Transform fresh apples into the easiest Apple Puree for baby. With a straight-forward method, baby food combination ideas, simple storage tips, and more, this is one apple recipe to make again and again!
Apple Puree
This super simple puree is a great first food for baby as it tends to be a very pleasant flavor and with a smooth texture. You can continue serving it to babies and toddlers as they grow and even combine it with other baby foods to make a whole range of yummy flavor combinations.
This is a delicious puree to make when you have surplus apples. You can even add in some cinnamon or ginger to add flavor.
TIP: The silicone and bamboo baby spoon shown here is from Avanchy.
Apple Puree vs Applesauce
This apple puree is a smaller batch and a simplified version of my applesauce and is smoother. It’s a great Stage 1 baby food, though you can gradually blend it a little less smooth to make it Stage 2 and beyond.
Ingredients You Need
You just need apples to make this baby food! Use a sweet apple that you like the flavor of since that’s the only ingredient you’re using. I like apples like Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Jazz, or Jonathan best, though any apple can be used.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the basic process involved in this recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for more information.
- Wash and dry your apples. (I like using produce wash.)
- Peel and remove the skin. Roughly dice the apples, discarding the core.
- Place into a steamer basket fitted into a medium pot. Cover and cook.
- Transfer to a blender and blend. Let cool slightly and store or serve.
Do you have to peel apples for apple baby food?
You don’t have to, but I find it can be hard to get the puree super, super smooth if you leave them on. If you leave them on, I recommend using a high powered blender to puree the finished baby applesauce.
TIP: For a BLW-style of apple, check out my Baked Apple Slices.
How to Store Apple Puree
You can store this baby food puree in small airtight containers in the fridge or freeze into little cubes to store for later. I like using a silicone ice cube tray to make baby-size portions.
TIP: Find my full guide to Baby Food Storage here.
Apple Baby Food Combinations
There are so many options for how to combine this into new flavors. Try combining it with equal parts or any of these purees:
TIP: You can really combine it with any other baby food that sounds good too.
Best Store Bought Applesauce
If you buy applesauce from the store, which is a great and obviously easy option, look for unsweetened applesauce without sugar, honey, cane sugar, or cane syrup in the ingredient list.
Applesauce without added sugars is plenty sweet (there will be some natural sugars from the apples!).
Best Tips for Success
- Refrigerate the apple puree for up to 5 days in airtight containers.
- Freeze, once cooled, in a silicone ice cube tray overnight. Transfer to a zip top storage bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge.
- To make this without a steamer basket, add to a medium pot with 1 cup of water. Simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes or until soft. Transfer to a blender using a slotted spoon, adding 1 tablespoon at a time of water to blend the desired consistency.
- Combine with Butternut Squash Puree, Sweet Potato Baby Food, Avocado Puree, Bean Puree, Peanut Butter Puree, Peach Puree, or any other baby food that sounds good.
- Add a pinch of ground cinnamon or dried ginger to add flavor.
- To do this with the peel on, skip Step 2 and be sure to blend very, very smooth. Even with a high powered blender, it can be hard to get the skins completely smooth (which baby may not enjoy), but the puree will have more fiber and nutrients if you leave it on.
- Feed the baby the puree on a spoon or put a little on the spoon and hand it to baby to self-feed.
- End a meal when baby turns their head away or closes their mouth tightly and trust them to show you how hungry they are. There’s no one right portion size!
- You may also like Pear Puree, Pea Puree, Strawberry Puree, and Raspberry Puree.
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below!
This post was first published September 2020.
Best Apple Puree (with Flavor Combinations + Storage Tips))
There’s no one right serving size for every child, so start with a smaller amount and offer more as indicated by baby. When they turn their head or close their mouth, end the meal—it’s usually pretty obvious when they want to be done!
Ingredients
- 3 medium apples (about 3 cups diced)
- Cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
-
Wash and dry your apples. (I like using produce wash.)
-
Peel and remove the skin.
-
Roughly dice the apples, 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 apples 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. (Usually you won’t need more than 2 or 3.)
-
Add a tiny pinch of cinnamon if desired.
-
Let cool slightly and store or serve.
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days in airtight containers.
- Freeze, once cooled, in a silicone ice cube tray overnight. Transfer to a zip top storage bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge.
- To make this without a steamer basket, add to a medium pot with 1 cup of water. Simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes or until soft. Transfer to a blender using a slotted spoon, adding 1 tablespoon at a time of water to blend the desired consistency.
- Combine with Butternut Squash Puree, Sweet Potato Baby Food, Avocado Puree, Bean Puree, Peanut Butter Puree, Peach Puree, or any other baby food that sounds good.
- Add a pinch of ground cinnamon or dried ginger to add flavor.
- To do this with the peel on, skip Step 2 and be sure to blend very, very smooth. Even with a high powered blender, it can be hard to get the skins completely smooth (which baby may not enjoy), but the puree will have more fiber and nutrients if you leave it on.
- Feed the baby the puree on a spoon or put a little on the spoon and hand it to baby to self-feed.
- End a meal when baby turns their head away or closes their mouth tightly and trust them to show you how hungry they are. There’s no one right portion size!
Nutrition
Calories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 49IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg
