Thermomix Baby Food Guide: Homemade Purees & First Foods
- Beatriz
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Life With Thermomix: Your dedicated Independent Thermomix Advisors serving the UK & Ireland.
Last Updated: January 2026
Introduction:
Making baby food in your Thermomix is faster, healthier, and more economical than shop-bought pouches. A single batch takes just 15-20 minutes and costs a fraction of commercial baby food. This guide covers everything from first purees at 6 months through to toddler meals; with exact TM7 settings, batch cooking tips, and 20+ recipe ideas to get you started.
Why Make Baby Food in Thermomix?
The Benefits Are Clear
Aspect | Homemade (Thermomix) | Shop-Bought Pouches |
Cost per portion | £0.20-0.40 | £0.80-1.50 |
Preparation time | 15-20 minutes (batch) | Instant |
Ingredients | 100% fresh, you choose | Processed, additives possible |
Texture control | Fully customisable | Fixed |
Variety | Unlimited combinations | Limited flavours |
Storage | Freezes perfectly | Single-use waste |
A single Thermomix batch makes 10-15 portions; enough for over a week of meals in under 20 minutes.
What Makes Thermomix Perfect for Baby Food?
· Steam and blend in one machine (no separate steamer needed)
· Precise texture control (from silky smooth to chunky)
· Built-in scales for exact portions
· Consistent results every time
· Easy cleaning (10-second rinse cycle)
When Can I Start Weaning with Homemade Food?
NHS Weaning Guidelines (UK)
· Around 6 months is recommended for starting solid foods
· Baby should be able to sit up and hold their head steady
· They can coordinate eyes, hands, and mouth
· They can swallow food (not just push it out)
Always consult your health visitor before starting solids if you're unsure.
Progression Timeline
Age | Texture | Examples |
6 months | Smooth purees | Single veg, fruit purees |
7-8 months | Thicker purees | Combined flavours |
8-9 months | Mashed/lumpy | Soft chunks, finger foods |
10-12 months | Chopped/family food | Modified family meals |
How Do I Make First Purees in Thermomix?
Basic Single-Ingredient Puree Method
Suitable for 6+ months
Equipment:
· TM7 with Varoma
· Ice cube trays or baby food containers
Basic Process:
1. Prepare vegetables: Peel and cut into 2cm cubes
2. Add water: 500ml water in TM7 bowl
3. Steam: Place veg in Varoma, steam 15-20 min/Varoma/Speed 1
4. Blend: Transfer to bowl, blend 30 sec/Speed 8-10 (add cooking water to thin)
5. Cool and portion: Spoon into ice cube trays
6. Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months
Best First Foods to Start With
Food | Steam Time | Notes |
Carrot | 18 min | Naturally sweet, great starter |
Sweet potato | 15 min | Creamy, nutrient-rich |
Butternut squash | 15 min | Mild, easy to digest |
Parsnip | 18 min | Slightly sweet |
Courgette | 12 min | Mild flavour |
Broccoli | 12 min | High in iron |
Pear | 10 min | Sweet, easy on tummy |
Apple | 12 min | Classic first fruit |
How Do I Control Puree Texture in Thermomix?
Texture Settings Guide
Desired Texture | Speed | Time | Water Added |
Silky smooth (6mo) | 10 | 60 sec | More (50-100ml) |
Smooth (7mo) | 8-9 | 30 sec | Some (30-50ml) |
Thick puree (8mo) | 6-7 | 20 sec | Less (20ml) |
Lumpy/mashed (9mo) | 4-5 | 10 sec | Minimal |
Chunky (10mo+) | 3-4 | 5 sec | None |
Key tip: Always start with less blending—you can blend more, but you can't un-blend!
Adding Liquid
Use these liquids to thin purees:
· Cooking water (contains nutrients from steaming)
· Breast milk or formula (adds familiar taste)
· Unsalted vegetable stock (for older babies)
Never add salt, sugar, or honey (honey unsafe under 12 months).
What Are the Best Combination Purees?
Flavour Combinations (7+ Months)
Once your baby has tried individual foods without reaction, try these combinations:
Vegetable Combos:
· Carrot + Sweet Potato + Apple
· Butternut Squash + Parsnip
· Broccoli + Pea + Courgette
· Sweet Potato + Spinach
Fruit Combos:
· Apple + Pear
· Banana + Avocado (no cooking needed)
· Mango + Banana (no cooking needed)
· Peach + Apple
Protein Combinations (7+ months):
· Chicken + Sweet Potato + Carrot
· Fish + Broccoli + Potato
· Lentils + Carrot + Tomato
Sample Combination Recipe: Carrot, Apple & Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
· 150g carrot, peeled and cubed
· 150g sweet potato, peeled and cubed
· 1 apple, peeled, cored, and quartered
Method:
1. Add 500ml water to TM7 bowl
2. Place all ingredients in Varoma
3. Steam 18 min/Varoma/Speed 1
4. Transfer to bowl (discard water or keep for thinning)
5. Blend 30 sec/Speed 8 (add liquid if needed)
6. Cool and portion into 8-10 portions
Makes: 8-10 portions | Freezes: 3 months
How Do I Batch Cook Baby Food Efficiently?
