Khichdi recipe for babies – Khichdi or dal khichdi is an Indian dish prepared with lentils and rice, a one pot meal that is nutritious not only for babies and toddlers but for adults too.The recipe, tips and ideas shared here are for babies above 8 months only.
If you have a baby above 12 months old you can also try this basic new recipe of dal khichdi here. You can prepare the same for the entire family and as well for your toddler.
Making a moong dal khichdi for babies with vegetable may be one of the best ways to prepare a balanced and nutritious meal. Vegetable in the khichdi aid in digesting the dal/ lentils better and adds a different flavour, taste and texture to the food, which babies will love.
Best vegetables for babies to aid easy digestion
The vegetables I would suggest to go with a moong dal kichidi are carrots, red pumpkin, bottle gourd (lauki), ridge gourd (thurai) and leafy vegetables like spinach and methi. Using other vegetables may not be easy for digestion when used in dal khichdi.
Using vegetables like potato or sweet potato to make a lentil based baby food could lead to a tummy upset or colic. potato and sweet potatoes can be used to make a khichri without dal. You can check the potato khichri recipe here. You can also used cauliflower, broccoli or peas.
New post : sweet potato rice for babies
Best lentils for babies
We use moong dal called as husked split green gram or yellow mung in english. Moong dal is considered to be the easiest to digest and is very nourishing to the body.
For a change we also use tuvar dal called as split pigeon peas in English.
Ideal Proportions of Dal: Rice
It is better to go with a low Dal: Rice proportions to avoid reflux, colic and tummy upsets in babies. The ideal proportions could be 1:4 meaning ¼ tbsp. dal for every 1 tbsp. rice. If the baby tolerates well without colic or vomiting then, it can gradually be increased to 1: 2 by 10 months to one year.(1 tbsp. dal with 2tbsps. rice)
Introducing brown rice to babies
We use white rice alone with dal and veggies initially since white rice is easier to digest, then slowly introduce brown rice as the brown rice fibres are difficult to digest. For 1.5 tbsps. White rice start with ½ tbsp. brown rice, gradually you can increase the quantity and serve only brown rice when your baby reaches 1 year, if he/ she can digest well.
Using spice powders and herbs for babies
We use very small pinch of pepper, ground organic turmeric, cumin powder and ajwain powder (caram seeds powder) to aid digestion and to keep the baby warm.
I sometimes used to sprinkle my monsoon spice mix alone, which I posted earlier, if the baby has cold or runny nose. All these are optional and may not be suitable for babies who tend to dehydrate or constipate due to weather or the nature of body.
Please consult your pediatrician before you introduce your baby to the spice powders.
We use curry leaves and cumin powder to temper the food if the baby is a fussy or picky eater. It adds flavor to the food, discard the curry leaves before serving. You can chose any 2 spice powders for flavoring.
method 1 – How to make dal khichdi for babies, for toddlers recipe please scroll down.
1. Wash rice and dal together at least twice in lot of water. Soak them for at least 30 to 60 minutes with 1 cup water in a small pressure cooker. I use a 3lts pressure cooker.That’s the tuvar dal, brown rice and white rice.
2. Just before you cook, chop or grate veggies freshly and add to the soaked rice and dal
3. On a medium heat pressure cook for 2 whistles
4. Let pressure go off, While the rice is still hot, mash it to smooth with a spoon or a ladle
5. That was the pumpkin i used, hence got a nice color. Add ghee, salt, spice powders and turmeric if you desire. Babies need fat, so at least use ghee.
6. Mix everything well, if needed add very little warm water and mix to bring it to the consistency you desire. I used around 45 ml water. Do not add cold water to the khichdi. Some babies like pureed foods, you can puree this and serve.
Serve warm, warm foods digest better
method 2 – step by step photos on khichdi recipe for toddlers and fussy babies
When a baby reaches an year old, it may no longer like the above mishmashed soft khichdi. You can try this method for fussy babies as well. This is more flavorful then the above method.
For toddlers you can use onion, green peas, cauliflower, carrots, capsicum, methi, palak, carrots. You can also make this moong dal recipe and serve with plain mashed rice.
1. Soak rice and dal for at least 30 minutes. Heat ghee and saute cumin. Then add grated ginger and saute. It will begin to smell good.
2. Add veggies and saute again for 2 minutes.
3. Add rice and dal. Repeat sauteing.
4. Add salt and water as needed.
5. Close the pressure cooker and allow to whistle once or twice depending on the brand.
If desired you can mash it further before serving.
