21 Quick Baby Weaning Recipes To Make Your Life Easier!

Weaning can be an exciting time for your little ones as they are introduced to a world of new flavours and textures. After all, your baby's first taste can shape their future relationship with food. 

But it's often best to start this process at their own pace. Don’t be in a hurry for them to get to solids and allow them to lead and show their readiness. As a mum, your job would be to identify this readiness and once you do, you can enhance their food chart with additional (to breast milk) nutritious foods.

So which recipes should you start weaning with? Worry not, we’ve got you covered. 

 The Different Stages Of Weaning And How To Start

Now, before we get to the recipes, let's take a look at the three stages of weaning. You can use them as a reference to understand where your baby is and when you can introduce solids into your baby’s diet. 

As you know, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life. After which, they should be introduced to supplementary foods, along with breastfeeding.

In Indonesia, this is known as MPASI or Makanan Pendamping Air Susu Ibu, which translates to complementary food for mother's milk in English. Safe to say, that during your baby's first year, milk is their primary source of nutrients and solid food just complements it. 

If your baby is around six months of age, here are the stages of this process and transition into solids: 

Stage 1 – Introduction of solid foods (around 6 months of age)

Stage 2 – More textures and tastes (around 7 to 9 months of age)

Stage 3 – Wider variety and family foods  (from 9 to 12 months)

While these are broadly defined weaning stages, know that every child is different. Each baby has his or her own nutritional needs, so if you wean your baby off a bit later than the normal norm of six months, it's also okay. 

Generally speaking, you can begin by looking for signs from your little one to make this a baby-led process. For instance, when babies are putting things in their mouths, showing interest in what others eat and demanding more frequent feeds, it might be a signal to start weaning. You can also try introducing the bottle or a spoon to help with the process. 

As for foods, you can start weaning with single vegetables and fruits such as blended, mashed, or soft-cooked sticks of parsnip, broccoli, potato, yam, sweet potato, carrot, apple or pear. 

Talk to your child's paediatrician about adding foods that can potentially trigger allergic reactions such as nuts, cow’s milk, seeds, foods with gluten, uncooked meats and/or unpasteurised food, and shellfish. If your child has G6PD, you need to check in with the doctor to learn what foods should be avoided. 

To help you ease into the process, we have curated a list of 21 baby weaning recipes. These are not only easy to make but also made with ingredients that are healthy and packed with essential nutrients and vitamins needed for your child’s growth and development.   

21 Baby Weaning Recipes You Can Make At Home

1. Sweet Potato Purée 

Ingredients:

• 2 Fresh sweet potato
• 3 tablespoon milk (breast milk/infant milk powder)

Instructions:

• Wash the sweet potato.
• Preheat the oven to 350 F for 10 minutes
• Poke holes in the sweet potato
• Bake for 1 hour
• Slice the baked sweet potato in half, scoop it out
• You can add a little bit of breast milk or infant milk to make the puree smooth

Age: This is suitable for babies above six months.

2. Sweet and Sticky Plum

Ingredients:

• Plums (3)
• 1 stick of clove
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-3 whole black peppers
• Star anise (1)
• Water (1/2 cup)

Instructions:

• In a small pan, add 3 halved and de-stoned plums, then add one clove, one cinnamon stick, 2-3 whole black peppers and one-star anise.
• Add half a cup of water and simmer on medium for 12 minutes.
• Once it is thick and sticky in consistency, remove it from the stove.
• Remove the whole spices and the skin of the plum once it is cooled.
• Depending on the consistency, you may take a call on whether to further blend it.  If it is very mushy, then don't. If you want to blend, add two tablespoons of water. 

Age: Suitable to be introduced at 6 months of age.
*(Recipe by Kim Wilshaw)

3. Pea Purée

Ingredients:

3 cups frozen peas, 1/2 cup breast milk

Instructions:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill it with water just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add peas, cover, and steam until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Place peas and breast milk in a blender or food processor and puree until creamy. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.

• Spread pea mixture into an ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid, 2 to 3 hours. Transfer frozen cubes to a resealable plastic bag and store them in the freezer.
• Before feeding, heat cubes in the microwave for about 30 seconds until warm but not hot. Stir thoroughly.

Age: This is ideal for babies aged 6 months and above.

4. Avocado Purée

Ingredients: Avocado (1 piece)

Instructions:

If serving fresh / immediately

• Mash the avocado with a fork or blend it in a food processor.
• Mix with breastmilk, formula or water to reach desired consistency.

If freezing

• Mash the avocado with a fork or blend it in a food processor.
• Divide into ice cube trays, wrap/cover, and freeze.
• Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost.
• Once defrosted, mix with breastmilk, formula or water to reach desired consistency

Age: This is suitable for 6 months and above and provides good fats for your baby’s brain and physical development.

5. Carrot Purée

Ingredients

• Carrot (1)

Instructions:

• Wash the carrot in cold water and peel the vegetable
• Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
• Reduce heat (until bubbles are soft) and cook carrot until tender (about 10 to 15 minutes). Drain the carrot and rinse with cold water for three minutes to stop the cooking process.
• Puree cooked carrots in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 6 months and above.

