Apple overview

How to Prepare Apple for Baby

Apple is safe for babies from 6 months old. How you prepare it changes as your baby grows. Here is exactly what to do at each stage.

Choking risk: medium

Medium choking risk. Follow the prep guidance below carefully and stay within arm's reach.

Flavor guide

Raw apple is crisp and juicy with a sweet-tart flavor that varies by variety, from the sharp brightness of a Granny Smith to the honeyed sweetness of a Fuji. Cooking transforms the texture into a soft, yielding flesh and concentrates the sweetness while mellowing the tartness. It pairs naturally with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, butter, pork, sweet potato, and butternut squash.

1

6 to 8 months

Peel, core, and steam until very soft (10-15 minutes). Mash or puree. Do not offer raw apple under 12 months, it is a leading choking hazard even when grated.

Serving ideas

  • -Peel, core, and steam until very soft, then serve as thick wedges
  • -Bake apple halves until soft and mash with cinnamon
  • -Steam and blend into a smooth applesauce with a pinch of cardamom
2

9 to 11 months

Steam until fork-tender, cut into bite-size pieces. Roasted apple (375F for 20 minutes) gets naturally sweet and very soft.

Serving ideas

  • -Grate raw apple finely and mix into oatmeal or yogurt (peel on for fiber)
  • -Dice soft-cooked apple and mix with cottage cheese or ricotta
  • -Saute diced apple with a pat of butter and cinnamon until golden
3

12+ months

Thin raw slices for confident chewers with the peel and core removed. Baked apples with cinnamon. Applesauce for all ages.

Serving ideas

  • -Serve thin raw apple slices (peel on, cut thinly enough to be flexible)
  • -Make baked apple slices with cinnamon as a warm snack
  • -Add finely diced raw apple to overnight oats or pancake batter

See what's safe for your baby's age

Enter your baby's birthday and get a personalized list of foods to introduce, how to prep each one, and what to plant so the harvest lands right on time.

Freezing Apple for baby

Peel, core, and slice. Blanch for 2 minutes to stop browning, cool in ice water, freeze flat on a tray, then bag. Use in smoothies, baked oatmeal, or cook from frozen into applesauce.

Blanch for 2 minutes before freezing. Keeps for up to 12 months.

Batch prep tip

Core and dice a batch of apples, steam until soft, and freeze in ice cube portions. Use as a base for applesauce, mix into oatmeal, or stir into savory dishes like pork or squash. Keeps 4 months.

Cinnamon Applesauce

From 6 months

Ingredients

  • -3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • -1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • -2 tbsp water

Steps

  1. Combine apple pieces, cinnamon, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are completely soft and begin to break down.
  3. Mash with a fork for a chunky texture or blend smooth for younger babies.
  4. Let cool before serving.

Freeze in ice cube trays for up to 4 months. Stir into oatmeal, mix with butternut squash puree, or serve plain on a spoon.

Track how your baby reacts to apple

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Growing Apple at home?

Enter your baby's birthday and we'll tell you exactly when to plant so the harvest lines up with your baby's readiness.

If your baby was born early, enter their due date instead of their birth date to use adjusted age. How to calculate adjusted age.

We use this to find your local frost dates and improve timing.

Your baby will be ready for these next

Save these for when you need them, or get a personalized list by age.

Watermelon

Ready at 6 months

Blueberries

Ready at 6 months

Cantaloupe

Ready at 6 months

Raspberries

Ready at 6 months

Related

Can babies eat apple?All foods safe at 6 monthsPrintable first foods checklist

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Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician before introducing new foods.
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