As parents, we all want to give our babies the healthiest start possible. That’s why making your own vegan baby food at home is such a fantastic way to ensure your little one’s meals are both nutritious and free from unwanted additives.
Not only does preparing baby food from scratch allow you to control the ingredients, but it also introduces your baby to a variety of flavors and textures from an early age. Whether you’re raising your child vegan or simply want to boost their veggie intake, these best vegan baby food recipes will help you whip up wholesome, plant-based meals your baby will love.
From smooth purees to chunky mashes, each recipe is designed to be gentle on tiny tummies and packed with vital nutrients. Let’s dive in and discover how easy—and fun—it can be to nourish your baby with the best nature has to offer!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Each of these vegan baby food recipes has been thoughtfully crafted with your child’s nutrition and taste buds in mind. Here are a few reasons why parents and babies adore them:
- Nutrient-Dense: Whole plant foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber for growing bodies.
- Flavorful & Varied: These recipes introduce your baby to a range of natural flavors, helping to build adventurous eaters!
- Allergy-Friendly: Free from dairy, eggs, and animal products, making them suitable for most dietary restrictions.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and clear steps mean less time in the kitchen and more time with your baby.
- Budget-Friendly: Homemade baby food is far more economical than store-bought jars and pouches.
“Introducing a wide variety of vegetables and fruits early on can help reduce picky eating later in life!”
Ingredients
Below you’ll find a handy table and lists for the basic ingredients used in these top vegan baby food recipes. All produce should be fresh, organic if possible, and thoroughly washed.
Recipe | Key Ingredients |
---|---|
Sweet Potato & Carrot Puree | Sweet potato, carrot, water |
Pea & Pear Mash | Frozen peas, ripe pear, water |
Banana & Avocado Cream | Banana, avocado |
Oatmeal Apple Porridge | Rolled oats, apple, ground flaxseed, water |
Lentil & Spinach Stew | Red lentils, spinach, carrot, water, olive oil |
Pantry Staples
- Rolled oats
- Red lentils
- Ground flaxseed (optional, for healthy fats)
- Olive oil (for added healthy fat, optional)
- Water or breast milk/formula (as needed for blending)
Fresh Produce
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Pears
- Frozen peas (no added salt)
- Banana
- Avocado
- Apples
- Spinach (fresh or frozen, no salt)
Equipment
- Steamer basket or saucepan for cooking vegetables
- Blender or food processor for pureeing
- Potato masher or fork for chunkier textures
- Small saucepan for cooking oats/lentils
- Silicone spatula for scraping down sides
- Storage containers (glass or BPA-free plastic)
- Ice cube tray (for freezing single portions)
- Baby spoon and bowls
Instructions
Sweet Potato & Carrot Puree
- Peel and chop 1 medium sweet potato and 1 large carrot into small cubes.
- Steam the vegetables for 15-20 minutes, until very soft.
- Transfer to a blender with 1/4 cup water; blend until perfectly smooth, adding more water if needed.
- Cool and serve, or store in single-serve containers.
Pea & Pear Mash
- Steam 1 cup frozen peas until very tender (about 5 minutes).
- Peel and core 1 ripe pear; chop into small pieces.
- Add peas and pear to a blender with 2-3 tablespoons water; blend to desired texture, leaving a little chunk for older babies.
- Let cool before serving.
Banana & Avocado Cream
- Peel 1 ripe banana and 1/2 a ripe avocado.
- Mash together in a bowl using a fork until creamy and smooth.
- Serve immediately – this one is best fresh to avoid browning.
Oatmeal Apple Porridge
- Peel, core, and dice 1 small apple.
- Add to a small saucepan with 1/4 cup rolled oats and 1/2 cup water.
- Simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring often, until oats are soft.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed (optional for omega-3s).
- Cool to a safe temperature and serve.
Lentil & Spinach Stew
- Rinse 1/4 cup red lentils under cold water.
- Add to a saucepan with 1 small peeled and chopped carrot, 1 cup water, and a handful of spinach.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until lentils and carrot are very soft.
- Blend or mash to your baby’s preferred texture, adding a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
- Let cool before serving.
Always test the temperature of homemade baby food before serving to your little one.
Tips & Variations
- Texture: Start with smooth purees for babies 6-8 months, then gradually introduce chunkier mashes for older babies.
- Freezing: Store leftovers in ice cube trays for quick, single-serve portions. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
- Mix & Match: Combine different fruits and veggies for new flavors—try sweet potato with apple, or pea with avocado.
- Allergies: Introduce new foods one at a time and watch for any signs of allergy.
- Boost Nutrition: Add a sprinkle of ground flaxseed or a drizzle of olive oil for healthy fats.
- Flavor Expanders: For older babies, add a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of fresh herbs (like basil or dill) to broaden flavor exposure.
“Every baby is different—don’t be discouraged if your little one doesn’t love a flavor right away. Try again in a week!”
Nutrition Facts
- Steam 1 cup frozen peas until very tender (about 5 minutes).
- Peel and core 1 ripe pear; chop into small pieces.
- Add peas and pear to a blender with 2-3 tablespoons water; blend to desired texture, leaving a little chunk for older babies.
- Let cool before serving.
Banana & Avocado Cream
- Peel 1 ripe banana and 1/2 a ripe avocado.
- Mash together in a bowl using a fork until creamy and smooth.