6. Beets Purée

Ingredients: 

• Beet (Half)

Instructions:

• Simply slice the beets thinly
• Brush lightly with olive oil
• Bake for approximately 10-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 6 months and above and provides them with calcium, potassium, and vitamin A. However, start slowly and don’t give them more than 1 or 2 teaspoons.

7. Roasted Zucchini

Ingredients:  Zucchini

Method:

• Roasting zucchini is a great option because it brings out the vegetable’s natural sweetness.
• Simply cut off the ends of the zucchini, slice into strips, drizzle with olive oil, and pop into a 375- degree oven for about ten minutes.
• Flip, and put into the oven for another ten minutes.

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 6 months and above and is packed with nutrients including vitamin C, protein, folate, and manganese.

8. Cooked Brown Rice

   Image Source: iStock

Ingredient: 

• Brown Rice (4 tablespoon)

Instructions:

• Wash the rice thoroughly 
• Add water to a cooker and bring to boil.
• Add the rice and boil until it gets soft. Rinse the water and let it cool. You can stick to one cup of rice fed over a period of meals as one cup of cooked brown rice contains five grams of protein, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and many other minerals. You can again mash the cooked rice or serve them as is if you feel your baby is ready to try it. 

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 6 months and above. 

9. Baked Apple

Ingredients: 

• Apple (2 slices) 
• Cinnamon (1 teaspoon)

Instructions:

• Peel the skin of the apple
• Bake the apple
• Mash it properly
• Add some cinnamon to add flavour.

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 6 months and above. 

10. Spinach Purée

Ingredients

• Spinach - 3 cups
• Water - 1/4 cup

Ingredients:

• Take spinach and wash well.
• Take it in a saucepan, add water and cook for 5 mins.
• Cool it and grind it to a smooth paste.
• Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 6 months and above.

11. Mashed Sweet Potato

Ingredients: 

• Sweet Potato (4 slices)

Instructions:

• All you have to do is thoroughly wash the potato,
• Cut off the ends
• Stab the potato several times with a knife.
• Wrap the sweet potato in aluminium foil
• Pop into a 350-degree oven for 60 minutes, though more time may be required if the potato is large.

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 6 months and above and is highly nutritious and rich in vitamin A, potassium, and beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamin E, calcium, and folate, and due to their high fibre content, they promote bowel health.

12. Mashed Broccoli

Ingredients: 

• Broccoli flowers (4) 

Instructions:

1. Bring a pan of water to the boil, place chopped broccoli florets in the pan and cook for approx. 8 minutes until tender.
2. Drain, then blend or mash with a fork to get a smooth consistency.
3. If the mixture is too thick, add a little full-fat milk or baby’s usual milk.
4. Allow cooling before serving.
5. Freeze any leftover portions in small pots or ice cube trays.

You can also add mashed peas in the recipe

Age: It is suitable for kids aged six months and above.

13. Pumpkin Thyme Purée

Ingredients: 

• Pumpkin-4 slices
• Thyme- ½ teaspoon

Instructions:

• You need to preheat the oven and line a baking sheet.
• Start by slicing off the top off the pumpkin, then cut lengthwise down the middle until you have 2 halves of a pumpkin. 
• Next, scoop out the seeds and string; this will make a smooth puree 
• Chop into smallish pieces and place onto a baking sheet, skin side down. 
• Place the pumpkin in the oven and then roast until tender.
• Peel the skin from the pumpkin.
• Place the pumpkin inside a food processor or blender. Add thyme and start blending for 1-2 minutes, adding the liquid in 1/4 cup increments until you get the desired consistency.
• Serve or freeze for later.

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 7 to 9 months and above.

14. Papaya Purée

Ingredients :

• Papaya (4 slices)

Instructions: 

• Wash papaya in running water well. 
• Then peel the skin off from the papaya with a peeler and remove the seeds. Seeds are edible but babies can't digest them. So it's better to remove them. 
• Then chop them into equal size small cubes.
• Steam the chopped papaya pieces in a steamer for 10 minutes if desired otherwise, you can skip it and directly blend it to make a puree.
• Once the papayas are steamed, they will be soft and transparent.
• Now blend it with little water to a smooth paste in a blender. 

Age: It is suitable for babies aged between 7 and 9 months and above. 

15. Salmon Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 salmon fillet, about 150g
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon full cream milk
• A sprinkle of dried dill
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

• Boil potatoes in a pot of water for about 20 minutes. They should be soft enough to mash with a fork. Then set it aside
• In a pan, add oil and fry salmon for 3-4 minutes on each side. Flake with a fork and sprinkle some dill flakes.
• Fry the celery and onion for 15 minutes under low heat until soft. Add the full cream milk and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Combine the salmon into this mixture.
• Assemble and bake: Fill a small tin pan or baking dish with the filling, then top with mashed potato. Spritz with a little oil and bake at 190C for 10 minutes

Age: It is suitable for babies aged 9 months and above.

