BLW: Apple, How to Serve Safely to Babies
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Why is Apple a Good Food for Babies?
It’s that glorious time of year when apples are everywhere! Apples tend to show up a lot in baby food and during baby-led weaning - and for good reason! They are naturally sweet and full of fiber.
They also offer some vitamin C, which helps babies absorb more non-heme iron from plant foods when both are eaten during the same meal.
Apples are not a common allergen, they are great in recipes, and they can naturally sweeten muffins, pancakes, cakes and cereals without having to include added sugars.
How to Serve Apple Safely to Babies & Toddlers
Pieces of raw apple are a known choking hazard for babies and toddlers per the CDC.
Contrary to what you might have heard, this doesn’t mean that apples don’t work well as finger foods, or that babies and toddlers can’t eat apples raw. It just means that in order to serve them safely, we need to modify them and remove the core and seeds.
Keep reading to learn more about apples for baby-led weaning, and ways to serve apples safely to babies and toddlers. Keep scrolling and you’ll also find a collection of baby-friendly, toddler-friendly apple recipes from some of my favorite fellow registered dietitians.
Choking episodes are rare. But it’s important for anyone feeding an infant to be trained in infant CPR and first aid just in case. Get trained by a nationally certified Red Cross and Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructor using this EXCELLENT, 2-hour, self-paced online course from Safe Beginnings* - for 20% off, use my code: MALINA.
For Babies 6+ Months Old, Using a Palmar Grasp
Raw, grated: You can serve raw, peeled apple that has been grated, shredded or minced. Offer it in a bowl with a suction bottom so that when your baby eats, he or she can more easily scoop up handfuls of grated apple by bracing against the side of the bowl.
Applesauce: Serve unsweetened applesauce (homemade or store bought) on a pre-loaded spoon for self-feeding, or spoon feed responsively. Feel free to season with spices like a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or ground cloves.
Cooked, boiled or baked: Remove the peel and seeds and then boil or bake until fork tender. Cool, then offer half of the round apple for your baby to nibble on.
For Babies 9+ Months Old, Using a Pincer Grasp
Raw, matchsticks: Slice into matchstick-sized pieces and serve raw. No need to remove the peel! Your baby may munch on the peel and spit it out which is good for their oral motor development, still a helpful exposure to the skin of the fruit, and helps increase the likelihood that they’ll eat the whole fruit when older.
Raw very thin slices: Slice raw apple into very thin slices and serve. Again, no need to remove the peel for the same reasons as above.
Cooked, sautéed, boiled, or baked: Offer soft-cooked apple slices that are fork tender. Feel free to cook in butter, coconut oil, avocado oil or another fat you prefer, and season with cinnamon and similar cozy, warm spices.
One way I don’t generally recommend serving apples is when it is made into apple juice. Juice isn’t recommended for babies under 12 months of age, per the AAP. In toddlers, it can end up suppressing a child’s appetite and replacing more nutritious foods in the diet, so in general, I recommend either avoiding juice altogether, or saving it for a special treat when out and about or as a solution for times when extra hydration is needed.
That being said, there are so many wonderful recipes that star apples and are appropriate for babies once they are showing all the signs of readiness for solid foods!
Here are some of my favorites. I hope you can enjoy them right along with your little ones.
Apple Recipes for Babies
Soft in texture and juicy with no added sugar or salt, these peanut apple fritters offer an easy and nutrient-dense way to serve peanuts to babies. Cut fritters into strips for babies using a palmar grasp, or small chickpea-sized bites for babies using a pincer grasp.
P.S. This recipe is a sneak peek from my new BLF cookbook, Safe and Simple Food Allergy Prevention: A Baby-Led Feeding Guide to Starting Solids and Introducing Top Allergens with 80 Family-Friendly Recipes!
This baby-friendly, kid-friendly Kitchen Applesauce will be hot once prepared, and it is delicious to eat while warm. If you prefer your applesauce cold, cool it, store it in the refrigerator, and enjoy it for up to 1 week!
Nutrient-dense and mildly-sweet with no added sugar, Apple Oat Bars are a great snack or breakfast-bar option. The mixture of unsweetened applesauce, a hint of vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon gives them a subtle, delicious sweetness. Packed with oats and milk, these Apple Oat Bars are not only nutrient-rich, but filling as well. Top them with a drizzle of almond butter or yogurt for a greater nutrient boost.
P.S. This recipe is a sneak peek from my new BLF cookbook, Safe and Simple Food Allergy Prevention: A Baby-Led Feeding Guide to Starting Solids and Introducing Top Allergens with 80 Family-Friendly Recipes!
“Stewed apples are a nutritious addition to breakfast pancakes, waffles or French toast. The best part is that "no sugar" is required and you can't even tell it's missing!” Created by registered RDN, LD/N, KeyVion Miller of The Miller’s Kitchen Southern Recipes.
Do you have a little one who will soon be turning one? Check out this Apple Smash Cake for Babies as a fun and healthy way to celebrate a first birthday. It works well not only for babies and toddlers, but for mom, dad and anyone else celebrating!
“Learn how to make unsweetened applesauce! This versatile homemade apple sauce has just a touch of cinnamon. It’s absolutely delicious served warm from the slow cooker or chilled.” Recipe by registered dietitian, Summer Yule.
Apple Recipes for Toddlers
A new take on an old classic. Give your apple crisp a healthy twist using these fresh ingredients.
“Roasted apples with cinnamon are a delicious and simple healthy dessert, featuring crisp apples combined with the warm flavors of vanilla and cinnamon. Although this recipe features fall-themed ingredients, you can enjoy during any time of year.” Recipe created by MS RDN dietitian, Amy Gorin of Plant Based with Amy.
“This is the last butternut squash apple soup recipe you'll ever need. It's made with all of the best ingredients that make it the most flavorful, super luscious, smooth and creamy and bonus - it's really easy to make. It's made with butternut squash, crisp apples, ginger, balsamic vinegar and coconut milk, and it's to-die-for.” Created by Julie Andrews, chef and registered dietitian, of The Healthy Epicurean.
Try this nutrient-rich, tasty topping on anything from waffles to pancakes to toast! Apple Butter recipe by Toby Amidor, MS RD CDN, FAND, of Toby Amidor Nutrition.
“Packed with fresh apples, whole wheat flour, and cinnamon, these healthy apple pancakes are the perfect breakfast for fall or winter mornings.” Created by Chef Vahista Ussery, MS, MBA, RDN, and culinary nutrition expert of To Taste.
“Warm cinnamon spices with the comforting taste of oats and baked apples. These apple baked oatmeal cups are the perfect option for an on-the-go snack! These baked oatmeal cups are full of all your favourite apple pie flavours with the added bonus of nutritious ingredients. Meaning you can have dessert for breakfast everyday!” Created by registered nutrition, Nicole Addison, of Nourished by Nic.
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If you’re getting ready to start your baby on solids, download my FREE Baby-Led Feeding Essential Checklist to make sure you have everything you need to get started. You might also want to check out my online BLW course for parents, which will walk you through the whole process of starting solids using a baby-led approach.
If you prefer books and want help with starting solids, finding recipes the whole family (baby included) can enjoy, and navigating food allergy prevention during infancy all at the same time, check out my new cookbook and guide to starting solids and introducing allergens!
It gives you the latest research on safely introducing all top 9 allergens and lots of recipes and tips to continue offering them consistently.