For more baby food recipes, you could check
carrot almond baby food
Indian baby food
ragi malt
wheat cereal
barley carrot payasam
sago payasam
how often can this khichdi be served
4 to 5 times a week would be fine, with a change in the vegetables. It is best to serve lentil based foods for breakfast or lunch and avoid serving in the nights.
moong dal khichdi recipe for babies & toddlers
khichdi recipe for babies toddlers | vegetable moong dal khichdi
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
Instructions
- Wash and soak rice and dal together for at least 30 to 60 minutes with 1 cup water.
- Add chopped or grated vegetable to the soaked rice, dal
- Pressure cook on medium flame for 2 whistles
- When the pressure goes off, open and mash the rice to smooth while still hot
- Add salt, ghee, spice powders and turmeric if you desire.
- Mix well, to bring it to right consistency, if needed add very little warm water and mix. Do not mix cold water it will change the taste of the khichdi.
Notes
Please take the advice of your pediatrician or elders before you try this for your baby
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Disclaimer: please consult your pediatrician before you begin to serve this food to your baby. The author is not a nutrition expert nor a healthcare professional. But has served this food for both her babies from 8 months on wards. Whatever mentioned in the post is based on the author’s personal opinion and experience.
Melissa G says
I look forward to trying this with my baby! If I triple the recipe, do I triple the water amount as well? So 3 cups of water instead of 1 cup?
swasthi says
Hi Melissa
Yes you can triple. Just to let you know, lentils are best served fresh especially for a baby. Frozen or refrigerated lentils can lead to bloating and colic in babies. Hope this helps
Aparna says
I like all your recipes …. You are the first option I choose despite having various recipes from various chef’s.
zarri says
hello,
can u guide me some iron rich food ideas for two year old please?
swasthi says
Hi Zarri
Fresh or dried figs, raisins, pomegranate orange (or lemon) juice, dates, dark leafy greens, beans and lentils are some iron rich foods. However if you have found the levels to be too low in a blood test then it is good to follow the doctor and use the iron medication. With food the recovery is not as quick as with medications. Regular consumption of figs also helps to boost the appetite, improves digestion and over all health. My personal experience has been very good with dried figs. You can also soak them in water to soften and feed 2 per day. Hope this helps.
zarri says
thnks alot,and one more thing is it ok to give lassi with dal khichdi at luch time everyday?as calcium based food with iron is not a good combo
swasthi says
Welcome Zarri,
Yes, you are right! For kids I strictly follow no lassi with a meal. Most times we consume milk products alone with at least 1.5 to 2 hours gap, before and after meal. Similarly no fruits with a meal or with dairy. No dates with dairy. Occasionally these are okay but regular consumption will weaken the digestion. Hope this helps.
🙂
zarri says
thnx for sharing valuable info..what should i give with or after meal that taste sugary because my kid always want sugary drink with meal or after meal.also kid need smthing sweet after salty meal
swasthi says
Give him a small piece of jaggery or any sweet made with jaggery. You can find many jaggery ladoos here. You can also add little lemon juice and jaggery to a small cup of water and give.
zarri says
hello,
can u guide me some iron rich food ideas for 2 year old please?
Pragathi says
Hai madam,
My son is in 16 months now , he used to eat better sometimes but now a days he is not eating any thing can u please suggest a diet chart for 16 month old.
swasthi says
Hi Pragathi
Please check this baby chart. You can follow the same chart until he finishes 3 years. Check if he is teething. Usually babies stop eating well when they are teething. Give more fruits to boost the appetite.
Riya says
Wonderful
swasthi says
Thanks Riya
Kamalpreet kaur says
Hello mam…..its wonderful job..meri beti 9months ke hai mein usse khichri, dalia, banana, curd sb deti hu….aur kya de skti hu…..aloo parantha chota sa bna ke du th 4to 5 bites….mein aur kya add kr skti hu
swasthi says
Hi Kamalpreet
Please check the baby food chart post to know which foods you can feed. You can find the link in the post as well in the related posts
Neha says
Hi madam,
My baby is 12 months. Often gets cold n cough. U had mentioned about the monsoon spice mix. Can u pls share the recepie
swasthi says
Hi Neha
Its just a mix of cumin, ajwain and ginger powder. All in equal quantities. Dry roast ajwain and cumin separately on a low heat just for some time. switch off the stove .Add ginger powder directly to the hot pan and stir. Take off immediately and cool all these and blend in a mixer. Keeps good for 3 months.. Add this powder to khichdi, porridge etc and not to milk.
pooja chaudhary says
Mam my son is not interested in dal khichdi and all.he likes sweet things like halwa kheer cerelac. What should I do????
swasthi says
You didn’t mention how old he is.
