Mashed Parsnip and Apple Puree
By the GreenSpoon Kids kitchen
A subtly sweet puree that pairs earthy parsnip with familiar apple flavor. An excellent way to introduce a new root vegetable alongside something baby already enjoys.
Mashed parsnip and apple puree is a subtly sweet first food that introduces a new root vegetable alongside a flavor your baby already knows. Parsnip has a gentle, slightly sweet, earthy taste, and pairing it with familiar apple makes it instantly more approachable. Cooked soft and blended smooth, it is a lovely, comforting puree for a baby just starting solids around 6 months.
Ingredients(4)
- 1 medium parsnip (about 150g), peeled and chopped
- 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup water (for steaming)
- 2-3 tablespoons breast milk, formula, or cooled boiled water
Instructions(7 steps)
- 1
Peel the parsnip, trim off both ends, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Discard any woody core from larger parsnips.
- 2
Peel and core the apple, then cut into similar-sized pieces.
- 3
Place parsnip in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 10 minutes.
- 4
Add the apple pieces to the steamer basket and steam together for another 8-10 minutes until both are completely tender.
- 5
Transfer to a blender, add 2 tablespoons of breast milk, formula, or water.
- 6
Blend until completely smooth, adding more liquid 1 teaspoon at a time for a thinner consistency.
- 7
Cool to lukewarm before serving. Test temperature on your wrist.
Nutritional Highlights
- -Parsnip is rich in folate and potassium
- -Apple adds vitamin C which helps iron absorption
- -Good source of dietary fiber
- -Naturally sweet without any added sugar
Age Appropriateness
A wonderful puree for 4-6 month olds. The apple sweetness helps baby accept the new parsnip flavor, making vegetable introduction easier.
Introduction Tip
Choose smaller, younger parsnips — they're sweeter and less fibrous than large ones. If baby refuses at first, increase the apple ratio and gradually add more parsnip.
Why this works
Introducing a new vegetable next to a familiar fruit is a classic, effective strategy, and parsnip and apple are a natural match: the apple's sweetness complements the parsnip's own mild sweetness, so the new flavor feels friendly rather than strange. Both cook down completely soft and blend to a smooth, silky puree with no bits, ideal for an early eater. Parsnip is gentle and rarely allergenic, and broadening beyond the usual sweet potato and carrot helps your baby get used to a wider range of tastes from the start.
Variations and swaps
- Swap the apple for pear, or the parsnip for carrot or sweet potato.
- Thin with breast milk, formula, or water for the youngest eaters.
- Add a tiny pinch of cinnamon for gentle warmth.
- Leave it slightly thicker as your baby gets more confident with texture.
- Adjust the ratio, using more apple at first, then more parsnip over time.
Make ahead and storage
Keep extra covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. It freezes well in an ice cube tray for up to 1 month, so a batch makes many easy servings. Thaw a cube or two, reheat gently if needed, stir, and cool to lukewarm before serving, testing the temperature first.
What to serve with it
Offer a few teaspoons from a soft baby spoon, letting your baby set the pace with no pressure to finish. The mild, sweet flavor makes it an easy introduction to a new vegetable. Keep mealtimes relaxed, and pair it with a familiar puree if your baby is unsure at first.
Common questions
Can babies eat parsnip?
Yes. Parsnip is a soft, gentle, naturally sweet root vegetable that is well suited to babies from around 6 months. Cooked soft and blended smooth, it is easy to eat and rarely causes reactions, which makes it a nice way to add variety to first foods.
Why pair it with apple?
Combining a new vegetable with a familiar fruit makes the new flavor more approachable, and apple's sweetness complements parsnip nicely. It is a gentle way to broaden your baby's palate. You can use more parsnip over time as your baby gets used to the taste.
How do I introduce new flavors to my baby?
Offer one new single food at a time, watching for any reaction over a few days, then start combining them as here. Keep portions small, stay relaxed, and remember it can take several tries before a new flavor is accepted, so keep offering it calmly.
Can I batch cook and freeze it?
Yes. It freezes well in an ice cube tray, so make a larger batch and freeze it in single portions. Thaw and gently reheat a cube or two as needed, cooling to a safe temperature before serving.
Parent guide
Read our toddler feeding guides
