Butternut Squash Baby Food (Easy Puree Recipe)
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.This butternut squash baby food puree is rich in flavor, vitamins, and minerals for your little one! It’s a simple puree recipe that has a naturally sweet taste your baby will love! A delicious stage 1 food to introduce to your baby.
This was both of my kids’ absolute favorite purees when we first started solid foods! They would happily eat roasted butternut squash at meal times. That’s right – roasted and caramelized butternut squash for your baby’s diet – how delicious does that sound?
It takes a while to make – you have to let the butternut squash roast in the oven for an hour, then you have to peel off the outside and get all the flesh into the blender (this can get messy) and then puree and freeze. So basically: make this butternut squash baby food in bulk!
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Another tip: save yourself the cleanup and use parchment paper on your sheet tray – that way you won’t be scrubbing the caramelized goodness of butternut squash off your sheet tray for days. 🙂
Butternut squash is another nutritional powerhouse – it’s deep orange hue is a good indication of its nutritive value! It is rich in Vitamin A, B vitamins, Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber – making it a great first food for babies (and delicious for adults too!)
This simple puree will become a favorite baby food recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy
- Only one ingredient, plus water
- Many Cooking Method Options
- An excellent source of vitamins and minerals
- A Stage 1 first food, for 6 months of age and up
- Has a natural mild flavor and subtle sweetness that babies love
- Smooth and creamy
- Less expensive than store bought
How to Make Butternut Squash Baby Food Puree
Ingredients and Notes
Butternut Squash: When preparing homemade baby food, I like to create a lot so that I can freeze it, and use throughout the month. I recommend using 2 medium butternut squashes. It will yield about 20 servings for baby. You can also use any winter squash for this recipe to change things up.
Water: In order to get a smooth puree, you’ll need to add water to thin out the butternut squash. You’ll need approximately 16 ounces of water.
Equipment Needed
- A good Cutting Board and Knife
- A quality Baking Sheet!
- A high-speed blender or food processor for pureeing. You don’t need a baby food maker!
- An ice cube tray like Mumi & Bubi Trays for storing
Step by Step Instructions
Preheat oven and prep butternut squash: Preheat oven to 400 F. Cut squash in half lengthwise, remove butternut squash seeds. Place squash flesh side down on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
Roast Butternut Squash: Pour 8oz water onto the parchment paper. Roast for about an hour until tender. The squash should be bubbling and caramelized.
Puree Butternut Squash: Allow to cool 10-15 minutes until you can hold it without a problem. Peel off the outside thick skin and put flesh of the squash into a blender with 8oz water. Puree until smooth.
Prep for Freezer: Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, then wrap/cover and freeze.
Thawing to Serve: Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the small cubes in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost.
Recipe FAQs
Is butternut squash good for babies?
Yes! Butternut squash is a healthy and nutrient rich food for your baby. It is rich in antioxidants which help reduce free radicals. It contains vitamin C to boost baby’s immune system. It’s also high in B vitamins and vitamin A which helps keep their skin healthy, improves eye sight, and supports immunity. It’s also high in fiber which helps with digestion. Lastly, it’s a good source of potassium for healthy bones, and has folate for brain development.
Does butternut squash cause constipation?
Any food that is high in fiber and low in starch needs to be consumed with enough water in order to prevent constipation. Butternut squash is high in fiber, and for some babies this can cause constipation if they’re not drinking enough water with their meals. However, if you provide your baby a balanced diet, that includes other foods that relieve constipation such as pears, or prunes, your child should not have a problem with constipation caused by butternut squash.
When can baby start eating butternut squash?
Baby can start eating butternut squash as early as 4 months, although solids are typically recommended around the age of 6 months of age. It is an excellent option for baby’s first foods because it is easy for baby to digest, and it doesn’t contain common allergen(s). Of course, with any new food, you want to wait 2 days before introducing each food to ensure your baby doesn’t have any food allergies or reactions to any baby food purees you give them.
Do I need to peel butternut squash before roasting?
