How to Prepare Homemade Apples for Baby

They key to making the best homemade baby food is to find recipes that are quick to prepare and are the most nutritious for your baby. Apples are great for one of the first foods to serve at around 6 months of age. They keep well in the fridge before you use them and add essential fiber and nutrients to a baby's diet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Start with organic apples, if possible, and make sure everything you use to prepare the apples, including you hands, has been washed thoroughly with hot, soapy water.
2. Wash, core and peel the apples. Cook the apples by placing them on a cookie sheet and baking them in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes or until a fork slides through them easily.
3. Cut, mash, blend or puree the apples to the desired consistency. This will depend on what equipment you have and the age of your baby. You can use a blender, food processor, potato masher or even a simple fork to get the right consistency. Add water if you need to make the sauce less dense.
4. Pick out any stray peel, seeds or bits of core. You can also strain the applesauce if needed.
5. Make sure the apples are room temperature before serving them to your baby. Only add sugar and other spices when your baby is old enough to tolerate them. This is usually around 12 months of age.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also steam, boil or even microwave apples before you puree them.
• Prepared apples can be frozen in individual serving sizes for quick, homemade snacks. Thaw them in the fridge overnight.