Bananas make a great and versatile first food for babies. They can be made into a baby food puree, mashed into a chunky puree, used as a finger food for baby, or prepared for baby-led weaning. These 8 banana baby food ideas are also simple, healthy, and quick to make. This guide is perfect for babies 4-6 months and up!

graphic for post - banana baby food - 8 delicious ways - puree - smashed - finger foods - baby led weaning with a grid of ways to serve banana to baby.

Medically reviewed by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Bananas For Baby

Bananas are loaded with essential nutrients for a growing baby and are one of the top first foods for babies!

This guide will give you 8 easy ways to incorporate bananas 🍌 into your baby’s diet. You can serve them as a baby food puree, smashed, finger food for baby-led weaning, made into 3-ingredient pancakes, or even as a simple baby-friendly smoothie. These recipes are great for babies 4-12 months old!

First time making homemade baby food? Then, I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food – which goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on handsafe storagehow to know when baby is ready for solidshow to introduce pureesthe best first foods for baby, and more! If you are doing Baby-Led Weaning, then be sure to check out my Complete Guide to Baby-Led Weaning – which covers what exactly is baby-led weaning, to every parent’s concern of baby-led weaning and choking, this guide goes over it all. I will also share how to know when baby is ready for BLW, the top 10 best first foods, a helpful sample blw feeding schedule, helpful tools to have on hand, and much much more!

Want more information? Then make sure to check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!

Banana for Baby Video

Watch this video to see how to make serve bananas to your baby!

Benefits of Banana For Baby

Bananas are a great first food for babies because they are loaded with essential nutrients for a growing baby. They are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, manganese, and potassium, and they are high in vitamin B6.

  • Good Source of Potassium: Potassium is a crucial nutrient for active babies as it acts as an electrolyte that manages hydration levels, helps nutrients reach cells, removes waste from cells, and helps maintain a normal heartbeat. It’s also important for muscle contraction. 
  • Great for Digestion Health: Banana fiber helps prevent constipation, bloating, and other unwanted digestive issues in babies.
  • Boosts Mood: Bananas also contain the amino acid tryptophan and vitamin B6 that may help boost your baby’s happy hormones, and there is nothing better than a happy baby!

WHEN TO INTRODUCE Banana to baby

Whether you are starting your baby on purees or doing baby-led weaning, bananas are an amazing first food for your baby! When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age for purees and at or after 6 months for baby-led weaning. Some of the developmental milestones your baby need to reach in order to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled their birth weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.

Are BANANAS A CHOKING HAZARD FOR BABIES?

No. Since bananas are inherently soft, they are not typically included among the foods that are a common choking hazard for babies. However, if the banana is not ripe and ready to eat, the flesh will be harder and pose a higher choking risk for your baby. Therefore, it is best to serve your baby strips of banana or mashed banana. When selecting a banana for baby, look for one that is ripe, soft (but not mushy), and has a few small brown spots. As with any food, make sure you supervise your baby while they are eating.

Adding Spices

While the most popular option is adding cinnamon to a banana baby puree, you can also add a pinch of cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, fresh mint, fresh basil, freshly grated ginger, or even allspice. If you’re serving baby chunks of banana, you can sprinkle a small pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves on top.

DO BANANAs CAUSE CONSTIPATION?

Yes and No! Super clear answer, I know 😉. Unripe green bananas are high in resistant starch, which are resistant to digestion and may cause constipation in babies. But ripe yellow bananas with a few brown spots actually have the opposite effect due to higher sugar content and may even help your baby go to the bathroom. Just remember to serve bananas in moderation to your baby, as too much fiber can plug your baby up.

STORING Homemade BANANA baby Food

You can store baby purees in the fridge for 2 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months. It helps to add a small squeeze of lemon juice into the puree before storing it so the puree doesn’t turn brown. Handheld bananas for baby-led weaning will have to be discarded after serving.

How to Introduce Banana to Baby

There are several ways to prepare bananas for baby. Here are 8 of my favorite ways:

  • Smooth Baby Puree (4-6+ months)
  • Chunky Baby Puree (6+ months)
  • Baby Cereal with Banana & Cinnamon (4-6+ months)
  • Broken into Chunks (6+ months)
  • Handheld Banana (6+ months)
  • Banana Strips with Hemp Seeds (9+ months)
  • Banana Smoothie (9+ months)
  • Easy Banana Pancakes (6-9+ months)

Looking for more easy baby-led weaning and puree recipes? Then be sure to check out my favorite ways to serve apples and avocados to baby!

Smooth Banana Puree

This is an easy, 10-Second Stage One puree recipe for your baby!

Instructions: Place a banana or two into a blender and puree until smooth and creamy. If you want to freeze, add a small squeeze of lemon juice into the puree to help keep it from browning.

Baby Cereal with Banana & Cinnamon

Add a little baby cereal and a pinch of cinnamon to the pureed banana for an effortless yet tasty meal!

Instructions: Pour some pureed banana (see above) into a small bowl and add a few ounces of premixed or homemade baby cereal. Mix until combined. Add a pinch of cinnamon before serving.

Chunky Banana Puree

This is an easy-peasy way to expose your baby to small chunks of food that you can control the size of. This yummy recipe is perfect as a Stage 3 puree to get your baby ready for finger foods. You can also serve this when you think your baby is ready to try self-feeding.

Instructions: Place the banana on a cutting board and mash it with the back of a fork until mashed but still chunky. Spoon into a baby bowl and serve.

