Apple rice recipe for babies & toddlers. This is one of the foods that can be served to a baby or toddler during cold and congestion. When babies have cold and nasal congestion, most of us do not know what to feed as the options are limited. Some foods may make the congestion worse leaving the baby restless and sleepless.
It is always good to serve foods that are light to digest like this apple rice. I did share this recipe with few readers earlier and got to know their babies loved it very much. So thought of making this post so that it can reach many of you.
If you are new to this blog, you may like to check this collection of baby toddler foods.
My younger kid is down with a flu for the past few days, i made this apple rice for him. Very simple to make, there are few variations one can adapt to make this. It can be made to a porridge consistency or to a thicker khichdi like texture.
To make this i have used basmathi white rice, but you can use basmathi brown rice or any other kind of rice. If using brown rice, soak it at least for 2 hours or more. Use in combination with white rice in equal proportions. If you have this dry rice cereal which i shared earlier, then you can also use that instead of rice. It turns out more tastier than the one made with cooked rice.
Please note that brown rice may aggravate cough in some babies, so do not use it unless soaked well for at least 2 hours.
Showing the tiny steel glass/cup in the picture which i have been telling many of you to try for feeding water and milk. It is just a stain less steel glass/cup that measures 90 ml with rounded edges, meaning not sharp so can try it even for a 8 months old safely. My mum had bought half a dozen of these from bangalore when my elder son was 6 months. Since it is a small one, tiny hands can very well hold them. You will need to help to hold it until the baby can do it well. I had started feeding water, clear soups in these cups from 6 months for my elder one and at around 8 months for my younger one. In about 6 weeks they were successfully drinking from the glass/cup. Though they mess up, the benefits are many. No use of teats, plastic material, easy cleaning etc. Teaching them to drink from cups at a early age is easier than when they grow older. You can also feed milk in these cups if your baby is formula fed. Hope this helps some of you who really want to avoid plastic sippy cups or teats for your baby.
Back to the recipe, for flavoring the rice you can use one of the following. Except cumin, other powders may constipate the baby. So use with caution, use only a pinch and feed luke warm water often several times a day to keep the baby hydrated.
cumin powder / jeera
pepper powder
organic turmeric/ haldi
ajwain/ vaamu/carom seeds powder
ceylon cinnamon/ dalchini
This recipe yields double the quantity you see in the picture. I have used minced organic apple and partially cooked since my kid loves the apple chunks.
apple rice baby food recipe
Apple rice recipe for babies & toddlers | Apple rice porridge
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- 2 tbsp rice
- 1 cup water (may need 1/4 cup more)
- 1 apple medium , pureed or grated or minced, sweet
- ghee few drops
- Sweetener or salt very little (avoid for babies under 1 year, optional)
How to make the recipe
Method 1 using rice
- Wash rice and soak for at least 30 minutes. If using brown rice, soak for at least 2 hours. You can soak up to overnight for health benefits.
- Pressure cook rice with water on a medium flame for 1 to 2 whistles.
- When the pressure goes off, open the lid and mash the rice.
- If using grated or minced apple, add them and stir. check if water is sufficient, else add more. Cover and pressure cook for another whistle. If using apple puree, add it and stir. you don’t need to pressure cook any longer.
- When the pressure goes off, mash every thing well. Add salt if using and flavoring powder.
- Serve warm
method 2- if using dry rice cereal
- Cook 2 tbsp rice cereal(from this blog) in 1 cup water until it thickens. Off the stove.
- Add the apple puree and stir.
NUTRITION (estimation only)
If you are a beginner or new to Indian cooking, I highly suggest you to check the supporting step by step photos for best results. Step by step photos with description available below after the recipe card.
Kitte says
I like the way of your help. because I am mother of 10 months old baby n looking for recipes for him so thanku n I subscribed u…..@)
swasthi says
Hi Kitte,
You are welcome. Hope your little one enjoys the food. Thank you so much!
Swathi says
Hi can we give apple rice at night time, and which food is good at dinner time
swasthi says
Hi Swathi,
How old is your baby?
Swathi says
13 months, can you mention some healthy weight gaining foods, food chart also, thank you for your immediate reply,
swasthi says
Hi Swathi,
Yes you can give this for dinner. But apple rice makes the baby too hungry very fast. I used to topup with milk after 2 hours before bed time.
Swathi says
Yes thank you, she wakes up in middle sometimes for milk. But light food is good at night na, will follow the chart, you are helping so many mothers, great, keep doing, thank you.
swasthi says
You are welcome Swathi!
Yes light food is good for dinner but this apple rice is something different. My babies would get more hungry than usual with this rice and wake up very often in the night. Glad the recipes are helpful.
Thank you!
Swathi says
Hi thank you for your immediate reply, my baby is 13 years old, can you suggest some healthy weight gaining food and food chart also pls
swasthi says
Hi Swathi,
Please follow this baby food chart until your baby completes 3 years. All the recipes are linked in the post.
