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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Pear Puree Baby Food

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Creamy, naturally sweet, baby pear puree is a healthy, wholesome first food for your baby. Pears are a stage one baby food that most babies enjoy on the first bite. This easy, homemade puree is an excellent source of fiber, which helps to relieve constipation, and Vitamin C, which helps keep baby’s immune system strong! The best part? It requires only 2 simple ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes!

Pear puree baby food in a glass jar on a white countertop with cut pears on the side.

Homemade pear puree is a simple baby food recipe that will quickly become a staple in your baby’s diet!

Made with nutrient rich, naturally sweet steamed pears, it’s delicious all on its own or can be combined with a variety of other baby food purees as your baby gets older.

It might seem complicated to make your own baby food at home, but I promise it’s so easy and takes about the same amount of time as going to the store and buying baby food!

Of course, there will be times when you’re on the go and need a healthy pre-made option for your little one. And in those cases, I’d recommend buying one of the pouches on my list of the healthiest baby food pouches.

But if you make this in bulk and freeze it in ice cube trays, you’ll be able to have healthy baby purees available for weeks at a time with minimal prep!

I love this baby pears recipe because it’s one of the first fruits I gave to my own kids, and it’s a great way to introduce your baby to fruits and solid foods overall.

👩‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

  • Stage 1 first food
  • Budget friendly
  • Healthier than store bought
  • Naturally sweet, no added sugar
  • Super smooth texture
  • Many different ways to customize
  • A favorite among babies
  • Only one ingredient plus water
  • An excellent way to relive constipation in baby
  • Full of vitamins and nutrients
  • Best pear puree recipe ever!

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

This simple recipe calls for just one ingredient, plus water! See the recipe card below for more details on instructions and nutritional information.

Ingredients for pear puree baby food recipe on a white background.
  • Organic Pears: Ripe pears are the main ingredient you need! When I make this recipe I use Bosc or Bartlett pears. Bosc pears have a brown skin, a long neck, and a long curved stem. They are excellent for cooking and have a sweet and juicy flavor. Bartlett pears are green in color. They are crunchy, and more tart than a Bosc pear, and have a slightly more gritty texture.
  • Water: Use filtered water to thin out the puree.

📖 Pear Puree Combinations For Baby

You can make so many recipes using pear puree! Here are some of our favorite puree combinations:

  • Apple Pear Sauce: Apple and pear puree is a deliciously sweet combination! Use 2.5 apples + 2.5 pears (instead of 5 pears), and follow the exact same method for making regular pear baby food.
  • Pear And Prune Puree: Add up to 10 organic dried prunes to this recipe along with the pears. You may need slightly more water. Follow the same method below. Alternatively, you could make plain prune puree separately, and then just mix it with the pear baby puree once both are made!
  • Avocado And Pear Puree: To make pear and avocado puree, simply add fresh avocados and a squeeze of lemon juice into the blender with the pear mixture. I recommend starting with 1/2 an avocado. You may need slightly more water.
  • Pear And Banana Puree: Add 1/2 to 1 whole banana into the blender with the pear mixture and blend until smooth.
  • Mix It With Greens: Puree pears can be an easy way to get your baby to eat their greens! Try mixing pears with pea puree, broccoli and spinach puree, or green bean puree to help your baby to accept less sweet vegetables in their diet.
  • BLW Pears (Baby Led Weaning Pears): For older babies, you can turn pears into a baby led weaning food! Just cut pears into bite sized pieces or mash the pear and serve it as a chunky pear sauce recipe for your baby to eat as finger foods.
  • Add Spices: There are actually quite a few spices that go with pears! Thanks to their natural sweetness, pears work nicely with warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves. Sprinkle a small amount of spice (1/8-1/4 tsp) to your puree for added flavor.
  • Add Fresh Herbs: Feel free to add fresh herbs for more flavor. I suggest mint, chives, rosemary, tarragon, thyme or basil.

🔪 How To Make Pear Puree Baby Food

Preparing pears for baby is super easy! Here’s how you do it:

Prepare the Pears: Wash fruit. Cut the juicy pears in half and remove seeds and stem. Cut each half into 6 pieces.

