Carrot Plantain Purée (Homemade Baby Food)

Why This Carrot Puree Is Great For Babies

This carrot plantain purée isn’t just tasty — it’s a nourishing powerhouse that’s perfect for growing babies. It combines simple, wholesome ingredients that are naturally gentle on tiny tummies, making it one of the best first foods for babies who are just starting their solids journey.

Carrots are packed with beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A, an essential nutrient for healthy vision, skin, and immune development. They're also naturally sweet, which makes them a big hit with babies discovering new flavors. When paired with ripe plantains, which are full of potassium, fiber, and natural energy, you get a soft, smooth purée that’s both delicious and nutrient-rich.

Plantains also bring in a creamier texture when cooked and blended, making this homemade baby purée easy to swallow and perfect for those early stages of weaning. The small addition of spring onion adds a tiny hint of savory flavor, helping your baby get used to more complex tastes in a gentle way. And with a touch of unsalted butter, you’re adding healthy fats that support brain development and keep your little one satisfied.

Another reason parents love this recipe is that it’s so easy to make. Whether you’re new to cooking or just short on time (because who isn’t when there’s a baby in the house?), this purée comes together with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. Plus, it’s naturally free from added sugars, salt, and preservatives — a huge win when it comes to healthy baby food.

At the heart of it, this carrot plantain purée is more than just a meal — it’s a comforting, nourishing start to your baby’s lifelong relationship with food. Simple, smooth, and full of goodness, it’s a recipe you’ll keep coming back to.

Carrot Plantain Purée Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped carrots (peeled and cut into small chunks)

• 1 cup peeled and chopped ripe plantain (yellow with a few black spots but still firm)

• 1/3 cup chopped spring onion (white and light green parts only for a milder flavor)

• 1 1/4 cup water (add more if needed for desired consistency)

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (adds creaminess and healthy fats)

Instructions:

1. Prep the ingredients: Start by washing and peeling the carrots, then chop them into even-sized chunks. Peel the plantain (make sure it’s ripe but not too soft) and chop it into small pieces. Rinse and slice the white and light green parts of the spring onion — they bring a gentle savory flavor that babies can enjoy.

2. Cook everything together: In a medium saucepan, toss in the chopped carrots, plantain, and spring onions. Add 1¼ cups of water — just enough to slightly cover the veggies. Stir in the tablespoon of unsalted butter for a touch of richness.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for about 15–20 minutes, or until the veggies are fork-tender.

3. Blend it up: Once everything’s nice and soft, remove from the heat. You can use an immersion blender right in the pot (super convenient!), or transfer to a regular blender. Blend until smooth or leave a little texture depending on your baby’s stage and preferences.

Feel free to add more water to get the consistency just right — thinner for younger babies, or a little thicker for older ones who are used to solids.

4. Cool, serve, or store: Let the purée cool before serving — make sure it’s at a safe temperature. Serve it fresh, or store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze small portions in baby-safe containers or ice cube trays for easy future meals.

Tips for Success (Because We Know Every Baby Is Different!)

One of the best things you can do is pay attention to the texture. If your baby is just starting solids, they’ll do best with a thinner, super smooth purée. Just add a little extra water (or even breast milk or formula) while blending until you reach the right consistency for their age and stage.

Don’t be afraid to play around with the flavors as your baby gets more comfortable with solids. While this recipe is perfectly mild and naturally sweet, you can gently introduce other baby-safe ingredients later on, like a small spoonful of cooked lentils, a pinch of cumin, or even a splash of olive oil for extra healthy fats. This helps develop your little one’s palate and keeps things interesting!

If you’re big on meal prep (because let’s face it, we all need shortcuts sometimes), this recipe is ideal for batch cooking. Double the quantities and freeze the purée in baby-safe containers or ice cube trays. That way, you’ve got ready-to-go meals or mix-ins for the week ahead — just thaw and warm gently when needed. Talk about a time-saver during those busy days!

And finally, trust your instincts. Every baby is different — some might gobble this up right away, while others need a little warming up to new tastes. That’s totally normal. Keep the experience fun, mess-friendly, and low-pressure. You’re doing a great job just by offering nourishing, homemade goodness.

Serving Suggestions (Making Mealtime Easy and Enjoyable!)

This carrot plantain purée is wonderfully versatile, which makes it a great base for all kinds of baby meal ideas. For younger babies who are just starting out with solids, you can serve it as-is — warm, smooth, and mild. Just make sure it’s cooled to a safe temperature before offering it with spoon. Babies often love the natural sweetness from the ripe plantain, and the creamy texture makes it easy to swallow.

As your baby grows and starts exploring more textures, you can serve the purée slightly thicker or even mash it gently instead of fully blending. This helps ease the transition from smooth purees to more textured foods. It also pairs really well with soft grains like cooked quinoa, rice, or oats — just stir a little into the purée for a heartier meal.

If you're looking for baby food combinations, try mixing this purée with a spoonful of plain, full-fat yogurt or lentils for extra protein and creaminess. A little swirl of mashed avocado or butternut squash can also add variety and nutrients while still keeping it baby-friendly.

For families doing a more flexible approach to weaning, this purée can double as a nutritious dip for soft finger foods like steamed carrot sticks or bread strips for older babies who are self-feeding. It’s also a wonderful side dish to accompany a small portion of soft scrambled egg or fish once you’ve introduced those foods safely.

At the end of the day, mealtime doesn’t have to be complicated. This simple purée gives you a wholesome, tasty option that fits beautifully into your baby’s feeding journey, whether it’s a standalone meal or part of a bigger baby-friendly plate.

How to store ( Life’s Easier with a Little Prep!)

Once you've blended the purée and let it cool to room temperature, you can pop any leftovers into an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will stay fresh there for up to 3 days, which is ideal for planning ahead without wasting any of that baby-loving goodness.

If you’ve made a larger batch or want to prep for the week (or even the month!), freezing is your best friend. Simply spoon the purée into baby-safe containers or ice cube trays, cover well, and freeze. Once frozen, you can transfer the cubes into a freezer-safe bag or container to save space. Each cube is a perfect portion size, especially for early feeding stages, and you can thaw only what you need.

When you're ready to use the frozen purée, you can defrost it overnight in the fridge or gently warm it in a small saucepan on the stove. A quick swirl in a bowl placed over warm water works great, too. Just be sure to stir well and always check the temperature before serving it to your little one — it should be warm, not hot.

And like with all homemade baby food, avoid refreezing purée that’s already been thawed, and toss out any leftovers from your baby’s plate to keep things safe and hygienic. With just a little prep, you’ll have nutritious meals on hand anytime, without the stress.

Equipment:

• Medium-sized saucepan
• Immersion blender 
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Airtight containers

Nutrition Guide

Suitable for 6 months +

Per serving, approximate)

• Calories: 120–150 (mainly from plantain and butter)

• Protein: 1–2g (from vegetables and butter)

• Healthy Fats: 4–5g (from unsalted butter)

• Carbohydrates: 20–25g (from plantain and carrots)

• Fiber: 3–4g (from carrots and plantain)

• Vitamin A: high, from carrots

• Vitamin C: from carrots and plantain

• Potassium: from plantain

• Iron: small amounts from carrots

• Calcium: trace amounts from butter

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