How to Make Banana Puree for Babies

Like avocados, ripe bananas have a smooth, squishy texture that's easy for babies to mash between their gums. It's an ideal first food for babies that you can introduce right away or after your baby has tried several different kinds of fruits and veggies.

In the past, it was suggested that babies should be introduced to veggies before fruits but that approach is no longer recommended. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "There is no evidence that your baby will develop a dislike for vegetables if fruit is given first." So, you can feel free to serve your baby banana puree—and any other first foods—whenever you like and in any order.

Serve the puree plain or mixed with another fruit, a veggie, or baby cereal. Here's how to make a yummy banana puree for your little love.

Step 1: Select & Buy Fresh Bananas

In the U.S., bananas are inexpensive and burst with sweetness in summer, but imported bananas are available all year long in grocery stores. Choose bananas with blemish-free yellow peel. Green peel means the banana is underripe, while peel with too many brown spots means the fruit is past its prime, or nearly past its prime. One medium fresh banana mixed with formula or breast milk yields 6 to 8 ounces of puree.

Step 2: Wash, Peel & Slice the Banana

Wash your hands with soap and water. Next, wash or scrub the banana with plain water. Rinse under cool running water, dry, and peel. Discard the peel and the ends of the banana. Slice the rest of the banana into pieces and then cut each piece into quarters.

Step 3: Puree or Mash the Banana

Puree in a food processor or blender until smooth. (Fresh banana has a light purple-brown color when pureed.) Add water as needed to reach desired consistency. For extra creaminess, mix the banana with breast milk or formula instead of water.

For a chunkier banana puree, which is ideal for babies 10 months or older, mash it with a potato masher instead of using a blender to puree it.

Step 4: Serve Banana Puree

Sweet banana puree is delicious plain, but it also mixes well with tart or mild-flavored fruit or veggie purees. Try mixing banana puree with:

• Applesauce
• Avocado
• Blueberries
  
• Cherries
• Full-fat Greek yogurt
• Infant cereal
• Oatmeal
• Papaya
• Peach
• Pear
• Plum
  
• Strawberries
• Squash
  
• Sweet potatoes
  

Step 5: Freeze Leftover Banana Puree

Refrigerate leftover banana puree in BPA-free containers for up to 3 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in your refrigerator.