11 Delicious Homemade Vegan Baby Food Recipes
If you're a new parent, you're probably aware of how costly buying endless jars of baby food can be. So, instead of spending money, why not make your own? The methods for learning how to prepare your own baby food are very simple, and all you need to get started is a household blender or food processor. If you have a high-powered blender, that's fantastic! They'll make the procedure go much more smoothly and quickly, but they're not essential if you're making your own baby food.
The nicest part of creating your own baby food is that you may feed your child with a variety of ingredients in the kitchen. Sweeter vegetables, such as squash, pumpkin, bananas, and carrots, can be used as a base for sweets, muffins, oats, and even smoothies. Broccoli and peas, for example, offer a great base for soups and stews made from scratch. What's even better? It's much easier than you think to make your own baby food. Here are some pointers to get you started:
Choose Your Ingredients Carefully
Before you start making homemade vegan baby food, you'll need to figure out what ingredients you want to use. Carrots, green beans, green peas, broccoli, winter squash, and sweet potatoes are all good places to start. If you're producing fruit, bananas, prunes, and apples are some of the simplest and least expensive options.
Depending on how much time and room you have, you can make as much or as little as you like. If you're not sure, buy a pound of each item you'll be using to see how much you'll need and how long it will last. After that, you can figure out what will work best for you and your child.
Consider Using Add-Ons
It's best to keep your baby food recipes to one ingredient, but if your baby is old enough to digest grains like rice or oats, you can use them as add-ins to make your baby food more nutritionally sound. Nuts, seeds, beans, and high-fat items, as well as salt and seasonings, should be avoided. As a base, you may use unsweetened almond milk or soy milk, but keep the rest of your ingredients basic and just use water.
Start Preparing Food
All you have to do now is mildly boil your baby food, rather than pureeing it fresh, to ensure maximum digestion. It is also preferable to steam rather than boil your components. This allows them to retain more nutrients while also preserving the majority of their water content. If you're adding oats or rice to your baby food, prepare them as usual and set them aside. If you're short on time, you may alternatively use your slow cooker.
Smarts In Storage
After creating baby food, you can usually keep it in the fridge for up to one week. Are you short on time? Baby food jars can be frozen for up to one month. Then simply take the jars out of the freezer to thaw and warm to room temperature before serving. After pureeing the newly cooked baby food, you can store it in ice cube trays to reheat later. If you opt for the freezing technique, make sure to date all of your baby food.
Homemade Vegan Baby Food Recipes
1. Banana & Orange Oat Bites
You can try this Homemade Vegan Baby Food Recipe for 9-12 months kids.
With only three easy ingredients, you can make delicious and healthful snacks for kids. Great for toddlers and weaning babies with a few teeth!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
Yields: 11 Bites
Ingredients
- Ripe banana: 1
- Rolled oats: 75 g
- Orange juice: 40 ml
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius) and prepare a baking pan with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone sheet.
- Mash the banana with a fork in a bowl. Mix in the orange juice thoroughly. Then stir in the oats until everything is thoroughly mixed.
- Place one tablespoon of the oat mixture on the baking tray in the shape of a round biscuit. Carry on with the rest of the mixture. This yielded 11 bites for me.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (170 C) and bake for 10 minutes. Allow cooling on a wire rack.
2. Blueberries Porridge
You can try this Homemade Vegan Baby Food Recipe for 9-12 months babies.
The antioxidant content of blueberries is the highest of any fruit. This tasty purple porridge for breakfast will give your child a lift. Use a dairy-free spread or vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- Blueberries: 25 g
- Porridge oats: 25 g
- Dairy-free spread or vegan butter
- Apple: 1/2, peeled and finely diced
- Calcium-fortified almond milk: 150 ml
Method
- In a saucepan, melt the vegan butter or dairy-free spread.
- Cook for 2 minutes after adding the apple.
- Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Stir constantly over high heat until the blueberries have softened.
3. Carrot Hotch Potch
Baby Food Made at Home Carrots are really simple to cook, using only two ingredients: organic carrots and water. Furthermore, they are far superior to store-bought infant food in terms of taste.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- Carrots: 1 lb (peeled)
- Water: 2-4 tablespoons
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 C).
- Toss the carrots in the olive oil and spread them out on a wide baking sheet equally.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then toss and bake for another 20 minutes, or until golden brown and tender.
- Blend appropriate amount of water and roasted carrots until smooth in a high-powered blender or food processor.
