This easy apple, pear and banana baby food recipe combines one steamed apple, one steamed pear, and one raw ripe banana into a naturally sweet puree for beginning eaters. The apple and pear cook for 10–15 minutes until very soft, while the banana is blended in raw, making the complete recipe in about 15–20 minutes.
The finished puree is silky, fruity, and pleasantly sweet without sugar, salt, or honey. It yields approximately 1½–2 cups, and you can adjust the consistency with 1–2 tablespoons of reserved steaming water, breast milk, or prepared formula if needed.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
For a first homemade puree, this combination is wonderfully straightforward. The fruit provides plenty of flavor on its own, so there is no need for sugar, salt, or complicated seasoning.
Steaming the apple and pear softens their firm flesh and helps them blend into a creamy texture. The banana joins the blender raw, bringing gentle sweetness, body, and a smooth finish without another cooking step.
This is also a flexible recipe for busy parents. Serve a small amount right away, place the remainder in the refrigerator, or freeze extra puree in convenient portions for another meal.
If you enjoy cooking with fresh apples for the rest of the family, our homemade apple juice recipe offers another way to use seasonal fruit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list is short, but choosing ripe produce makes a noticeable difference in the final taste and texture.
- One medium apple: Peel, core, and roughly chop it before steaming.
- One medium ripe pear: Peel, core, and chop it into pieces similar in size to the apple.
- One ripe banana: Peel it and add it raw after the apple and pear have steamed.
- Optional liquid: Keep 1–2 tablespoons of steaming water, breast milk, or prepared formula nearby, using it only if the puree needs thinning.
- Optional cinnamon: Add a small pinch only if you wish; the beginner version is delicious without it.
A very ripe, sweet banana is especially helpful because it gives the puree a soft texture and naturally sweet flavor. Choose a pear that is ripe and yielding but not spoiled, since a soft pear blends more readily after steaming.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare the fruit by peeling and coring the apple and pear, then roughly chopping both into manageable pieces. Peel the banana, but keep it raw and set it aside for blending later.
Step 2: Pour approximately 2 inches of water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Set a steamer basket over the water, add the chopped apple and pear, cover the pan, and steam for 10–15 minutes.
Step 3: Check the fruit with a fork at the end of the cooking time. The apple and pear should be very soft and easily pierced; if they still feel firm, continue until they reach that soft texture needed for a smooth puree.
Step 4: Before draining anything, reserve a little of the steaming water if you may need it for blending. Allow the steamed apple and pear to cool briefly so they are no longer piping hot when added to the blender or food processor.
Step 5: Add the steamed apple and pear to a blender or food processor along with the raw peeled banana. The banana does not need to be cooked, and adding it at this stage preserves its fresh fruity flavor.
Step 6: Blend until the fruit is smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a little reserved steaming water, breast milk, or prepared formula gradually rather than pouring in a large amount at once.
Step 7: Taste and inspect the texture according to your baby’s stage and feeding guidance. Add a small pinch of cinnamon only if desired, then serve the puree warm or cool.
Pro Tips for a Silky Puree
The best texture begins with properly softened fruit. Raw apple and pear can remain fibrous or lumpy, which is why steaming them until fork-tender is an important part of this beginner-friendly method.
Cut the apple and pear into roughly similar pieces so they cook at a similar rate. Peeling and coring also removes tough skin and hard centers that could interfere with a smooth puree.
Add liquid slowly while the blender is running or between short blending bursts. A small amount can loosen the mixture beautifully, while too much at once may make the puree watery.
For a naturally sweeter bowl, use a very ripe banana and a soft, ripe pear. Because the fruit already supplies sweetness, added sugar is unnecessary, and honey should never be given to children under 12 months.
For another fruit-centered idea to make for adults, you can browse this classic apple dessert after preparing baby’s puree.
Serving Ideas for Beginners
Serve a small portion in a baby-safe bowl once the puree has reached a comfortable temperature. It can be served warm after a brief cooling period or chilled, depending on your baby’s preference and your feeding routine.
The puree may be offered on its own so your baby can become familiar with the flavor combination. Once individual ingredients have been introduced appropriately, this trio gives you a simple way to serve several familiar fruits together.
Texture should match your baby’s developmental stage and the guidance you follow from your pediatrician. Blend thoroughly for a smooth puree, and always supervise your baby while eating.
While this recipe is made for little eaters, our apple snickerdoodle cookies are a fun separate treat for older family members.
Storage and Portioning
Refrigerate the puree promptly after preparing or serving it. Store extra portions in small containers or ice-cube trays so you can thaw or serve only the amount needed.
Freezing in an ice-cube tray creates convenient portions and reduces waste. Once portions are frozen, transfer them to a suitable freezer container if desired, keeping them protected and clearly identified.
When ready to use, thaw a portion safely and stir it well before serving. Check the temperature and texture each time, and discard any portion that has been in contact with a used spoon or your baby’s mouth.
For family meal inspiration beyond baby food, you may also enjoy our chicken bacon pasta with spinach or cauliflower pizza casserole.
Apple, Pear and Banana Baby Food Recipe for Beginners
Ingredients
Method
- Put approximately 2 inches of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Place the chopped apple and pear in a steamer basket above the water, cover, and steam for 10-15 minutes, until both fruits are very soft and easily pierced with a fork.
- Allow the steamed apple and pear to cool briefly. Add them to a blender or food processor with the peeled raw banana.
- Blend the fruit until smooth. If the puree is too thick, add reserved steaming water, breast milk, or prepared formula a little at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Serve warm or cool. Refrigerate the puree promptly and freeze extra portions in small containers or ice-cube trays.
Notes
Final Thoughts
This apple, pear and banana baby food recipe keeps homemade feeding simple: steam the firm fruits, blend them with a raw ripe banana, and thin the mixture only when necessary. The result is a smooth, naturally sweet puree with a lovely combination of apple freshness, pear softness, and banana creaminess.
With about 5 minutes of preparation and 10–15 minutes of cooking, it is practical enough for a first homemade batch. Prepare it fresh, refrigerate promptly, and freeze extra portions so a nourishing fruit puree is ready when you need it.
As always, introduce foods in a way that suits your baby and follow guidance from your pediatrician about readiness, texture, and ingredients. Keep the recipe plain if preferred; this gentle fruit combination needs no sugar, salt, or honey to taste delicious.