Delicious and Healthy
Almost everyone is familiar with the adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and with good reason. This healthy tree fruit is a popular staple of baby and toddler diets and offers a lifetime of benefits. Studies on apples have even linked them to a reduced risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes1. Apples are a good source of vitamin C, which is essential to a child’s growth and development and is proven to strengthen the immune system2. They’re also a great source of fiber, which is important for digestion3.
A Perfect Baby Food
Apples are a smart choice for one of your infant’s first foods. They can be added to almost any baby recipe and can be mixed with cereals, veggie purees, meat purees, yogurts, and included in other fruit dishes. And of course, applesauce is an all-time baby and child-friendly favorite! After peeling the skin, you may bake the apples (to retain the most flavor), steam the apples (to retain the most nutrients), or boil the apples. When selecting apples, choose ones that are firm and that do not have cuts or bruises. When buying applesauce in a jar, natural varieties are best – the ingredients should be apples and water or just apples.
Interesting Apple Facts
Apples are a member of the rose family and are believed to have originated in Western Asia. The U.S. is the second leading producer of apples (after China) in the world. Amazingly, there are more than 7,500 varieties of apples, making them one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits
Apple Recipes for the Whole Family
Share one of our favorite apple recipes with your family for a sweet and nutritious treat.
Apple-Yogurt Dip
You’ll need:
- 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
- ¼ cup applesauce
Directions:
Mix yogurt and applesauce with immersion blender. Serve with favorite fruits and vegetables.
Easy Apple Snackers
You’ll need:
- 1 whole Apple
- 1/3 cup Water
- 1/2 tsp Ginger (optional)
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla
Directions:
- Wash, peel and core the apple.
- Cut into small, bite sized pieces that are large enough for baby to pick up without being a choking hazard.
- Pour water into saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat.
- Add apple pieces, ginger, and vanilla. Stir and cover.
- Reduce heat to simmer and steam fruit until tender, approximately 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, drain, and let cool.
- Serve as a fun finger food!
- Recipe Yields: 4 Servings
- Storage Time: 3 days in the refrigerator
Homemade Applesauce
You’ll need:
- 2 Red Delicious apples
- ½ cup water
- Cinnamon (optional)
Directions:
- Wash, peel, core, and dice apples.
- In medium saucepan bring water and apples to a boil. Cover and let cook for 10-15 minutes, or until apples are tender.
- Remove from heat and add Cinnamon. Use immersion blender and puree until smooth. For a chunkier applesauce use a masher. Let cool before serving.
Baked Apple Oatmeal
You’ll need:
- 2 2/3 cup Old-fashioned oatmeal
- 3 2/3 cup Milk
- 2 tbsp Butter, melted
- 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar, packed
- 2 whole Apples, peeled, cored and shredded
- 1/4 cup Apple cider
- 1 whole Banana (optional)
Directions:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine all ingredients, except the banana, in a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, uncovered, until the liquid is absorbed into the oatmeal.
- Add banana slices as a topping. Serve warm. Allow time for oatmeal to cool to room temperature before feeding it to baby.
- Recipe Yields: 6 Servings
- Storage Time: 4 days in the refrigerator