This Apple Baby Puree recipe is a wonderful first food for your baby! A delicious, nutrient-dense puree that your baby will go gaga over! Great baby food for 4-6 months and up – stage 1 baby food.

Graphic for post - apple baby puree - stage one - homemade - 6+ months - freezer friendly. Image is of a pink baby food storage container filled with pureed apples.

Medically reviewed by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Homemade Apple Puree for Baby

This recipe is an all-time favorite on the blog!

It was the first post that I ever published and since then, readers (and babies) have fallen in love with this creamy apple 🍎 puree for baby.

It is an amazing pick for your baby’s first bite of food!

Or spooned into a reusable pouch for your toddler.

Even older kids love this recipe for a simple and healthy snack!

I’m pretty sure even you will be sneaking in spoonfuls of this delicious homemade puree for yourself as well.

First time making homemade baby food? Then, I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food – which goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on handsafe storagehow to know when baby is ready for solidshow to introduce pureesthe best first foods for baby, and more! You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!

Apple Puree Video

Watch this video to see just how easy this recipe is to make!

Hand holding apple.

Reasons to Love this Apple Puree

  • creamy and smooth
  • nutrient-dense – filled with 2 kinds of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
  • delicious – seriously better than any homemade brand
  • baby food for 4-6+ months – stage 1 baby food puree
  • toddler & kid-friendly
  • freezer-friendly
  • easy to make – done in less than 20 minutes
  • great for your baby’s first bite
  • flavored with a pinch of cinnamon
Wooden cutting board with six apples and a small white bowl of cinnamon.

Heath Benefits of Apples

  • Good source of fiber, which benefits heart health and digestion. The pectin in apples is prebiotic, which is the food probiotics, or good bacteria in the gut, feed on. The soluble fiber apples contain helps with cholesterol levels. 
  • Helps with hydration due to their high water content.
  • Good source of vitamin C, which helps with immunity.
  • The antioxidants in apples help with cancer prevention.

Ingredients

Make sure to read the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions!

  • Apples: You will need six apples for this recipe. Look for apples that are firm, ripe and don’t have any open blemishes or bruises.
  • Cinnamon: Adding in a pinch of cinnamon will make this puree even more swoon-worthy! But adding in spices to your baby’s puree is totally up to you. You can opt to leave them out if you prefer.

Best Apples to Use

I prefer to use a sweeter apple such a Pink Lady or McIntosh, but really can you use any apple you prefer or have on hand.

Here are some great apple options:

  • Pink Lady
  • Gala
  • Honeycrisp
  • Fuji
  • McIntosh
  • Jazz
  • Golden Delicious

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prep apples: peel, core, and roughly chop apples.
  2. Cook: place the apples, water, and cinnamon (if using) in a medium saucepan and heat on medium-low for 12-15 minutes.
  3. Puree: transfer to blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
  4. Serve or freeze.

Peeling Tip: you can peel or not peel apples for this puree. If this is your first time serving apples to your baby, I would recommend peeling the apples as they contain a good deal of fiber, which might be a little too much for babies belly. Once your baby gets used to the apples and their fiber content, peeling is completely up to you.

Tools Needed

These tools will make it a lot easier for you to make this healthy Apple Baby Food Puree. For more of my favorite baby food-making tools, be sure to check out my online shop.

Other Cooking Methods

While I love the crisp flavor of simmered apples, there are several different ways you can cook apples for baby food. 

BEABA Babycook

Nothing is better than homemade apple puree! And now that delight got even easier with the BEABA Babycook. With a touch of a button, you will have homemade apple puree for your baby (and you) in a matter of minutes. To make, place 3 peeled, cored and chopped apples into the stainless steel steamer basket, and place the basket into the glass container, closing the lid. Fill the reservoir tank to a level 3, close and lock the lid. Hit the steam button and let the machine get to work. Once steamed, transfer the apples into the glass container, leaving the water, and add a pinch of cinnamon. Close the lid, and hit the blend button for 1 minute or until the puree is smooth. You may need to add more water to the puree if needed in 2 tablespoon increments.

Full Review: read my full, in-depth and honest review of the BEABA Babycook Neo, which includes pros and cons! Make sure to grab 15% off your Babycook with code (BabyFoode15)!

Steaming

Peel and roughly chop apples before placing them into a steamer basket over 2 inches of boiling water for 8-10, or tender when pricked with a fork. Puree in a blender as directed below. 

Boiling

Place peeled and roughly chopped apples into a medium saucepan, add enough water to cover the apples and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 10 minutes or when tender with pricked with a fork. Puree in a blender as directed below. Just FYI, boiling tends to leave foods less nutritious than other methods of cooking because many of the nutrients are leached into the water while boiling, and then the water is thrown out. 

Pink baby plate with gray baby bowl restaurant tub filled with a creamy apple purée.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can baby eat apples?

Baby can eat apples as one of their first foods. When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age. Some of the developmental milestones babies need to reach in order to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready for purees.

