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Updated: September 11, 2021/ First Posted: September 11, 2021Amy Palanjian 1 Comment

Making Butternut Squash puree for a baby or toddler is one of our favorite baby food purees. It’s packed with Vitamin A and C, includes a healthy dose of fiber, and has a naturally sweet taste that little ones enjoy. I’ll share the basic method, plus 5 simple ways to add more flavor!

Butternut Squash Puree

Transforming a whole or precut butternut squash puree into smooth, silky baby food is so easy. You only need two basic ingredients and the whole thing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer in smaller portions.

This is one of my favorite make-ahead baby food purees to share with the little ones!

Butternut squash is a great early food for babies that I like to continue serving to my toddlers since it’s packed with nutrition and it has a mild flavor that kids tend to enjoy. Plus, it’s perfect to serve on its own or to stir into other foods or recipes such as oatmeal, overnight oats, smoothies or muffins.

TIP: You can start with a whole butternut squash or precut cubes from the produce section of your store.

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe, you just need a butternut squash (or a bag of precut cubes from the store), olive oil, and water. So simple!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making this recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.

1. Prepare the squash.
2. Toss the cubes with olive oil and bake it in the oven.
3. Place squash into a blender.
4. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to help the mixture swirl nicely.

TIP: I like to roast my butternut squash before making a puree so that there’s some healthy fats in the mix from the olive oil.

How to Store Butternut Squash Puree

To store in the fridge, simply place squash into small food storage containers for 3-5 days. Stir and warm briefly before serving if desired.

To store in the freezer, I like to portion out into an ice cube tray, freeze, and then once frozen, transfer the cubes into a zip top freezer bag to freeze for up to 3 months. You can then take one or two out at a time and let thaw in the fridge or at room temp before offering to a baby or toddler.

What else can I make with Butternut Squash Puree?

You can serve it as is, or you can use it in:

Flavors to Add to Butternut Squash Puree

The basic puree has a nice flavor, but you can also add these flavors to add more interest.

TIP: You could also sweeten a little with apple butter or applesauce.

Best Tips for Success

• Roast the squash until soft when poked with a fork so it’s easy to blend.
• Add water slowly to reach the desired smooth consistency.
• Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
• Stir in ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon Chinese Five Spice, ½ teaspoon cumin, or ½ teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice if desired to add more flavor.
• Stir in apple butter or Apple Puree to make a slightly sweeter apple-butternut squash puree. (This is a nice topping for pancakes and waffles!)
• You can serve it as is, or you can use it in Butternut Squash Muffins, in Baby Oatmeal with Butternut Squash, stir it into plain yogurt, spread it on toast, stir it into Marinara Sauce, or use it in quesadillas.
• You may also like Sweet Potato Baby Food, Broccoli for Babies, Carrot Puree, and Pear Puree.

I’d love to hear what your family thinks of this recipe if you try it, so please comment below to share!

This post was first published October 2019.

Filder Under:Baby Food, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian