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4 unique combinations of lentils for babies
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Lentils for babies

Get all your burning questions about serving lentils to your baby answered. Here are tips and EASY recipes to boost your baby's iron levels.
Course breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cuisine baby led weaning
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 159kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red or yellow lentils
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Add lentils and water to a pot (make sure it's high enough to prevent overflow). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to LOW, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally.
  • Cooking time for red lentils: 5-7 minutes / yellow lentils: 20-25 minutes.
  • Combine ¼ to ½ cup cooked lentils with add-ins of choice. Suggestions below to help get you started.
  • If you want to thin it out, add water, breastmilk/formula, or unsweetened full-fat milk of choice (you can use cow's milk in recipes. Just don't offer as a drink). If it's too soft/mushy, add more lentils and/or ground nuts/seeds.
  • Serve in a bowl and allow baby to eat with their hands, preload onto a spoon, or shape into balls (refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The balls will firm up and hold shape better).

Notes

Flavor Combinations - to ½ cup cooked lentils, add:
Peanut butter banana
  • 1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon mashed banana
  • 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
Carrot cake
  • ⅓ cup finely grated carrots
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 tablespoon ground walnuts
Beef and broccoli
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced beef
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cooked broccoli
  • 2 teaspoons tahini
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Beet hummus
Helpful tips:
  • Cook a large batch of lentils to keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 1 month. I recommend freezing in ¼-1/2 cup containers  (I like to use the tray above) so you can easily pull out single-serving portions and add all kinds of fun mix-ins.
  • Once you add in the other ingredients, start by offering a small portion to your baby. You can always offer more as you follow your baby's lead. That way you can store untouched leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Fiber: 14g | Iron: 3mg