These 15 Stage One Baby Food Recipes will tempt your baby’s taste buds! These simple homemade baby food recipes are made with nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables with an added pinch of spice that makes these purees out-of-this-world delicious! Great for 4+ months of age!
Stage One Baby Food Purees
Recently, I have been getting a ton of new readers looking for starter baby puree recipes (yay!! or should I say pur-yay!!😉).
If you are just starting out on your adventure in making your own baby purees, then I would personally like to be the first one to welcome you to the wonderful world of baby food. This is a fun (and yummy) club to be in and to be in 😄. I also want to inform you that baby’s first bite doesn’t need to be boring.
Nope!
Baby’s food can (and should) be delicious from the very start!
While it seems daunting at first, making your own baby food is super easy once you get the hang of it. I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food, and then checking out some of the recipes below, as many of them have step-by-step videos that show you just how easy it is to make you own baby food 👊.
The homemade baby food recipes below are made for babies that want to try the most delicious food from the very first bite😋. No boring mashed bananas or simple apple puree here. No way! We are adding in cinnamon, rosemary, curry or mint to quickly roasted or steamed fruits and vegetables that enhance their natural flavors. Simple purees that I am pretty sure you will even love.
Helpful Tools for making the best baby food PUREES
Here are a few of my favorite kitchen tool essentials to make the process of cooking, blending and freezing baby food super simple.
Become a Baby Food Making PRO
But before we dive into the recipes, let me answer a few of the most asked questions I get from my readers.
Can a baby have spices in their purees from the get-go?
Yes, yes, yes! Baby can absolutely have spices mixed into their purees from the very first bite. Adding a pinch of spices and herbs to baby’s food not only makes it taste better but it also gives the food additional medicinal properties. Read more here.
To reduce the risk of allergies, should I introduce the puree without the spices first and then add the spices after I know baby isn’t allergic?
My rule of thumb is that unless there is an immediate family member that has a true allergy to a spice then introducing baby to spices at the same time as a new food is completely acceptable. Spice and herb allergies in babies and adults are very rare but keeping an eye on baby when introducing any new food is always recommended.
What age should I start my baby on baby food purees?
This will totally depend on your baby – see my guide here. But they will most likely start their baby food puree journey between 4-6 months of age.
Just starting out making your own baby food?
Then you don’t miss this other amazing posts:
Pea + Mint Baby Food Puree
Pea Baby Puree (stage one)
A delicious way to introduce peas to baby. Mild peas paired with a fresh hint of mint – a mouth-watering combo!
Get the Recipe
Sweet Potato Curry Baby Puree
The Best Sweet Potato Baby Food
This Homemade Sweet Potato with Curry Baby Food Puree is a fun and exotic first puree for baby! Great for 4+ months and is completely freezer-friendly!
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Roasted Banana and Rosemary Baby Puree
Roasted Banana + Rosemary Puree (Stage 1)
This Roasted Banana and Rosemary Baby Puree recipe is sssooooo delicious, you will want to eat it as well.
Get the Recipe
Carrots and Nutmeg Baby Puree
Carrot Puree Recipe for Baby (Stage 1)
Filled with nutritious steamed carrots and a pinch of nutmeg – this puree will sure to delight your little ones taste buds!
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Apple and Cinnamon Baby Puree
Apples Baby Food Puree with Cinnamon
This Apple + Cinnamon Baby Food recipe is a wonderful first food for baby! A delicious nutrient-dense puree that baby will go gaga over!
Get the Recipe
Broccoli and Olive Oil Baby Puree
Broccoli Baby Food
This Broccoli + Olive Oil Baby Food recipe is a great way to introduce healthy green vegetables into baby's diet. A delicious puree full of essential vitamins and healthy fats for growing baby
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Roasted Butternut Squash and Thyme Baby Puree
Butternut Squash Baby Food
This homemade Roasted Butternut Squash Baby Food Puree is not only full of calcium, folate, vitamin A and fiber but it is also a deliciously smooth way to introduce butternut squash to your baby!
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Green Bean + Basil Baby Food Puree
Green Bean + Basil Baby Food Puree
Green beans are steamed until just tender, this puree has a mild taste for baby's palette.
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Mango + Vanilla Organic Baby Food Puree
Mango + Vanilla Organic Baby Food Puree
A fun and flavorful puree that baby will just love. Filled with essential nutrients for growing baby. Great freezer-friendly baby food for 4 months and up – stage 1 baby food.
