Avocado Puree (Homemade Baby Food)

This avocado puree is simply delicious and a great first food to introduce to your baby. I’ve only met a few adults in my life who don’t like avocados, however, I haven't met a baby yet who doesn't love them! This recipe takes the simple avocado and jazz’s it up at bit with the addition of fresh lime juice. My kiddos all started with this simple puree followed by banana puree and then pea puree and loved them all!

The buttery, smooth texture of a perfectly ripe avocado, mashed well, is easy for babies to eat and full of great nutrients for them. Full of good fats and fiber, avocados are also a great source of Vitamin C.

The best way to cut an avocado

While wearing a cutting glove for safety, hold the avocado with the long side in the palm of your hand. Slice lengthwise around the entire perimeter of the avocado all the way through to the pit.

Then with both hands twist and pull the two sides apart.  The pit will typically remain stuck in one side of the avocado.

To safely remove the pit, press with your thumbs on the skin side and gently push until the pit pops out.  This is much safer than the way you see chefs on TV do it (whacking a knife against the pit until it grabs and then twisting).  Alternatively, you can scoop it out with a spoon.

Ingredients

• Avocado:  Be sure to use a very ripe avocado so it’s easy to mash to the right texture for your baby. You'll know is ripe when it is dark green in color and has a little bit of give to it when you press on the sides. If your store doesn't have any that feel ripe, buy the closest to rip you can and then store it next to your bananas when you get home to help ripen it faster.
• Lime: look for bright green limes that seem fresh.  The juicier the better. If you don't have fresh limes, lemons will work just as well. Bottled lemon or lime juice will work in a pinch too, but I really like the taste of fresh squeezed when possible.

Pro Tip: When working with citrus like lemons or limes, roll them between your hand and the counter a few times, pressing down gently as you roll.  The pressure helps release some of the juice, make it easier to squeeze and get every bit of fresh juice out of the fruit when you need it.

Step by Step Instructions

Cut the avocado in half and carefully remove the pit with either technique mentioned above (using your thumb to pop it out or scooping out with a spoon).

Then, using a spoon, scoop the avocado out of its skin and and put it into a bowl. I like to use a small cereal bowl so my work surface isn't too big.  

Mash the avocado to the desired consistency.  For a chunkier texture just mash with a fork.  For a super creamy avocado puree, toss the avocado into a high speed blender.  To make the creamy puree even thinner, you can add either a tablespoon of breast milk or formula. If you are making this for an adult to enjoy, you can thin it out with almond or coconut milk or even a little bit of water.

Add a squeeze of lime juice to the puree to help prevent browning and serve.

Picking a ripe avocado

You want to look for an avocado with dark green skin that has a little give when you press on it.  The avocado should not look dried out, but you do want it soft enough that it will mash easily.  I talk more about picking a perfect avocado here.

Difference between avocado puree and guacamole

Google says that guacamole is “a dish of mashed avocado mixed with chopped onion, tomatoes, chili peppers, and seasoning”.  And that a puree is "a smooth, creamy substance made of liquidized or crushed fruit or vegetables".  I like to think of this recipe as a simplified guacamole for babies 🙂

Getting the avocado smooth without a blender

While I love my Vitamix, there are two things that help me achieve a smooth puree without turning on my blender (or having to clean it when I'm done). 

First, start with a perfectly ripe avocado.  It will mash up easier than one that's not quite ready.  Second, keep mashing with your fork until all the avocado chunks are broken up, then switch to a small whisk until it's perfectly smooth. 

Alternatively you can also use a mortar and pestle like this one and let your big kids help out!

Can you freeze avocado puree?

The short answer is YES! Store any leftover puree by pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the puree.  Use your fingers to press all the air out of it.  This will keep your avocado from turning brown.  From there you can easily pop into the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze into cubes to use at a later date.  

I like to use silicone ice cube trays anytime I’m freezing purees for babies.  Pop one or two cubes out and defrost on the counter or carefully in the microwave when you are ready to use them.

How to use any leftovers

The leftovers of this puree are also a great base for lots of recipes. 

• Add a few ingredients (or a few tablespoons of salsa) and make quick and easy guacamole. 
• Add some spice and spread it on your favorite crusty bread for an easy avocado toast.
• Pop the frozen avocado cubes into your favorite smoothie.
• The kiddos use it as a dip for chips and paired with corn salsa it's great for adults too!

Serving suggestions for babies

Mix and match your homemade baby foods to keep things interesting for your baby as they explore new flavors. Here are some ideas for pairing more than one baby food puree together:

• Fruits: Banana, Mango Puree
• Vegetables: Broccoli Puree, Butternut Squash, Black Bean Puree, Green Pea Puree, Sweet Potato Puree
• Grains: Quinoa, Rice
• Proteins: Greek Yogurt, Scrambled Eggs
• Delicious Combinations: Here are a few combinations of purees that make a great meal for your baby as they get older.
  • Avocado, Sweet Potato, Black Bean
  • Kiwi, Pear, Avocado
  • Mango, Black Bean, Avocado

📖 Recipe

Avocado Puree (Homemade Baby Food)

Marni Katz

This avocado puree is simply delicious and a great first food to introduce to your baby.This recipe takes the simple avocado and jazz’s it up at bit with the addition of fresh lime juice. The buttery, smooth texture of a perfectly ripe avocado, mashed well, is easy for babies to eat and full of great nutrients for them.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Baby Food

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 108 kcal

Equipment

• Vitamix or other high speed blender optional
• mortar and pestel optional
• small whisk optional

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 juicy lime (squeeze to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

• Cut the avocado in half and carefully remove the pit.
• Scoop the avocado from the skin and put it into a bowl.
• Mash the avocado to the desired consistency.  For a chunkier texture just mash with a fork.  For a creamy avocado puree, toss the avocado into the blender.  To make the creamy puree even thinner, you can add either a tablespoon of breast milk or formula.
• Add a squeeze of lime juice to the puree to help prevent browning and serve.

Notes

If not using immediately, this puree can be stored in the refrigerator with plastic wrap pressed on top and placed in a sealed dish. It can also be frozen in cubes and thawed in refrigerator.

If you want to make a bigger batch of avocado puree to freeze simply double or triple the recipe and use a high speed blender to get it to the consistency you desire quickly.

Nutrition

Calories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 102mgPotassium: 331mgFiber: 5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.4mg

Keyword baby food

Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!