Making Baby Food in Bulk: Save Time & Money
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Cooking Baby Food in Bulk
Tonight’s menu plan for my family calls for Sweet Potato Quick Biscuits. Since I’m already baking sweet potatoes for this recipe, I’m going to throw a few more in the oven for a baby food recipe that I will eventually freeze. I call this one, Sweet Potato Apple Mash. As long as your potatoes are stored correctly (in an airtight container of some type), they should be good for up to 10-12 months.So, is making your own baby food really worth it?
Costs will differ from recipe to recipe but I ran the numbers on this sweet potato apple mash recipe and compared it to a store bought sweet potato apple squeeze pack. I found that one 4 ounce organic squeeze pack typically costs $1.25. On the flip side, to make 4 ounces of my organic sweet potato apple mash costs around $.50. So basically, you are saving $.75 for every single portion you make!How to Make Sweet Potato Apple Mash:
Cook three medium sized sweet potatoes at 400 degrees for about an hour (or until softened all the way through). Let them cool and remove the skin.Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Sweet Potato Apple Mash
Homemade sweet potato apple mash is baby food at its absolute best.
Ingredients
- 3–4 medium sized sweet potatoes
- 1.5 cups organic apple sauce
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Wash sweet potatoes well and poke a few holes at the top
- Bake potatoes at 400 degrees for about an hour or until softened to the touch
- Let cool and remove skin
- Put cooked sweet potatoes into blender or food processor and add apple sauce
- Process until desired consistency
What Should I Freeze Baby Food In?
Here are a few freezing options that I like to use:- Glass Storage Containers: I like these because they are safe to use and easy to see what is inside. It’s easy to thaw individual portions in the fridge beforehand too.
- Silicone Baby Food Storage: These storage containers make it easy to store in bulk and pop out one portion at a time. They also stack nicely in the freezer.
- Ice Cube Trays: These are a simple solution if you don’t have other storage containers on hand that will work. Simply freeze food in the trays and then move them to an airtight container of some type. I prefer to use plastic storage bags.
- Muffin Pan: You can even use a simple muffin pan to freeze baby food. Similar to the ice cube trays, simply freeze the food and then move the portions to an airtight container of some type.
You are ladies after my own heart! I was already in love with your blog, but the baby food post takes the cake! I am beginning that season of motherhood and just do not see the point in buying baby food when I can just modify what I already make for my husband and I. Love these tips!!
You’re on the exact right track, Haley. No need to buy the expensive and less nutritive baby food at the store. I didn’t learn that until my 2nd and 3rd kids, unfortunately. But, I usually just added a little filtered water to whatever veggie, fruit, and sometimes meat we were eating at dinner, mashed it up well with a fork, and let them have at it. As they got a little older, I left it chunkier (yet made sure it was very soft) and let them feel the texture more with their hands and mouths. Ironically (or maybe not so ironically), both of my younger kids are much more willing to try new foods than my oldest who only ate yucky store-bought baby food for a long, long time.