Introducing your little one to solid foods is such an exciting milestone, and baby led weaning (BLW) offers a wonderful way to encourage independence and a love for whole foods from the start. If you’re following a vegan lifestyle or simply want to introduce plant-based meals, baby led weaning recipes that are vegan-friendly can be both nutritious and delicious.
These recipes emphasize natural textures and flavors that help babies develop chewing and self-feeding skills while offering a variety of essential nutrients.
In this post, you’ll find easy-to-make vegan BLW recipes designed to delight your baby’s taste buds and make mealtime enjoyable for the whole family. From soft veggie sticks to protein-packed lentil patties, these recipes are thoughtfully crafted to suit tiny hands and developing palates.
Plus, we’ll share tips to make feeding time safe, fun, and stress-free.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Baby led weaning promotes self-feeding and exploration, making mealtime more interactive and less stressful for both baby and parents. These vegan BLW recipes are made with whole, unprocessed ingredients, free from added sugars and salt, ensuring your little one gets the best start with clean, wholesome nutrition.
Each recipe is designed to be soft enough for babies to gum and chew safely while introducing a wide range of flavors and textures. This encourages healthy eating habits and helps prevent picky eating later on.
Additionally, these meals are easy to prepare, often requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal cooking time.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan family or just exploring plant-based options, these recipes will make your baby’s transition to solids a joyful and nourishing experience.
Ingredients
- Sweet potato – 1 medium, peeled and cut into sticks
- Carrots – 2 large, peeled and cut into sticks
- Avocado – 1 ripe, sliced into wedges
- Cooked red lentils – 1 cup
- Oats – ½ cup, ground
- Chia seeds – 1 tbsp, soaked in 3 tbsp water (chia gel)
- Broccoli florets – 1 cup, steamed until soft
- Pea puree – ½ cup (fresh or frozen peas blended)
- Whole wheat flour – ¼ cup (optional for binding)
- Olive oil – 1 tbsp (for cooking)
Equipment
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Steaming basket or pot for steaming vegetables
- Blender or food processor for pureeing peas and soaking chia seeds
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Non-stick skillet or frying pan for cooking lentil patties
- Knife and cutting board for chopping vegetables
Instructions
- Prepare the sweet potato and carrot sticks: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the sweet potato and carrot sticks with a little olive oil. Arrange them on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake the veggie sticks: Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until soft and easily pierced with a fork. Let them cool completely before serving to your baby.
- Make the lentil patties: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked red lentils, ground oats, chia gel, and whole wheat flour if using. Mix well until the mixture holds together. Form into small, baby-friendly patties.
- Cook the patties: Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Allow to cool before serving.
- Steam the broccoli: Place broccoli florets in a steaming basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Cool before offering to your baby.
- Prepare the pea puree: Blend cooked or thawed peas into a smooth puree. This can be used as a dip for veggie sticks or patties.
- Slice the avocado: Cut the ripe avocado into wedges, perfect for little hands to grasp.
- Assemble for serving: Arrange the baked veggie sticks, lentil patties, steamed broccoli, avocado slices, and pea puree on a plate. Let your baby explore and self-feed at their own pace.
Tips & Variations
Always supervise your baby while eating to prevent choking.
Make sure all veggies are soft enough for your baby to gum. You can test by pressing with a fork or your finger.
If it easily mashes, it’s ready.
Try swapping sweet potato with butternut squash or pumpkin for variety. For the lentil patties, red lentils work best as they cook quickly and mash easily, but you can experiment with other lentils if well cooked.
Add mild spices like cinnamon to sweet potato sticks or a pinch of cumin to the lentil patties for gentle flavor introductions. Avoid salt and sugar in baby recipes.
For a fun finger food combo, serve these recipes alongside some soft, baby-safe bread such as the Hamburger Bun Sourdough Recipe or the Kodiak Banana Muffins Recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Ingredient | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbohydrates | Fiber |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sweet Potato (100g) | 86 | 1.6g | 0.1g | 20g | 3g |
Carrots (100g) | 41 | 0.9g | 0.2g | 10g | 3g |
Avocado (50g) | 80 | 1g | 7.5g | 4g | 3g |
Cooked Red Lentils (100g) | 116 | 9g | 0.4g | 20g | 8g |
Chia Seeds (15g) | 72 | 2.5g | 4.5g | 6g | 5g |
Serving Suggestions
These vegan baby led weaning recipes are perfect for offering as a mixed platter during mealtimes. Encourage your baby to pick up the soft veggie sticks or patties and dip into the pea puree for added flavor and moisture.
For family meals, these recipes can double as side dishes or snacks for adults and older children. Pair with a fresh salad or some steamed grains for a complete meal.
You might also enjoy exploring other vegan-friendly dishes like the Half Runner Beans Recipe for a nutritious vegetable side or the Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Recipe to add flavor to your stir-fried veggies.
Conclusion
Baby led weaning with vegan recipes is a fantastic way to introduce your little one to a world of nutritious, whole foods while supporting their natural curiosity and self-feeding skills. These simple, wholesome recipes focus on plant-based ingredients that provide essential nutrients, textures, and flavors that babies love to explore.
By preparing soft veggie sticks, lentil patties, and creamy purees, you’re setting up your baby for a lifetime of healthy eating habits while making mealtime enjoyable and stress-free. Remember, patience and supervision are key as your baby learns to navigate new tastes and textures.
Feel free to experiment with different vegetables and legumes, and don’t miss out on other delicious vegan recipes on our site, such as the Lazy Cookie Cake Recipe or the Kool Aid Cake Recipe for sweet treats once your baby is older.
Happy feeding!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegan Sweet Potato and Avocado Baby Led Weaning
Description: A nutritious and easy-to-eat vegan recipe perfect for baby led weaning. Soft sweet potatoes paired with creamy avocado make a delicious and wholesome meal for babies.
Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT30M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato (about 300g)
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- A pinch of ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa
- A few fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- Water for steaming
Instructions
- Peel and cut the sweet potato into thick sticks.
- Steam the sweet potato sticks for 15-20 minutes until soft.
- Mash the avocado in a bowl until smooth.
- Mix olive oil, ground cumin, and cinnamon into the mashed avocado.
- Add cooked quinoa and parsley to the avocado mixture and stir gently.
- Serve the steamed sweet potato sticks alongside the avocado mixture for dipping.
Nutrition: Calories: 150 kcal | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 7 g | Carbs: 20 g
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