Apples for Baby (BLW, Puree, Finger Food Options)

Apples for Baby (BLW, Puree, Finger Food Options)

Learn how to prepare apples for baby led weaning, purees, and as an easy finger food for older babies and toddlers. With tips to minimize choking risks.

Course Baby Food

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings -2

Calories 95kcal

Author Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

1 medium apple (any variety)
1 teaspoon unsalted butter or coconut oil (optional)
Sprinkle cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

Baked Apple Slices (BLW)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place 1 teaspoon butter or coconut oil into a pie plate or baking dish. Warm in the oven for a few minutes to melt. Remove from oven. Slice the apples into 1/2-inch slices and discard the cores. Place into the baking dish with the oil. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and toss to combine. Bake for 28-34 minutes, or until tender when poked with a fork.

Apple Puree

Peel and remove the skin from the apple. Roughly dice the apple, discarding the core. Place into a steamer basket fitted into a medium pot filled with two inches of water. Cover and bring pot to a simmer over medium heat and steam the apple for 10-12 minutes or until very soft. Transfer to a blender. Blend until very smooth, adding 1 tablespoon water at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Stewed Apples (Finger food, 9+ months)

Peel the apple if desired. (We prefer to peel them for this recipe, but it's also find to leave them on.)Dice into 1-½ Inch pieces. Discard the cores. Place into a pot set over high heat. Add 1/4 cup apple juice or water and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium so the liquid is just at a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the apple Is just soft when poked with a fork. Let cool slightly and serve.

Raw Apple (Finger food, 10+ months)

Cut off a side of an apple and grate it on a box grater. If this texture is too challenging for your 9-10 month baby, you can put grated apple into very hot water for 5 minutes to soften, then drain. This can be offered as an early finger food, with a small amount at a time.

Raw Apple (Finger food, 14+ months)

Cut off one side of an apple and place cut side down on a cutting board. Cut thin slices about 1/8-inch thick. Then cut lengthwise to make thin matchstick-size pieces. Offer a few at a time.

Notes

Store any cooked apple in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Offer apple puree or soft-baked or steamed apple slices to start. The slices are an option for baby-led weaning.
Try small pieces of soft-cooked apple as a finger food after about 9 months. You can stew, steam, saute, or bake the apples. They should be very soft.
To try raw apple with a baby over about 9-10 months, grate it on a box grater. If that texture is too challenging, place the grated apple into very hot water for 5 minutes to soften. Drain, then offer to baby.
Over about 12-14 months, you can cut raw apple into matchstick-size pieces.

Nutrition