Apple Baby Food Puree (Stage 1) - Baby Foode (2024)

This Apple Baby Puree recipe is a wonderful first food for your baby! A delicious, nutrient-dense puree that your baby will go gaga over! Great baby food for 4-6 months and up – stage 1 baby food.

Medically reviewed byJamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Heath Benefits of Apples

• Good source of fiber, which benefits heart health and digestion. The pectin in apples is prebiotic, which is the food probiotics, or good bacteria in the gut, feed on. The soluble fiber apples contain helps with cholesterol levels.
• Helps with hydration due to their high water content.
• Good source of vitamin C, which helps with immunity.
• The antioxidants in apples help with cancer prevention.

Ingredients

Make sure to read the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions!

• Apples: You will need six apples for this recipe. Look for apples that are firm, ripe and don’t have any open blemishes or bruises.
• Cinnamon: Adding in a pinch of cinnamon will make this puree even more swoon-worthy! But adding in spices to your baby’s puree is totally up to you. You can opt to leave them out if you prefer.

Best Apples to Use

I prefer to use a sweeter apple such a Pink Lady or McIntosh, but really can you use any apple you prefer or have on hand.

Here are some great apple options:

• Pink Lady
• Gala
• Honeycrisp
• Fuji
• McIntosh
• Jazz
• Golden Delicious

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep apples: peel, core, and roughly chop apples.
2. Cook: place the apples, water, and cinnamon (if using) in a medium saucepan and heat on medium-low for 12-15 minutes.
3. Puree: transfer to blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
4. Serve or freeze.

Peeling Tip: you can peel or not peel apples for this puree. If this is your first time serving apples to your baby, I would recommend peeling the apples as they contain a good deal of fiber, which might be a little too much for babies belly. Once your baby gets used to the apples and their fiber content, peeling is completely up to you.

Tools Needed

These tools will make it a lot easier for you to make this healthy Apple Baby Food Puree. For more of my favorite baby food-making tools, be sure to check out my online shop.

• Medium Saucepan
• BlenderorFood Processor
• Freezer Tray
• Storage Containers for Fridge
• Stasher Bag
• BEABA Babycook
• highchair
• suction bowlorbaby bowl
• baby spoon
• open lid cup
• bib with catch pocket

Other Cooking Methods

While I love the crisp flavor of simmered apples, there are several different ways you can cook apples for baby food.

BEABA Babycook

Nothing is better than homemade apple puree! And now that delight got even easier with theBEABA Babycook. With a touch of a button, you will have homemade apple puree for your baby (and you) in a matter of minutes. To make, place 3 peeled, cored and chopped apples into the stainless steel steamer basket, and place the basket into the glass container, closing the lid. Fill the reservoir tank to a level 3, close and lock the lid. Hit the steam button and let the machine get to work. Once steamed, transfer the apples into the glass container, leaving the water, and add a pinch of cinnamon. Close the lid, and hit the blend button for 1 minute or until the puree is smooth. You may need to add more water to the puree if needed in 2 tablespoon increments.

Full Review:read my full, in-depth and honest review of theBEABA Babycook Neo, which includes pros and cons! Make sure to grab 15% off yourBabycookwith code (BabyFoode15)!

Steaming

Peel and roughly chop apples before placing them into a steamer basket over 2 inches of boiling water for 8-10, or tender when pricked with a fork. Puree in a blender as directed below.

Boiling

Place peeled and roughly chopped apples into a medium saucepan, add enough water to cover the apples and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 10 minutes or when tender with pricked with a fork. Puree in a blender as directed below. Just FYI, boiling tends to leave foods less nutritious than other methods of cooking because many of the nutrients are leached into the water while boiling, and then the water is thrown out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Apple Baby Food

Refrigerator

You can store this apple puree in anairtight containerin the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer

This puree can be frozen for up to 4 months.

• Spoon puree into a freezer storage container – do not overfill.
• Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap and label with date and recipe name.
• Place the tray into the freezer and let freeze completely – preferably overnight.
• Pop out the baby food cubes and place in a zip-lock baggie orstasher bag– don’t forget to re-label the baggie or stasher bag for future reference.

Need more information on how to store your baby foods – head over to myBest Baby Food Storage Containers – Plus 6 Tips on Freezing and Thawingpost!

Apple Combination Purees

While this apple puree is delicious on it’s own, it will also be amazing mixed with these purees for a fun and tasty combination puree.

• Carrots
• Pears
• Quinoa Baby Cereal
• Sweet Potato
• Chicken
• Soft Tofu
• Pumpkin
• Mango
• Yogurt
• Rice Cereal

Apples for Baby-Led Weaning: Apples are also a great food to serve to your baby whole for baby-led weaning (6+ months) or as a finger food (9+ months). You can always serve baby a combination of purees and finger foods right from the start.

Or watch a shortened version of this videohere.