Get the Recipe
Pear + Cardamom Baby Food Puree
Pear Baby Food Puree
This smooth and creamy homemade Pear Baby Puree is a wonderful first puree for baby – easy on the taste buds and great for their growing bodies!
Get the Recipe
Peach and Cloves Baby Puree
Peach + Vanilla Baby Food Puree
Smooth and creamy, this homemade Peach + Vanilla Baby Puree delivers big on taste with naturally sweetened peaches and flecks of vanilla bean.
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Basic Chicken Baby Puree
BASIC CHICKEN BABY PUREE
This homemade Basic Chicken Baby Puree is a great pure to add to your baby’s favorite puree for extra protein and flavor!
Get the Recipe
How To Make Rice Baby Cereal
Homemade Baby Rice Cereal
Using only 1-ingredient, this Homemade Baby Rice Cereal is a simple and easy recipe to make baby!
Get the Recipe
Red Pepper Baby Puree
Red Pepper Baby Food Puree
This Red Pepper Baby Food Puree recipe is a smooth, creamy and naturally sweet puree that is loaded with folate, vitamin A, B6 and C. Great for 4+ months and older (or stage 1 puree).
Get the Recipe
Multi-Grain Probiotic Baby Cereal
Multi-Grain Probiotic Baby Cereal
This creamy baby cereal is filled with 3 different whole grains and probiotics to help promote a healthy gut.
Avocado Puree for Baby
Avocado for Baby – 4 Delicious Ways
Avocados are a superfood and great first food for babies 4 months and up. Serve them pureed, smashed, or as a finger food for baby-led weaning.
Get the Recipe
More Baby Food Recipes you will LOVE:
- Guide to Baby Food Stages
- The Ulitmate Guide on How to Make and Serve Baby Food Purees
- Top Tools for Making Baby Food
- 7 Organic Starter Baby Purees for Under $20
- 4 Homemade Baby Cereal Recipes (4+ months)
- 10 Best First Foods for Baby (purees or baby-led weaning)
15 Stage One Baby Food Purees
These simple homemade baby food recipes are made with nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables with an added pinch of spice that makes these purees out-of-this-world delicious! Great for 4+ months of age!
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Ingredients
Pea + Mint Baby Food Puree
- 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 medium zucchini, roughly chopped
- 4 mint leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
Sweet Potato + Curry Baby Food Puree
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 1/4 tsp mild curry powder (optional)
- 1/4 cup water, breast milk, formula or sodium-free chicken stock
Roasted Banana + Rosemary Puree
- 4 bananas, cut lengthwise
- 1/8 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
Carrot + Nutmeg Baby Food Puree
- 2 pounds carrots, trimmed, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2-1 cup water, reserved water, breast milk, formula or low-sodium stock
Apples + Cinnamon Baby Food Puree
- 6 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon, optional
Broccoli + Olive Oil Baby Food Puree
- 2 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 1 small white potato, apple or pear, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp good quality olive oil (optional)
Roasted Butternut Squash + Thyme Puree
- 1 butternut squash
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, roughly chopped (optional)
Green Bean + Basil Baby Food Puree
- 1 pound green beans, fresh or frozen, trimmed
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup reserved steamer water, water breast milk or formula
Mango + Vanilla Baby Food Puree
- 1 16 oz frozen mango, or roughly 3 fresh
- 1/4 tsp vanilla bean extract or pinch of fresh vanilla bean seeds
Pear Baby Food Puree
- 6 pears peeled and roughly chopped1/8 tsp cardamom1/4 cup water
- 6 pears, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/8 tsp cardamom or cinnamon , (optional)
- 1/4 cup water
Peach + Vanilla Baby Food Puree
- 1 12-ounce bag frozen peaches, or 3 fresh peaches peeled and sliced
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean extract or big pinch of fresh vanilla bean pods
- 1/4 cup water
Basic Chicken Baby Puree
- 1 8-ounce boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cubed
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 tsp dried parsley
Homemade Baby Rice Cereal
- 1 cup brown short grain rice
- 2 cups water for cooking
- 1-2 cups of liquid for blending, water, breastmilk or formula
Red Pepper Baby Food Puree
- 2 red bell peppers, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 1 small white potato or apple, peeled and chopped
Multi-Grain Probiotic Baby Cereal
- 1/3 cup steel-cut oats
- 1/3 cup brown short grain rice
- 1/3 cup quinoa or barley
- 3 cups liquid for cooking water, bone broth, stock, breast milk or formula
- 2 tsp probiotics (optional)
Avocado for Baby
- 1/4 avocado
- 1 tsp breast milk, formula or water
Instructions
Pea + Mint Baby Food Puree
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the zucchini in a steamer basket, and place over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5 minutes.