Sunitha says
Hi swasti,
I always followed ur recipes for my baby and he s doing great too…nw he s 1 year old…he s suffering frm cold now…wat all recipes would u suggest wen babies r sick? Can I feed him cows milk as usual? Should I avoid feeding any ingredients as he sick? Waiting for ur valuable suggestions….
swasthi says
Hi Sunitha
During cold, it is good to avoid wheat,ragi,potato and banana as these may lead to phlegm.These are the foods you can give
Apple rice
Soupy rice khichdi made with toor dal and carrots
You can mash the cooked rice and carrots to smooth and pour dal water (toor dal cooked water). Add little salt.
Steamed and pureed apples.
Rasam rice.
idli with rasam.
Rice and dal cooked to smooth then pour rasam and mix.
Make sure you feed all the foods in soupy consistency.
Yes you can continue with cow’s milk if he is not having any phlegm. In case he begins to get phlegm then reduce the milk feeds and increase the solids.
Hope these help.
Sunitha says
Heartfelt thnks fr ur prompt reply…it really means a lot to me…nw m relievd as I can feed him th ryt food with ur help….thnks dr…
swasthi says
You are welcome Sunitha
You can also feed warm milk rice. Cooked rice, mashed and mixed with milk
Ranjana Sinha says
Hi,
What is the ideal pot for cooking the baby food.. Heavy bottom stainless steel, aluminium cooker or Hard anodized aluminium cooker.
swasthi says
Hi Ranjana,
Stainless steel pots of grades – 18/8 , 18/10 or 300 series are best. If you want to pressure cook and have a aluminium cooker, then place the food in a steel bowl and then put it in the cooker.
Ranjana Sinha says
Hey thanks for your immediate response and thoughtful suggestion… Love your website and the contents… Love
Nisha says
My boy will be celebrating his first birthday next week. I wanted to know when can I give him raw apple? Uptill now I have been giving him steamed apple puree (still hates chunks in his food) Also how I prepare apple milkshake for him whether blending apple(raw) directly with the milk or steaming it first. I have started cow’s milk for him since last 3-4 days. Awaiting your reply.
swasthi says
Hi Nisha
Milk and apple together causes indigestion and is not healthy. You can just puree the fresh apple and feed.
Teena says
Hi Swasthi,
Hope u rem me. Now i have a 10 month baby for whom i prepared this recipe for the 1st time n he loved it. The only variation i made was tht i blended the entire content at the end coz he is not used to coarse food right now. Can i stop blending for him now onwards n feed him the foods mashed with spoon or shd i wait?
swasthi says
Hi Teena
So glad to read your comment. Congrats! wow… your baby is already 10 months. It is good to teach your baby to eat mashed foods by 10 months. Once your baby completes 10 months, You can wash and soak rice for 2 hours, pressure cook to very soft with 1 : 3 or 4 amount of water, then puree the apple and add to the rice. Just mash everything well. This might be easier method. Hope this helps
Teena says
Thanx Swasthi. I use white basmathi rice. Does that also require 2 hrs soaking?
swasthi says
Teena
As we know babies are born with colic. The starches in the rice also increases colic sometimes. So it is good to soak even if it is basmati rice. Nutrients are better absorbed when lentils or rice is soaked and they digest quickly, This helps the babies to sleep well in the night. Hope this helps
Teena says
Thanx a ton Swasthi and as always appreciate ur quick response n indepth knowledge.
SUNEETA says
Hi mam
Really your site is very useful for me
Thank-you so much for that
Can u share more recipes for 2 years old baby plzzzzzz
swasthi says
Hi Suneeta,
Glad to know the site is useful to you. I have already shared lot of recipes for toddlers, do check the complete baby/ toddler recipes
rathika says
Maam as it is raining fr the past few wks in tamilnadu,i was vry concious about my daughters diet…bt still she got cold. She has nose blok maam any remedies fr tat apart frm saline…if i tk tat bottl she cries n vomit evrything..i tried it aftr she slpt also maam shes nt allowing…i am feeding hr warm watr frequently… cn v apply vicks??
swasthi says
Yes Rathika,
You can try with vicks, but that’s only a temporary relief. Using too much for long time is not recommended. Apart from applying little on chest or back, I used to massage vicks under the foot and wear socks. You can do it for 3 to 4 days , 2 to 3 times a day, if it is going to help. Under the foot really works. Other remedies, you can use eucalyptus/ nilgiri oil. You can apply that on a piece of cloth and keep near her face when she is sleeping. Steaming is another best remedy. Use a mini steamer, to help the baby loosen the phlegm or to clear the airways. For the steaming, take the baby in your lap in the upright postion and just keep the steamer at one arm distance so that the baby indirectly inhales the steam. For more effective steam, add few drops of eucalyptus oil (nilgiri oil) in the steamer. Do not use too much as it makes the nose dry sometimes. Do this one to 2 times in the night when the baby cannot sleep.
You can also try omam/ ajwain for inhalation. Lightly crush 1 tsp omam/ ajwain and tie it in a small clean cotton cloth in a single layer. Give it to her to inhale, teach her to inhale. you can also keep this near her nose when she sleeps. You will have to change the omam everyday. This you can use for any long. Put her head at a elevated posture while sleeping that helps to sleep better. To do this you can use a very soft pillow to keep under head and shoulder. The pillow should go from under the head below the shoulder and upper back. Hope these tips work.
rathika says
Thank u maam i ll surely try n let u kno maam..