You must try no other choice
Mrs deepali singh says
Hi , swastika ples give me diet chart for my 9 months baby boy,
swasthi says
Hi Deepali
Please follow this link for the food chart
Mrs deepali singh says
I like Al recipes
swasthi says
Thank you
Kusuma says
Wonderful
swasthi says
Thanks Kusuma
Kusuma says
Hi..
These recipes are very easy to cook.thank u..mam
I tried the veg kichidi
swasthi says
Hi Kusuma
You are welcome. I am glad you liked them. Thanks for the feedback
Moon moon sen says
Hi swasthi
My 14month old baby is so thin n he don’t eat food. Properly as I gone through ur chat there r many goodthings but still am confused plz help me out Wat I should feed him.
swasthi says
Hi Moon
Just follow the chart and the recipes. You can find all the recipe links there
Dhanya says
Hi swathi
I hd gone tru many of ur recipes n food chart. It’s awesome n helps a lot.Thank you so much.
Thanks for replying too.☺
swasthi says
Welcome Dhanya,
So glad to know the recipes and food chart are helpful.
Sneha says
Hi swasthi,
I have been following your blog for quite some time to check baby food. I love the way you explain each thing and the authenticity of the recipe.
Anyways I have 9 months daughter and want to try this recipe. I am not sure which banana have you used. Is it raw nendran banana?
swasthi says
Hi Sneha,
Nice knowing you. Thanks for the feedback.
I have used a raw banana, the cooking variety that is used to make curry in south india. You can check this post to see the picture of the banana. You can try with raw nendran banana as well.
sneha says
Hi swasthi,
I had posted some query yesterday night. Did you receive?
swasthi says
Hi Sneha,
From 6 to 7 th nov, This is the only one comment from sneha – no mail id mentioned. Means i haven’t received any comment from you. But there is already a comment on this post from a sneha dated 4 th nov. I do not know if it is you since you haven’t mentioned ur email id. Some times, the system considers some comments to be spam if there is no mail id mentioned and puts them under spam which don’t come to my notice and the comment gets deleted after few days. Hence i highly suggest readers to fill up the email id without that the comment may come under spam. I identify my readers personally knowing their email id as a reference especially for the baby food, without that i do not know who is who. I am sorry if your comment is not visible here. You can redo it if you like to know some thing.
sneha says
OK, my bad. Let me type my query again. My 9 months baby just gained 100 grams in 1.5 months. I know weight slows down after they start moving, but 100 grams is too less. I want to know how can I help her put on more. Also it would be great help if you let me know the quantity she takes is enough.. Morning she takes ragi kanji made from 2 scops, this scoop is one I got from lactogen formula. For lunch I add 3 teaspoon rice, 1.5 teaspoon moong dall ,, few pieces of veggie( this is before cooking quantity).dinner almost same as lunch but she won’t finish. In between breastfeeds, n one fruit snack in evening. U think this quantity is enough?
swasthi says
Hi Sneha,
I do not know how much a lactogen scoop measures as i don’t live in India. But by this age, you should be feeding porridge made from at least 1.5 tbsps ragi flour. For details, you can check this post on ragi porridge.
Try to include a variety of protein foods in the babies diet like idli, boiled potato, sweet potato, egg etc. Please check this detailed post on weight gaining foods. I am sure it will help you.
Also Please follow this food chart for babies above 8 months. That is my guide to boost your baby’s weight. Regarding the quantity i have mentioned in detail how much babies can eat. While you feed, you need to burp in between, avoid water, feed slightly soupy consistency foods. This helps your baby to eat full. Regarding the quantity, there is no exact scale or measurement to suggest for a baby, as all babies are different. This is my guide line
If you are feeding 3 tsp rice and 1.5 tsp dal during the beginning of 9th month, Then after 2 weeks you will have to try feeding 3 tsps rice and 2 tsps dal. Then repeat this after every 2 weeks, increase the quantity of protein (dal) until it becomes equal to the quanity of rice. Then next step would be to increase rice and then after 2 weeks increase dal as well. Proportionally you must increase veggies and ghee as well.