Pears cut on a wooden cutting board.

Boil Pears: Put pear slices and water into a large pot. Turn the burner on high and cover with a lid. Once the mixture comes to a boil, turn heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pears are soft.

Cut pears steaming in a large pot on the stove.

Puree Pears in Blender: Pour the pears and water you cooked them in into the blender. Puree until smooth. Let cool, then serve these baby pears, or store in the fridge or freezer.

Homemade pear baby food recipe in a small bowl.

Alternative Preparations For This Homemade Pear Baby Food Recipe

How To Make Steamed Pears: If you prefer not to boil your pears you can steam them. Roughly chop 5 pears. Place the cubes into a steamer basket over 2 inches of boiling water for 8-10 minutes or until tender and soft. Then puree baby food pears in your blender.

How To Make Roasted Pears: Remove the core and seeds. Slice your pears into cubes. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast at 425 F for 30-40 minutes. Remove the pears from the oven. Add to a blender with water, and blend this easy pear sauce until smooth.

❓Recipe FAQs

What are the health benefits of pears? Is pear puree healthy?

Pears have so many health benefits, and pear puree is healthy for babies (and adults too!) Here are some of the health benefits of pears:
** High in dietary fiber, improves digestion
** Can help relieve constipation in baby
** High in Vitamin C (which helps with immunity) and Copper
** Rich in antioxidants
** Good source of vitamin K which helps with baby’s bone development

When can baby eat pears?

You can introduce your baby to pears as early as 4 months. Introducing solids to your baby is a personal choice. Some do it as early as 4 months, and some wait until 6 months.

When you introduce pears to your child is dependent on their growth, development, and your pediatrician’s guidance.

For younger babies, I recommend making this puree into a very smooth consistency, while older babies can enjoy a chunkier consistency.

How do you serve pear puree to baby?

You can serve this pureed pear recipe in a variety of ways! Mix it with other fruit or veggie purees, or serve with a sprinkle of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or ginger. You can also mix this easy pear puree with oatmeal or yogurt for a more filling meal!

Do you need to peel pears for baby puree?

No, you do not have to peel pears for babies before cooking, and pureeing. The skin of the pear holds a lot of nutrients, and when it is cooked down and pureed it blends in with the rest of the fruit. Just be sure to remove the core and the seeds.

Do you have to cook pears before pureeing?

Yes! In general, even for older babies, pears can be quite tough, and babies do not yet have the ability to fully chew them.

If you are introducing this homemade puree with pears for the first time to a baby betweeen 4-6 months of age, you need to cook the pears and make a puree. You must cook them down, and puree before serving to your baby to avoid the risk of choking.

If you are using this recipe for an older baby, I still recommend cooking the pears down, but you can mash them or give your baby bite sized slices or cubes to gum.

How do you store pear puree for baby? Can you freeze pears?

You can store pears baby food in either the fridge or the freezer. Here’s how:

In The Fridge: Let the puree cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Storing for the Freezer: Pour into ice cube trays. Allow to cool, wrap and cover with saran wrap or cover tray with an ice cube tray cover, and freeze overnight. The next day, pop the cubes out of the ice cube tray, and store in a zip-lock freezer safe bag, with all air pushed out. Label with date and contents. You can store the frozen cubes in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Thawing Pear Puree: Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the pear ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost. Serve at room temperature

Do pears need to be organic?

Yes, when you’re making pureed pears for baby, it’s best to buy organic pears, because pears are on the dirty dozen list. This means that they have some of the highest levels of pesticides among all of the fruits and veggies available at the store.

What are the best pears for baby food?

The best type of pear for baby food are either Bosc Pears or Bartlett Pears. They are the sweetest and have the softest flesh when ripe. Anjou Pears and Comice Pears will also work, they may just not be as sweet!

