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Soft prunes, naturally sweet apples, and a bit of water are all I need to make this prune puree for baby. I create a smooth, nutrient-rich food with digestive benefits in just 30 minutes. This recipe uses simple ingredients that will not overwhelm babies on their journey into the world of solids.
Prune puree is one of the most helpful early foods I introduce once babies begin solids, especially when digestion needs a little support. The natural combination of fiber and sorbitol in prunes helps soften stool while still providing important nutrients like potassium and vitamin A. I recommend alternating between this puree and one that is just as nutrient-dense with a smooth texture, like my avocado puree, which is also easy to digest.
I started making this prune puree regularly after noticing how common constipation can become during the transition to solid foods. And even though my kids are long past the puree stage, I always keep some in my freezer for emergencies. Whether it is my husband, my kids, or even myself, I like treating certain ailments holistically first, before bringing in the heavy medications. And if it is only a mild case of constipation, I opt for something a bit milder, like my pear puree baby food.
I love this prune puree for baby recipe for many reasons. Firstly, the ingredients list is simple and wholesome, while still supporting the nutrition and digestion for growing babies. From a nutritionist’s perspective, I value the makeup in the prunes, which consists of fiber, sorbitol, potassium, and iron, all essential during the transition from milk to solids. I also love that this recipe gives parents peace of mind, especially since there is nothing more stressful than a constipated baby.
I have kept the method easy for the parents, and sure to yield a smooth texture for the babies. To start, I cook the prunes and apples together until fully softened, which allows them to blend into a uniform puree without any graininess. I add everything to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth, adjusting the consistency so that it is suitable for any feeding stage.
A few years ago, my good friend was pregnant with her first baby and suffering from severe constipation, which was made worse by her needing to take iron supplements. To say her pregnancy was rough is an understatement. I made some of this puree for her to see if it brought any kind of relief, and to both of our amazement, it did! Then, a few months ago, her little one was suffering from tummy issues, and she made him some prune puree. She was surprised by how much he enjoyed it since he was usually so picky. He told her he got used to the taste while he was in her tummy. Ha! Be sure to keep a few jars of this prune puree in your freezer for a tasty alternative to conventional medicine.
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🥘 Ingredients
This prune puree for baby recipe uses just 3 wholesome ingredients:
Prunes: I use pitted prunes with no added sugar.
Apples: I like using Fuji apples for the mild sweetness, which offsets the stronger prune flavor.
Water: This helps soften the fruit as it cooks. It also helps adjust the final texture for easy blending.
🔪 How To Make
I prepare this prune puree with a simple mix of cooking and blending. This is how I make it:
Prepare fruit: I wash, chop, and remove the core from the apples, and check that the prunes are pitted before adding them to a pot with water.
Cook until soft: Then I bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook until the apples and prunes are completely soft.
Blend: I transfer the cooked fruit to a blender while it is still warm, and puree until completely smooth, adding more water if needed.
Cool and portion: Then I let the puree cool completely, and portion it into small containers or ice cube trays for storage.
My #1 Secret Tip for this prune puree for baby recipe is to blend the mixture while it is still warm. This helps create a much smoother consistency compared to blending the mixture after it has cooled.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Choose prunes carefully: I always check that the prunes have no added sugar or preservatives, and use pitted prunes for convenience.
- Adjust texture: I add a small amount of water to the prune puree, depending on the stage of feeding, to loosen it up and make it a thinner soup-like consistency for stage 1.
- Strain for younger babies: If you are making this for younger babies, I recommend starting with a strained batch, then slowly introducing more and more texture with each feeding. This gives the baby and their digestive system a chance to acclimate to the new feel of the food.
- Blend in batches: When I make a large batch, I never fill my blender or processor to the top. Hot fruit puree expands when blended, and an overcrowded blender may cause splashing and an uneven texture. I fill the blender no more than halfway each time.
- Leave skins on: I never peel the apples before cooking, as the skins contain a good portion of the fiber and nutrients. Once the apples have cooked down for 8 minutes, the skins become completely soft and blend into the puree without any trace.
