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Chickpea puree is a great protein to introduce your baby and it's one of the simplest purees for babies that you can make. Spice it up a little bit and call it hummus for babies and the rest of you family can enjoy it too.
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Why feed your baby chickpea puree?
In our home, hummus and chickpeas are a staple in our refrigerator and pantry. We like to eat them plain, we like them on salads. We like chickpeas in falafel smothered in hummus, we like them roasted with all sorts of spices. When I started giving my babies hummus, it felt like a natural extension of what we were eating.
Chickpeas are a great source of protein and the main ingredient in hummus. However, hummus also has tahini (sesame paste) in it which is a common allergen, so I wanted to create a recipe with no allergens that was similar and that everyone would still enjoy.
Ingredients for chickpea puree
- Chickpeas: Using canned chickpeas makes this a super quick recipe, however you can also use frozen chickpeas (if you can find them) or soak dried garbanzo beans overnight and then cook them before pureeing.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh squeezed lemon juice helps elevated this from a simple puree to something more akin to hummus for babies.
How to make hummus for babies (simple step by step instructions)
To make things even simpler, here are step-by-step photos to help you every step of the way.
One of the best things about making your own baby food is just how simple it actually is.
For this recipe, simple put all of the ingredients into a high speed blender (I love my Vitamix and it's been going strong for over 5 years!). Then puree until you reach your desired consistency, adding in a bit of water by the tablespoon if you need to thin it out.
For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are a great source of plant based protein as well as a good source of vitamins and minerals. Chickpeas are high in fiber, which can help digestion in babies and toddlers. Additionally, they have a relatively low glycemic index, which an help regulate blood sugar.
Absolutely. Since we have taken the tahini out of the mix, there are no top allergens found in this recipes.
This puree is best stored in the fridge for up to a week. While you can freeze it in these silicone trays, it can tend to get a little "spongy" when you defrost it. If you do freeze it, when you defrost it, you'll want to mix it with another puree like sweet potatoes, strawberries or even beets.
Adding additional flavor to the puree
As chickpeas have such a mild flavor, you can really play with what you pair them with. I like to think of other Middle Eastern/Meditteranean foods and flavors when I’m making my babies foods and pair this puree accordingly:
- Beets: The sweetness in beets pairs nicely with the chickpea and since we eat with our eyes, what baby doesn’t want to eat bright pink hummus?
- Feta: Just mix a small bit of feta into the pureed chickpeas as you are blending it for a bit of a salty bite. It’s a great way to introduce stronger cheeses to your little one and gets them ready for eating things like Greek salad down the road.
- Zatar: A versatile spice blend that can be mixed in with hummus for babies. Read more about it here.
- Olives, roast pepper, roast garlic: Think of what flavors of hummus you see at the grocery and try to emulate them. I would start with these additions chopped up really small and using only a small quantity, but all of them would be delicious for your little one.
One more simple tip
Rinse your chickpeas well. You want to control the salt content in this puree, so be sure to rinse these well. I use a mesh strainer and let the water run over the chickpeas for a minute or two.
This puree can be a bit thick. You can add water a tablespoon at a time if necessary to get it a consistency you like.
Looking for more great homemade baby food recipes? Try these:
When you try this recipe and love it 😍 let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!
purees 101 - chickpeas (aka hummus for babies)
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can of chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
- salt optional
Instructions
- Rinse chickpeas under water in a mesh strainer.
- Put chickpeas into blender with the lemon juice.
- Blend to desired consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
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Looking for other delicious purees? Check out a few of my favorites and my tips and tricks for making your own:
Maria
My baby was going crazy over this! She loves savory foods. I added beet, Zaharia, and bone broth. Froze into cubes for later. Thanks!