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Recipes

Weaning, toddler & family recipes

Weaning recipes from around 6 months, baby-led finger foods, freezer-friendly toddler meals and family dinners, with allergens and age guidance.

How do you choose a recipe for your baby’s stage?

Start with readiness and the food’s texture, then check ingredients and allergens. NHS guidance places the introduction of solid foods at around six months, alongside usual breast milk or infant formula. An age label on a recipe does not replace an individual assessment of readiness.

Choose a stageWhat to check before cooking
WeaningA texture and shape the baby can manage, allergen ingredients and safe preparation
ToddlerManageable pieces, supervision and realistic portions
FamilySet aside an appropriate child’s portion before any adult seasoning or unsuitable toppings

Open the recipe and read the full method before substituting ingredients. A dairy-free swap, for example, does not necessarily remove other allergens; check the labels on every packaged ingredient. Freezer-friendly means the recipe can be prepared for freezing, not that it can be stored indefinitely.

For a calmer routine, choose two or three recipes with overlapping ingredients, write a shopping list and label any prepared portions with the dish and date. Avoid buying specialised equipment before trying the routine with what you have. If your child has an allergy, swallowing difficulty or a care plan, follow their clinician’s advice.

Evidence and scope

Published sources consulted on 9 September 2026. NHS: weaning.

Weaning recipes

First purées through to baby-led finger foods.

Around 6–12 months · 6 recipes

Toddler recipes

Hand-held, freezer-friendly meals for fussy phases.

1-4 years · 6 recipes
Bowl of spaghetti with tomato sauce and parmesan Hidden Veg Pasta Sauce 12 months+ A smooth tomato pasta sauce with carrot, red pepper and onion blended in — genuinely useful for toddlers going through a fussy or vegetable-resistant phase, without turning dinner into a negotiation. 10 mins prep · Freezer-friendly Individual spinach, sweetcorn and cheddar frittata bites on a cooling rack Mini Veggie & Cheese Frittata Bites 12 months+ Bite-sized egg and vegetable frittatas baked in a muffin tin — genuinely good toddler finger food that reheats from frozen in minutes, useful for lunchboxes, breakfast or a protein-rich snack. 10 mins prep · Freezer-friendly Roasted chicken thighs, sweet potato and broccoli on a baking tray Sheet-Pan Chicken & Veg Traybake 12 months+ A one-tray dinner of chicken thigh, sweet potato and broccoli with mild herbs — minimal washing-up, no chopping-board choreography, and everything finishes cooking at the same time. 10 mins prep · Freezer-friendly Salmon and sweetcorn fish cakes with peas Salmon & Sweetcorn Fish Cakes 12 months+ Soft salmon and potato fish cakes with sweetcorn, bound with egg and lightly coated in breadcrumbs — a good way to keep oily fish (recommended once or twice a week) in a toddler's diet in a shape they'll actually pick up and eat. 15 mins prep · Freezer-friendly Stacked fruit ice lollies with fresh berries No-Added-Sugar Fruit Lollies 12 months+ Blended fruit frozen into lolly moulds, swirled with plain yogurt — a genuinely sugar-free alternative to shop-bought ice lollies, using only the natural sweetness of ripe fruit. 10 mins prep · Freezer-friendly Stack of pancakes topped with banana slices and syrup Wholemeal Banana Pancakes 12 months+ Naturally sweetened wholemeal pancakes using ripe banana instead of added sugar — a reliable toddler breakfast or lunchbox filler that reheats well from the freezer. 5 mins prep · Freezer-friendly

Family recipes

One meal, whole table — adjust seasoning, not the recipe.

All ages · 5 recipes

This is general information, not medical or dietary advice. For allergy concerns or a family history of allergies, speak to your health visitor, GP or a registered dietitian before introducing new foods. New to weaning? Start with our weaning guide.