Easy Homemade Oat Cakes Recipe For Baby And Toddler
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Oat Recipe For Baby
These delicious oat cake bites are so quick and simple to make!
If your little ones are anything like my son, he loves a snack! Especially traditional Scottish oatcakes.
I love to come up with healthy recipes for my son, this is what I love to share the most with you all, as I know that children so often want to reach for the sugary snacks.
I really wanted to create something that was sweet and simple to make but packed full of flavour!
I handed one of these oat cakes to my son and he loved it! I was so pleased, he even reached for another one from me!
These really are a great recipe and a go to snack in our home for my son and my family! I love to know that a snack I’m giving him is healthy and nutritious and most importantly easy to make!
The great thing is these can be frozen too! So you can freeze and take out, defrost when needed for the day!
Can Babies Have Oat Cakes
Babies can eat oat cakes once they are weaned and are able to handle solid foods. Oat cakes can be a nutritious snack option for babies, providing them with energy and essential nutrients.
However, it is important to choose oat cakes that are specifically made for babies (preferably homemade), as some varieties may contain added sugars or salt which are not suitable for infants.
It is recommended to introduce new foods one at a time to watch out for any potential allergies or adverse reactions.
How Long Do Oatcakes Last
Homemade oat cakes can last for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer shelf life, they can be stored in the fridge for up to a month or in the freezer for up to three months.
It is important to ensure that the oat cakes are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation, which can lead to them becoming soggy.
Checking them for any signs of spoilage before consumption is recommended, such as off smells or unusual texture changes.
Frozen Tart Cherries
Frozen cherries can pose a choking hazard for babies who are following baby-led weaning (BLW) due to their size and hardness.
It is recommended to avoid giving whole frozen cherries to babies as they could lead to choking.
Instead, consider offering cherries that have been thawed and cut into quarters to reduce the risk of choking. Or blitz to a paste like this recipe and add to porridge and oat bars.
Always closely supervise your baby during meal times, especially when introducing new foods like cherries, to ensure their safety.
Rolled Oats vs Steel Oats
Rolled oats and steel-cut oats are two popular types of oats with distinct textures and cooking times.
Rolled oats are oat groats that have been steamed, rolled, and flattened, resulting in a flake-like appearance. They cook relatively quickly and have a softer texture compared to steel-cut oats.
On the other hand, steel-cut oats are oat groats that have been chopped into small pieces using a steel blade. They have a chewier texture and nuttier flavour than rolled oats but require a longer cooking time.
Both types of oats are nutritious and can be used in various recipes, depending on personal preference for texture and cooking time for your baby.
Benefit Of Oats For Baby
Oats are a great source of essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which are crucial for baby's growth and development.
They are easy to prepare and can be served in various forms such as porridge, or oat-based finger foods.
Oats are naturally soft and easy for babies to chew, making them ideal for baby-led weaning (BLW).
The fibre in oats promotes healthy digestion and regulates bowel movements for babies.
Introducing oats early in a baby's diet can help develop a taste for whole grains and encourage healthy eating habits later in life.
Desiccated Coconut Meaning
Desiccated coconut is the dried and finely shredded flesh of a coconut. This process involves removing the moisture content from the coconut meat, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.
Desiccated coconut is commonly used in baking, cooking, and confectionery for its sweet, nutty flavour and chewy texture.
It adds a tropical twist to dishes and is often used in cakes, biscuits, curries, and desserts. Desiccated coconut is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury recipes, providing a convenient way to enjoy the taste of coconut all year round.
Ingredient Information
Oats - You can use any type of oat that you may have as they will be blitzed anyway, you can use porridge oats, steel cut oats or Ready Brek (doesn’t need blitzing.
If you wanted to make this 100% gluten free you could use gluten free oats. You could add in a little wholemeal flour for extra fibre too for babies that are ok with gluten. Adding in a handful if sunflower seeds too can be a great idea for extra nutrition.
Frozen cherries - These are great to have in the freezer, they can be used as porridge toppers or used as snacks too!
Desiccated coconut - Another great store cupboard essential for your little ones!
Serving suggestion
The cherry oat cake bites are great served on their own as a delicious snack for your toddler or even for yourself. You could spread a little peanut butter on top if you wish.
They are a great alternative to the oat bars or cereal bars you can buy in the supermarket. They have only three ingredients and nothing else. You can serve with a little plain Greek yogurt for dipping.
Other snack recipe ideas: Teething biscuit, Oaty bars, Oat pancakes or Greek yogurt cookies.
Storage instructions
The oat cakes can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
They can also be frozen for up to 3 months in the freezer, they can be stored in an airtight container or in freezer bags. Make sure they have fully cooled down to room temperature before transferring to either the container or freezer bag.
To defrost the oat cakes, leave in the fridge overnight until fully thawed. They will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Once defrosted you will not be able to refreeze.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Nutri bullet - I have found a blender to be an invaluable tool in the preparation of many of my baby led weaning recipes.
Baking tray - I have chosen to use a non-stick and BPA free baking sheet - they are easy to clean and, if you buy more than one, easily stackable and easily stored.
Large bowl - Definitely choose a stainless steel one - they are lighter than the stone or glass ones and very easy to clean.
Recipe | Easy Homemade Oat Cakes Recipe For Baby And Toddler
Makes 28 small bites
150g rolled oats, ground to oat flour
100g frozen cherries
1 tablespoon desiccated coconut
60ml water
Instructions
Pre heat your oven to 180C or 350F. Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper. If you did not have paper you could grease a baking tray with a little olive oil.
Start by blitzing your oats in a blender or food processor, until it is a a fine flour. Set aside.
Next pop the cherries into the blender along with the water and blend until smooth.
Pop both the cherries and the ground oats into a large mixing bowl and mix using a spoon and finishing off using your hands to form a dough.
Place the oatcake dough on a work surface and roll out using a rolling pin to approx 0.5cm. Flour the work surface if needed.
I used a shot measurer to cut small circles out of the dough. You can use any cookie cutter you like.
Roll out the dough and start again.
Place the shapes on the baking sheet and pop in the oven for 20 minutes, until golden brown.
Hope you and your family enjoy!
Recipe notes
If you didn’t want to blend the oats you could just use the oats. However the texture will be tougher than if you blended them.
You could use frozen strawberries or raspberries if you didn’t have cherries.
Cherries work so well with the coconut if you can stick with the cherries.
©The Petit Spoon
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