Super Easy Homemade Stage 1 Baby Foods

Starting baby on solids is a very exciting time! They’ve gone months just drinking milk and now you’re ready for those high chair feeding sessions. Yay! I’ve compiled a list of super easy homemade stage 1 baby foods that you make in 15 minutes or less! Perfect for the busy mama- and lets face it- we’re always busy!! But that shouldn’t stop you from giving your baby the best homemade foods.

Homemade vs. Store bought

You may be wondering why you should be making baby food from scratch when you can just buy it off the shelf at your local grocery store. Well according to a recent NY Times article some baby food contains high levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium. Here’s another shocker- the FDA does not regulate the amount of toxic heavy metals in baby food and infant cereal. Yet they do have limits for other things like bottled water, juice, and candy. Testing uncovered over 10x the amount of heavy metals in baby food when compared to bottled water. How can this be?? And testing included major brands including those claiming to be organic such as Gerber, Beech Nut, Parent’s Choice and others. Exposure to high levels of heavy metals in infants can cause brain damage, behavioral problems, and even cancer in the long term.

Some Earth’s Best products contained arsenic and other contaminants, Congressional investigators said on Thursday. 

Store bought baby foods have been found to contain high levels of arsenic, lead, & cadmium.

What You’ll Need

You can use whatever kitchen equipment you already have at home like your blender and steamer basket. But there are some great baby food making tools that can make your life a little simpler. We have a Nutribullet baby blender that we use exclusively for all of our daughter’s food. We also have the baby bullet steamer which I love. There are settings on it for the type of food you are steaming and it steams to baby food perfection! No guessing if your carrots are over or under-steamed. You will also need some good storage bowls so you can refrigerate or freeze your batches for later. We love these OXO freezer friendly bowls in perfect 2oz and 4oz sizes.

Stage 1 Baby Food Recipes

  • Gala or Fuji apples
  • Water or breastmilk

Peels apples and cut out the core. Place in steamer basket (about 10 min). Transfer to blender and add water or breastmilk. Start with a small amount and add to desired consistency. (I loved making Kira’s nice and thick so she can feed herself without it falling off the spoon!) Serve warm or cold.

  • Whole avocado
  • Water or breastmilk

Slice avocado in half to open and scoop out contents (discarding the pit). Add to blender with water or breastmilk to desired consistency. Serve warm or cold. *Alternatively you can mash avocado with a fork and a small amount of liquid for a chunkier puree.

  • Fresh head of broccoli
  • Water or breastmilk

Chop head of broccoli into florets. Place in steamer basket (about 7 minutes). Transfer to blender and add water or breastmilk to desired consistency. Serve warm.

  • Whole Butternut Squash
  • Water or breastmilk

Cut butternut squash lengthwise in half to open. Remove seeds from core. Bake in oven face down at 350 for 45 minutes. Scoop out flesh and transfer to blender. Add water or breastmilk to desired consistency. Serve warm. *Once baked takes less than 10 mins to make. May bake in advance.

  • Regular or baby carrots
  • Water or breastmilk

Add to steamer basket. For regular carrots, peel and chop before adding to steamer basket. (About 17 min). Transfer to blender and add water or breastmilk to desired consistency. Serve warm.

  • Fresh cauliflower
  • Water or breastmilk

Cut head of cauliflower into florets. Place in steamer basket (about 12 min). Transfer to blender and add water or breastmilk to desired consistency. This makes a super smooth and buttery puree. Serve warm.

  • Mango
  • Water or breastmilk

Peel mango and cut into chunks. Transfer to blender and add water or breastmilk to desired consistency. Serve at room temp or cold.

  • Peaches
  • Water or breastmilk

Slice peaches and remove core. Place in steamer basket (about 10 min). Transfer to blender and add water or breastmilk to desired consistency. Serve warm or cold.

  • Pears
  • Water or breastmilk

Peel pears and cut out core. Place in steamer basket (about 12 mins). Transfer to blender and add water or breastmilk to desired consistency. Start with very little liquid and add as you blend since the pear is juicy. Serve warm or cold.

  • Frozen Peas
  • Water or breastmilk

Place frozen peas in steamer basket. Or steam in bag. Transfer to blender and add water or breastmilk to desired consistency. Serve warm.

Leftovers

Fresh baby food will last in the fridge for 3 days and in the freezer for 4 months. I always batch create so that I have enough for the fridge and the freezer and I’m not constantly looking for something to make. Freezer portions can be taken out the night before and thawed under refrigeration for the next day’s meals. Or you can use your baby bullet steamer to thaw freezer portions on the spot (very convenient).

I hope you take the time to make your own baby food! It’s simple and totally worth it. Remember that your baby won’t be in this stage forever. Enjoy the journey & make meals fun!