Instant Pot Baby Food

Instant pot baby food is so easy to make and done in a matter of minutes! Making homemade baby food is an easy way to get more vegetables and fruit into your baby’s diet. I’ll show you how to make easy purees with the Instant Pot and give you a few flavor combination ideas along the way!

Homemade Baby Food Made Simple

The Instant Pot can do a lot of things and baby food is one of them! I recently found out that using a pressure cooker to steam vegetables can be a time saver and really simple to do. That realization led me to experiment with baby food and let me tell you, I’m so glad I did! It’s as easy as steaming the vegetables and fruit for 5 minutes on high pressure and out comes a fully softened and ready to blend ingredient.

Is this your first time making homemade baby food? Or are you looking for more flavor combination ideas? Don’t worry, I have you covered! Check out our recipes for 6 Homemade Baby Food Combinations, 3 Sweet Potato Baby Food Combinations, 3 Broccoli Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2) and Kale Baby Food Puree Combinations for more inspiration and help!

When To Introduce Baby Food

Of course, please consult your child’s pediatrician before starting solids or if you have questions about your baby’s diet. In my experience, we started feeding our daughter solids and purees at around 6 months of age. These homemade baby food purees are meant for children in stage 1 and 2 of eating which is typically around 6 to 9 months.

How To Make Baby Food In the Instant Pot

Let’s go over the step-by-step instructions on how to make baby food in the Instant Pot. 

1. Prep: Start by cleaning and chopping the vegetables and fruit that you plan on cooking. Also prep the Instant Pot by making sure it’s clean and insert the wire trivet at the bottom.
2. Add water: Measure out one cup of water and add it to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
3. Stack: Use small baking dishes (microwave and oven safe) to section out the different vegetables and fruit. Place one layer of the small dishes on top of the wire trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot. I usually can fit three small dishes at the bottom. Then stack the rest of the small dishes on top of those. 
4. Cook: Set the lid on top and lock the Instant Pot. Set the timer for 5 minutes on High Pressure. Once the time is up, let it natural release before releasing the pressure and removing the lid.
5. Puree: After letting the small dishes cool slightly, carefully transfer the vegetables and fruit to a blender to puree. Feel free to add a little bit of water, breast milk, or formula to thin the puree. Serve and store how you normally would for baby food puree.

Flavor Ideas

There are many different flavor combinations that you can create with this method of cooking. Here are a few ideas that would work well for stage 2 baby food.

• Sweet Potato + Carrots
• Apple + Broccoli
• Beets + Carrots
• Zucchini + Apple
• Butternut Squash + Pear
• Sweet Potato + Apple

Tips for making baby food in the Instant Pot

• Make sure to add water at the bottom of the pressure cooker before cooking. The water helps with steaming the produce.
• Blend the cooked vegetables and fruit to make the baby food puree. Alternatively, you can cut the produce into 2 inch strips for finger food used in baby led weaning. Of course, make sure to consult a pediatrician if you’re not sure what to feed your child.
• Use oven-safe ramekins or small dishes for the chopped vegetables and fruit. I like to use whatever dishes I already have but here are some great options on Amazon. Just make sure they are oven-safe and able to fit properly in the Instant Pot. I have six small dishes that can all fit in the Instant Pot at one time.

Equipment Needed

• Instant Pot
• Small Bowls
• Blender or Food Processor: Usually any blender or food processor will do. I have this small ninja blender that I use for small batch baby food purees. You could also use a fork to mash softened vegetables or fruit. Additionally, a immersion blender could work in some instances also.
• Storage Containers
• Reusable Pouches: In my experience, I waited to introduce pouches until my daughter was a bit older and used to eating. Now that she’s a toddler, pouches have become really handy to pack when we’re on-the-go. 
• Freezer Trays

How To Store Baby Food Puree

To Store: There are many options when it comes to storing homemade baby food purees. There are containers made specifically for baby food or you can just use glass containers with lids. Homemade baby food purees can last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

To Freeze: You can freeze homemade baby food for up to 3 months in the freezer. I use these silicone trays or ice cube trays for baby sized portions. Thaw the baby food overnight in the refrigerator before using.

More Baby Food Recipes To Try:

• 3 Sweet Potato Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2)
• Kale Baby Food Puree Combinations (Stage 2)
• 3 Broccoli Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2)
• Applesauce Baby Pancakes
• 6 Homemade Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2)
• Butternut Squash Baby Food Puree
• How To Make Baby Oatmeal

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