Posted Jan 26, 2018, Updated Jun 04, 2024 The process of transitioning a baby to solid foods is a huge milestone. The very first time you feed your sweet baby can be really fun. However, the novelty wears off very quickly, and the process of feeding your baby pureed foods 3x/day can become a little taxing. I’m just being honest, with my first daughter I couldn’t wait to start the solid food journey. But with each successive child I’ve waited longer and longer to add solid foods to our daily routine. Which means I make these lactation cookies for longer too! But, making your own homemade baby food – like these baby food carrots – makes the process so much easier! The first real foods I feed my babies are usually avocado and sweet potatoes. Next, I introduce baby food carrots since they’re in the same “orange vegetable” family. Just like most varieties, homemade baby food carrots are so much more delicious than store-bought varieties. There is absolutely no contest when it comes to the rich, slightly sweet, flavor when you make your own baby food carrots.
Baby Food Carrots: Ingredients
Carrots. I suggest whole, organic carrots for the best tasting results. I have also used organic baby carrots to skip peeling and cutting and they work great as well. Olive oil. this is optional. Avocado oil is also a good choice if you’ve already introduced your baby to avocados. Water. Use enough water to blend the carrots into a smooth puree.
How to Make Baby Food Carrots
This recipe is simple to make. I prefer to roast the carrots for the best flavor, but you can cook them in the slow cooker or on the stovetop. Begin by peeling and cutting the carrots. Smaller carrots cook faster. Then, put the cut carrots in a bowl and coat with olive oil or avocado oil. Next, spread the carrots in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned and soft. Once the carrots are roasted, add some water to the container of a high-powered blender (preferably a Vitamix) and blend until smooth, adding more water as you go. In the early stages of introducing solids, make sure the carrot puree is silky smooth, because your baby is not ready to handle texture yet. As your baby grows it’s important to introduce them to more texture, so leave it a little chunkier.
Store
Store baby food carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
How to Freeze Baby Food Carrots
I recommend making a large batch of carrot puree and freezing it in individual portions. Measure 2 tablespoon portions into the wells of these silicone ice cube trays (which are my absolute favorite because they have a hard rim, making it easy to transport them from the counter to the freezer)! Then let the baby food freeze, pop the cubes out and store in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the freezer.
Reheat
Warm frozen cubes in the microwave for about 60 seconds on high. Stir and test the temperature to be sure it isn’t too warm, then feed your baby. Or, gently warm the baby food carrots on the stovetop. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
