These DIY Baby Food Recipes Will Make You Ditch Those Little Jars for Good (2024)

Wouldn't it be nice if your baby could simply eat what you and your family enjoy? It would certainly save time in the kitchen.

To make prepping food for your mini-me a bit more manageable, Middleberg recommends cooking in large batches and storing leftovers in the freezer in silicone baby food storage trays, like the one pictured here (it's available on Amazon).

After freezing the baby food for 24 hours, pop the cubes into Ziploc bags or a glass storage container for longer-term storage—and don't forget label each container with the recipe name and date you made it. They should stay fresh for a few weeks so long as they remain frozen.

Before trying any of the following recipes, you'll want to introduce foods you plan to feed your baby as single-ingredient purées to test for allergies.

It may take up to 15 tries over several months before your baby accepts a new food and learns to like the flavor, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Avocados are one ingredient you'll find in homemade baby food recipes again and again, and they're an excellent option for introducing babies to solids. Not only do they provide healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, they're also naturally creamy, which makes them perfect for purées. Strawberries and frozen mango also add antioxidants and make this "smoothie" cold and naturally sweet.

Get the recipe from My Humble Kitchen »

All you need is one banana, two kiwis, and a bit of breast milk, water, or formula to create this simple, delicious purée. Rich in antioxidants like vitamins C and E and other nutrients like fiber and magnesium, kiwis are an excellent choice for baby food. Plus, bananas add an extra dose of potassium.

Get the recipe from Little Mashies »

Give your little one their first taste of fall with this veggie-packed recipe, which can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes. It combines carrots, corn, and pumpkin to deliver a heavy dose of nutrients that improve eye health, nerve health, brain development, sleep, and more.

Get the recipe from Baby Foode »

This sweet-and-creamy purée includes a pinch of grated ginger, which helps soothe upset tummies and eliminate gas. The recipe developer behind this dish also selected cauliflower and peaches for their long list of nutrients like fiber and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Aside from adding natural sweetness, peaches help maintain a healthy immune system, and cauliflower promotes healthy liver function.

Get the recipe from Baby Foode »

You only need 5 free minutes to make this delicious meal for your baby. Using 200 grams (a little over two cups) of blueberries, banana, avocado, and lime juice, you can blend up this delicious mixture and refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to three days. You can't go wrong with these heart-healthy, nutrient-rich ingredients.

Get the recipe from Food Recipe Search »

Chicken and other poultry can usually be introduced to babies around 6 months of age, according to Middleberg. "That's the age when babies' iron starts to deplete, so I recommend getting it from the most absorbable form: meat and poultry," she says. Plus, they deliver an excellent dose of protein to help your little one's body grow. Combined with nutrient-dense fruit and veggies, this meal will keep your baby both happy and healthy.

Get the recipe from Annabel Karmel »

No, this isn't guacamole—it's a combination of avocado, green beans, and chicken that will nourish your little one. Omega-3 fatty acids, folate, protein, calcium, and vitamin A are just a few of the nutrients you'll find here.

Get the recipe from Buona Nappa »

Tandy of Hanky's Happy Home developed this creative play on chicken noodle soup—the ultimate comfort food—when her baby got his first stuffy nose. (Aw!)

You can make this recipe as either a purée or soup, depending on your baby's feeding stage. Chopped-up chicken, vegetables, and broth combine to make this meal both nutritious and yummy.

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Broccoli and cheese is a heavenly combination adults love, so it makes sense that baby would enjoy it, too! The green superfood provides a whole host of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, iron, and folate. The mild cheddar serves up a bit of protein and fat, while the potatoes offer a healthy dose of fiber and potassium, a nutrient that aids nerve-muscle communication.

Get the recipe from Weelicious »

Doesn't this bright yellow color remind you of summer? This tropical combo goes down just like applesauce, and your baby will love it just as much. Pears are a fabulous fiber source and will help bolster your child's immune system. Plus, the combo of flavors is actually super tasty! We bet you won't be able to resist licking the bowl after you make a batch.

Get the recipe from Baby Center »

This savory mixture pulls together five wholesome ingredients: leeks, bell peppers, tomatoes, lentils, and sweet potato. Not only is the combo delicious, lentils—the star ingredient—are a great source of protein and fiber.

Get the recipe from One Handed Cooks »

While apple and banana are both sweet, familiar flavors for baby, this bloggers sneaks in a powerhouse vegetable: butternut squash. The winter veggie is an excellent choice if you want to incorporate more vitamin A into your baby's diet, and it's also packed with fiber, potassium, and magnesium.

Get the recipe from Baby Bullet Blog »