Banana Slices with Peanut Butter
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Learn how to safely serve banana slices with thinned peanut butter to your baby. A protein-rich, allergen-introducing BLW snack.
A first food that doubles as an allergen introduction, done the safe way. Banana slices topped with thoroughly thinned peanut butter give babies healthy fats and protein in an easy, non-sticky format — a gentle early taste of peanut, well before any candy-bar memories.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 1/2 ripe banana
- 🫗 1/2 tsp 100% smooth, natural peanut butter (no added salt or sugar)
- 🫗 1/2 tsp warm water or breast milk (for thinning)
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
In a small bowl, mix the 100% smooth peanut butter with the warm water or breast milk until the mixture reaches a completely thin, pourable, and non-sticky consistency.
Peel the banana and slice it into thick, coin-shaped pieces.
Using the back of a small spoon, spread a very thin layer of the thinned peanut butter onto each banana coin.
Check that no thick "globs" of peanut butter remain on the slices.
Serve the slices to your baby, encouraging them to grasp the banana coins.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Serving thick or chunky peanut butter directly on food, which can stick to the roof of a baby's mouth or throat.
- ✕
Using peanut butter with added sugars or hydrogenated oils—always choose 100% nut varieties.
🔄 Variations
Almond Butter Twist: Simply swap the peanut butter for smooth almond butter if you prefer.
Grain Boost: Sprinkle the peanut-buttered side with a tiny pinch of hemp hearts or finely ground baby cereal to provide extra texture and reduce slipperiness.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Fridge: This snack is best prepared and served immediately. Storing sliced banana with nut butter leads to browning and texture changes; do not store for later use.
💡 Chef Tips
⚠️ Allergen label — contains peanut. Serve it well-thinned and never as a thick glob; watch for any reaction when first introduced.
Consistency is safety: Always dilute the peanut butter significantly with water or milk. Thick, unthinned peanut butter is sticky and creates a significant choking hazard.
Early introduction: Offering peanuts early (around 6 months) in this safe, thinned-down way is currently supported by many pediatric guidelines to help reduce the risk of future allergies.
❓ FAQ
How do I know if my baby is allergic? Watch for hives, swelling, or digestive upset during and shortly after the first few introductions. If you are concerned due to a family history, consult your pediatrician before the first offering.
Why thin the peanut butter? Thinning it ensures it is no longer sticky, which makes it safe for an infant who is still learning to coordinate swallowing and chewing.
Can I serve these slices to a 6-month-old? Yes, as long as the banana is ripe and soft, and the peanut butter is fully thinned.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →