7 Baby Food Recipes for 6- to 8-Month-Olds

Most babies start solid foods by around 6 months old, which brings a whole new level of excitement to mealtimes. (The cute pics! The mess!) But this milestone can also introduce a new challenge to your already hectic life: What the heck do you make for baby?

Thankfully, baby food recipes for 6- to 8-month-olds aren’t too complicated: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here, since there’s so much baby hasn’t tried. Still, if you’re making your own baby food, you’re likely seeking inspiration and tips.

While there’s also a wide world of baby-led weaning recipes to explore, if it’s infant puree recipes you’re searching for, look no further. We’ve consulted with experts to find a few healthy and delicious options that baby’s sure to love. Get those baby bibs and cleanup tools ready!

What Foods and Nutrients Do 6- to 8-Month-Olds Need?

There are a lot of options when it comes to feeding baby—and choosing ingredients for infant puree recipes. “Choose any fruit, vegetable, grain, protein or dairy puree,” recommends Kate Vance, CNSC, RD, CD-N, a registered dietician at Connecticut Children’s. “Consistency may vary depending on your baby’s acceptance, between thin purees, thick purees and mashed or slightly chunky foods.”

While it’s important to introduce baby to a wide variety of foods, Katie Lockwood, MD, MEd, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, says it’s important to prioritize iron-rich foods, such as dark-green vegetables, beans, meats, tofu and fortified cereals.

If baby isn’t into a particular food, keep at it. “I’m a big believer in trying the same food a few days in a row,” says Catherine McCord, chef, cookbook author and founder of Weelicious.com. “Your baby on day one may reject the food but, as they’re able to taste the textures and flavors, may get more excited about it.”

Particularly when it comes to common allergens, it can be helpful to give baby one ingredient at a time, Lockwood says. “In the beginning, you may also want to go slowly with one new food at a time, but then you can gradually start combining ingredients,” she says.

You may have already heard that there are a few things to avoid when feeding baby. It’s important to hold off on anything with honey until baby’s 12 months old due to the risk of botulism, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). You also need to avoid potential choking hazards, like nuts, popcorn, gum and whole grapes, says Lockwood.

7 Baby Food Recipes for 6 to 8 Month Olds

Looking for easy and delicious infant puree recipes? Here are a few easy baby food recipes for 6- to 8-month-olds to save—and make over and over again. Find your little one’s new favorites, right here.

Sweet potato puree

Sweet potatoes are easy to store and make a yummy, creamy puree adults can enjoy too. Here’s McCord’s recipe:

You’ll need:

• Sweet potatoes
• Water
• Breast milk or formula (optional)

Steps:

1. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes.
2. Chop them into smaller chunks.
3. Boil the sweet potato chunks in a pot of water until they’re fork-tender (around 15 to 20 minutes) or steam them over boiling water until they’re easily pierced with a fork (about 20 to 25 minutes).
4. Transfer the cooked potatoes to a blender or food processor. Add a splash of water, breast milk or formula, and blend to your desired consistency.

Home

We love this homemade applesauce recipe from McCord because it can double as a side dish for the rest of the family.

You’ll need:

• Apples (any kind, although Fuji and Gala work great)
• Water

Steps:made applesauce

1. Peel and core the apples.
2. Chop the apples into large chunks.
3. Place the chunks in a steamer pot over boiling water. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until they’re fork-tender.
4. Put the apples in a food processor and purée until smooth. (You can add a little cinnamon after baby has tried apples for the first time.)

Persimmon puree

Persimmon is a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as soluble fiber to support baby’s digestion.

You’ll need:

• Persimmons
• Water

Steps:

1. Peel the skin off the persimmons.
2. Cut them into cubes.
3. Put the cut persimmon in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.

Butternut squash puree

The butternut squash for this puree recipe from My Little Brick House can cook in the oven while you give your little one a bath or focus on playtime. It practically makes itself!

You’ll need:

• Butternut squash
• Water

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Peel and cut the butternut squash, and scoop out the seeds.
3. Drizzle it with olive oil.
4. Bake for 10 minutes on each side, or until you can easily pierce the butternut squash with a fork.
5. Blend in a food processor, adding breast milk, formula or water to thin it out.

Broccoli olive oil puree

The fiber in broccoli promotes good gut health for your little one, while also providing vitamin C, antioxidants and iron. Check out this recipe from Baby FoodE:

You’ll need:

• 2 cups broccoli
• 1 small apple, pear or small white potato (optional)
• 1 tbl. olive oil (optional)
• Water

Steps:

1. Roughly chop the broccoli. (You can also add apple, pear or potato if you like.)
2. Place it into a steamer basket and steam for 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender.
3. Move the cooked broccoli to a blender or food processor.
4. Add a drizzle of olive oil.
5. Blend until smooth.

Beet puree

Beets are high in fiber to support baby’s digestion (i.e. encourage pooping). They’re also naturally sweet—what’s not to love?

You’ll need:

• 2 beets, with leaves and stems removed
• Water

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Place beets on one side of a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper; fold the other side over the beets like a book.
3. Pinch the edges to seal the package.
4. Bake for 45 minutes, until fork-tender.
5. Open the foil or parchment paper, and let roasted beets cool.
6. Use a ziplock bag or gloves to cover your hands and peel the beets. (The skin should slide off.)
7. Cut and puree beets in a food processor or blender until smooth.
8. Add a little water if you need to thin it out.

Pear cardamom puree

You can adjust this recipe from Baby FoodE, adding cinnamon, cardamom or other warming spices after baby has tried pears.

You’ll need:

• Pears
• Water

Steps:

1. Peel and roughly chop the pears.
2. Place the pear chunks in a saucepan, along with water.
3. Cover and heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender.
4. Let it cool slightly, then transfer the fruit to a blender.
5. Blend for 1 to 2 minutes until creamy.

Perhaps the best thing about these infant puree recipes? You can store them to use later, so they’re super-versatile. Whip up a batch and refrigerate or freeze it to enjoy nutritious meals with your little one now and later. Bon appétit!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.