Bananas Broken into Chunks

When you break the banana up into chunks instead of cutting with a knife, the chunks will not be as slippery, and your baby will have an easier time holding onto them. If your baby is getting frustrated trying to pick up the pieces of slippery banana, hand them the banana chunks and let them continue feeding themselves. You can also try rolling the banana in breadcrumbs or crushed Cheerios to help your baby handle it better. 

Instructions: Peel a banana, and using your fingernails, break the banana into chunks along the seem of the banana. It should easily break into chunks.

Handheld Banana

This handheld version of a banana is an ideal way for your baby to have a handle for the banana as they eat the other end.

Instructions: Cut a 4-5 inch section of banana off from the top. Cut around the peel, leaving roughly 1-2 inches of exposed banana. Do not cut all the way through the banana, just the peel. Then you can peel the peel away and hand the banana to your baby.

Strips of Banana Rolled in Hemp Seeds

This recipe is a fun way to let your baby explore different textures and tastes. You can roll strips of banana in hemp seeds, crushed cheerios, puffs, or breadcrumbs.

Instructions: Cut the banana into strips and roll them in a little bit of toppings.

Banana Smoothie

This simple smoothie is perfect for babies that are drinking from a sippy or baby cup. It is filled with banana, ice, and a small amount of formula or breast milk.

Instructions: Place a banana, a couple of ice cubes, and 1/4 cup of liquid into a blender. You can add in a pinch of cinnamon or 1/2 teaspoon of nut butter in there as well if you want. Blend until the texture is just right. You don’t want it too thick, or your baby might have a hard time drinking it. Transfer to a sippy or baby cup and serve.

Easy Banana Pancakes

These 3-ingredient pancakes are great for babies, toddlers, as well as kids! It’s the perfect food to have on hand if you are doing Baby-Led Weaning, as you can serve them plain or with a smear of cream cheese, avocado, or nut butter on top.

Instructions: In a medium bowl, mix mashed banana, an egg, and whole wheat flour. I also like adding a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for some extra flavor. Cook as you would any pancake and serve.

Tips

  • Picking Bananas: When selecting a banana for your baby, look for one that is ripe, yellow, soft (but not mushy), and has a few small brown spots on it. Do not serve your baby green or underripe bananas.
  • Freezing Banana Puree: You can freeze pureed or mashed bananas. The key is to freeze the bananas right away and add a few drops of fresh lemon juice to help prevent them from getting discolored.

More Banana Recipes for Baby

Tools Needed

Ingredients Needed

Banana for baby, images are of a selection of ways to make banana food for 6-12 months and up.

Get the recipe: Banana for Baby: Puree & BLW

5 stars (7 ratings)
Bananas are a great first food for baby and can be made into a baby food puree, smashed, used for finger foods or for baby-led weaning.

Ingredients 

Smooth Baby Food Puree

  • 1-2 bananas

Baby Cereal with Bananas & Cinnamon

  • 1/4 cup pre-made baby cereal (from a box or homemade)
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1 pinch cinnamon

Chunky Baby Food Puree

  • 1/2 banana

Chunks of Banana

  • 1/2 banana

Handheld Banana

  • 1/2 banana

Banana Strips Rolled in Hemp Seeds

  • 1/2 banana
  • 1 tbsp hemp seeds, crushed cheerios, puffs or breadcrumbs.

Banana Smoothie

  • 1 banana
  • 4-5 ice cubes
  • 1/4 cup liquid (breastmilk, formula or water)
  • 1/2 tsp nutbutter (optional)
  • 1 pinch cinnamon (optional)

Easy Banana Pancakes

  • 1 banana, mashed
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp whole wheat flour
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Instructions 

Smooth Baby Food Puree

  • Place the banana into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth and creamy, roughly 60-90 seconds, scraping down sides if needed. If the puree is too thick, add in some liquid (breastmilk, formula or water) in tablespoon increments until you have your desired consistency. If you want to freeze the puree, add a small squeeze of lemon juice into the puree to help keep it from browning.
    smooth baby puree for baby

Baby Cereal with Bananas & Cinnamon

  • On a cutting board, mash a banana. In a small bowl, add the mashed banana to the made baby cereal. Add a pinch of cinnamon to the top and serve.
    banana baby cereal with cinnamon

Chunky Baby Food Puree

  • Place the banana on a cutting board and mash with the back of a fork until mixed but yet still chunky. Spoon into a baby bowl and serve.
    chunky baby food puree

Chunks of Banana

  • Peel half of a banana and using your fingernails, break the banana into chunks along the seem of the banana. It should easily break into chunks
    banana broken into chunks

Handheld Banana

  • Cut a 4-5 inch section of banana off from the top. Cut off the peel, leaving roughly 1-2 inches of exposed banana. Do not cut all the way through the banana, just the peel. Then you can remove the peel away and hand the stem of the banana to baby.
    handheld banana for baby led weaning

Banana Strips Rolled in Hemp Seeds

  • Cut a banana into strips and roll them in a little bit of topping of your liking.
    chunks of banana rolled in hemp seeds

Banana Smoothie

  • Place banana, ice cubes and liquid into a blender. Add in cinnamon and nut butter, if using. Blend for 60 seconds and serve. If the smoothie is too thick, add in additional liquid as you don’t want it too thick or baby might have a hard time drinking it.
    banana smoothie for baby

Easy Banana Pancakes

  • In a medium bowl mix together mashed banana, an egg, whole wheat flour and cinnamon. In a large non-stick skillet preheated on medium heat, pour 1/8 cup of batter into the skillet. Let cook roughly 3 minutes on the first side, flip and cook for 2 more minutes or until golden brown.
    easy banana pancakes

Notes

Age: 4 months and up

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