Apple, Peas & Potato purée

Reasons to Love This Purée for Babies

This puree is highly nutritious, combining three wholesome ingredients. Potatoes provide energy and fibre, peas are rich in protein, iron, and vitamins, while apples offer natural sweetness with vitamins and antioxidants.

The purée has a naturally sweet and creamy flavour that babies love, making it a great choice for introducing new tastes and textures. It’s easy to digest, making it gentle on little tummies, especially for babies just starting solids.

This recipe is versatile, allowing you to adjust the texture as your baby grows, from smooth purées for beginners to chunkier versions for older babies. It’s free from additives, salt, and sugar, so you can feel confident about providing your baby with a completely natural meal.

The recipe is allergy-friendly, using simple, widely tolerated ingredients. It can be customised with breast milk, formula, or water to suit your baby’s needs. It freezes well, making it convenient for busy parents. You can prepare it in bulk and store portions for quick, healthy meals anytime.

Apple, Peas & Potato purée Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 medium potato, peeled, chopped, and rinsed.
• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced.
• 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen).
• 2 tbsp olive oil (optional but adds healthy fats).
• ½ cup water or milk (breast milk, formula, or water).

Instructions:

Step 1: Place the chopped potato, sliced apples, and green peas into a steamer basket. Fill a pot with a small amount of water (enough to create steam) and bring it to a gentle boil. Place the steamer basket over the pot, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water.

Cover with a lid and steam for about 10–15 minutes, or until the potato is soft, the apples are tender, and the peas are cooked through. You should be able to easily pierce the potato and apples with a fork.

Step 2: Once steamed, allow the ingredients to cool for a few minutes. This will make them safer to handle and blend.

Step 3: Transfer the steamed potato, apples, and peas into the baby blender or food processor. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil (if using) for a boost of healthy fats. Pour in ½ cup of water or milk. Adjust the amount of liquid to achieve the desired consistency for your baby.

Step 4: Blend the mixture until it’s smooth or textured. For younger babies, ensure there are no lumps. For older babies, you can leave it slightly textured as they get used to more complex textures.

Step 5: Let the purée cool to a safe temperature before serving it to your baby. If not serving immediately, transfer the purée to airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze in baby food trays for up to 3 months.

Tips for Success

Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible to ensure the purée is free from harmful pesticides. Frozen peas are a great alternative as they retain nutrients.

Cut Evenly: Chop the potato and apple into similar-sized pieces to ensure they steam evenly.

Rinse Thoroughly: Wash all ingredients well, especially the potato, to remove any dirt or starch.

Steaming Over Boiling: Steaming preserves more nutrients compared to boiling. If boiling, make sure to use as little water as possible and save it for blending to retain the nutrients lost in the water.

Check for Doneness: Test the potato and apple by piercing with a fork. They should be soft but not falling apart. This ensures a smoother purée.

Add Liquid Gradually: Start with less liquid when blending, then add more until you reach the desired consistency. For younger babies, aim for a thinner texture.

Cool Before Blending: Let the steamed ingredients cool slightly to avoid steam pressure in the blender.

Recipe Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions

For potatoes, you can use sweet potato to add natural sweetness and more vitamin A, or parsnip for a slightly nutty and earthy flavour.

For apples, pears make a great alternative with a milder sweetness, or you can use pumpkin or butternut squash for a creamy and slightly sweet option.

If you don’t have peas, green beans work well as a substitute with a mild taste, or you could use spinach for a vibrant green colour and an extra boost of iron.

Instead of olive oil, you could use unsalted butter for a creamier texture or avocado oil for a neutral flavour with healthy fats.

For the liquid, breast milk, formula, cow milk or unsweetened oat milk can be used instead of water to make the purée creamier and more nutrient-rich.

Additions

You can add more vegetables like carrots for extra sweetness and beta-carotene, cauliflower for a creamy texture, or zucchini (courgette) for a mild flavour and extra water content.

To make the purée more filling, you can add cooked oats for fibre, or cooked rice or quinoa for an energy boost.

You can enhance the flavour with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg, which pair wonderfully with apples and sweet potatoes. Alternatively, a small amount of fresh dill or basil, finely chopped, can complement the peas.

How to Store

Transfer the purée to an airtight container once it has cooled. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave using short bursts, stirring frequently to avoid hotspots. Always cool it to a safe temperature before feeding your baby.

To freeze, divide the purée into small portions using an ice cube tray or silicone baby food moulds. Once frozen, transfer the cubes into a freezer-safe, airtight bag or container. Label the bag with the date and use it within 3 months to maintain freshness.

For defrosting, thaw the purée in the fridge overnight or place a frozen cube in a bowl over warm water for faster defrosting. You can also reheat directly on low heat, stirring until warmed through. Never refreeze purée once it has been thawed, as this may compromise its quality and safety.

Equipment 

• Steamer pan
• Chopping Board 
• Baby food blender
• Airtight Containers

Nutrition 

Suitable for 6 months +

Per serving (approximate):

• Calories: 130–170 (depends on oil and milk choice)

• Protein: 3–4g (from peas and milk)

• Healthy Fats: 5–7g (with olive oil)

• Carbohydrates: 20–25g (from potato and apples)

• Fiber: 4–5g (from peas, apple, and potato)

• Vitamin C: from apples and green peas

• Calcium: from milk (if used)

• Iron: from green peas and potato

• Omega-3s: trace amounts from olive oil (if used)

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.