Steamed Apple Slices with Cinnamon
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Learn how to make safe, soft steamed apple slices with a touch of cinnamon for babies. A perfect, easy BLW finger food for starting solids.
These gently steamed apple slices dusted with warm cinnamon are a safe, soft introduction to solid foods. Steaming removes the crunch while bringing out the fruit's natural sweetness. A warm, fragrant first food that babies tend to love.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 1 firm sweet apple (such as Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
- 🫗 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 🫗 Water for steaming
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
Wash, peel, and core the apple. Cut it into thick, finger-sized slices that a baby can easily grasp (about the size of an adult index finger).
Set up a steamer basket over boiling water in a saucepan. Place the apple slices inside.
Cover and steam for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the slices are completely fork-tender and easily mashed between your fingers.
Remove from heat and gently toss the warm slices with ground cinnamon.
Let them cool down completely to room temperature or lukewarm before serving to your baby to prevent burns.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Serving raw or undercooked apple wedges, which pose a severe choking hazard for infants.
- ✕
Adding sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners (honey must never be given to infants under 1 year old due to the risk of infant botulism).
🔄 Variations
Apple & Pear Duo: Steam apple and pear slices together for a naturally sweeter, mixed-fruit finger food.
Unspiced: Omit the cinnamon entirely if your baby is just beginning their flavor exploration journey.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Fridge: Store leftover steamed apple slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat slightly or serve chilled.
- 📦
Freezer: Not recommended, as freezing changes the texture and makes the apples overly mushy upon thawing.
💡 Chef Tips
Always test the temperature and texture of the apple slices yourself before serving to ensure they are cool enough and soft enough to mash effortlessly between your thumb and index finger.
You can substitute cinnamon with a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg or ginger for a gentle flavor twist.
❓ FAQ
Can I leave the apple skin on for BLW? For beginner self-feeders around 6 months, it is safer to peel the apples completely, as skin can be difficult to chew and may stick to the roof of their mouth. Once your child is a more experienced toddler, you can leave the skin on.
Is cinnamon safe for babies? Yes, common sweet spices like cinnamon can be safely introduced as soon as your baby starts solid foods, typically around 6 months old, as long as it is introduced in small amounts.
How do I know the apples are soft enough? Press a slice between your thumb and index finger; it should easily mash with minimal pressure, mimicking the gums' ability to break it down.
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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 →