Canned baby food tastes horrible. It has a slightly saltier, bland taste, but cooking and pureeing your own takes forever. That’s why I like to make my baby food from ingredients I don’t have to cook. Besides, any food your baby takes before the age of 9 months is just for practice anyways.
There are many different ingredients you can use to make No-cook baby food, but here are my favorites:
- Avocado
- Banana
- Peas
- Pears
- Berries (Strawberries & Blueberries)
- Baby Spinach
- Apple Sauce (unsweetened)
- Plain Whole-milk Yogurt
- Mango
I introduce foods like these around 6 to 8 months, but only after they have nursed for as long as they want. At this stage, I serve food as a fun practice time to get them ready to eat solids and start to wean. Some of my children have not shown an interest in food at all until 7 or 8 months and that is fine with me! It just makes introducing food so much easier because they have the ability to chew small pieces of soft food and don’t need everything to be pureed.
My Favorite No-Cook Baby Food Recipes
Why no-cook? There are so many reasons like convenience, nutritional value, and superior taste to name a few. I try to always have a few of these ingredients on hand so I can quickly whip up some food if my child is showing an interest.
They are also great to have for picky eaters who only like to feed themselves. I watch a friend’s baby and she won’t take a bottle or any kind of food, but loves to feed herself. I can easily mash these recipes together with my baby food mill and freeze them in little dots on parchment so she can feed herself.
Finally, if you’ve tried the store bought green vegetable baby food, you are brave. I know that if I can’t stand eating it, my baby probably won’t either. I find frozen or fresh green vegetables taste much better.
Peas and Apple Sauce
I like to introduce a green vegetable first, as that seems to be what most children reject when given a choice. Now, my children will eat frozen peas for a snack. They say they’re just as good as crackers.
For my babies, sometimes I’ll skip the apple sauce and food mill altogether and just see if my baby likes eating frozen peas whole. Babies love to try and pick the bright little green spheres up, so it is a great fine motor exercise as well! If my baby gags a lot, for his first taste I’ll mash up the peas in my food mill and then blend it up with a little apple sauce to taste. Of course you can skip the apple sauce if your baby likes the peas plain.
Avocado and Banana
This is another no-cook recipe that you can give to your baby as a finger food. Although avocados might be a little challenging especially if they are very ripe. This baby food recipe can be mashed in the food mill or blended really smooth if your baby tends to gag. The flavor is mild and sweet, but packs a big nutritional punch with the healthy fats your baby needs for brain development.
Pears and Berries
I like to eat this one myself. If your berries are fresh, they add a little tanginess to the sweetness of the pear. If you have ever tasted the store bought pears, they are very sour for baby’s first taste. Ripe fresh pears have a more mild flavor.
Mango and Baby Spinach
For this recipe, you’ll want to make sure your mango is very ripe so it isn’t too sour for baby. The spinach does lighten the tanginess a bit though. I don’t use very many spinach leaves, just a few for the whole mango, but they really chop up nicely in the blender so your baby won’t choke and you could probably add more.
Yogurt Combination
The great thing about all of these recipes is that you can mix and match all the ingredients. I also like to mix a little plain yogurt with any of these to give my baby’s stomach a little live active cultures.
What are your favorite no-cook baby food combinations?
Find even more feeding resources at the Ultimate Guide to Feeding Baby! Make sure you like us on Facebook or follow along on Pinterest for more resources for baby’s first year!
Feeding Baby Giveaway!
Win a huge feeding baby prize pack or another amazing basket! A total of $2000 worth of prizes are being given away so make sure you enter the Fafflecopter below!
Thanks for the ideas! I just had a baby girl, so in a few months I will be thinking about this again. I loved the food mill when my son was little and usually just turned whatever we were having for dinner into food for him. When we did make food especially for him, one of his favorites was black beans mashed with spaghetti sauce.
Becca @ The Earthlings Handbook recently posted…The Towel Pull: A Helpful Childbirth Technique
You did!? Congratulations. That is very exciting. What does big brother think of his little sister?
You know I should have put black beans, because my kids loved them too! I always just gave them whole because they are perfect for little hands. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’m confused about your recipes – are the vegetables and fruits not even steamed prior to milling? I did baby led weaning with very few homemade purees for both of my boys, but did steam things first. It’s important to note that if you are feeding an infant under the age of 1, completely raw fruits and veggies are difficult for their tummies to digest and the cooking process makes the fiber more gentle. If you do only raw foods, you could end up with a very irritable baby with an upset tummy.
Hi Ellen,
With all of these recipes I do not cook them first because they are all mushy enough to mill on their own. I’ve never heard of anyone cooking bananas or avocado before. Do you steam everything? Now, with each first food you introduce to baby it is important to introduce it slowly to see how they react.
I just wanted to give parents ideas on foods that are easy to serve without any prep. There are lots of other recipes that you can feed baby that require cooking, I just didn’t want to include those. I hope that clarifies my intent. Thank you so much for taking the time to ask!
My baby would surely love this recipe.
Judy Charlotte recently posted…Ruby Weight Loss
Love my food mill! It’s one of the few items on my baby must-haves list. We fed my kids almost all the foods on your list within the first months. My son surprised me when he didn’t take to avocado, but it’s a perfect textured first food! Thanks for sharing, Janine.