📖 Variations
As my kids grew, I tried a few gentle variations to keep this prune puree interesting and flexible:
Pear blend: I replace the apple with 1 cup chopped pear for a milder, softer flavor. This works really well during early weaning when stronger flavors are not as readily accepted. I still love this combination as a home remedy for constipation, and use it to this day.
Oatmeal mix: Stirring 2 tablespoons of prune puree into warm oatmeal is great for added fiber when you move onto more solid textures. This became a regular breakfast combination that carried on even when my kids were past the weaning stage.
Spice touch: When my kids were ready for new flavors, I added a very small pinch of cinnamon to this puree. It complemented the apple nicely and added a slight warmth without overshadowing the other flavors.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
I recommend serving this prune puree for the baby, in small portions alongside other foods to keep the meal balanced. If we are targeting tummy issues, I like pairing it with a small amount of my homemade healthy strawberry yogurt, just make sure to leave out the vanilla essence. When the baby passes the stage of tummy troubles, be sure to include a nutrient-dense food like my vegetable puree for baby, which contains broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower.
When I started my kids on solid foods, there was a lot of trial and error when getting them to accept the texture. One thing that really helped me was mixing the puree with a bit of formula. If this sounds like something that you would be interested in trying, be sure to check out my guide on the best formula for gassy babies. And once your babies are a bit older, you can start building good habits early with these 45 baby dinner recipes for a happy eater.
🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating
Refrigeration: I store the puree in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: I portion the puree into ice cube trays, freeze until solid, then transfer it into a freezer-safe bag and keep for up to 3 months.
Reheating: If frozen, I thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat gently over a bowl of boiling water, stirring well until warmed through.
❓Recipe FAQs
When this happens, it is almost always due to undercooking or an underpowered blender. Prunes have a thick fibrous flesh that needs a full 8 minutes of covered high-heat cooking to break down properly. If you lift the lid too early or reduce the heat too much, the prune will not soften all the way. If the blender is the issue, I recommend cutting the apples into small chunks and blending in smaller batches. If it is still stringy, pass it through a mesh strainer, pressing as much of the liquid through as possible with the back of a spoon.
Yes, it can. This happens when the sorbitol and fiber content become too high for your baby’s system. I would start with a small amount and increase it gradually only if needed. Using too much at once can move digestion too quickly, leading to loose stools, which can be just as problematic as constipation.
I adjust the water based on the baby’s age and how I plan to serve it. Using about 8 oz creates a thicker puree that works well for mixing into oatmeal or spreading onto toast, which is better for the baby-led weaning stage. For babies around 4-6 months in age, 10 oz works best as it gives a thinner texture that is easier to swallow.
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📋 Recipe Card
Prune Puree For Baby
Soft prunes, naturally sweet apples, and a bit of water are all I need to make this prune puree for baby. I create a smooth, nutrient-rich food with digestive benefits in just 30 minutes. This recipe uses simple ingredients that will not overwhelm babies on their journey into the world of solids.
Servings: 16 ounces
Calories: 77kcal
- My #1 Secret Tip for this prune puree for baby recipe is to blend the mixture while it is still warm. This helps create a much smoother consistency compared to blending the mixture after it has cooled.
- Choose prunes carefully: I always check that the prunes have no added sugar or preservatives, and use pitted prunes for convenience.
- Adjust texture: I add a small amount of water to the prune puree, depending on the stage of feeding, to loosen it up and make it a thinner soup-like consistency for stage 1.
- Strain for younger babies: If you are making this for younger babies, I recommend starting with a strained batch, then slowly introducing more and more texture with each feeding. This gives the baby and their digestive system a chance to acclimate to the new feel of the food.
- Blend in batches: When I make a large batch, I never fill my blender or processor to the top. Hot fruit puree expands when blended, and an overcrowded blender may cause splashing and an uneven texture. I fill the blender no more than halfway each time.
- Leave skins on: I never peel the apples before cooking, as the skins contain a good portion of the fiber and nutrients. Once the apples have cooked down for 8 minutes, the skins become completely soft and blend into the puree without any trace.
Serving: 1ounce | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g