The Best Puffs For Baby and Toddler - Snack Recipe
Homemade Melty Puffs For Baby
Homemade melty cheesy puffs are the best puffs for baby. They are an excellent alternative to store-bought finger foods such as the “organic baby puffs” for several reasons, the first being they are the healthiest homemade baby puffs. Do you read the actual product label in store-bought items?
Making them at home allows you to control the ingredients and making them the perfect size, ensuring they are free from preservatives and artificial additives, making them healthier for your baby as a great snack idea.
You can choose high-quality cheese such as cheddar cheese and mozzarella and even sneak in nutritious vegetables such as grated carrots, enhancing both the flavour and nutritional value great for little fingers to taste a wide variety of foods.
Homemade versions can be tailored to suit your child's taste preferences and dietary needs, providing a comforting, fresh snack food that is both delicious and easy to prepare.
Baking the best baby puffs is a straightforward process (see below), resulting in soft melty insides that babies will love as healthy snacks.
Cheese for Baby
Cheddar cheese and mozzarella are excellent options for babies from 6 months of age starting their baby-led weaning journey on a balanced diet. Cheddar cheese offers a rich flavour and is a good source of calcium and protein, which are essential for growing little ones.
Its firm texture makes it easy for babies to grasp solid foods, allowing them to practise their pincer grip as they take bites. Mozzarella, on the other hand, has a softer consistency, making it melt-in-the-mouth and easier for younger babies to chew.
Both cheeses are versatile ingredients that can be combined with various fruit and vegetables, providing a delicious and nutritious addition to your baby's meals while helping them to develop healthy eating habits and a love of good food from an early age starting with these small snacks.
Ingredient information
Flour - I have used self raising flour for thee great puffs so that the puffs have a nice rise to them.
Butter - I have used unsalted block butter for the recipe as I feel for flavour and texture this works much better.
Baking Powder - I have used a little baking powder so that the puffs puff up into little fluffy clouds.
Cheese - I have use a mix of grated cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese as I had both, you can just grated cheddar cheese if you like.
Milk - I have used whole milk but you can use a plant based alternative too if you like, oat milk, coconut milk or soya milk are all good choices for the recipe.
Serving suggestion
The puffs are great served on their own as great toddler snacks or a lunchbox item as they are great portable snacks. They are quite filling so you will only need 1-2 in the lunchbox perfect for little hands to hold.
The best ways to serve the baby snacks is alongside sweet potato crisps, cubes of avocado and carrot batons as a yummy snack or lunch, great nutrition for baby’s diet and an ideal choice.
Other recipes you may like: Carrot cake cookies, Peanut butter puffs or Apple pie pockets.
Storage instructions
Store the homemade baby puffs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The puffs can be frozen (once cooled to room temperature) in an airtight container or in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Be sure to label the freezer bags with the item and date, so it is clear how long they can be stored.
To label the airtight container I use masking tape this way it will not ruin the airtight container.
To defrost the puffs, keep them in an airtight container and defrost in the fridge overnight. Make sure they are fully defrosted before serving.
Once defrosted they can be kept in the fridge in a container for up to 3 days.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Large bowl - Definitely choose a stainless steel one - they are lighter than the stone or glass ones and very easy to clean.
Baking sheet - I have chosen to use a non-stick and BPA free baking sheet - they are easy to clean and, if you buy more than one, easily stackable and easily stored.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Recipe | The Best Puffs For Baby and Toddler - Snack Recipe
The Best Puffs For Baby and Toddler - Snack Recipe
This is a great snack recipe that is perfect for baby-led weaning and great for toddler snacks and lunch boxes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 180C or 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place the flour, baking powder, cheese and butter into a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the ingredients together using your hands. You should end up with a breadcrumb like texture.
- Pour in the milk and mix together using a spoon. Bring together using your hands to form a ball.
- Break of a tablespoon amount of dough and roll the dough in the palm of your hands making a small ball shape.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until you have used up all of the dough
- Using your hands press each dough ball down slightly using your hands.
- Pop into the oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
There is an easy way to make the recipe dairy free by choosing a dairy free milk of your choice and choosing a dairy free cheddar cheese.
To make the recipe gluten free, you can swap out the self raising flour for a gluten free self raising flour, they may not puff up as much with a gluten free flour. Check that the baking powder you are using is gluten free also.
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I love that these little sweet treats that look like fried eggs! Easy mango and yogurt recipe and fun for all ages! hey are great for teething gums too!