Unsweetened Apple Puree
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Learn how to make a simple, naturally sweet unsweetened apple puree for your baby. A smooth, comforting first fruit puree rich in vitamin C.
Naturally sweet, smooth, and easily digestible, apple puree is a classic and wonderful first fruit for babies. A cooked, unsweetened puree needs nothing added to please tiny eaters. Simple enough to trust, sweet enough to love.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 2 sweet apples (such as Gala, Fuji, or Golden Delicious), peeled, cored, and chopped
- 🫗 2 tbsp water (or breastmilk/formula)
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, core, and chop the apples into small, uniform cubes.
Place a steamer basket or a small saucepan with 2 tablespoons of water over medium heat, add the apple cubes, and cover with a lid.
Steam or gently simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the apple pieces are completely soft and easily pierced with a fork.
Transfer the cooked apples to a bowl or blender. Mash thoroughly with a fork for a textured puree, or blend until completely silky smooth.
If the puree is too thick, stir in a small splash of cooking water, breastmilk, or formula.
Let it cool down completely to a safe, lukewarm temperature before serving.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Leaving the apple skins on when making a smooth puree, which creates small, stringy bits that can irritate a baby's throat.
- ✕
Serving the puree while it is still warm; always test the temperature carefully before offering it to your baby.
🔄 Variations
Cinnamon Apple: Add a tiny pinch of Ceylon cinnamon during the cooking process for a cozy, comforting flavor.
Apple & Pear Blend: Mix equal parts cooked apple puree and mashed pear for a delicious fruit medley.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Fridge: Store leftover apple puree in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
- 📦
Freezer: Freeze in portions using an ice cube tray for up to 1 month. Thaw thoroughly in the refrigerator before serving.
💡 Chef Tips
Choose sweet apple varieties like Gala or Golden Delicious rather than very tart ones (like Granny Smith) so your baby enjoys the naturally sweet flavor without any need for sweeteners.
For extra warmth and aroma, you can cook the apples with a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon.
❓ FAQ
Do I need to add sugar? Never! Ripe apples contain plenty of natural sugars and are wonderfully sweet on their own. Added sugar is unnecessary and discouraged for infants.
Can I make this without cooking the apples? For young babies starting solids, cooked and softened fruit is much easier to digest and eliminates choking risks compared to raw apples.
Is apple good for digestion? Yes, apples contain soluble fiber (pectin), which is very gentle on an infant's digestive system.
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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 →