- Serve immediately – this one is best fresh to avoid browning.
Oatmeal Apple Porridge
- Peel, core, and dice 1 small apple.
- Add to a small saucepan with 1/4 cup rolled oats and 1/2 cup water.
- Simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring often, until oats are soft.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed (optional for omega-3s).
- Cool to a safe temperature and serve.
Lentil & Spinach Stew
- Rinse 1/4 cup red lentils under cold water.
- Add to a saucepan with 1 small peeled and chopped carrot, 1 cup water, and a handful of spinach.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until lentils and carrot are very soft.
- Blend or mash to your baby’s preferred texture, adding a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
- Let cool before serving.
Always test the temperature of homemade baby food before serving to your little one.
Tips & Variations
- Texture: Start with smooth purees for babies 6-8 months, then gradually introduce chunkier mashes for older babies.
- Freezing: Store leftovers in ice cube trays for quick, single-serve portions. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
- Mix & Match: Combine different fruits and veggies for new flavors—try sweet potato with apple, or pea with avocado.
- Allergies: Introduce new foods one at a time and watch for any signs of allergy.
- Boost Nutrition: Add a sprinkle of ground flaxseed or a drizzle of olive oil for healthy fats.
- Flavor Expanders: For older babies, add a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of fresh herbs (like basil or dill) to broaden flavor exposure.
“Every baby is different—don’t be discouraged if your little one doesn’t love a flavor right away. Try again in a week!”
Nutrition Facts
- Peel, core, and dice 1 small apple.
- Add to a small saucepan with 1/4 cup rolled oats and 1/2 cup water.
- Simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring often, until oats are soft.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed (optional for omega-3s).
- Cool to a safe temperature and serve.
Lentil & Spinach Stew
- Rinse 1/4 cup red lentils under cold water.
- Add to a saucepan with 1 small peeled and chopped carrot, 1 cup water, and a handful of spinach.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until lentils and carrot are very soft.
- Blend or mash to your baby’s preferred texture, adding a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
- Let cool before serving.
Always test the temperature of homemade baby food before serving to your little one.
Tips & Variations
- Texture: Start with smooth purees for babies 6-8 months, then gradually introduce chunkier mashes for older babies.
- Freezing: Store leftovers in ice cube trays for quick, single-serve portions. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
- Mix & Match: Combine different fruits and veggies for new flavors—try sweet potato with apple, or pea with avocado.
- Allergies: Introduce new foods one at a time and watch for any signs of allergy.
- Boost Nutrition: Add a sprinkle of ground flaxseed or a drizzle of olive oil for healthy fats.
- Flavor Expanders: For older babies, add a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of fresh herbs (like basil or dill) to broaden flavor exposure.
“Every baby is different—don’t be discouraged if your little one doesn’t love a flavor right away. Try again in a week!”
Nutrition Facts
Always test the temperature of homemade baby food before serving to your little one.
“Every baby is different—don’t be discouraged if your little one doesn’t love a flavor right away. Try again in a week!”
Nutrition will vary based on exact portion sizes and ingredients, but here are general estimates per serving for each recipe:
Recipe | Calories | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Fiber (g) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sweet Potato & Carrot Puree | 55 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Pea & Pear Mash | 60 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Banana & Avocado Cream | 70 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Oatmeal Apple Porridge | 80 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Lentil & Spinach Stew | 90 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
All of these recipes are low in sodium and sugar, and rich in important nutrients like iron (from lentils and spinach), vitamin A (from sweet potatoes and carrots), and fiber (from all veggies and fruits).
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as is: Offer purees plain or slightly warmed, testing temperature before feeding.
- Mix with grains: Stir purees into cooked millet, quinoa, or rice for extra texture.
- Pair with finger foods: For older babies, serve alongside soft-cooked veggie sticks or toast fingers. Try pairing with homemade breads from our Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.
- Make a meal: Combine two purees for a balanced flavor (like sweet potato-carrot with avocado cream).
- On the go: Pack in reusable baby food pouches for travel and outings.
- For toddlers: Use leftovers as dips for veggie crackers. Try our Vegetable Crackers Recipe for Healthy Homemade Snacking for a fun combo!
Conclusion
Making your own vegan baby food is one of the most rewarding—and surprisingly simple—ways to nourish your child. With just a handful of wholesome ingredients and basic kitchen tools, you can prepare a rainbow of nutritious, plant-based meals that support healthy growth and development.
These best vegan baby food recipes offer a range of flavors and nutrients to help your baby thrive, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
Remember, the journey to raising an adventurous eater starts with variety and patience. Mix and match these recipes as your baby grows, and don’t forget to try new combinations to keep things interesting.
For even more plant-based family meal inspiration, explore our guides like Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals and Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas. Here’s to happy, healthy little eaters—one delicious spoonful at a time!
📖 Recipe Card: Sweet Potato, Carrot & Pea Mash
Description: A creamy, nutrient-rich vegan mash perfect for babies 6 months and older. Packed with vitamins and easy to digest.
Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT30M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of ground cumin (optional)
Instructions
- Add sweet potato, carrots, and water to a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add peas and cook for another 5 minutes until all vegetables are soft.
- Drain excess water, reserving a little for blending.
- Transfer vegetables to a blender or food processor.
- Add olive oil and cumin, then blend until smooth.
- Cool to a safe temperature before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 75 | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 2.5g | Carbs: 13g
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