Once your baby has got to grips with those first finger foods when baby-led weaning, it’s important to continue to introduce a wide variety of healthy foods, flavours and textures early on. And here are 10 of Annabel’s most popular baby-led weaning recipes with young families.
Remember, baby-led weaning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing method. You can choose to feed your baby soft finger foods and small portions of family meals alongside spoon-feeding purees. The important thing is that both you and your baby feel content and comfortable in your routine.
For lots more ideas, Annabel’s Baby-Led Weaning Recipe Book is great, whether you’re exclusively baby-led weaning or looking for food ideas to feed alongside purees.
FREE Finger Food Guide
Whether you’re weaning with purees or taking a baby-led approach, finger foods will be an important part of your baby’s feeding journey. But where to start? What finger foods are best for baby?
Annabel’s brand new 30-page guide provides you with everything you need to know for a flying start. And it’s FREE!
Top 10 recipes to get you started on your baby-led weaning journey
Dips
Dips at the ready! It’s time to dunk cucumber, carrot, sweet pepper, pitta bread & cherry tomatoes in these delicious dips. Make these Garlic Pitta Breadsticks for next level dunkers!
Mini Chicken Balls with Apple & Carrot
Make a batch of these signature Mini Chicken Balls with Apple & Carrot, flavoured with basil, parmesan & a little sweet chilli sauce. For another recipe full of goodness and perfect for little hands, next try Chicken, Quinoa and Apple Balls
Broccoli, Chicken & Potato Bites
These Broccoli, Chicken & Potato Bites make a great soft finger food for little ones. A yummy combination of flavours to please your gurgling gourmet. Click here to explore so many more fantastic finger food recipes ideas!
Mini Energy Balls
Try these delicious Mini Energy Balls. They make a healthy snack and are ideal to give you or your child a mid-morning or afternoon energy boost. Click here for more super snack inspiration!
Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
Babies love the flavour of these baked Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges. Roasting sweet potato intensifies the natural sweetness. Make sure they are cut large enough for a child to hold easily in their fist so that one end sticks out. Why not try serving with these yummy Chicken Goujons
French Toast with Berries
French toast with fruit makes for a tasty breakfast for your little ones. Blueberries contain more antioxidants than any other fruits due to the blue pigment in their skin.
Sweet Potato and Kale Croquettes
Most babies are open to trying new foods. However, it can be tricky getting them to enjoy eating leafy green vegetables, so that’s why I’ve created these super-tasty veggie sweet potato and kale croquettes. Kale is such a bona fide superfood that it would be hard to find a reason to keep it off your child’s menu. Flex it… If you don’t have kale, you can use other nutritious greens such as cabbage or Swiss chard. Replace the mushrooms with red pepper for added beta-carotene. More more super-finger-food inspiration, next try my Cherub’s Chickpea Patties
Yoghurt Pancakes with Berries
These yogurt pancakes with berries will tempt even the fussiest eaters to chomp away their breakfast. Fruit is an ideal way to add sweetness without adding processed sugars. Plus, you’ll be happy too as these pancakes are free from refined sugar and provide a host of nutrients. This recipe has been lifted from Annabel’s new book Weaning Made Simple. For more perfect pancake recipes, click here.
Ice Lollies – 3-Ways
Bursting with vitamins and minerals these fresh and fruity Ice Lollies – 3-Ways are great for teething and a fantastic way to make sure your baby is getting lots of essential nutrients in their diet. And, if you offer any of these vitamin-C rich lollies after your baby has eaten a meal containing non-haem iron (a vegetarian source of iron), it can help to increase iron absorption. Lollies all round! For all my healthy Ice Cream & Lolly recipes click here!
Sweet Potato Frittata Fingers
These frittata fingers make for the best finger food for babies and are a great lunchbox filler or power-packed breakfast for toddlers & kids.
Starting your weaning journey?
Annabel Karmel’s Baby-Led Weaning Recipe Book is filled with 120 quick, easy and nutritious recipes, essential advice and tips to let your baby take the lead.
