Homemade Sweet Potato Mash For Baby and Toddler
Table of Contents
Sweet Potato For Baby
This sweet potato mash recipe is perfect for babies and baby-led weaning due to its soft texture and naturally sweet flavour, which makes it appealing to little taste buds starting their weaning journey from 6 months of age.
Rich in vitamins and minerals, sweet potatoes provide essential nutrition for growing infants. The mash can be easily manipulated by tiny hands, promoting self-feeding and encouraging babies to explore different tastes and textures.
Also, it is simple to prepare with minimal ingredients, making it a convenient option for busy parents while ensuring a wholesome meal that supports healthy development.
Other Ways To Serve Sweet Potato To Baby
Sweet potato can be served in a variety of yummy ways for baby-led weaning. For a simple approach, you can roast sweet potato wedges until they are tender and slightly caramelised, making them easy for little hands to grasp.
Alternatively, try steaming and mashing sweet potato to create a spread that can be served on soft bread, introducing new textures while maintaining the natural sweetness.
You could also blend cooked sweet potato with a bit of apple or pear for a nutritious purée that can be offered in a self-feeding pouch.
Another option is to create sweet potato pancakes by mixing mashed sweet potato with a bit of flour and egg, forming small circles on a frying pan to create finger-friendly bites that are both tasty and satisfying.
Ingredient information
Sweet potato - Perfectly sweet, this is a great veggie for baby and toddler. So versatile to use as a finger food or used in savoury or sweet recipes.
Cream cheese - I have used full fat cream cheese, this is best to use until your baby is 2 years old.
Milk - I have used a whole milk, but you could use a semi skimmed milk or a vegan or dairy free alternative.
Serving suggestion
The sweet potato mash would be great to serve on its own if you are introducing sweet potato for the first time (as long as you have tested that your baby is ok with dairy).
Or you can serve with finger foods such as slow cooker pork tenderloin, white fish such as fish fingers or pork patties, all are a great option.
Other delicious recipes you may like: Homemade potato smiles, Sweet potato wedges or Homemade baked potato wedges.
Storage instructions
The sweet potato baby food recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, stored in an airtight container.
If you wanted to freeze the sweet potato mash, you will need to make sure that the sweet potato has cooled down before transferring to either a freezer bag (carefully) or to an airtight container. Ensure that the bag and/or airtight container is labelled with the item and the date. I use masking tape to label the airtight container. You can also use an ice cube tray to freeze the sweet potato mash into portions.
To defrost the sweet potato, leave in the fridge overnight to defrost and make sure that it is fully defrosted, before re heating.
To reheat, place the defrosted sweet potato curry in a saucepan and reheat until piping hot and then leave to cool for baby.
Once the sweet potato has been defrosted you will not be able to reheat or re freeze
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Saucepan - So many pan sets out there but I particularly like to use pans with a non-stick surface for ease of cleaning and ones that are suitable for different types of hob surface.
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.
Recipe | Homemade Sweet Potato Mash For Baby and Toddler
Homemade Sweet Potato Mash For Baby and Toddler
This is a simple sweet potato mash recipe great for baby and toddler from 6 months of age.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by placing the sweet potato chunks into a large saucepan, followed by hot water until it covers all of the sweet potato.
- The cooking time for the sweet potato is 15-20 minutes until very soft. Once cooked drain the sweet potato using a sieve or a colander.
- Replace the sweet potato back into the saucepan and mash using either a back of a fork or a potato masher.
- Spoon in the cream cheese and mix into the sweet potato.
- Add a splash of milk to the pan, toy can use breast milk too if you prefer, you can add more of less it is up to you on the consistency and creamy texture you would like for your baby.
- The milk should cool the mashed sweet potatoes, but just check before serving to your baby.
Notes
If you wanted to make the recipe dairy free or vegan, you will need to choose a dairy free full fat cream cheese and a plant based milk such as oat milk, or soya milk.
Hope you and your whole family enjoy!
©The Petit Spoon
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A fun Easter bunny bento box recipe for your little one! Packs a punch with vitamins and minerals, all in a sandwich lunch! Quick, convenient and simple too!