Making homemade baby food is an excellent way to ensure your little one is getting fresh, nutrient-packed meals tailored to their needs. Plus, it can be surprisingly easy, cost-effective, and fun to prepare! Whether you’re a seasoned parent or just starting your baby food-making adventures, this guide has everything you need—from simple beginner recipes to more adventurous combinations for older babies.

Here are some easy and delicious recipes, tips for preparation, storage advice, and suggestions for introducing new flavors to help your baby enjoy the world of food.

Why Make Homemade Baby Food?

Homemade baby food has lots of benefits for both you and your little one:

  • Fresh and nutritious: You can control exactly what goes into your baby's meals. No preservatives, added sugar, or excess salt—just pure, wholesome food.
  • Cost-effective: Store-bought baby food jars and pouches can add up over time. Homemade purees often use ingredients you already have at home, keeping costs low.
  • Flavor flexibility: Introducing your baby to homemade meals lets you adjust flavors and textures over time, helping them develop a taste for a wide variety of foods.
  • Allergy awareness: You’ll know exactly what’s in the food and can easily avoid allergens or foods that don’t work for your baby.

If you’re ready to get started, dust off your blender or food processor and keep reading for a collection of easy, nutritious recipes that babies will love.

Stage 1 Purees (4–6 Months): Single-Ingredient Purees

At this stage, babies are just starting solids, so it’s best to stick to smooth, simple purees made from single ingredients. These are gentle on their digestive systems and give them a chance to adjust to new flavors.

1. Sweet Potato Puree

  • Ingredients: 1 medium sweet potato
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Peel the sweet potato, chop it into small chunks, and steam or boil until soft (about 15 minutes).
    2. Blend the cooked sweet potato with a splash of water, breast milk, or formula until smooth.
    3. Serve or store.
  • Why It’s Great: Sweet potatoes are full of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber, making them a hearty first food for babies.

2. Banana Puree

  • Ingredients: 1 ripe banana
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Simply mash the banana with a fork or blend with a small amount of liquid if needed for a smoother consistency.
    2. Serve immediately, as bananas can brown quickly.
  • Why It’s Great: Bananas are naturally sweet, easy to digest, and packed with potassium and energy-boosting carbohydrates.

3. Carrot Puree

  • Ingredients: 2 medium carrots
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Peel and chop the carrots, then steam or boil until fork-tender.
    2. Blend while still warm, adding breast milk, formula, or water for a silky texture.
  • Why It’s Great: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and have a naturally sweet taste that babies often enjoy.

Stage 2 Purees (6–8 Months): Combination Purees

As your baby gets older, their palate expands and their digestive system matures. This is the time to start combining flavors and introducing new textures.

1. Apple and Pear Puree

  • Ingredients: 1 apple, 1 pear
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Peel, core, and chop the apple and pear into small pieces.
    2. Steam or boil the fruit until soft (about 10 minutes).
    3. Blend the apple and pear together until smooth. Add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor!
  • Why It’s Great: Apples and pears are loaded with vitamins and natural sweetness, making this a tasty pairing.

2. Avocado and Banana Mash

  • Ingredients: 1/2 ripe avocado, 1/2 ripe banana
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Mash the avocado and banana together with a fork or blend for an ultra-smooth consistency.
    2. Serve immediately.
  • Why It’s Great: Avocados are a great source of healthy fats, while bananas add natural sweetness and energy. Together, they make an irresistible combo.

3. Spinach, Pea, and Zucchini Puree

  • Ingredients: A handful of fresh spinach, 1/2 cup peas, 1 small zucchini
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Steam the spinach, peas, and chopped zucchini until tender.
    2. Blend with water, breast milk, or formula until smooth. Add more liquid for a thinner consistency.
  • Why It’s Great: This vibrant green puree is packed with iron, vitamin C, and fiber—perfect for a growing baby.

Stage 3 Purees (8+ Months): Chunkier Textures and Bold Combos

Older babies are ready for more adventurous flavors and slightly chunkier textures. At this stage, you can start introducing protein sources like chicken or beans into their diet.

1. Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Spinach Puree

  • Ingredients: 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast, 1 small sweet potato, a handful of spinach
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Cook the sweet potato and spinach until soft.
    2. Blend with the cooked chicken, adding liquid as needed for your desired consistency.
  • Why It’s Great: This hearty puree is packed with protein, iron, and potassium—perfect for growing little ones.

2. Blueberry and Oatmeal Puree

  • Ingredients: 1/4 cup cooked oats, 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Cook the oats until soft, adding a bit of breast milk or formula while cooking for creaminess.
    2. Blend the oatmeal with the blueberries until smooth or leave it slightly textured for older babies.
  • Why It’s Great: This puree combines the fiber and antioxidants of blueberries with the filling goodness of oatmeal—a great breakfast or snack.

3. Lentil, Carrot, and Apple Puree

  • Ingredients: 1/4 cup cooked lentils, 1 carrot, 1/2 apple
  • How to Prepare:
    1. Steam or boil the carrot and apple until soft.
    2. Blend the cooked lentils with the carrot and apple, adding liquid to achieve the right texture.
  • Why It’s Great: Lentils are a fantastic source of plant-based protein and iron, balanced by the natural sweetness of carrots and apples.

Tips for Success

  1. Start Slow: Introduce one new food at a time every 3-5 days to watch for allergies or sensitivities.
  2. Batch Cook: Save time by making large batches of purees and freezing them in ice cube trays. Simply pop out a cube or two when it’s mealtime.
  3. Mix It Up: Once you’ve ruled out allergies, begin combining familiar ingredients to create playful and exciting new flavors.
  4. Mind the Texture: Adjust consistencies for your baby’s stage. Younger babies need silky smooth purees, while older ones enjoy chunkier textures.

Storage Tips

Homemade baby food can be stored safely by following a few simple guidelines:

  • Refrigerate: Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the fridge.
  • Freeze: Divide purees into small portions (ice cube trays work well), freeze, and transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Always label containers with the name and date to ensure freshness.

With these simple, nutritious puree recipes and helpful tips, mealtime can become a joyful and stress-free experience for you and your baby. Some days your baby may gobble up every bite, and other days, they may stubbornly refuse. That’s okay because it’s all part of the learning process.