning that many babies will have a need for prunes at some point (the dried plums are famed for their digestive aid capabilities). They also mix well with a variety of other foods, like squash and carrot. Chop and steam them before serving!
6 to 8 months: Corn & Potato
Corn is generally well tolerated by most babies (though parents should check with the doctor before introducing it if their little one has eczema or allergies) and is high in fiber, while potassium-rich potatoes add some healthy carbs to this chowder-esque mix. Make sure the potatoes are fully cooked (either baked or steamed) and soft!
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6 to 8 months: Raspberry, Strawberry & Banana
Assuming baby has tried raspberries and strawberries on his or her own and had no adverse reactions (berries can be allergenic, sadly), this is a recipe that delivers lots of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium — and so much flavor!
8 to 10 months: Plum, Banana & Rolled Oat
Let's talk about the humble oat for a minute, because it actually has a lot to brag about: Oats are high in fiber, calcium, protein, and B vitamins. No wonder they've been a baby staple forever! This yummy porridge is easy to make, too (read the recipe here).
8 to 10 months: Broccoli & Asparagus With Tarragon
Yes, asparagus might result in a stinkier pee-filled diaper than usual — but that's a small price to pay for all the fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid. Another cool thing about this recipe? Tarragon is said to help relieve teething pain. Who knew? (Find instructions here.)
8 to 10 months: Tapioca with Chia Seeds & Fruit
Tapioca, which comes in pearls (these must be cooked until they're translucent) is gluten-free and easy to digest, and it pretty much absorbs the flavor of whatever's mixed with it. Try blending in some of baby's favorite fruits and adding some chia seeds, which are high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber.
8 to 10 months: Turkey with Pasta & Veggies
A great source of protein, turkey also has a mild taste babies tend to enjoy. If the rest of the family likes turkey, too, try tossing cooked turkey and a couple of sides (such as cooked pasta, carrots, and green beans) into a blender — that way, baby can dine on what everybody else is eating, too!
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8 to 10 months: Rice, Salmon, Tomato & Leek
Like avocados, salmon is another amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are extremely important for brain, nerve, and eye development. Adding arborio rice, leeks, and tomatoes also adds healthy carbs, vitamins, and lycopene. (Find the recipe here.)
8 to 10 months: Persimmon, Egg Yolk, Lentil, Tahini & Butternut Squash
While doctors used to advise against giving babies egg whites before 12 months because they can be allergenic, those guidelines have changed. For parents ready to introduce eggs, this recipe (found here) only involves the yolk, which is high in protein and iron. Tahini (sesame paste) is also high in iron, as well as calcium, phosphorous, zinc, B1, and fiber.
8 to 10 months: Chicken, Sweet Potato, Carrot & Peas
This recipe takes various ingredients that could easily be served on the grown-up table and turns them into a tasty, baby-friendly meal high in protein, vitamins, and minerals!
8 to 10 months: Red Lentil Dal & Green Beans
High in protein and fiber, red lentils are super soft when cooked. See tips for preparing baby lentils and mixing with veggies (such as green beans) here.
8 to 10 months: Apricot, Red Lentils & Quinoa
Also known as the "mother grain," quinoa is one of the most nutritious grains around (high in protein, fiber, B vitamins, and more). Try cooking the quinoa and red lentils together in a pressure cooker!
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8 to 10 months: Beet, Carrot & Celery
Beets do a lot more than add color to a baby's plate — they also offer folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and more. Celery is suitable for babies 8 months and up and offers more nutrients than one might expect (including vitamin K). Try roasting these ingredients together in a Dutch oven until soft before blending.
10 to 12 months: Egg with Avocado, Buckwheat & Quinoa
Heading into finger food territory? Scrambled eggs are a good one to start with (they're good for baby and easy for him to pick up!). As for buckwheat, don't be fooled by its name: It's not a grain at all; it's actually a seed that's high in iron, niacin, and folate (and it's easy to digest, too). Find instructions for cooking it here.
10 to 12 months: Sweet Potato & Pinto Beans
Rich in protein, fiber, folate, magnesium, iron, and potassium, pinto beans pair well with lots of things (like sweet potatoes), and it's fine to use the canned variety, though try to look for low-sodium if possible.
10 to 12 months: Peas, Corn & Zucchini
Zucchini, a form of "summer squash," is high in vitamins A and C, and there's no need to remove the skin before cooking (just wash the zucchini well!). Steam this combo together and toss it in the blender: Ta-da!
