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Firstly, let’s get all the names out of the way: Baby Led Weaning (BLW). Finger Foods. Family Foods. How we fed kids in ‘our day’. Non-spoon fed meals. Insert other new and possibly confusing name [here]. Stuff that is picked up by cute chubby hands belonging to a baby or toddler and smushed, chucked or eaten, or preferably both. Makes sense? Great.
Are you about to wean your baby and thinking of trying out the Baby Led Weaning approach to feeding your baby with finger foods right from the start? Or, has your baby started to refuse the spoon and you are scrambling for some hearty mealsyour baby can feedthemselves? Or perhaps you are just after some new finger food ideas to allow play and experimentation on your baby’s tasting plate? Whatever the reason, finger food recipe ideas are often top of parents search lists,and we think that’s fab.
We love seeing parents on the hunt for healthy homemade finger foods. The importance of finger foodis well documented, so whether you introduce it right from the start or it was a natural progression for your baby, there is a finger food recipe for you. We love theBoboandboo bamboo tasting plates (get 10% off using the code onehandedcooks)
This list will constantly evolve to include new recipes and ideas. So why not take 10 seconds to save it to your desktop, favourites or share it on social media so it can be saved to your Facebook timeline, for keeps. Go on.
OK cool. Here they are.
First food ideas
- Steamed/boiled large slices or chunks of pumpkin, sweet potato, potato, broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower
- Raw slices or chunks of peeled banana, avocado, ripe stone fruit
- Cooked rice
- Cooked pasta
- Toast fingers (opt for wholegrain, wholemeal no preservatives and additive free bread – don’t be afraid to ask your baker)
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Boiled or scrambled eggs
- Cooked legumes
- Steamed fish
If you choose to start BLW by incorporating your family meals, good on you – what a simple and easy way to create one meal for the whole family. You will love our 1 Meal 3 Ways section. Sorry, sidetracked. I was going to say be mindful of your child’s age, homemade food is best with no added salt, sugar, additives or preservatives. Sore bought products such as pasta sauces may have too much salt for a young baby – read here about the dangers of salt for young children. Leave any adult or older children ingredients until after you have removed a portion for your baby.
Soft finger food recipes
Ideal for ‘gumming’ these are a fun addition to your family food experimenting.
Sweet finger food recipes
Balls – Peanut butter balls,Apricot muesli balls, Pear and macadamia balls
Pancakes – Banana, Fluffy blueberryand ricotta,Fluffy pancakes
Frozen snacks –Frozen yoghurt pops,watermelon icy poles, lemon vanilladrops
Cookies/Biscuits –Carrot cookies,Fruity cookies,Coconut and date cookies,Chickpea cookies
Muffins –Banana, Apple & Cinnamon,Carrot Quinoa,Lemon, Almond & Ricotta,Carrot, Apple & Spelt,Pear, Macadamia & Quinoa,Blueberry, Apple & Lemon
Savoury finger foodrecipes
Meatballs:baked meatballs in a simple tomato sauce,power meatballs,pork & fennel,chicken, broccoli & quinoa,chicken & halloumi, beef, mushroom & quinoa
Rissoles – Lamb& quinoa, Vegetable rice cakes, Sweet potato, carrot & apple, Crumbed tuna and vegetable, Salmon zucchini and ricotta cakes
Fritters – Pick ‘n’ mix vegetable fritters, Tuna melt fritters, Kale and corn fritters, Corn fritters
Muffins –Pick N Mix Savoury,Spaghetti Bolognese Leftover,Creamy Tuna,Macaroni Peas Leftover,Zucchini & Basil,Cheesy Corn & Carrot,Rice & Veggie Frittata
Cannellini bean, herb & quinoa patties
Chips –Zucchini chips,apple chips,strawberry chips
Nuggets –Homemade chicken nuggets,Quinoa, Chicken & Broccoli Nugget,Chicken and Cannellini Bean Nuggets
Sausage rolls –Vegetable ‘sausage’ rolls,eggplant and chicken sausage rolls,
Pizza – Pitta pizza,Pizza rounds, Mini puff pizza,Spelt pizza
Apricot Chicken Balls with Cornflake Coconut Crumb
Quiche and things –Yoghurt and broccoli quiche, Rice frittata, Tomato feta frittata, Cheesy rice slice,Zucchini slice
Pies –Chicken and Mushroom Pies, Toddler leek and chicken bread pies,Turkey pies,Vegetable pie,Fish pie
Fries/Chips –Sweet potato fries,potato fries
Caramelised onion and thyme pull-apart
Risotto balls – Pumpkinbacon risotto balls, Crumbed tomatorisotto balls, Saffron spicedrice balls, Zucchini and pea risotto balls
Note: the currentInfant Feeding Guidelinesrecommend foods with a high risk of choking such as whole nuts, seeds, raw carrot, celery sticks and chunks of apple should be avoided for the first 3 years as their size and/or consistency increases the risk of choking. It is also advisable to always supervise your children while they are eating to prevent choking.
Disclaimer: This information is intended for general use only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to replace the personalised care and advice given to you by your health professional team. You as the reader/parent/caregiver must always discuss any concerns or questions about the health and well being of your baby or toddler including BLW and starting solids with a healthcare professional. Please refer to our full disclaimerfor more info.
More info onfinger foods:
The importance of finger foods
10 great finger foods for fussy eaters
Harry’s favourite finger foods
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