Can apples be baby’s first food?

Apples can 100% be your baby’s first food if you want it to be. It is recommended to wait to introduce the top eight allergen foods to your baby once a few other well-tolerated foods have been introduced, but otherwise, foods can be introduced in any order so choose whatever you are most excited for your baby to have.

Are apples a common allergen for baby?

No, apples are not a common allergen, however, as with any food, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that might be an allergic reaction after introducing it.

Do apples cause constipation for babies?

Applesauce may cause constipation in babies, however raw apples and apple juice may actually help alleviate constipation. 

What’s the difference between apple puree and applesauce?

The difference between apple puree and applesauce really comes down to how much you puree the apples and the amount of added ingredients. Apple puree is generally cooked apples that have been pureed to a very smooth consistency, while applesauce is cooked apples that can be slightly chunky or very chunky.

What spices can you add to this apple puree?

While the most popular option is adding cinnamon to apple baby food, you can also add in cloves, nutmeg, fresh mint, fresh basil, freshly grated ginger or even coriander.
Tip on Spices: I always add in spices to my baby food purees, but you can add or leave out spices in all of your baby food. You do you! Either way, this puree will taste amazing.

Pink baby food storage container with puréed apples and hands holding it.

How to Store Apple Baby Food

Refrigerator

You can store this apple puree in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Freezer

This puree can be frozen for up to 4 months.

  • Spoon puree into a freezer storage container – do not overfill. 
  • Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap and label with date and recipe name. 
  • Place the tray into the freezer and let freeze completely – preferably overnight. 
  • Pop out the baby food cubes and place in a zip-lock baggie or stasher bag – don’t forget to re-label the baggie or stasher bag for future reference.

Need more information on how to store your baby foods – head over to my Best Baby Food Storage Containers – Plus 6 Tips on Freezing and Thawing post!

Puree Feeding Tips

  • Follow your baby’s lead – when feeding purees from a spoon, sometimes there’s a tendency to keep offering bites past the point of your baby being full. Always follow baby’s cues for when they are done eating. Turning away from the spoon, closing her mouth, or pushing food away are all signs that baby is finished with the meal.
  • Place a small amount of puree on the tray during spoon feeding, so that your baby can dip their fingers or hands in the puree. Allowing baby to explore foods in this way helps them learn to self-feed and can help them be more willing to try new textures and foods in the future.
  • Purees are great to keep in your baby’s regular rotation of foods – but if you start feeding with traditional weaning using purees, make sure to progress beyond eating ONLY purees. Once baby can safely and comfortably swallow purees (usually by 7 or 8 months) it’s time to introduce other textures, such as teething biscuits and soft cooked finger foods. Moving onto additional textures in a timely manner may help prevent feeding difficulties at a later age.
Pink baby play with a gray baby bowl on top with puréed apples and a gray spoon resting on the plate.

Apple Combination Purees

While this apple puree is delicious on it’s own, it will also be amazing mixed with these purees for a fun and tasty combination puree.

Apples for Baby-Led Weaning: Apples are also a great food to serve to your baby whole for baby-led weaning (6+ months) or as a finger food (9+ months). You can always serve baby a combination of purees and finger foods right from the start.

Or watch a shortened version of this video here.

Apple baby puree - Pink baby food storage freezer container with apples.

Get the recipe: Quick Homemade Apple Baby Food Puree

4.8 stars (78 ratings)
This Apple Baby Puree recipe is a wonderful first food for baby! A delicious nutrient-dense puree that baby will go gaga over!

Ingredients 

  • 6 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Instructions 

  • Add: In a medium saucepan, place the apples, water and cinnamon.
    Silver sauce pan on a white background with raw chopped apples and sprinkled with cinnamon.
  • Cook: Cover and heat on medium-low for 10-15 minutes or until apples are tender. Let cool slightly.
    Silver sauce pan on a white background with cooked tender chunks of apples.
  • Transfer: Transfer all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor.
    And holding a clear blender with cooked chopped chunks of apples.
  • Puree: blend on medium for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth. For a chunky puree, quickly pulse the ingredients 10-15 times or until you receive your desired consistency.
    Clear blender on a white background with puréed apples.
  • Eat: Serve to your baby or freeze for later.
    Pink baby play with a gray baby bowl on top with puréed apples and a gray spoon resting on the plate.

Notes

Age: 4-6+ months and up
Yield: roughly 20 ounces
Additional Spices: Feel free to sub in these spices instead of the cinnamon for this recipe – pinch of cloves, nutmeg, ginger powder, coriander or 1-2 leaves of fresh mint, 1-2 leaves of fresh basil, a pinch of freshly grated ginger. 
Apples: you can use any sweet apple in this recipe – Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, McIntosh, etc.
 
Serving: 1ounce, Calories: 35kcal, Carbohydrates: 9.3g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 72mg, Fiber: 1.6g, Sugar: 7g, Calcium: 1mg

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