Jelli recently posted…Why We Love This English Muffin Recipe (And You Will, Too!)
When could I give my baby whole peas to eat like you mentioned? My daughter is 6 months and one week. She’s been having solids for 1 month now, no teeth.
You can give them to her right now! Frozen petite is best because they become mush in their mouth and are very sweet. It is hard for them to choke because they are so small. They might gag at first, but they usually do that with new tastes anyways.
Nice, thanks for sharing your recipes. There aren’t that many of them that are no-cook.
Hi JANINE,
I used to love making my own babyfood – so satisfying knowing exactly what your baby is getting nutrition wise.
For babies, below 6 months of age, sufficient breast milk is the only way to gain weight. Breastmilk is the most nutritious, healthy, balanced and superfood for your baby.
Breastmilk provides the child with all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions. Breastmilk can be easily digested, so your baby will rarely have constipation, diarrhea or upset stomach problems.
Amazing healthy recipes for babies, thanks for sharing them, these look cheaper to make at your own house.
Cheers
Natalie Smith recently posted…Try Out the Best Tzatziki Recipe a Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
I had no idea you could feed babies food combinations like these! I always boiled anything before feeding my nephew for hygienic reasons and also because I thought it would be too hard for him to swallow, Bu since he’s growing I will try these ! Thank you for sharing! xx
Ushmana Palmo Rai recently posted…Best Shaved Ice Machine For Home: Snow Cone Maker
can we use them for 4 months baby?
Mahmoud
UJ
I would wait until they are 6 months
At health food stores, customers are complaining about food allergies more often now with statements like, “I can’t eat this”, or “I can’t eat that.” Why do so many people, especially those who frequent health food stores, believe they have food allergies? It’s funny, I’ve never heard anyone say, “I’m allergic to coffee, cookies, cakes, popcorn, pizza or candy”, and yet these are things that people ingest regularly without a second thought.
great help to new moms!
Wow! Your blog made my life so much easier. I didn’t want to get into the hassle of cooking long hours. I have tried few of above recipes. However, i wanted to confirm can i use all these for my 6 months old baby?
Thank you for sharing this delicious baby food recipe.
Our pleasure!
My babies would love this recipe. I’m going to pass it on to a couple friends with babies.
Lorie recently posted…10 Best Mini Cribs Reviewed in 2020
your recipes are just love..some are my favorites . these ingredients you have used are healthy, hygienic and enjoyable. i will must share it with my friends. thanks for posting great stuff.
This is the best idea of quick baby food and great recipes for healthy baby. thank you for sharing this amazing article. Really love this reading.
Miyan recently posted…Best Toddler Swings Reviews (2020+2021)| Top 10 Reviews
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Woah.. This is such a nice guide and tips for the women who works out. and no cook recipe for babies are very necessary. This is a Good concept. Very easy to understand. I also appreciate this article. Thank you so much for sharing your important post.
Riya recently posted…Kristen Swanson Measurements, Net Worth, Bio, Age, Height, and Family
You’re welcome!
I’ll try this one day for the baby.
Alex Henry recently posted…How To Unblock Adobe Flash Player On Different Browser
Wonderful!I had no idea about feeding the children in this such way.Can i try those recipe for 5 months baby?
Thanks, for your amazing recipes….
Most pediatricians recommend waiting to offer solids until six months. I would have you default to your doctor for the best age. But when they are ready, these are great recipes to try.
These are too good recipes to cook baby food thanks for sharing this article
These are too good recipes
Hi JANINE, i really enjoyed your recipes .
One of my favorite easy baby food recipes is a combo of frozen and fresh fruit! Simply mix equal parts of your favorite fresh fruit and frozen fruit, then puree and serve! You’ll get the nutritional benefits of fresh fruits plus the convenience of frozen. I also like to mix steamed veggies with sweet potatoes, apples and squash, then puree. Other great options are avocado, mashed banana, steamed rice and veggies, applesauce or yogurt. You can also add a teaspoon of ground flax seed to any puree for additional benefits. A quick and easy baby food recipe that’s healthy, delicious, and a complete meal is steamed green beans, carrots, apple and pear. Mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a little water to thicken, if desired. For more great recipes, check out these super easy baby food recipes!
Bushra recently posted…When to Stop Using Bassinet – Know this Safety Hazard
This is the best idea for quick baby food and great recipes for a healthy baby. thank you for sharing this amazing article. Really love this reading.
bonsi recently posted…7 Best Bassinet For C-Section Moms 2022
Thanks for this info. Love to cook, I need healthy food. I have a similar content.
Thank you for your post. I have enjoyed it and got to know about food and relation. This is amazing as also the blogs. Your blogs are very informative. As a food lover, I like this site. can we get more recipe?
These recipes are superb. Thanks
Top blog content.
Thanks for sharing. It was so helpful
Awesome recipe. Thanks for sharing. I need more healthy recipe plz give.
You always come up with a great ideas for cooking with music. I reallye enjoy your content. Thank you for sharing it.
Bananas are so good to give them in many form. Well strawberry sometimes cause cough to some kids. Thanks for sharing this.
Awesome recipe. Thanks for sharing. I need more healthy recipe plz give.
Anchor Text :Best baby food
I completely agree with what you have written. I hope this post could reach more people as this was truly an interesting post.