Apple Puree for Baby: Recipes & Storage Tips

Parents are always happy to see their babies blossom and develop right from the second they’re born! They will always keep a close eye on everything their precious little baby does, especially when they begin to eat different foods like apple puree. So, how to make apple puree for baby? If you have a little one whom you are about to wean on to solids, you’d want to know the answer to this question.

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One of the safest and the most common foods babies are introduced to when weaning them on to solids is apple puree. It has a sweet flavour that your baby is sure to love, and is also easy to digest as it is rich in fibre. But, that’s not all. Apple puree can benefit your little one in more ways than one. Let’s first take a look at when you can feed apple puree to your baby.

When Can You Feed Apple Puree to Your Baby?

‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’! This stands true as the fruit is one of the best foods to introduce to your baby. Pureed apples are not only easy to digest; they are also filled with nutrients your baby needs during his growth years. It is apt to feed your baby once he turns six months old, as he will begin to show signs that he is ready for solid food and cereals. However, take note that breastfeeding is always recommended for your baby at least in the first 6 months.

How Much Apple Puree Should You Give to Your Baby?

Babies love the natural sweetness of fruits like apples. So, between six and eight months, a baby will typically be given about two to three tablespoons of fruit puree a day.

Let’s take a look at the nutrition value of apple puree.

Apple Puree – Nutrition Value

Apple puree is often considered as an immunity booster. Here’s what it has that benefits your little one when it is made a part of his regular diet. This nutritional value is for one serving (100g) of apple puree.

• Calories – 52 cals 
• Carbohydrates – 14 gm 
• Fat – 0.17 gm
• Protein – 0.26 gm 
• Dietary fibre – 2.4 gm 

Amazing Health Benefits of Apple Puree for Baby

Apple puree can provide some amazing benefits to your baby. Some of these benefits include:

1. Rich in Proteins & Minerals

Apple puree provides all the essential elements required for the baby’s body, like proteins and minerals.

2. Reduced Incidence of Diarrhoea

Apple peel contains soluble fibre, which is good for digesting any food to avoid stomach troubles like diarrhoea or vomiting.

3. Strengthen the Bones

Apple puree also contains magnesium, calcium phosphate, and many other vitamins (A, B, C, E, etc.) that help strengthen the baby’s bones.

4. Boosts Immunity

Apple puree is also helpful in boosting the Immunity of babies as fibres found in apples mixed with breast milk help to bolster their immune system for a longer period when compared to other food sources.

Now, let’s know how you could make some delicious apple puree for your munchkin.

How to Make Apple Puree for Your Baby?

As mentioned earlier, apple puree as baby food is always preferred by mothers for the taste and nutritional benefits. Once your baby is comfortable eating the fruit in a cooked and pureed form, you can also introduce other fruits or mix them with the apple puree to make it extra tasty and nutritious. As the baby grows up, you can slowly switch from a smooth puree to a textured one. So, what do you need to make apple puree? Let’s find out!

Ingredients

• 1 Apple
• 2 cups of water
• A pinch of cinnamon powder (optional)
• Breast milk (2 to 3 tablespoons or as required)

Method

1. Thoroughly wash the apple, de-core, peel and cut it into cubes.
2. Put the apple slices in the small pressure cooker filled with water. You may also use a food steamer.
3. Cook for approximately 20 minutes.
4. Cook the apple cubes till they are soft and tender.
5. Take out the cubes and let them cool.
6. Transfer them to a food processor and make a smooth puree. You can also place the tender apple cubes in a sterilized bowl, and mash them with a spoon for a slightly chunky texture.
7. You can add some breast milk for getting a smooth consistency.
8. Add some cinnamon for taste, and mix. Your apple puree is now ready to be fed to your little one.

You can use more apples and make some extra apple puree and store it. However, there are some measures you need to take to store apple puree to retain its freshness and ensure it is just as healthy for your baby as freshly-made apple puree is. Read on to know how you can store apple puree.

Recipes of Apple Puree for Babies

Babies love the sweet taste of apples. Here are some apple puree recipes that you can prepare for your child.