No, you do not need to peel the squash before roasting. It is much easier to peel the skin off the flesh after it has been roasted. Just be sure to remove all skin before you puree, as the skin is very tough, and not suitable for baby.
How to Store and Keep
To Store in the Fridge: Let the puree cool, transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To Freeze: Let the puree cool, transfer to a storage container for baby food (individually portioned), or in ice cube trays / baby food trays. Wrap and seal so they are airtight. Freeze overnight in the ice cube trays. After 1-2 days, you can pop out the cubes and place them in a freezer safe zip top bag for easier storage. It will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.
To Defrost: When ready to use, defrost a cube in an airtight container overnight in the refrigerator. Serve at room temperature. You can also defrost in the microwave on the defrost setting, but be careful not to overheat the puree or it’ll be too hot / not safe to serve to your baby! Feel free to mix with breastmilk or organic baby formula right before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs can bring out the flavor of butternut squash even more, so try adding some to your baby puree! Try fresh thyme or rosemary.
Add Spices: Add more flavor to your homemade baby food by adding a touch of cinnamon, or nutmeg. These warm spices bring out the natural sweetness of butternut squash. Other delicious spices include dried rosemary, basil, cilantro, coriander, mint, or a mild curry powder.
Alternative Cooking Methods: If you’d prefer not to roast your butternut squash, feel free to steam or boil your squash until soft. For these methods, I recommend removing the skin, and cubing the butternut squash. Submerge in water, or use a steamer basket to boil the squash until soft, about 10 minutes depending on the size of your cubes. This is a great method to use if you have frozen or prepared butternut squash from the grocery store.
Add healthy fats! A little olive oil, coconut oil, or even avocado puree tastes great with this butternut squash baby food.
Expert Tips
- No need to use a fancy baby food maker. Your blender or food processor will work just fine!
- If choosing the roasting method, use 2 medium butternut squashes, and simply cut half to roast.
- If choosing to boil or steam, use frozen or pre-cubed butternut squash. This will save you time from peeling and cubing a whole squash.
- Use baby freezer containers or small food storage containers for ease of use. They are made specifically to freeze baby food, and make it much easier to defrost as needed.
- Add additional water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in breast milk, or baby formula just before serving to baby to add to the nutritional content or to thin out the consistency instead of water.
More Baby Food Recipes!
- Sweet Potato Baby Food Puree
- 10 Easy Baby Food Recipes for Beginners
- Zucchini Baby Food
- Butternut Squash Puree
- Pea Puree For Baby
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🎥 Watch How to Make It
Baby Food Recipes: Butternut Squash Puree
This butternut squash baby food puree is rich in flavor, vitamins, and minerals for your little one! It's a simple puree recipe that has a naturally sweet flavor your baby will love! A delicious stage 1 food to introduce to your baby.
Servings: 20 ounces
Calories: 34kcal
Ingredients
- 2 medium sized organic butternut squash
- 16 oz water divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Cut squash in half lengthwise, remove seeds.
- Place squash flesh side down on a sheet tray covered with parchment paper.
- Pour 8oz water onto the parchment paper.
- Roast for about an hour until tender. The squash should be bubbling and caramelized.
- Allow to cool 10-15 minutes until you can hold it without a problem.
- Peel off the outside skin and put flesh into a blender with 8oz water. Puree until smooth.
- Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, then wrap/cover and freeze.
- Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost.
Notes
Expert Tips
- No need to use a fancy baby food maker. Your blender or food processor will work just fine!
- If choosing the roasting method, use 2 medium butternut squashes, and simply cut half to roast.
- If choosing to boil or steam, use frozen or pre-cubed butternut squash. This will save you time from peeling and cubing a whole squash.
- Use baby freezer containers or small food storage containers for ease of use. They are made specifically to freeze baby food, and make it much easier to defrost as needed.
- Add additional water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in breast milk, or baby formula just before serving to baby to add to the nutritional content or to thin out the consistency instead of water.
- Spice up your baby’s food! Serve with a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice or ginger.
