Avocado banana mash
A 5-minute, no-cook first food: creamy avocado mashed with ripe banana. Smooth for first tastes, lumpier as your baby grows.
- From
- 6 months
- Time
- 5 min
- Makes
- 1–2 baby portions
No top allergens
Ingredients
- ½ripe avocadosoft enough to squash easily with a fork
- ½ripe bananayellow with a few brown spots
- 1–2 tspbreast milk or formulaoptional, to thin
Steps
- 1Wash your hands. Rinse the avocado and banana under running water, even though you'll peel them. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a bowl.
- 2Peel the banana and add it to the bowl.
- 3Mash with a fork until smooth for first tastes, or leave soft lumps once your baby is used to eating.
- 4If it's too thick, stir in breast milk or formula a little at a time.
How to serve it by age
6 months+
Serve smooth or slightly lumpy on a pre-loaded spoon your baby can hold, or let them scoop it up with their fingers.
9 months+
Make it lumpier. Offer it as a dip for soft finger foods, like strips of lightly toasted plain bread (no honey) once wheat has been introduced.
12 months+
Spread it on toast or serve it as a family dip.
Where US and UK guidance differ on this recipe
United States(AAP and CDC)Your setting
For babies under 1, the AAP says that apart from mashed banana, most fruits should be cooked until soft. Its own homemade baby food ideas include avocado blended with banana, and this recipe mashes it smooth. If you follow US advice closely, use only fully ripe avocado that squashes easily and mash it well, or ask your pediatrician.
United Kingdom(NHS)Your setting
The NHS lists grabbable bits of avocado among first finger foods from around 6 months. Use fully ripe avocado that squashes easily.
We cover US and UK guidance in detail. Elsewhere, check your national health service's advice too.
Leftovers and the rest of the family
Storing it
Best served fresh, because avocado turns brown quickly. Throw away anything left in your baby's bowl. Don't leave mash at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Mash that hasn't been served can be covered, put in the fridge right away and eaten the same day.
For the grown-ups
Scoop out your baby's portion first, then add lime juice and a pinch of salt to the rest for an adult dip.
Foods in this recipe
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