Learn the safest and easiest ways to serve cherry for babies, whether you’re doing baby-led weaning or purees. You’ll find cherry finger foods and an easy cherry puree to introduce the fruit to baby.
Cherry for Baby
Cherries are one of the most flavorful fruits and are loaded with antioxidants and natural sweetness. Their natural shape is a choking hazard for babies and toddlers, though, especially with the pit inside, so there are a few things to keep in mind when serving them to littles.
As with any other round foods, you’ll want to at least halve them, if not quarter them to ensure the shape is safe.
You can also make a simple puree from fresh, pitted cherries to serve as a single no-cook baby food or use in a baby food combination.
It’s also delicious stirred together with yogurt.
Cherry Puree
Cherry puree is so delicious and so easy. You simply need to pit a handful of cherries and blend them smooth. In addition to Strawberry Puree and Raspberry Puree, this is a favorite.
Cherries for Baby-Led Weaning
The small shape of cherries doesn’t lend itself to the shape usually recommended for BLW—finger-size pieces—but there are still some ways to offer the fruit.
You can try a preloaded spoonful of the puree that baby can self-feed. You could also mash the cherry puree onto a toast stick.
Once baby can start to pick up small pieces, you can quarter cherries lengthwise and baby can pick up and eat the finger food.
We love finding ripe and fresh cherries and cantaloupe for the kids during the warmer months.
Ingredients You Need
To serve cherries to baby, you simply need fresh or frozen cherries to start. Sweet cherries, rather than tart pie cherries, will have the best flavor to eat fresh.
You can let frozen cherries thaw and use them the same as you would fresh ones. They will be softer after being thawed from frozen, which is a nice texture for baby.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to cut up fresh cherries safely for babies and toddlers.
1. Use a cherry pitter to remove the pits from the cherries, or cut in half with a small knife and pop out the pit.
2. Cut the fruit in half, then in half again lengthwise to make long pieces. Baby can now pick these up and eat them.
3. To make a puree, put the pitted cherries into a blender and blend until very smooth. Serve or store for future use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if they are pitted and either cut into lengthwise pieces or pureed. You can start with fresh or frozen cherries.
Cherries are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. They’re also very delicious.
You can either pit the fruit and cut lengthwise or puree into a simple baby food.
How to Store
Store cut fresh cherries or cherry puree in storage containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cherry baby food in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
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WeeSprout Storage jars
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Best Tips for Success
- Be sure to remove the pit from fresh cherries with a cherry pitter or a knife.
- Cut fresh cherries in half or into quarters lengthwise to ensure they are a safe size for babies.
- Puree pitted cherries for an easy homemade puree.
- You may also like tips on serving beets to baby and sweet potato.
Related Recipes
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Best Early Finger Foods for Baby
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Watermelon for Baby and Toddlers
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Cherry for Baby: BLW and Puree
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherries
Instructions
To make Cherry Puree:
- Remove the pits from the cherries with a cherry pitter or a knife. (You can also start with thawed pitted frozen cherries.)
- Add to a blender and blend very smooth.
To cut cherries as finger foods:
- Remove the pits from the cherries with a cherry pitter or a knife. (You can also start with thawed pitted frozen cherries.)
- Cut in half lengthwise, at least, or quarter the fruit lengthwise. Serve as a finger food.
Notes
- Store cut fresh cherries or cherry puree in storage containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cherry baby food in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
- Be sure to remove the pit from fresh cherries with a cherry pitter or a knife.
- Cut fresh cherries in half or into quarters lengthwise to ensure they are a safe size for babies.
- Puree pitted cherries for an easy homemade puree.
