Finger Food Recipes for Toddlers
While moving to semi solid foods is a big move, it is one that is good for your toddler. A good time to start your baby on finger foods is at around eight months, when he/she begins to show interest in the food you are eating (grabbing is a sign). Another reason why your toddler needs finger foods, is because he/she is unlikely to consume significant quantities of food during meal time, and will need supplementary snacks.
For this reason, ensure that the finger foods you feed your child are wholesome, nutritious and can be easily digested. Another quality that is equally important is that the foods are soft and will dissolve in your baby's mouth. Avoid all food that your child may choke in. Also, be prepared for messiness, for your child is sure to spill stuff or smear himself/herself with baby food. Here are some finger food recipes you can begin with.
Healthy Finger Food Recipes for Little Ones
Sweet Potato Cubes
If you've been looking for easy finger food recipes for kids, this one is ideal. First wash a sweet potato, and then chop it into '' cubes. Put the cubes into a glass dish, cover and microwave on high for 5 to 7 minutes, till tender. Let them cool and then check if they are done, by applying a little pressure with a fork. If it mashes then its cooked. To make it tasty, sprinkle on a little cinnamon, nutmeg or ground ginger on the sweet potato cubes.
Butternut Squash Bake
Ingredients
- 1 lb of butternut squash peeled and diced into 1 inch cubes
- 8 oz of cream (single)
- 1 oz of flour
- a pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 leek (small), chopped roughly (white part only)
- a little pinch nutmeg (ground)
- 3 oz of grated cheddar cheese
Preheat the oven to 350F. Coat a shallow baking dish with butter and then dust with flour. Combine the cream, nutmeg, ginger and pepper in a bowl, and add the butternut squash cubes and leeks to it, and mix well. Cover the base of the dish with this mixture, and sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Put it in the oven and bake for one hour. By then, the sauce should have thickened well and tender squash will be tender. Let it stand for about 10 minutes, then slice and serve. Ensure it is not too hot when your toddler digs in.
Wholemeal Banana and Yogurt Bread
Ingredients
- 115 gm butter, softened
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 115 gm brown sugar
- 250 gm wholemeal self-raising flour
- 2 eggs
- 200 gm vanilla yogurt
- 3 medium ripe bananas
Among healthy finger food recipes for kids, this one is very wholesome, tasty and filling. Preheat the oven to 350F. Coat a loaf tin with butter and then dust it with flour. Whisk the butter and sugar until light, either by hand or with an electric mixer. Break in one egg one at a time, beating well after each addition. Take a mixing bowl, and add the chopped banana to it. Using a fork, mash it well, and then add in the yogurt. If it is not smooth, you can give it a whirl in the blender. Add it to the egg mixture, and hen add the flour and mixed spice. Pour this batter into the prepared tin and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Insert a toothpick to check, and if it comes out clean then your bread is ready. Take it out of the oven, and once it cools a little, turn it out onto a wire rack.
If you plan to have a get together for babies and toddlers, and need finger food recipes that your little guests will enjoy, consider baked fries, peanut butter pancakes, and custard for dessert. These finger food recipes for toddlers are just a few examples of the wide variety of foods that can be made on a daily basis. Ideally, find recipes that use the foods that your baby enjoys, so that he/she will be more inclined to eat them.
