Making your own baby food at home is not only cost-effective but also gives you full control over what your baby eats. From simple purees in the early months to more textured meals for older infants, homemade baby food is a healthy and rewarding choice.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through easy baby food recipes for every stage of development, including stage 1 (4–6 months), stage 2 (6–8 months), and stage 3 (8–12 months).
Why Make Baby Food at Home?
Homemade baby food has several benefits:
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Fresh ingredients with no additives or preservatives
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Customization based on your baby’s needs and preferences
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Cost savings over store-bought baby food
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Encourages healthy eating habits early on
All you need is a blender or food processor and a few fresh ingredients to get started.
Stage 1 Baby Food Recipes (4–6 Months)
At this stage, your baby is just beginning to eat solids. The goal is to offer smooth, single-ingredient purees.
1. Sweet Potato Puree
Ingredients: 1 sweet potato
Instructions:
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Peel, chop, and steam until soft
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Blend with a bit of water or breastmilk until smooth
2. Apple Puree
Ingredients: 1 peeled, chopped apple
Instructions:
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Steam until soft
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Blend with water to desired consistency
3. Carrot Puree
Ingredients: 2 carrots
Instructions:
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Peel, slice, and steam until tender
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Blend until creamy
Tip: Always wait 3–5 days between introducing new foods to watch for allergic reactions.
Stage 2 Baby Food Recipes (6–8 Months)
Stage 2 allows for combination purees and thicker textures. You can start mixing foods together and increase variety.
1. Banana and Avocado Mash
Ingredients: 1 ripe banana + ½ ripe avocado
Instructions:
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Mash both with a fork or blend until creamy
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Serve fresh
2. Pear and Spinach Puree
Ingredients: 1 pear, handful of spinach
Instructions:
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Steam pear and spinach together
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Blend until smooth
3. Brown Rice and Carrot Mash
Ingredients: ¼ cup cooked brown rice + 1 steamed carrot
Instructions:
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Combine and blend until soft and slightly textured
Stage 3 Baby Food Recipes (8–12 Months)
By this stage, babies are ready for chunkier textures and small finger foods. You can also introduce spices and herbs for flavor (no salt or sugar).
1. Chicken, Pea & Potato Mash
Ingredients:
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½ cup cooked chicken breast
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½ cup peas
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1 small potato
Instructions:
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Cook and mash all ingredients together with a little water or broth
2. Lentil and Veggie Stew
Ingredients:
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¼ cup red lentils
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½ zucchini, chopped
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1 carrot, chopped
Instructions:
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Simmer all ingredients in water until soft
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Mash or pulse-blend for texture
3. Mini Oat Banana Pancakes
Ingredients:
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½ cup oats
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1 ripe banana
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1 egg
Instructions:
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Blend all together
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Cook in small portions on a non-stick pan
Tip: Let your baby self-feed soft pieces for sensory development and independence.
Storage Tips for Homemade Baby Food
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Fridge: Store purees in airtight containers for up to 3 days
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Freezer: Use ice cube trays to portion and freeze for up to 3 months
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Reheat: Always reheat thoroughly and let cool before serving
Label everything with the name and date for easy organization.
Tools You’ll Need
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Steamer or saucepan
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Blender, food processor, or baby food maker
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Storage containers or baby food jars
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Ice cube trays for freezing portions
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Baby spoons and feeding bowls
Conclusion
Homemade baby food is a loving and nourishing way to support your baby’s development. From first bites to little meals, each stage brings new opportunities for growth and exploration. With these simple recipes and feeding tips, you’ll feel confident knowing exactly what’s going into your baby’s body
