Hey there, fellow parent! So, you’ve finally decided to dive into the wild world of BLW (Baby-Led Weaning), huh? First off, bravo! Letting your little munchkin explore solid foods on their own is both adorable and slightly terrifying at the same time. I remember watching my baby stare at a blob of mashed avocado like it was an alien artifact—classic first BLW experience. 😄
If you’re here, you’re probably wondering: “How do I even start? What’s safe, tasty, and actually easy to make?” Well, you’re in the right place. I’ve rounded up 17 super easy, super baby-friendly recipes that are perfect for 6 months and older. And trust me, these recipes are as simple as they are fun. No crazy ingredients, no chef-level skills required—just good old-fashioned yumminess.
So grab a bib, take a deep breath, and let’s get your baby munching like a tiny food critic.
🥑 1. Mashed Avocado Smash
Let’s kick things off with the ultimate baby food classic: mashed avocado. Honestly, I think avocados were basically invented for BLW parents. Creamy, healthy, and totally mess-friendly.
- Slice a ripe avocado in half.
- Scoop out the flesh and mash it with a fork.
- Optional: add a tiny squeeze of lemon to prevent browning.
Pro tip: Serve it on a spoon or on their high chair tray. Your baby might just try to smear it all over the wall instead of eating it, but hey, that’s part of the fun, right?
🍌 2. Banana Pancakes (3-Ingredient Magic)
Yes, you heard me—3 ingredients. You probably have them already.
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons of flour (any kind)
Instructions:
- Mash the banana.
- Mix in the egg and flour.
- Cook small pancakes on a non-stick pan until golden.
These pancakes are soft, sweet, and perfect for little fingers. IMO, babies have a built-in pancake radar—if you make them, they will come.
🍠 3. Sweet Potato Fingers
Sweet potatoes are basically nature’s candy, and they make perfect finger food.
- Peel and cut into finger-sized sticks.
- Steam until soft but not mushy.
- Let them cool and serve.
They’re slightly sweet, slightly savory, and totally irresistible. Bonus: you can make a big batch and freeze extras. Yay for minimal prep stress!
🍎 4. Apple Cinnamon Porridge
Who doesn’t love a little morning warmth? Apple cinnamon porridge is soft, comforting, and naturally sweet.
- Cook rolled oats in water or breast milk/formula.
- Steam and puree an apple.
- Stir in a pinch of cinnamon.
Serve slightly warm, and watch your baby’s face light up. Seriously, it’s like tiny culinary magic.
🥕 5. Carrot Sticks Steamed to Perfection
Carrots aren’t just for bunnies, FYI. Babies love them too!
- Peel and cut carrots into sticks.
- Steam until soft.
- Cool and let your baby explore.
Fun tip: Pair these with a small dollop of yogurt for dipping. Your baby might just discover a whole new dimension of snacking.
🍞 6. Peanut Butter Toast Fingers
A BLW classic for slightly older babies. Make sure your baby isn’t allergic, of course!
- Toast a slice of whole-grain bread.
- Spread a thin layer of smooth peanut butter.
- Cut into sticks that are easy to hold.
Warning: Peanut butter + baby fingers = mess explosion. But the smiles? Worth it.
🥦 7. Broccoli Trees
Broccoli florets aren’t just nutritious; they’re fun!
- Steam broccoli until soft.
- Let the florets cool.
- Give your baby a little “tree” to gnaw on.
Sometimes they’ll eat the whole thing, sometimes they’ll just chew on the stalk. Either way, broccoli wins.
🍳 8. Egg Yolk Mash
Egg yolks are soft, nutritious, and baby-friendly.
- Boil an egg until fully cooked.
- Separate the yolk and mash it with a fork.
- Optional: mix with a little breast milk or formula for creaminess.
Tip: Serve small amounts at first. The texture is different from purees, but babies often love it.
🍚 9. Veggie Rice Balls
Rice balls are fun, bite-sized, and easy for tiny hands.
- Cook rice until soft.
- Mix in finely steamed veggies (carrot, peas, zucchini).
- Form small balls.
Pro tip: You can make a batch and freeze them for super quick meals. Win-win.
🍌 10. Banana Oat Muffins
Muffins aren’t just for brunch—they’re BLW-approved snacks.
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup oats
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Mash bananas.
- Mix in oats and egg.
- Spoon into mini muffin tins and bake at 180°C for 15–20 minutes.
These muffins are soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for little grab-and-go snacks.
🥔 11. Mashed Potato & Pea Smash
Potatoes and peas are basically the OG baby combo.
- Boil and mash potatoes.
- Steam peas and mash them slightly.
- Mix together and serve warm.
Your baby will love the creamy texture, and bonus: it freezes well for busy days.
🍐 12. Steamed Pear Slices
Pears are soft, naturally sweet, and easy for babies to handle.
- Peel and core a pear.
- Cut into finger-sized slices.
- Steam until soft and cool slightly before serving.
Sometimes simple really is best, right?
🧀 13. Cheesy Veggie Omelette Strips
Omelette strips are a protein-packed BLW delight.
- 1 egg
- Finely chopped veggies (spinach, bell peppers)
- A small amount of grated cheese
Instructions:
- Whisk the egg.
- Mix in veggies and cheese.
- Cook in a non-stick pan and cut into strips.
Fun fact: Babies often love cheese even more than we do. Go figure.
🍊 14. Soft Orange Segments
Citrus fruits can be tricky, but soft orange segments are usually safe and fun.
- Peel and divide into small segments.
- Remove all seeds and membranes.
- Serve soft and juicy.
It’s like a tiny vitamin C party in their mouth. Seriously, who needs candy anyway?
🧆 15. Mini Lentil Patties
Lentils are an underappreciated hero in baby nutrition.
- Cook lentils until soft.
- Mash and mix with finely chopped veggies.
- Form mini patties and lightly bake or steam.
These little patties are soft, protein-rich, and perfect for tiny hands to hold.
🍓 16. Yogurt & Fruit Swirl
Who says dessert can’t be healthy?
- Take plain full-fat yogurt.
- Blend in small amounts of fruit puree (strawberries, mango, blueberries).
- Serve in a small bowl or let your baby scoop with fingers.
Bonus: It’s creamy, fun, and mess-friendly (well, kind of).
🥬 17. Spinach & Banana Smoothie
A smoothie might be the sneaky way to get greens into your baby’s diet.
- 1 small ripe banana
- A handful of fresh spinach
- Breast milk or formula
Instructions:
- Blend everything until smooth.
- Serve in a sippy cup or small bowl.
Trust me, babies rarely notice spinach when it’s disguised as banana goodness.
Wrapping It Up
Phew! That’s 17 easy BLW recipes that are safe, nutritious, and—most importantly—fun. Honestly, the best part about BLW is watching your baby explore textures, tastes, and all the messy chaos in between. You might end up cleaning more than you eat, but hey, these little faces are worth it.
Remember: start with soft textures, always supervise, and don’t stress about perfection. Each baby develops differently, and the goal is exploration, not just nutrition.
So, are you ready to let your baby pick, mash, and munch their way to tiny culinary fame? I promise, it’s messy, hilarious, and utterly rewarding. Your fridge might look like a food war zone, but your baby will thank you with every adorable bite.
Key Takeaways:
- BLW is about exploration, not perfection.
- Start with soft, manageable textures.
- Mix and match these 17 recipes to keep meals exciting.
- Freeze extras for stress-free feeding days.
- Have fun, and embrace the mess—it’s part of the journey!
There you have it—your ultimate guide to 17 Easy BLW Recipes for 6 Months+ Babies. Your tiny foodie adventure starts now. 🥑🍌🍠