- Add in the peas, and steam for and additional 3-5 minutes. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
- Add the zucchini, peas and mint leaves to a blender or food processor and puree for 1 minute or until you have achieved the desired texture. If the puree is too thick, add in 1/4 cup of the reserved steamer water until you have the right consistency.Note on Zucchini: while this is a 2 vegetable starter puree, zucchini allergies are very low, so I added it to this recipe to give the peas a mild taste and smoother texture. You can completely leave them out if you prefer. Just steam the peas as directed.
Sweet Potato + Curry Baby Food Puree
- Heat oven to 400°. Line baking sheet with tin foil, parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Prick with a fork in several places and then place the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes – 1 hour or until a fork can easily prick the sweet potato. Let sit until cool to touch.
- Puree on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, adding in additional liquid in 1/4 cup increments if needed. I had to add in 1 cup of water to the puree pictured. Serve or freeze for a later meal.Additional Spices: Feel free to use the following spices instead of the curry – 1/2 tsp of cumin, 1/4 tsp of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of cloves, 1 fresh garlic clove, 1/2 tsp of chopped fresh thyme, 3-4 basil leaves, 1/2 tsp chopped rosemary or even a big pinch of fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp ginger powder. Or you can leave out the spices altogether.
Roasted Banana + Rosemary Puree
- Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place bananas on a baking sheet and roast for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
- Place bananas and rosemary into a blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth. You may need to add additional water, so start by adding in 1/4 cup increments until you get the desired consistency.Additional Spices: This recipes is also great with 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp nutmeg or for a fun twist 1/2 tsp mild curry.Note on Bananas: while any ripeness of bananas will work, I have found that the bananas that are ripe to very-ripe tend to work best in this recipe.
Carrot + Nutmeg Baby Food Puree
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat.
- Place the carrots into a steamer basket, cover and cook for 9-11 minutes or until tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
- Place the carrots, nutmeg and 1/2 cup of liquid into a blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes on high, adding 1/4 cup liquid at a time until you achieve the desired consistency. Serve and enjoy, or freeze for later.Notes on Nutmeg: adding in spices to babies first purees are completely optional, but totally safe. Nutmeg rounds out the acidic taste carrots sometimes has and makes this puree taste grounded and full-bodied. Additional Spices: Feel free to substitute 1/2 tsp ginger powder or 1/4 fresh ginger, 1/2 tsp mild curry powder, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp finely minced fresh chives or 1/2 garlic clove instead of the nutmeg.
Apples + Cinnamon Baby Food Puree
- In a medium saucepan, place the apples, water and cinnamon. cover and heat on medium-low for 15-20 minutes or until apples are tender. Let cool slightly. Cover and heat on medium-low for 15-20 minutes or until apples are tender. Let cool slightly.
- Transfer all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth. For a chunky puree, quickly pulse the ingredients 10-15 times or until you receive your desired consistency. Serve or freeze for later.Additional Spices: Feel free to sub in these spices instead of the cinnamon for this recipe – 1/8 tsp of cloves, 1/8 tsp of nutmeg, 1-2 leaves of fresh mint, 1-2 leaves of fresh basil, a pinch of fresh or 1/4 tsp of ginger powder or even 1/4 of coriander for a fun twist.Apples: you can use any sweet apple in this recipe – Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, McIntosh, etc
Broccoli + Olive Oil Baby Food Puree
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the broccoli and potato (or apple) into a steamer basket and place over boiling water, cover and steam for 10-12 minutes or until the broccoli and potato are tender. Reserve water from the steamer. Let cool slightly.
- Add the broccoli, potato and olive oil into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding water from the steamer in 1/4 cup increments if needed.Adding In Spices: Feel free to add in 1 tsp of chopped chives, 2-3 mint leaves, 1 tsp of chopped cilantro, 1/2 tsp cumin or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Roasted Butternut Squash + Thyme Puree
- Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Line baking sheet with silicone mat, parchment paper or tin foil.