4. Rice Avocado Mix Bowls
The Rice avocado mix bowls are a delicious supper for the whole family and a fantastic method for baby to practice his pincer grasp! Beans, avocado, and brown rice are all nutritious foods for both you and your kid.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
Yields: 1½ cups
Ingredients
- Cooked brown rice: ½ cup warmed
- Haas avocado: ½ medium, chopped into small pieces
- Black beans: ¼ cup, drained and rinsed
- Cumin: ⅛ teaspoon
- Cooked corn: ¼ cup (make sure it is organic and non-GMO)
- Cilantro: 1 teaspoon
- Grated vegan mild cheddar cheese: 2 teaspoons (optional)
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rice, beans, corn, cilantro, and cumin. Toss in the avocado chunks gently. If you want you can add some cheese on top.
- Allow your child to feed himself or herself by picking up the food with their fingers. If your baby isn't ready for finger foods, purée the mixture in a food processor or blender with a little water or low-sodium vegetable stock until it reaches the consistency you want.
5. Pasta Salad
Simple recipes often become firm favourites with babies, and this pasta salad meal is no exception. Ranch dressing is used in this dish, but you may use olive or linseed oil, vegan mayo, or even vegan yogurt instead.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
Yields: 10
Ingredients
- Stelline pasta: 10 ounces
- Frozen mixed vegetables: 10 ounces
- Vegan yogurt: 1 cup, (or vegan ranch dressing)
Method
- Cook al dente pasta according to package specifications. Turn off the heat and stir in the defrosted mixed vegetables right away.
- Allow 2 minutes for vegetables and pasta to soak in boiling water before draining. Transfer the pasta and veggies to a large mixing bowl after they have been well-drained.
- 1 cup yogurt dressing, stirred in until all pasta and vegetables are covered evenly. Season with a pinch of salt if desired.
6. Spring Vegetable Risotto
This recipe is ideal for babies who enjoy bland but flavorful foods. Vitamins, folic acid, and fiber are all present in the vegetable blend. One of the most popular Homemade Vegan Baby Food Recipes for 8-month-old kids.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cooking Time: 9 mins
Yields: 1 cup
Ingredients
- Chopped spring onions whites: 2 tablespoons
- Rice: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 1 teaspoon
- Oil: 1 teaspoon
- Chopped onions: 1 tablespoon
- Grated vegan cheese: 1½ tablespoons
- Grated carrot: 2 tablespoons
- Small broccoli florets: 1 tablespoon
- Chopped French beans: 1 tablespoon
- Pinch of salt
Method
- To create a spring vegetable risotto for babies and toddlers, heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, then add the onions and garlic paste and cook for 1 minute over medium heat.
- Cook on a medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the rice is cooked, after adding the rice and 3/4 cup of water.
- Mix in the carrots, broccoli, french beans, spring onion whites, and 12 cups water, then cook, stirring periodically, for 2 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
- Add the salt and vegan cheese, stir well and cook for 1 minute more, or until the cheese has melted. Using a potato masher, lightly mash it.
- For babies and toddlers, serve the spring vegetable risotto at room temperature.
7. Coconut Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is a hit with babies, and it's easy to see why: it's soft, creamy, and delicious! However, the ready-made versions you buy may include hidden sugar. This dish is not only sugar-free, but it's also really creamy thanks to the coconut milk.
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
Yields: 4
Ingredients
- Pudding rice: ½ cup
- Coconut milk: 100 ml
- Desiccated coconut: ½ tablespoon
- Vanilla extract: ½ teaspoon
- Plant-based milk: 15 fl oz
- Optional toppings: sugar-free jam, fruit compote or chopped fruit
Method
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine all of the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover with a lid and cook for 30 minutes, or until all of the milk has been absorbed and the rice is mushy, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with fruit compote, sugar-free jam, chopped fruit, or other toppings as desired.
8. Apple & Banana Oats Bites
Mini bites are prepared with four simple ingredients that are soft and chewy, making them ideal for baby led weaning and toddlers.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
Yields: 20
Ingredients
- Dry cooked quinoa: 175 g
- Small apple: 1
- Rolled oats: 40 g
- Medium banana: 1
Method
- Preheat the oven to 356 F (180 degrees Celsius) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing basin, combine the quinoa and oats.
- On a cutting board, mash the banana and add it to the bowl, then grate in the apple.
- With a spoon, combine all of the ingredients and roll into approximately 20 balls. Place them on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are beginning to brown.
- Allow for thorough cooling before eating. Refrigerate for 2-3 days in an airtight jar.
9. Zucchini Meatballs
Vegan Zucchini ‘Meatballs' require less than ten ingredients and 20 minutes to prepare for a nutritious and tasty plant-based supper.
- Prep Time:20 min
- Cook Time:25 min
Servings: 12 Balls
Ingredients:
- Chickpeas: 15 ounces drained and rinsed
- Whole grain pasta: 8 ounces
- Nutritional yeast: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 3 cloves
- Rolled oats: ½ cup
- Dried basil: 1 teaspoon
- Salt ½ teaspoon
- Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Shredded zucchini: 1 cup
- Vegan marinara sauce: 32 ounces
Method
- Combine the drained and rinsed chickpeas, garlic cloves, and rolled oats in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for 5-10 seconds, or until the mixture is finely chopped.