💭 Expert Tips

  • Leave the skin on. No need to peel the pears before boiling. Keep the peel on to increase the nutrient content.
  • Don’t serve raw pears to your baby. They won’t be able to mash it in their gums.
  • For best results, use a great blender to ensure that your puree turns out super smooth with no lumps. I used our Vitamix to puree large quantities at the same time – which was super convenient. You don’t need a “baby food maker” – any great blender will do. And if you have a Vitamix you can use it for so many other things besides baby food!Have the proper tools ready and available. You’ll need a steam basket and a blender.
  • To keep pear puree from turning brown, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice, or just freeze it immediately after making it.
  • Feel free to mix this puree with breastmilk or formula before feeding (but not before storing!). If you do choose to mix it with breastmilk or formula, do it right before you feed, don’t mix it and store it either in the fridge or freezer as it will spoil quickly. If you choose formula, I recommend using one of these best organic baby formulas for the cleanest ingredients, and a close formulation to breastmilk.
  • Use durable, covered, ice cube trays for freezing. You can use silicone ice cube trays or plastic trays, just make sure they have a cover for easy storage and to prevent freezer burn.
Pear baby food in a glass jar on a white countertop with cut pears on the side.

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📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

https://youtu.be/4-mNxFhGsZg
Pear puree baby food in a glass jar on a white countertop with cut pears on the side.
Print Recipe
5 from 8 votes

Pear Puree For Baby (Pear Baby Food)

Creamy, naturally sweet, baby pear puree is a healthy, wholesome first food for your baby. Pears are a stage 1 baby food that most babies enjoy on the first bite. This easy, homemade puree is an excellent source of fiber, which helps to relieve constipation, and Vitamin C, which helps keep baby's immune system strong! The best part? It requires only 2 simple ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Baby Food
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 12 ounces
Calories: 42kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

  • 5 organic pears
  • 6-8 oz water for a thicker puree, use less water (and adjust water as needed)

Instructions

  • Wash fruit. (Any type of pear will do – I use Bosc or Bartlett).
  • Cut pears in half and remove seeds and stem. Cut each half into 6 pieces.
  • Put pear and water into a large pot. Turn the burner on high and cover with a lid.
  • Once the mixture comes to a boil, turn heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pears are soft and can be pureed.
  • Blend in a blender, puree until smooth.
  • Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, wrap/cover, and freeze.
  • Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost.

Notes

  • 1 ice cube = 1 oz of food
  • Stage 1 baby food recipe
  • Spice up your baby’s food! To pear puree, you can add a pinch of ginger powder, a pinch of cinnamon, or even a bit of mint.
  • Will keep frozen for up to 4 months. Will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Leave the skin on. No need to peel the pears before boiling. Keep the peel on to increase the nutrient content.
  • Don’t serve raw pears to your baby. They won’t be able to mash it in their gums.
  • For best results, use a great blender to ensure that your puree turns out super smooth with no lumps. I used our Vitamix to puree large quantities at the same time – which was super convenient. You don’t need a “baby food maker” – any great blender will do. And if you have a Vitamix you can use it for so many other things besides baby food!Have the proper tools ready and available. You’ll need a steam basket and a blender.
  • To keep pear puree from turning brown, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice, or just freeze it immediately after making it.
  • Use durable, covered, ice cube trays for freezing. You can use silicone ice cube trays or plastic trays, just make sure they have a cover for easy storage and to prevent freezer burn.
Adapted from BabyLove
  •  

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
pear puree - homemade baby food organic, making baby food recipes, baby food puree, baby food ideas, baby food introducing, healthy baby food recipes

86 responses to “Pear Puree Baby Food”

  1. This pear puree was very easy to make and it had the perfect texture. My baby loved it and can’t wait to make it again! Thanks for the recipe.5 stars

    • Hi Brittany! You can use canned pears. If you do, you don’t have to cook them at all. Just take the pears out of the canning liquid, rinse them off, add them to a blender with small amount of water and puree. I’d start with maybe 1/4 cup of water and add more if needed to thin out the puree. Hope that helps!

  2. Hi! I love your site! I just tried to make the pear purée for the first time. It came out pretty runny. Is that the way it’s supposed to be, or did I make the pears too soft? Blend to much?
    Thanks!

    • Hi Marcy! It might be that your pears just had a higher water content than average — so I would just add less water next time actually to make the puree thicker! Hope that helps!

  3. This came out a bit gritty tasting, I’m guessing because of the skin. It blended up fine after having it on the stove for 20 minutes. It tastes good and the baby didn’t seem to mind the grittiness, but maybe boil them a little longer next time?