1. Apple Pancake

Ingredients

• 1 cup multigrain flour
• 2tbsp brown sugar
• 1tbsp baking powder
• ½tsp sea salt
• ¼tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 cup whole-fat milk
• ½ cup unsweetened apple puree
• Organic olive oil

Method

1. Whisk together all dry ingredients in a bowl and add milk and apple puree to the mix, and whisk again.
2. Let the mix sit for five minutes, and then adjust the consistency of the batter with water.
3. Pour the batter onto the hot pan and cook until the bottom is golden brown.
4. Flip the pancake and cook the other side as well.
5. Serve with toppings of the baby’s choice.

2. Apple Puree With Sweet Potato

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized apple (peeled and chopped)
• 1 small size sweet potato (chopped)
• ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
• Water

Method

1. Add some water to a pan and place it on high heat.
2. Add the apple pieces and the sweet potato pieces to the water and cook until tender.
3. Next, blend the sweet potato and the apple pieces in a food processor to get a soft and smooth consistency.
4. Spoon-feed this to your baby.

How to Store Apple Puree?

It is always recommended to make a fresh portion of apple puree for your baby every time you want to feed him some. However, working mothers might find it difficult to manage the time. Here’s how they can store the puree.

1. Storing in an Airtight Container

• Store the sauce in a sterilized airtight container as soon as the freshly-made puree cools down.
• You can keep it refrigerated for up to three days.

2. Freezing the Apple Puree

You can also freeze apple puree, but avoid storing it for longer periods.

• Pour the puree into ice trays and freeze it completely.
• Store these trays in freezer bags the next day.
• You can warm it up on the gas stove and bring it to room temperature before feeding it to your baby.

Freezing apple puree can make your work easy but storing it for longer periods will affect its nutritional value. Therefore, it is not recommended. Ensure your baby is fed fresh puree to gain maximum health benefits from it.

Feeding apple puree to your baby would also require you to be careful about a few things. They are essential to maintain your baby’s health and wellbeing. The next section of the article addresses just that.

Things to Remember While Preparing Apple Puree for Your Baby

• Use organic apples that are fresh and free of any preservatives.
• Preserve only fresh apple puree. Do not store leftover puree as it might have bacteria breeding in it.
• Start with just a teaspoon of apple puree. Feed your baby another teaspoon if he seems okay eating it.
• Do not feed puree that is over three days old, unless it’s been frozen.
• Use clean containers and utensils while making and storing the puree.

FAQs

1. Is Boiled Apple Puree Good for Babies?

Yes, boiled apple puree is good for babies, and you could either puree boiled apples or simmer the puree at around 180 degrees F to make it safe for babies.

2. Can Babies Have Sugar or Spices in Apple Puree?

No, you should not add sugar or spices to apple puree for babies younger than one year of age.

3. Is It Safe to Use Canned Apple Puree Instead of Homemade for a Baby?

No, you should not use canned apple puree as it may contain large amounts of added sugars and other additives.

4. Can Babies Have Apple Puree If They Have a Food Allergy?

Consult a paediatrician before feeding apple puree to a baby having food allergies. Refrain from feeding them apple puree if your baby has an allergy to apples.

5. Can I Give Raw Apple Puree to My Baby?

No, you should not give raw apple puree to your baby as raw fruit purees may be unsafe for babies as they may carry pathogens.

We hope the tips recommended in the article help you make the perfect apple puree for your little one. A serving of fresh apple puree will not only be tasty for your baby but healthy too. Feed the puree as you narrate an exciting story. Your little one may not understand it, but he is sure to love it!

References/Resources:

1. Healthy snack apple puree by Pouchtec Industries, LLC; nutritionvalue.org; https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Healthy_snack_apple_puree_by_Pouchtec_Industries%2C_LLC_484037_nutritional_value.html

2. Baby’s first foods: From birth to 12 months; childrens.health.qld.gov.au; https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/PDF/pomin/babys-first-foods-flipchart.pdf

3. Starting Solid Foods; healthychildren.org; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspx

4. 5 Health Benefits of Apples; artoflivingretreatcenter.org; https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/5-health-benefits-of-apples/

5. MAKING YOUR OWN BABY FOOD; hgic.clemson.edu; https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/making-your-own-baby-food/

Also Read:

Porridge Recipes for Babies
Homemade Vegetable Purees for Infants 
Carrot Puree Recipe for Baby