Discover 10 delicious BLW recipes that your little one will enjoy. These nutritious meals make self-feeding fun and easy.
Starting baby-led weaning (BLW) is an exciting step in your child’s feeding journey, offering them a chance to explore new flavours and textures while developing self-feeding skills. It’s a feeding approach that allows infants to feed themselves food (other than milk) right from the start of the introduction of solid foods. This is usually when they are six months old.
By introducing a variety of nutritious foods when starting solids, you can encourage healthy eating habits and independence.
Typical baby-led weaning foods
Finger foods are typically used during baby-led weaning. These thicker pieces of food are often bigger than a child’s little hand so they can grasp it—and also to avoid any choking hazards. The food is easily squished and soft, making for an easy meal with not too much chewing.
We’ve compiled 10 simple and delicious BLW recipes that your baby will love, making mealtime both fun and beneficial for their growth. Whether you’re new to BLW or looking for fresh ideas, these recipes are sure to inspire!
1. Baby banana bread
This delicious banana bread recipe is not only a crowd pleaser but also a nutritious snack packed with protein. The overripe bananas add natural sweetness without the need for added sugars. The berries give this recipe an added pop of colour and an interesting flavour as a new food for your baby’s tastebuds. You can spread nut butter on the bread or leave plain.
2. Air fryer potatoes
These super quick and easy baked potatoes are a yummy dinner when you’ve got leftovers in the fridge to add to. Once baked, remove the potato skin before giving it to your baby as it’s too tough and can be a choking hazard. Top the potato with the guacamole recipe below, and cut into large chunks that your little one can hold.
3. Baby’s first guacamole
Avocado is one of the best things you can serve as baby’s first foods and this creamy guacamole recipe is perfect to try. This recipe calls for very simple ingredients and you can modify to suit your little one’s preference. If you want to avoid dairy, omit the cream cheese and add a little olive oil and water. A whole avocado will make too much guacamole for a baby, which means the whole family can enjoy it!
4. Easy veggie muffins
If you have a toddler or young child, this recipe will also suit them for school lunches or as an afternoon snack. Loaded with veggies, it’ll help introduce new flavours and textures to your baby, while at the same time help you clean out your fridge.
5. Sweet potato toast
Sweet potatoes are a great food to introduce as they can work as sweet or savoury. In this case, it’s up to you what you put on top of the “toast”. Swap out the traditional bread slices for sweet potato toast. Sweet potato is naturally gluten free, high in fibre and a great source of vitamin A. You can add banana, strawberries or a nut butter to make this an interesting experience.
6. Easy gluten-free pancakes
This is a great Sunday morning breakfast option during weaning and will also be a crowd pleaser if you have other children. Once the pancakes are ready, cut into large chunky slices for your little one to manoeuvre. You can add a sugar-free jam or mashed banana.
7. Healthy banana split
This is a banana split recipe, but not as you know it. It is in fact a healthy snack idea you’d be happy to give your little one, without all the added sugar and ice-cream. Bananas are great finger foods, being a good shape for little hands to hold onto. The mushy texture also makes it easy to chew.
8. Vegan spinach & dill quiche
This plant-based quiche is a great option if you’re wanting to avoid eggs. You can slice up and serve in small portions without the crust. It’s also a perfect dinner option for the entire family.
9. Baby pasta sauce
If your family are pasta lovers, this baby pasta sauce is a great option. You can also use this in soups too for some added flavour. Most pasta sauces have a lot of added salt and sugar, but not so with this recipe. The best pasta shapes for babies are ones like large fusilli (spirals), large rigatoni (hollow tube), or lasagna sheets cooked and cut into strips. Avoid all the other types such as noodles and small pasta shapes as they are not suitable for children under 12 months old.
10. Veggie loaf
This veggie loaf is super versatile and can be made into any shape you want, be it muffins, squares or kept as a loaf. It’s a great way to get lots of nutritious veggies into your little one, without any flavours coming off as too strong. For babies, you don’t want to add salt or sugar, so simply omit the tomato, BBQ and Worcestershire sauces. The rest of the family can put the sauces on later.
Weaning foods are real food
Baby-led weaning is a great way for your little one to explore food, be safe while doing it and learn a tiny taste of independence.
Remember to have your child safely seated in a high chair and to include them in the family meal time—at the table and not isolated in front of the TV, eating alone. This will make eating a much more fun and relational time, helping your child to start a good relationship with food and meal times.
The best food to incorporate into a baby’s diet are whole foods, packed full of vitamins and minerals to help nourish their little growing bodies. The best place to eat such wonderful foods is with their family, in a safe and happy environment that encourages bonding and connection.
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