- Cut the butternut squash in half, deseed and place flesh side up, skin side down. Optional – Feel free to drizzle the squash with 2 teaspoons of olive oil for some added healthy fat. Bake for 45 minutes or until you can easily prick the squash with a fork. Let cool until you can handle the squash with your hands.
- Scrape off the skin and discard. Place the butternut squash into a blender or food processor. Add thyme and puree for 1-2 minutes, adding water in 1/4 cup increments until you have your desired consistency.Additional Spices: Feel free to sub the thyme for 4 basil leaves, 1 tsp chopped rosemary, 1 tsp ginger powder or 1 big pinch of fresh ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg or even 1/2 tsp of coriander.
Green Bean + Basil Baby Food Puree
- Fill a medium saucepan with 2” of water and bring to boil over medium heat. Place the green beans (fresh or froze) into a steamer basket over the boiling water, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until just tender. Let cool slightly. Reserve steamer water.
- Transfer green beans and basil to a blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, adding liquid in 1/4 cup increments until you reach your desired consistency.
Mango + Vanilla Baby Food Puree
- Place the frozen mango and vanilla extract/vanilla bean into a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring often until heated all the way through and tender roughly 3-4 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Transfer the mango into a blender or food processor. If your mango mixture gets an excess of liquid while cooking, strain the mangos and reserve the mango liquid into a bowl. Blend on high for 1 minute or until the puree completely smooth.Mango Tip: I usually find that organic frozen mangos are easier and cheaper to find then fresh organic mangos, but if mangos are in season when you are making this recipe, by all means you can use fresh over frozen. For fresh mangos, simply peel and chop.
Pear Baby Food Puree
- In a medium saucepan, place the pears, cardamon and water, cover and heat on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until tender. Let cool slightly.
- Using a slotted spoon, scoop the pears out of the saucepan, leaving water behind, and into a blender or food processor. Blend for 1-2 minutes until you have your desired consistency. If your pear puree is too thick, add the leftover cooking water in 1/4 cup increments.
Peach + Vanilla Baby Food Puree
- If using fresh peaches, peel, pit and slice the peaches. If using the a fresh vanilla bean pod, cut in half and then slice open lengthwise. Take the back of your knife or spoon and scrape out all of the vanilla bean, reserve.
- In a medium saucepan, add the peaches, vanilla bean and water and heat over medium-low heat for 5 minutes (10 minutes if frozen). Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peaches to a blender or food processor, leaving excess water in the saucepan. Puree for 1 minute or until smooth.
Basic Chicken Baby Puree
- In a medium saucepan, bring the cubed chicken, broth and parsley to a boil over medium heat. Turn heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is just cooked through. Let cool slightly.
- Transfer all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and puree until you reach your desired consistency, adding more stock in 1/4 cup increments if needed.Extra Healthy Fat : For some extra healthy fat, this puree is also wonderful with a teaspoon of grass-fed butter (salt free) added to the blender right before pureeing.
Homemade Baby Rice Cereal
- Place the rice in a fine mesh colander and rinse with water until the water runs clear.
- Transfer the rice to a medium saucepan and add water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 35-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is evaporated. Each batch of rice cooks a little differently, so taste at 35 minutes to see if the rice is tender. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes, covered. If using breast milk or formula for blending, I would remove the lid and let the rice cool for 15 minutes.
- Place the rice into a blender and add 1 cup of liquid of choice. Blend for 1-2 mintues on medium-high speed until completely smooth and creamy, adding in additional liquid until you have your desired consistency.
Red Pepper Baby Food Puree
- Bring 2″ of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. In a steamer basket, add potato, cover and steam for 8 minutes. Add in the peppers to the potatoes, cover and steam for an additional 5-7 minutes or until tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
- Add in all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and puree for 1 minute or until completely smooth, adding in a tablespoon of water in at a time if needed.
Multi-Grain Probiotic Baby Cereal
- In a fine mesh colander, rinse the grains until the water runs clear. Place the grains and liquid into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until all the grains are tender, stirring occasionally. Let cool for 15-20 minutes or until cool.
