8 Easy Instant Pot Baby Food Recipes
Updated: Feb. 10, 2022
Feeding your baby healthy meals has never been easier. Learn how to use a pressure cooker to turn fruits and veggies into nutritious Instant Pot baby food.
Applesauce
Most babies love apples. And this recipe only contains apples and water (AKA no added sugar!), so it’s safe and healthy for baby to eat. To make, wash and roughly chop six organic apples with the skin on, discarding the core. Add apples and 1/3 cup of water to the Instant Pot. Choose the manual high setting for 6 minutes. When the Instant Pot is done cooking, let the pressure release naturally. Puree the cooked apples with an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender. Psst! Get more tips on making baby food here.
Don’t already have an Instant Pot? Our Test Kitchen recommends the Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker ($100) for its size and versatility. Find out which Instant Pot is right for you with our handy buying guide.
Carrot Mash
When it’s time to start feeding your baby solid foods, carrots are a great choice. They’re full of vitamins and are easy for baby to digest. To make a quick batch in your Instant Pot, peel a pound of carrots and cut them into thirds so they fit in the pressure cooker. Stack the carrots on top of the Instant Pot trivet and add 1 cup of water. Cook on high for 4 minutes. Perform a manual release of the pressure, drain and puree until smooth with a blender. Yum!
Zucchini Puree
Have a bumper crop of zucchini in the garden? It’s a perfect snack for baby! Start by cutting four to six zucchini into cubes and placing them on top of the Instant Pot trivet or a steamer basket. ($14) Then, add 1 cup of water and close and lock the lid. Cook on high for 3 minutes. Perform a manual release of the pressure, drain and puree until smooth with a blender.
Sweet Potato Quinoa Mash
This fiber-rich recipe combines sweet potatoes (one of our fave stage-1 baby foods) and quinoa for a delicious baby-approved meal. Add to the Instant Pot: 1 cup diced sweet potato, 1/2 cup quinoa and 1/2 cup of water. Lock lid and cook on high for 3 minutes. Perform a manual release of pressure and puree in a blender.
Green Bean Puree
Studies show introducing your baby to a variety of fruits and vegetables will lead to healthier eating habits as they get older. So don’t shy away from those greens! To make green beans in the Instant Pot, trim two pounds of beans and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Kitchen shears work great for this. Add 2/3 cup of water. Lock the lid and cook on high for 3 minutes. Perform a manual release of pressure and puree in a blender. P.S. If baby is a picky eater, read up on our tips for introducing your little one to solid food.
Banana Pear Puree
Mix and match your baby’s favorite flavors in one tasty dish. Start by coring and chopping two pears. Then, add pears and 1/2 cup of water to the Instant Pot. Lock lid and cook on high for 5 minutes. When cooking is done, manually release the steam. Remove pears from the water and add to the blender with a banana. Puree until smooth, adding a little of the reserved pear water to reach your desired consistency. This is the easiest way to ripen bananas quick.
Broccoli and Pea Mash
Baby will get plenty of fiber and vitamins from this quick recipe. Add two cups of broccoli florets and two cups of peas to the Instant Pot with 1/2 cup of water. Lock lid and cook on high for 8 minutes. Manually release the pressure and drain excess liquid into a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the vegetables and blend with an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth, adding reserved liquid as needed. If you’d rather buy baby food, these are our favorite brands.
Blueberry Puree
Did you know blueberries are a baby superfood? They are rich in nutrients such as magnesium and zinc, plus vitamins A, E, K and B-complex. Prep berries for baby by adding 1 cup of fresh blueberries and 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot. Lock the lid and cook on high for 4 minutes. Manually release the pressure and remove the blueberries. Blend until smooth, adding reserved liquid if needed. Don’t accidentally make one of these 5 common mistakes with your Instant Pot.
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Originally Published: June 14, 2019