    • Hi Erica! The grittiness can happen depending on the type of blender you use (and, like you said) how long you cook the pears for. I think next time it is worth cooking the pears for longer until they’re almost falling apart and then you should get a much smoother puree!

    • I always peel it before steaming (not boiling). I’m not a fan of boiling as it can destroy the vitamins in the fruit.

      • You don’t necessarily have to peel the fruit if you have a good blender (as a good blender will pulverize the peel as well!) Boiling only destroys the vitamins in the fruit if you throw away the water you boiled the fruit in. But I recommend using very little water to boil the fruit (if you do boil it) and then make sure to use that same water in the puree mixture. Steaming is a totally fine option as well though!!

  4. Hello. I have been on your page all day long and I must thank you for all these amazing recipes and tips. As a young father , I just fell in love with making great food for my baby girl to enjoy.

    I have tried the pear purée for my first food today and baby loving it but I wanted to ask you if I can store the rest in the little cup of blédina and how long can i keep it in the refrigerator.
    Many thanks and stay safe.

    • Hi! Thanks so much for your kind words – I’m so glad my blog was helpful for you! You can store the pear puree in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days! After that, it’s best to freeze it. Hope that helps!

  5. I didn’t skin the pears per comments I read in this thread and the skins didn’t purée. There are pieces of skins throughout and I’m concerned my baby may choke. I am a bit more cautious as my 5 year old choked on a piece of apple skin and I had to do the Heimlich on him. So maybe for others like me peel the pears first so you don’t have to waste 🙁

    • Hi Jessica! If you cook the pears down for at least 30 minutes-1 hour, and then puree them using a high speed blender like a Vitamix or NutriBullet, the skins should pretty much puree. But if they don’t, you can always strain the puree mixture to get the skins out and not have to waste the rest! Hope that helps!

      • Hi! Yes absolutely – this would be a great first food (or one of the first foods) you give your baby! As long as your pediatrician has said you are ready to start solids, you can make this for your little one. 🙂

    • Hi Grace! Steaming the fruits just makes them softer, so that they are easy to blend and create a super smooth puree. It’s not required, but helps if you don’t want a grainy texture to your puree!

  6. Thank you for giving me the confidence to make baby food for the first time!
    I used 3 smaller ripe D’anjou pears to try this out…skin and all with 6oz of water. Since pears are so soft anyway, my immersion blender worked great. I should have adjusted the water down a little more, per your recommendation. But since we’re still mixing with rice cereal, it won’t be a problem.5 stars

  7. Hello so i burned the bottom of my pan while pears were cooking. The pears still look ok to blend and eat. I still blended it because the pears just had one side that was darken from the burn and it taste ok. Do you think it’s ok to give to my baby? Or
    Should I just make a new batch?

    • Hi Calandra! If the pears tasted fine and were mostly ok – that means they probably just got a little caramelized and that should be fine for your baby! If they turned completely black, I’d throw them out. Hope that helps!

  8. My one year and five months daughter is having hard stool since birth. It got better at a point but for the past few months she is always crying when ever she is making it because the stole is really hard. we are trying our best to make her take more liquid and to avoid giving her food that can cause that problem but the problem remains same. Is there any advice for us? Thank you

    • Hi Ben! I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s digestive issues! Here’s what my advice would be:
      1) Every day, have her eat these pureed prunes – they come in single serving pouches and are super easy for toddlers to eat! I’d start with one pouch and see how effective it is, and you can always add more if needed.
      2) Make sure she is drinking a lot of water every day. Ask your pediatrician for how much water she needs, but I’d recommend 40-45oz of water per day. You can also give her up to 4oz of prune juice to help soften her stools.
      3) Avoid all dairy, no matter what. Dairy is constipating.
      4) Avoid all white grains, refined processed foods, and switch to whole grains and sprouted grains.
      5) Try to add in beans and lentils if you can to her diet.
      You’ll have to be 100% consistent about all of these recommendations on a daily basis in order to see a change (I’d say after 2-3 days hopefully you’ll see some progress).
      Let me know how it goes and if you have any other questions!

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