16. Silky Steamed Egg with Minced Meat

Ingredients:

• Eggs (55-60g)- 2
• Water or homemade stock (200ml)
• Minced meat of your choice (150g)

Instructions:

• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Add the water or stock and combine.
• Place minced meat in a thin layer at the bottom of a plate. Hold a sieve on top of the plate and pour in the egg-water mixture. Sieving ensures that the egg turns out silky smooth. 
• Check that there are no bubbles and cover the dish with food-grade cling wrap.
• Steam on medium heat for 20 minutes.

Age: It is suitable for children above 9 months.

17. Green Beans Purée

Ingredients: 

• Green beans (1 Cup)

Instructions:

• Simply wash in cold fresh water and remove the stem end.
• The beans can be boiled or steamed for around four to five minutes or until they are tender.
• If you feel it is still hard and can make your baby choke, pure the mixture in a blender and puree it. 

Age: It is suitable for children between the ages of 7 and 9 months and above. Green beans are packed with nutrients that are vital for your developing baby including vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium, fibre, and manganese.

18. Eggless Pear and Banana Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 large banana (about 5-6 inches), mashed
• 3 tablespoons pear purée (fresh or bottled)
• 2 tablespoons flour (you can use plain, wheat, oat or buckwheat)
• 1 tablespoon water
• Half tablespoon oil

Instructions:

• Mash banana in a bowl and add the pear purée. Stir in the flour, then add the water and combine.
• Lightly oil a non-stick pan and heat up using low flame. 
• Put a tablespoon of batter into the heated pan and cook for 3 minutes until small bubbles appear or till the base is firm enough to flip. 
• Cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to flip the pancakes too early – these take a bit longer to set.
• Cut into bite-sized pieces for your baby to self-feed.

Age: It is suitable for children aged 12 months and above.

19. Quinoa Banana Mash

Ingredients:

• 1/2 banana
•  Pinch Cinnamon
• 3 Tbsp cooked quinoa
• 1 Tbsp whole milk yoghurt

Instructions:

1. Place all the bananas in a bowl and mash.
   2. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
   3. Serve warm.

Age: It is suitable for children aged 12 months and above; and is a protein-packed grain that makes a great addition to your growing baby’s diet. 

20. Banana and Berry Porridge

Ingredients: 

• 2tbsp (20g) porridge oats
• 120ml full-fat milk
• 1/2 small banana
• 10g frozen berries
• 1tsp plain full-fat yoghurt

Instructions:

• Put the porridge oats and milk into a saucepan.
• Heat up, stirring constantly, until the porridge thickens. Then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the oats are cooked.
• Slice the banana into finger-size sticks.
• Stir the blueberries into the porridge and heat through until soft.
• Add a little more milk if your baby prefers it a little runnier.
• Pour the porridge into a bowl, add the yoghurt and serve with the banana sticks.

Age: It is suitable for children aged 12 months and above.

21. Fish Curry

Ingredients: 

• Fish (1slice)
• potato (1)
• Garlic (4 cloves)
• Peas (1 Cup)

Method:

1. Dice the potatoes. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes in unsalted water until cooked. Then drain.
2. Meanwhile, chop the onions, peppers, garlic and plantain.
3. Cut the fish into chunks, removing any bones.
4. Heat the oil in a pan, add the onions and peppers and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
5. Stir in garlic, water, curry powder, tomatoes and plantain.
6. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Add the peas, fish and potatoes. Cook gently for a further 5 to 10 minutes until the fish is cooked.

Age: It is suitable for children aged 12 months and above.

Foods To Avoid When Weaning

With these recipes, your little bub’s journey to discovering the rich culinary treasure box has started. However, it is important for you to remember that there are a few food items you must avoid when starting the weaning process. These specific food items could be unsuitable and unhealthy for your little one. Here’s a handy list for your convenience. 

1. Salt: While it adds flavour to food, it can potentially damage your baby’s growing kidneys. The maximum recommended amount of salt for a baby who is below 12 months is less than 0.4g sodium. Anything more than that would be indigestible and unbreakable for your baby’s kidneys.
2. Sugar: Babies may naturally prefer sweet over savoury foods, but it can result in early tooth decay and lead to excessive weight gain. You need to be extremely careful, because if your baby gets a taste for sugary or salty foods, it may be harder for you to persuade him to try healthy options. 
3. Caffeinated drinks: Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee and tea. It is defined as a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system. Caffeinated drinks often contain empty calories, and kids who fill up on them don't get the vitamins and minerals they need from healthy sources. Too much soda can mean missing the calcium kids need from milk to build strong bones and teeth. So avoid giving any of these beverages to young children. 
4. Nuts: Some children can be allergic to nuts. Therefore, keep a careful eye on any reaction to the said food. Also, discuss with your doctor if you or another family member has an allergy to nuts and peanuts. Whole nuts should not be given to children under the age of five years to avoid the risk of choking.
5. Seafood: Avoid shark, swordfish and marlin as they contain high levels of mercury. Raw fish and shellfish should also be avoided too as they can cause food poisoning.

Remember that your baby’s weaning journey is a gradual process of introduction of new tastes and textures. It is unique to every baby and their parent. So be patient and add different flavours, colours and zest to your child’s food palate as they demand.

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it's important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn't serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information