- Add cooked grains and probiotics into a blender or food processor and puree for 1-2 minutes on medium-high until completely smooth, adding in additional liquids in 1/4 cup increments if needed. I had to add an additional cup of water to the puree pictured above. Serve or freeze. Notes on Rice: I recommend using organic short grain brown rice in this recipe. Brown rice has a ton of nutrients and health benefits in it, as opposed to white rice which all of the key nutrients have been stripped. I would strongly recommend using an organic brown rice as the cost difference ounce-per-ounce is very small and the organic variety has not been soaked in pesticides and has significantly less arsenic in it. You can use either short or long-grain brown rice for this recipe.Notes on Water: water will be added to the rice to cook in. You can also use sodium-free bone broth or sodium-free veggie broth for more nutrients and flavor, or do a mixture of half broth and half water.Notes on Liquid for Blending: while blending the rice, more liquid will need to be added to thin out the rice into a puree. You can use water, bone broth, veggie broth, breast milk or formula.
Avocado for Baby
- Place the avocado on a cutting board, and taking the back of a fork, smash until you get your desired consistency. For a smooth puree, add in the liquid and smash until completely smooth.
Notes
Age: 4 months and up
Yield: roughly 15-25 ounces, depending on recipe
Additional Spices for Apples: Feel free to use the following spices instead of the curry: 1/2 tsp of cumin, 1/4 tsp of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of cloves, 1 fresh garlic clove, 1/2 tsp of chopped fresh thyme, 3-4 basil leaves, 1/2 tsp chopped rosemary or even a big pinch of fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp ginger powder. Or you can leave out the spices altogether
Fridge Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days
Freezer Storage: Can be frozen for up to 4 months (this and this are my favorite freezer storage containers)
Favorite Kitchen Tools: Get a list of my favorite kitchen tools to make the best baby food here!
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @Babyfoode or tag #babyfoode!
NEW TO MAKING PUREES?
THEN CHECK OF MY GUIDE ON WHICH KITCHEN TOOLS YOU ACTUALLY ARE GOING TO NEED TO MAKE THE CREAMIEST AND SMOOTHEST BABY PUREES. HINT, IT’S NOT MANY!
would it be okay to start with avocado with cilantro?
Yes. Absolutely! Avocado is one of my favorite first foods for baby.
My son is 5 months old and has HLHS which is a congenital heart defect. Weight gain is an issue for him. He is currently 11 pounds and drinks Breastmilk with added formula. We will be starting food soon. I’m looking for some high calorie baby food ideas. If you have any recommendations please email me.
I’m sorry to hear of your sons heart defect. Some good healthy high calorie foods for 4-6 month olds would be smashed avocado and smashed cooked egg yolks. You can also add coconut oil, grass-fed butter, olive oil, whole milk plain yogurt or whole fat plain goats yogurt to any (and all) purees. You can also add homemade bone broth into the purees as you blend them. Let me know if you need more information and how these foods go over with him.
Do you strain any of your baby foods or find the need to? Or just purée? I started with green beans and carrots as 2 of our first foods and the texture didn’t seem right. I used the instant pot to cook, maybe I needed to cook longer? Thanks for any help.
Do you have recipes stage 1 for babies with eczema and milk allergy?
All of these recipes should be good for a baby with eczema and a milk allergy.
Think I’ll try the carrots & the red pepper recipes next. I’ve already made green beans, broccoli, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, pears, apple, mango & avocado. All without spices.
You are on a roll! Way to go!
I’m viewing this on my phone and there are SOOOOO many ads it’s insane and extremely frustrating. All I want is to see the recipe and I have to keep scrolling and scrolling and there’s lots of ads and that weird video pop up and it’s incredibly annoying.
I’m sorry your experience on my site was frustrating. Ad placement have gone up in the last couple of weeks as I make my living off of ads (since my content is free) and the entire advertising industry is taking a hit right now. I will take another look at it and adjust going forward. Also, once you are in a recipe post there is a teal button at the very top that will take you directly to the recipe card. I hope this helps.
Love your site!
Wanted to see if you recommended doing a new food every day or every couple of days? We are planning on starting on Monday. So should I just introduce avocado by itself at two different times that day and then maybe switch to sweet potato? Then a couple days later I can offer both if he likes them? Thank you in advance!
Yes.. that sounds like a great plan! I think for the first couple of foods you offer baby, having a day or two in between is a good idea for allergies but also to get them used to having different tastes in their mouths, but then you can speed that up to a new food every day if you wish.
I have to save it in my wall for my children. Thanks for sharing and love your site.