The Power Hour Method
Once a week, dedicate 1 hour to make a full week of baby food:
Week's Menu Example:
Batch | Recipe | Portions |
1 | Carrot puree | 10 cubes |
2 | Apple & pear | 10 cubes |
3 | Chicken & veg | 8 portions |
4 | Fish & potato | 8 portions |
Total time: 60-75 minutes | Total portions: 36 | Cost: ~£8
Batch Cooking Workflow
1. Prep all ingredients (15 min)
2. First steam batch while prepping next (18 min)
3. Blend and portion batch 1 (5 min)
4. Second steam batch (18 min)
5. Continue rotation until done
Storage Tips
Ice Cube Trays:
· Perfect for 6-8 month portions (20-30ml each)
· Pop out frozen cubes into labelled freezer bags
· Stack efficiently in freezer
Silicone Baby Food Trays:
· Larger portions (50-75ml)
· Easy to pop out
· Reusable and dishwasher safe
Labelling:
· Always label with contents and date
· Use within 3 months
· First in, first out rotation
How Do I Progress to Lumpier Textures?
Transitioning from Smooth to Lumpy (8-9 Months)
Gradual Method:
1. Make smooth puree as normal
2. Remove half, set aside
3. Add soft-cooked chunks to bowl
4. Pulse 3 sec/Speed 3 (just to combine)
5. Mix back with smooth portion
This gives lumpy texture with familiar smooth base.
Introducing Finger Foods
Safe First Finger Foods (8+ months):
· Steamed carrot sticks (soft enough to squash)
· Banana slices
· Soft avocado chunks
· Well-cooked pasta shapes
· Toast fingers with spread
· Steamed broccoli florets
Thermomix tip: Steam finger food vegetables in Varoma while cooking your main dish below.
What About Allergenic Foods?
Introducing Allergens Safely
Current NHS guidance recommends introducing allergenic foods from around 6 months, one at a time, in small amounts:
Common Allergens:
· Eggs (well-cooked)
· Cow's milk (in cooking)
· Wheat/gluten
· Fish
· Nuts (ground/butter form only—never whole)
· Soya
· Sesame
Thermomix Method for Nut Butter:
1. Add 100g unsalted nuts to bowl
2. Blend 60 sec/Speed 10 (until smooth butter forms)
3. Mix tiny amount into puree for first exposure
Always introduce new allergens at home, not at nursery, in case of reaction.
Sample Meal Plans by Age
6-7 Months: First Tastes
Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
Mon | - | Carrot puree | - |
Tue | - | Sweet potato | Baby rice |
Wed | Apple puree | Carrot | - |
Thu | Pear puree | Parsnip | Apple |
Fri | Baby rice | Butternut | Pear |
8-9 Months: Building Variety
Meal | Examples |
Breakfast | Porridge, mashed banana, yoghurt |
Lunch | Chicken + veg puree, pasta |
Dinner | Fish + potato, lentil stew |
Snacks | Finger foods, fruit pieces |
10-12 Months: Family Food Transition
Baby can now eat modified family meals:
· Bolognese (reduce salt, blend portion slightly)
· Shepherd's pie (mash top, soft filling)
· Mild curry (reduce spice, softer chunks)
· Risotto (perfect soft texture)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reheat frozen baby food in Thermomix?
Yes! Add frozen cubes to bowl with 1-2 tbsp water. Heat 2-3 min/70°C/Speed 2. Stir and check temperature before serving—should be lukewarm, not hot.
How long does homemade baby food last?
· Fridge: 48-72 hours maximum
· Freezer: Up to 3 months
· Never refreeze once defrosted
· Discard any food baby has eaten from (saliva introduces bacteria)
Can I add breast milk or formula to purees?
Yes, but add after cooking (heat destroys nutrients in breast milk). Mix into cooled puree. Don't freeze purees with breast milk added—freeze plain, add milk when defrosting.
Are Thermomix purees as nutritious as shop-bought?
More so! Commercial baby food is heat-treated for shelf stability, which reduces some vitamins. Thermomix steaming preserves more nutrients, and you're using fresh ingredients without additives.
What if my baby won't eat homemade food?
This is common! Babies need 10-15 exposures to accept new foods. Keep offering without pressure. Try different textures, temperatures, or mix with familiar foods. Some babies prefer finger foods to spoon-feeding.
Quick Reference: Thermomix Baby Food Settings
Task | Setting |
Steam vegetables | 15-20 min/Varoma/Speed 1 |
Steam fruit | 10-15 min/Varoma/Speed 1 |
Smooth puree | 30-60 sec/Speed 8-10 |
Thick puree | 20-30 sec/Speed 6-7 |
Lumpy texture | 10-15 sec/Speed 4-5 |
Reheat frozen | 2-3 min/70°C/Speed 2 |
Quick clean | 10 sec/Speed 10 with water |
Need recipe ideas? Cookidoo has a dedicated baby food collection with Guided Cooking recipes. Search "baby" or filter by age to find suitable options.
Last updated: January 2026
Always consult your health visitor for personalised weaning advice
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