10 to 12 months: Quinoa, Pesto, Chicken & Green Beans
While the pine nuts typically used in pesto used to be on the off-limits list for babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics has changed its recommendations regarding the introduction of potentially allergenic foods — now, experts think eating these foods earlier might even help to prevent allergies. Talk to the doctor about risk factors first, or try a nut-free pesto (and/or dairy-free, depending on the child's needs).
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10 to 12 months: Chickpea, Brown Rice, Carrot & Sage
Like other legumes, chickpeas are high in zinc, manganese, folate, iron, and fiber (and as hummus fans know, they blend quite smoothly!). Steam the carrots and cook the brown rice separately, then blend with low-sodium canned chickpeas and a bit of chopped fresh sage (a member of the mint family that's high in vitamins A and K).
10 to 12 months: Kale, Peach & Mango Smoothie
It's breakfast in a straw cup! This smoothie is a yummy way to get little ones to try kale, which definitely lives up to the nutritional hype (it has tons of calcium, iron, and vitamins A and K, for example). Try this recipe (but feel free to leave out the ginger, which might be too strong in flavor for some babies).
10 to 12 months: Turkey, Sweet Potato, Pear, Green Beans & Corn
Another feast in easy-to-feed form: This mixture features cooked faves from the family table (plus a little pear for added sweetness). Note: Dark meat turkey generally makes for smoother purées than white meat does — though at this age chunkier purées are generally okay for most babies.
10 to 12 months: Papaya, Greek Yogurt & Quinoa
As long as no dairy allergy is present, Greek yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium for babies 6 months and up (though they should still stay away from straight cow's milk until the age of one). Go with the full-fat, plain version of the yogurt and add flavor and texture with papaya and quinoa!
10 to 12 months: Red Potato, Leek & Parsnip
Like mashed potatoes but healthier (and honestly, way more delicious), this mix benefits from the addition of leeks, which are high in vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Try roasting all of these together until soft, then cooling and blending!
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12 months and up: Carrot Muffins
Once the first birthday passes, there are few restrictions on what foods most babies can eat (provided they're not choking hazards). These mini carrot muffins deliver lots of veggie goodness in a fun, easy-to-eat package. Just cut them into very small pieces for young toddlers. Find the recipe here.
12 Months and up: Apple Oat Pancakes
What kid doesn't love pancakes? These are more dense (and nutrient-rich) than most, and don't even need extra butter or syrup! Recipe here.
12 months and up: Oats, Raspberry & Blueberry
Simple, easy, nutritious, and delicious: a bowl of oatmeal with milk of choice and fresh berries (cut into smaller pieces depending on age/chewing skills). Breakfast is served!
12 months and up: Corn & Quinoa Pasta, Broccoli & Tomato
Pasta is one of the best finger foods ever, and now there are so many options on the shelf — even for gluten-free kids. Try tossing together cooked corn and quinoa shells with chopped, sautéed broccoli and diced tomatoes for a simple yet complete meal.
12 Months and up: Rice Balls
A fun finger food with endless variations, rice balls are simple to make (see instructions here). Try adding steamed veggies, soft fruits, or any other finely chopped faves!
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12 months and up: Egg Muffins
Sort of like mini-quiche but healthier, these egg muffins can include any number of veggies and can also be made ahead of time for maximum convenience.
12 months and up: Steamed Veggies & Beans
Perfect for nights when everybody's in a rush and no one has had time to do the shopping, this meal only requires a can of beans and a bag of mixed frozen veggies, steamed together until soft and cut into bite-size pieces.
12 months and up: Spinach & Oatmeal Waffles
Instead of green eggs and ham, how about green waffles? This waffle mix is made from a cup of quick oats, an egg, a banana, a handful of spinach, and a splash of almond milk, blended together (add a sprinkle of cinnamon for good measure, too).
12 months and up: Fish Fingers
These aren't the frozen "fish sticks" most of us grew up with! Making fish fingers from scratch is easier than one might think, and the coating can be customized with herbs to suit individual toddlers' tastes. Try this recipe as inspiration!
12 months and up: Chunky Summer Veggie Pasta
With such starring ingredients as zucchini, basil, asparagus, and leek, this pasta is loaded with vitamins and flavor — and the whole family will love it. Recipe here.
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