- When you press the mixture between your fingertips, it should stay together. Add the dry herbs, salt, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and shredded zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
- Use no more than 1 cup of zucchini shredded. Stir everything together until it's completely blended. Add a little flour or nutritional yeast to help absorb extra moisture if the mixture is too wet to manage.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (191 C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Scoop out one heaping tablespoon of the zucchini mixture at a time with your hands and roll into 12 separate balls.
- Arrange a few inches apart on the baking sheet, then bake for 25 minutes. In the meantime, cook the pasta according to the package recommendations.
- Remove the zucchini balls from the oven when they are light golden brown and set them aside. Serve heated with marinara sauce over cooked spaghetti. Enjoy with fresh basil as a garnish!
10. Tofu Fish Fingers
Do you recall that old favorite from your childhood? With this delectable Vegan Fish Fingers Recipe, you can now prepare a plant-based alternative. The Fish Fingers Homemade Vegan Baby Food Recipes is for 12 month kids.
- Prep Time:10 mins
- Cook Time:15 mins
Ingredients for the Tofu Fish
- Vegan breadcrumbs: ½ – ¾ cup
- Hard tofu cut into strips: 230 g
- Vegan fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Chickpea brine: ½ cup, aquafaba
- All-purpose flour: ½ cup
- Lemon wedges to serve
Ingredients for the homemade tartare sauce
- Pickles finely chopped: 1 tablespoon
- Vegan mayonnaise: 3 tablespoons
- Fresh dill finely chopped: 1 teaspoon
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
- Generous pinch of salt and black pepper
Method
- To make the tofu fish, slice the tofu into 1/2cm thick strips. Then, to make fish finger shapes, cut them in half lengthwise.
- Combine the vegan fish sauce and aquafaba in a mixing bowl.
- Then coat each finger in flour first, then in the aquafaba mixture, and last in breadcrumbs. Cook for about 15 minutes in the airfryer, or until golden brown. You can also bake or fried them in a shallow fryer.
- Serve with homemade tartare sauce and a wedge of lemon or lime.
- To make the Homemade Tartare Sauce, whisk together all of the ingredients in a small bowl and serve alongside the Tofu Fish Fingers.
11. Carrot Fries
This dish for baked carrot fries is healthy, tasty, and entertaining. These carrot fries are a quick and easy snack to create with only a few simple ingredients!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time:20 mins
Servings: 3
Ingredients
- Carrots: 1 pound
- Black pepper: ½ tsp
- Tapioca flour: 2 tbsp
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Sea salt: 1 tsp
- Garlic powder: ½ tsp
- Thyme: ½ tsp
- Onion powder: ½ tsp
Method
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Begin by washing and peeling the carrots. Carrots should be cut into even sticks about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick.
- Place the chopped carrots in a bowl with the tapioca flour and all of the spices. Mix until all of the carrot sticks are coated in the spice and flour combination.
- Pour the olive oil over the carrots and toss to coat evenly.
- Place the carrots on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Make sure the carrots are not stacked on top of each other and are fairly distributed.
- Bake the carrots for 20-30 minutes, checking halfway through to move the carrots about or turn them on the baking pan to ensure even roasting.
- The carrots are done when they can easily be pierced with a fork and have a small browning/crisping on the edges. Allow them to cool for a few minutes after removing them from the oven.
Foods To Stay Away From
Even if your kid is ready to consume solid foods, that doesn't imply they can eat everything you eat. In order to maintain your baby as healthy as possible, you should avoid specific foods in your vegan baby food recipes.
- Honey should never be given to a child since it contains bacteria that might harm their intestines. But, in any case, this isn't vegan food.
- You should wait until your child is about the age of 4-5 before adding nuts to their diet because nuts might cause choking.
- Cooking low-fat, low-calorie, or high-fibre dishes for your infant is not a good idea because babies require a lot of energy.
- You should also minimize salt in your baby's diet because their kidneys can't handle it. Check labels to make sure your baby isn't getting more than 1 gram of salt per day, or better yet, cook your own food.
- Sugar should be avoided in the same way. Anything with extra sugar should be avoided, and fruit drinks should be diluted. Image how wild a sugar rush may make an adult's blood sugar; now imagine a baby's blood sugar!
- Corn, soy, oats, and sugar are all GMO crops, therefore avoid them. These can be purchased from organic farms, but finding them is difficult!
I trust you enjoyed this article on the 11 Delicious Homemade Vegan Baby Food Recipes. Please stay tuned for more blog posts to come shortly. Take care!
JeannetteZ
>>>Want To Learn How To Create Your Own Delicious, Healthy AND 100% Vegan Meals For You And Your Family? Click here for My #1 Recommendation<<<
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