- 1 ice cube = 1 oz of food
Nutrition
Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 7973IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
When adding the water prior to blending to a puree … Can you use fresh breast milk? Then separate and freeze?
Hi Amanda! I don’t recommend adding fresh breast milk to the puree instead of water since breast milk and this baby food have different “shelf lives” in the freezer. Instead, I’d make this with water and use a little less water – and then right before serving, I’d add breast milk into it and serve. Hope that helps!
This is such a fantastic way of getting whole food for the baby. Love how it’s simple and free from additives!
Thanks so much Jeannette! 🙂
I made this to store through this week! So quick and easy and simple.
Thanks so much! 🙂
Hi,
I buy precut and peeled butternut squash cubes….would roasting be the same?
Thanks
Hi Jenna! Yup absolutely – if it’s fresh butternut squash the roasting directions would be the same!
do you still use water? why do you pour water on the parchment paper wouldn’t that make the squash soggy?
Hi Jenna! The water actually acts as a steaming/roasting agent in the oven and the butternut squash doesn’t get soggy at all! I do still use water when roasting it this way. Alternatively, if you are ok with your baby having olive oil, then you can roast it with olive oil and puree instead!
Hello. I just made a whole butternut squash & pureed it with the skin on! It was so soft after I cooked it I just diced the whole thing & didn’t even think about the skin. It honestly was so soft! Do you think this is OK? Uhh now I’m mad at myself!
Hi! You know what – that’s actually ok! The skin of the butternut squash is technically edible, we just don’t usually eat it because it can be tough. But if the skin ended up being soft after you cooked it then that means it should be easy to digest for your baby! 🙂
Hi Anjali ,I usually pressure cook any veggie or fruit. I came across ur blog today the recipe calling to roast it in oven. No idea about this before. Does it make any diff or any advantage?
and I also need a recipe for instant Rice/oatmeal/multigrain cereal like the store bought ones (like ready to mix it with breastmilk/formula and feed the baby
TIA
Hi Sugaathri! You don’t have to roast the veggies – it just brings out a different flavor than steaming since roasting caramelizes the veggies a bit. But totally not necessary. Pressure cooking is ok! For a good cereal recipe, I’d recommend buying oat bran and making it according to the package directions (with water) – and then when you’re ready to serve it you can mix it with breastmilk/formula. Oat bran has the consistency of porridge so its really easy for babies to eat, but it’s packed with nutrition and fiber so it’s super healthy 🙂
Hi can you steam butternut squash?
Yes absolutely you can! 🙂
Hello Anjali! I see in all your recipies that you say cool the food and then freeze. Why we cant use it just fresh the day that it is made? Thank you
Hi Andy! You absolutely can (and should!) use it the day it’s made. But most of these recipes make a LOT of food — for the purpose of bulk prep so you don’t have to make baby food every day. That’s why there are freezing instructions included in the recipe. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Yes I have another question if you dont mind. I have no idea where to find that ice cube holder that you use to freeze the food because I live in a place that I dont think we have here like that and we cant order in Amazon so my question might sound silly but is 1 tablespoon of food 1 oz? Thnx again
Hi Andy! Where do you live? And yes! 1 tbsp of food is approximately 1oz! 🙂
I live in Albania. I can find random ice holder but I was saying that I want something safe for my baby’s food. Thank you
Hi Andy, Ah I see. I think any ice cube tray would work then! Ice cubes are generally about 1 tbsp in size. Hope that helps!
Yes it helps a lot. Thank you
No problem!
When do you start adding spices? So far the fruit and vegetables purées I’ve made have just been the fruit and vegetables and water. Do I add them once I know she is not allergic to the vegetable itself? Thank you!
Hi Sara! Yup exactly! What I would do is introduce the fruit or veggie first. Then once you know she isn’t allergic, add a pinch of the spice right before you serve it. If you are making purees in batch and freezing them, you don’t have to add the spice to the puree at that point (although you can do it before freezing the puree) – you can also do it right before you serve it to your daughter. Hope that helps!