How to Make Peach Puree for Babies

Peach puree is an excellent first fruit for babies. It's mild and delicious on its own, and you can easily mix it with a variety of other fruit, veggie, meat, and poultry purees. Peaches are also rich in beta-carotene and potassium. Here's the recipe and easy step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Select & Buy Peaches

You can make peach puree with fresh or frozen peaches. Aim to buy fresh in the summer and frozen the rest of the year for high-quality, affordable peaches. When purchasing fresh peaches, look for deep orange-colored fruit with a reddish blush. It should be free of nicks, bruises, and other blemishes.

A ripe peach will give slightly when you squeeze it. Since peaches are part of the "dirty dozen"—foods with the highest pesticide residue—it's a good idea to buy organic, if possible. One peach yields about 4 ounces of puree.

Step 2: Wash the Peach

Wash the peach. You can simply rinse with plain water or use a mixture of three parts water and one part white vinegar to remove bacteria followed by a final rinse under cool running water. Pat dry.

Step 3: Peel the Peaches

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan and then add peaches to the water for about 45 seconds. Remove peaches from boiling water with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge into an ice bath to halt the cooking process. After the peaches have been fully submerged, remove and peel the skin with your fingers or a sharp paring knife.

Step 4: Pit & Slice the Peaches

Slice peaches in half lengthwise, working your way around the pit. Twist and pull the peach halves apart. Use a spoon to pry out the pit, or stick the blade of a sharp knife into the pit and twist until the pit pops out. Slice each half into even-sized slices then quarter each slice.

Step 5: Puree or Mash the Peaches

For a super smooth consistency, puree peaches in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency.

For a chunkier peach puree, which is ideal for babies 10 months or older, mash the peach with a potato masher instead of pureeing it.

Step 6: Serve Peach Puree

Sweet, mild-flavored peach puree is delicious on its own. To introduce your baby to new textures and flavors, try mixing the puree with other fruits, meat or poultry, oatmeal, or full-fat yogurt. Peach puree is delicious with:

• Sweet potatoes
• Butternut squash
• Applesauce
• Pear
• Strawberries
• Banana
• Full-fat Greek yogurt
• Baby oatmeal
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Beef

Step 7: Freeze Leftover Peach Puree

Refrigerate leftover peach puree in BPA-free containers for up to three days. Freeze leftovers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in your refrigerator before serving.