Apple Carrot Purée (Homemade Baby Food)

Made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s gentle on little tummies and full of flavor they’ll love. Discover how to make this smooth, vitamin-rich baby purée at home—plus tips on storage, texture, and serving ideas that make mealtime stress-free and joyful.

Why This Apple Carrot Purée Is Great For Babies

A Gentle and Nutritious Start to Solids

When your baby is just beginning their journey with solid foods, it’s important to start with something soft, mild, and easy to digest.

This apple carrot purée for babies is the perfect choice. It combines two naturally sweet, nutrient-rich ingredients that most babies take right away. Both apples and carrots are gentle on tiny tummies and unlikely to cause allergic reactions, making them ideal for early tastes.

Natural Sweetness, No Additives

One of the reasons this homemade baby food is such a good option is because it’s naturally sweet without needing any added sugar. The apples bring just the right amount of sweetness to balance the earthy flavor of the carrots.

That means your baby gets to enjoy a delicious taste experience while learning to love real, whole foods. Plus, making this purée at home ensures there are no added preservatives, salt, or artificial ingredients—just pure goodness.

Smooth Texture Babies Love

The texture of this apple and carrot purée is another reason it works so well as a first food. Steaming the fruit and vegetables until they’re completely tender allows them to blend into a smooth, velvety purée that’s easy for babies to swallow and explore. 

A Simple Way to Build Healthy Eating Habits

Introducing wholesome homemade purées like this one early on sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating. The natural flavors in this apple carrot baby purée help train your baby’s taste buds to enjoy fruits and vegetables from the start. 

It’s a small, nourishing step that can lead to big benefits down the road—encouraging a balanced diet, reducing picky eating habits, and helping your baby develop a positive relationship with food.

Apple Carrot Purée Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 carrots
• 2 apples
• ½ to 1 cup of water, breast milk, or formula (for blending)

Instructions

1. Prepare the fruits and veggies: Start by washing, peeling, and chopping the carrots and apples into small chunks. This helps them cook evenly and blend smoothly.

2. Steam until soft: Place the chopped carrots and apples into a steamer basket over a pot with a bit of boiling water. Cover with a lid and steam for 15 to 20 minutes or until both the carrots and apples are nice and tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.

3. Blend to a smooth purée: Carefully transfer the cooked apples and carrots into a blender or food processor. Add ½ cup of water (or breast milk/formula if you prefer). Blend until smooth, adding more liquid a little at a time until you reach the consistency that’s right for your baby—some babies prefer it thicker, others like it a bit runnier.

4. Cool before serving: Let the purée cool to a safe temperature before offering it to your baby. Always test it yourself first to make sure it’s not too hot.

Tips For Success

Choosing the Right Apples and Carrots

For the best flavor and texture in your homemade baby food, start with fresh, high-quality produce. When picking apples for baby purée, go for sweet, soft-fleshed varieties like Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady. These types don’t need any added sugar and blend beautifully into a smooth purée.

As for the carrots, choose ones that are firm, bright orange, and free from cracks. The natural sweetness of steamed carrots pairs wonderfully with apples, making the purée more appealing to your baby’s developing taste buds.

Adjusting the Texture for Your Baby’s Needs

One of the great things about making your own baby purées at home is that you can control the consistency. When blending the steamed apples and carrots, start with half a cup of water (or use breast milk or formula if preferred). Then, gradually add more liquid if needed until the purée reaches the right texture for your baby.

Some babies just starting solids do better with thinner purées, while older babies may be ready for a slightly thicker texture. Follow your baby’s cues—every little one is different!

Serving Suggestions

Starting Simple for First Tastes

If your baby is just beginning their solid food journey—around 6 months old—start with a few small spoonfuls of the apple carrot purée. Serve it on a soft-tipped baby spoon and give them time to explore the new taste and texture. 

This homemade baby food is gentle on their tummy and naturally sweet, so it’s usually a hit right from the start. Let your baby guide the pace, and don’t worry if they only eat a little at first.

Mixing in Grains for More Texture

Once your baby is ready for slightly thicker textures, you can stir the apple and carrot purée into some baby oatmeal porridge or cooked quinoa cereal. This is a great way to add texture and make the purée more filling while keeping the flavor familiar.

It's also an easy way to introduce iron-rich grains into your baby's diet while still offering something naturally sweet and soft.

Making Mealtime Fun and Relaxed

Serve the purée when your baby is calm and not overly hungry or tired—it makes a big difference in how they respond. Mealtime is about more than just nutrition; it’s a chance to bond. 

Sit face-to-face with your baby, talk to them gently, and enjoy the moment together. You can even show them the steamed apples and carrots before blending to help them connect with what they’re eating.

How To Store

Storing in the Fridge for Short-Term Use

Once you’ve made your homemade apple carrot purée, let it cool to room temperature before storing. If you plan to use it within a couple of days, simply transfer the purée to a clean, airtight baby food container or small glass jar and pop it in the fridge.

It will stay fresh for up to three days. This makes it super convenient for busy mornings or when you just need a quick, healthy meal on hand for your baby.

Freezing for Later Meals

If you’ve made a bigger batch—and that’s always a smart move—freezing is the way to go. After the apple and carrot purée has cooled, spoon it into an ice cube tray or silicone baby food mold Each cube is typically about one ounce, which makes portioning easy later on. 

Once frozen solid, pop the cubes out and store them in a labeled freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen purée will keep well for up to three months, so you’ll always have a nutritious meal ready to go.

Thawing and Reheating Safely

When you’re ready to serve the purée, just take out as many cubes as you need and thaw them in the fridge overnight or gently warm them in a small saucepan on the stove. 

You can also defrost using a bowl of warm water or microwave in short bursts, but always stir well and test the temperature before feeding your baby. Homemade baby food should be warm—not hot—and never refreeze anything that’s already been thawed.

Trust Your Senses

Before serving any stored baby food, especially if it’s been in the fridge for a couple of days, give it a quick sniff and check the texture. It should smell fresh and still look smooth. If you notice any sour smell, separation, or unusual color, it’s best to toss it and use a fresh batch.

Equipment

• Baby food maker
• Airtight container

Nutrition Fact

Suitable for 6 months +

(Per serving, approximate)

• Calories: 35–50 (depends on apple variety and carrot size)
• Protein: 0.5–1g (from carrots and apples)
• Healthy Fats: 0g (no fat added)
• Carbohydrates: 9–12g (natural sugars from fruit and veggies)
• Fiber: 1–2g (from apples and carrots)
• Vitamin A: high (from beta-carotene in carrots)
• Vitamin C: from apples
• Calcium: trace amounts
• Iron: small amount from carrots

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient brands, produce size, and portion amounts. Always consult your pediatrician if you're unsure about introducing a new food.