Apple and oats make a soft porridge-style mash. Use plain oats cooked thoroughly with enough water to soften; firm raw apple pieces should not remain in the finished bowl.
Wash, peel and core the apple, then grate it finely. Check that no hard chunks or seeds remain.
Combine plain oats and water in a small saucepan. Simmer gently, stirring, according to the oat type until the grains soften; add a little extra water if needed.
Stir in grated apple and continue cooking until the apple is completely soft and the mixture is moist and spoonable.
Mash lightly or blend for your baby's current texture skills. Cool to feeding temperature before serving.
Offer warm, not hot, as a moist, spoonable mash. For babies developing texture skills, leave the cooked oats lightly mashed rather than completely smooth. If using a different oat type, follow its package cooking instructions and add liquid as needed.
Fully cooked, soft, moist oats with softened apple; smooth if needed.
Thicker soft oat mash without firm apple chunks.
Oats may be contaminated with gluten-containing grains unless specifically labelled gluten-free. Check the oats' packaging and your baby's allergy or coeliac guidance; optional milk or yogurt adds a milk allergen.
For best texture serve freshly cooked. Refrigerate untouched porridge promptly and use within 24 hours; when reheating, add water as needed, heat thoroughly, stir and cool before serving. Discard leftovers from the baby's bowl.
For best texture serve freshly cooked. Refrigerate untouched porridge promptly and use within 24 hours; when reheating, add water as needed, heat thoroughly, stir and cool before serving. Discard leftovers from the baby's bowl.
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
