Gluten-Free Pork Apple Meatballs For Baby And Toddler
Table of Contents
Can Babies Eat Pork Meatballs?
Pork meatballs can be a suitable option for babies following the Baby-Led Weaning approach, as long as the meatballs are prepared in a baby-friendly manner.
When introducing pork meatballs to a baby, it is essential to ensure that the meatballs are cooked thoroughly to avoid any risks of foodborne illness.
Additionally, the size and texture of the meatballs should be appropriate for the baby to handle and chew safely.
It is advisable to avoid adding any salt or sugar to the meatballs, as babies under one year of age should have limited exposure to these seasonings.
As with any new food, it is recommended to introduce pork meatballs to the baby gradually and observe for any signs of allergies or digestive issues.
How Do You Serve Meatballs For Baby Led Weaning?
When serving meatballs to a baby for baby-led weaning, it is important to ensure the size is appropriate for their age and ability to grasp and chew.
Cut the meatballs into small, bite-sized pieces to prevent any choking hazards from around 8-9 months of age.
You can also slightly flatten the meatballs to make it easier for the baby to pick them up from 6 months of age or serve them whole.
Offering meatballs as part of a balanced meal with other soft foods can be a great way to introduce different textures and flavours to the baby's palate.
Remember to always closely supervise your baby during meal times to ensure they are eating safely. This is a great recipe for the whole family too.
Is it Ok If The Pork Meatballs Are A Little Pink Inside?
It is not recommended to serve pork meatballs with a little pink inside for Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) due to the risk of illness, specifically from undercooked pork.
It is essential to ensure that pork, along with other meats, is cooked thoroughly to kill any harmful bacteria that could be present.
For BLW, it is crucial to prioritise food safety to reduce the risk of potential health issues for the baby.
Therefore, it is advised to cook pork meatballs thoroughly until they are no longer pink in the centre before serving them to a baby during BLW.
If you find they are still pink inside, pop them back in the oven for a few minutes longer and test again.
Ingredient information
Pork Mince (ground pork) - I have used pork mince (ground meat), as I love the flavour combination of pork and apple.
Makes the meatballs a little sweet which is so yummy against the dried herbs. You could also use turkey mince (ground turkey) too.
Apple - Pork and apple is a great combination. I find grating the apple on a coarse setting is the best way for this recipe.
You can use any apple that you have for this recipe.
Garlic - I have used garlic granules for convenience, but you could use a fresh clove of garlic if you wish.
Sage - Pork and sage is a lovely combination and reminds me of Sunday lunch flavours.
Thyme - I had to pair the sage with thyme, if you had fresh herbs you could use those too if you wanted to.
Black pepper - I have seasoned with black pepper and no salt. The recipe does not need salt and Is better for your baby this way.
Olive oil - I find adding olive oil adds a little moisture to the meatballs that I find pork needs, as sometimes pork can be dry!
Serving suggestion
The baby meatball recipe would be great served on their own as a finger food option.
Or they are great served with a tomato sauce and some pasta or spaghetti.
Sweet potatoes would be another great option too.
The baby meatballs are great for lunch boxes too!
Other finger foods you may like to try for the first time: Chicken meatballs, Pork patties or Mini meatloaves.
Storage instructions
The meatballs can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, stored in an airtight container.
If you wanted to freeze the meatballs, you will need to make sure that the meatballs have cooled down at room temperature before transferring to either a freezer bag or airtight container.
Ensure that the bag/airtight container is labelled with the item and the date. I use masking tape to label the airtight container.
To defrost the meatballs, leave in the fridge overnight and make sure that they are fully defrosted, before re heating.
To reheat, place the defrosted meatballs in a preheated oven (180C/350F) and reheat for 10-15 minutes.
Once the meatballs have been defrosted you will not be able to reheat or re freeze.
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.
Grater - I like a stainless steel grater and this one comes with two grater plates and a secure, snap on lid so you can directly store leftover grated food in the fridge.
Baking tray - 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 love the non-stick surface of this particular frying pan and it’s suitable for all types of hob.
Recipe | Gluten-Free-Pork Apple Meatballs For Baby And Toddler
Ingredients
Makes 12 meatballs
500g pork mince
1 small-medium apple, coarsely grates
1 teaspoon garlic granules
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Grind of black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to a medium heat of 180C or 350F. Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper.
Pop all of the ingredients into a large bowl and mix together using your hands (I find this is the best way). You could also use a food processor if you did not want to use your hands.
Take approx a tablespoon of the mixture and roll between your hands to make a meatball shape. Place onto your prepared baking sheet.
Repeat until you have 12 balls on the baking tray.
Pop into your preheated hot oven and cook for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Turn the tray around if you find one side browning faster than the other side.
Leave to cool on the baking tray and serve to your baby.
Recipe notes
For babies that can eat dairy, you could pop a cube of mozzarella into the middle of the meatballs if you wish.
I sometimes do this when I have mozzarella in the fridge.
The tasty meatball are great if your little has an egg allergy as I have not used any egg within this recipe.
It is great if you wanted to make a large batch of the meatballs for the freezer for an easy way to meal prep for the weeks ahead.
Hope you and your family enjoy!
©The Petit Spoon
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