This is the same with all foods including ragi,idli or potato, egg etc. If the baby can eat 1 idli during the past 2 weeks, you must try for the next 1/4 idli.
Do you think the quantity of breast milk is enough? At 9 months, formula fed babies drink up to 6 to 7 oz. Do you think your baby is getting enough milk? Also you need to eat very well to keep up the quality of breast milk. Try changing your diet as well.Hope these help you.
Sneha says
Can’t thank enough for your detailed explanation. Now I feel issue lies in the quantity she takes. She is been taking same amount of ragi Ganji since she was 6 month n lunch of same quantity since 7.5 months. She won’t have more if I increase, this only she will leave few spoons.
Doc has told me to start textured food, but she is not taking. So I am juggling between textured food and weight gain. She gags a lot when I try little thick food and won’t eat further. I am worried how will I make her eat solid food.
I have tried idly with rasam and rava Upma , she made face as if it was so yuck. So had to continue with ragi. Don’t know how else to introduce new food to her.
And yeah I feel I hardly have any milk, she sucks for few minutes and leaves. I thought at this time naturally I can’t increase milk moreover her peac has told feed her milk just 3-4 times in a day, so I was not much concentrating on milk. Now I’m confused.
swasthi says
Hi Sneha,
Sorry for the delay. Have you tried idli made with rice instead of rava? Try to avoid foods like suji halwa, porridge, upma etc, they really don’t help much to gain weight and the texture is not liked by many babies. Don’t worry much about textured foods, she is just 9 months. Keep trying and it has to be slow. Soft cook and Mash the foods well and give, she will pick up slowly. Don’t focus much on the texture, but do not puree and feed as well. Try this only for lunch daily until she turns 1 year. In the night you can give her pureed foods. Many times doctor’s suggestions don’t work practically. Since babies under go so many changes each day, they may have colic some days, sometimes teething problems or sometimes cranky due to climate. It is not possible to feed only textured food always. So do what ever is possible for you and keep her full. I think you must start a formula. Until 1 year, milk still plays a crucial role for development and weight gain. Many ppl also give buffalo milk for weight gain, if that is available you can try that. But you will have to dilute with water until she gets used to it.
Even night feeds help the baby to gain weight. Usually babies wake up 3 to 4 times in the night for feeds. I think you have to start a formula after consulting your doctor. Hope this helps
sneha says
Thank you swasthi for responding to my queries. Well i happened to check my girls weight yesterday, and she had lost some 50grams. I was heart broken. I feel I am doing something wrong. Well when you say don’t give porridge, what kind you are referring? I have been giving dd ragi kanji since few n nths. Also some say oats makes lose weight as it does with adults due to high fiber. U have any experience with oats? Can I give to dd?
Regarding pureeing, I m just keeping 1/4th of her meal mashed, n rest puree.
Can you give me some protein rich food options? Except egg which I will start after she turns 1 n no meat. In a day she takes roughly 4 tea spoons of moong daal(raw quantity). Is it enough protein?
Sorry for bugging you with so many queries. I m need of help.
swasthi says
Hi Sneha,
I mean rava porridge, you mentioned rava upma, so I mean porridge, halwa or upma using rava. Oats helps to loose weight in obese people not in kids. It will help to reduce weight if eaten almost at every meal. For weight loss oat meal is eaten with out adding fats like milk or ghee. But the baby recipes i have shared is with fats from ghee and full fat milk. I have fed both my kids oats regularly and haven’t felt any weight loss. If you do not include oats at a early age, then it is hard to include later as they turn more fussy when they grow up. Many ppl think oats, brown rice, millets reduce weight, but they are healthy and must be surely included since the current generation is more prone to metabolic problems. Try to include 2 to 3 times in a week with dal or milk and ghee. I suggest you follow this food chart and this post for weight gain tips. You can follow this khichdi post for quantity of dal. I feel the quantity of dal you are feeding her must be fine. hope this helps.
Sneha says
Thanks Swasthi. I have decided instead of going through all sites in Google n trying, I will just follow your blog. I am sure I will see some positive result.
You reply to each comment on every post with such detailed explaination. This needs lot of patience which you have. I Bow down to your genuine concern and the knowledge. May god bless you n your family with loads of happiness and health.
swasthi says
Welcome Sneha, let us hope for the best. Kids are not the same always, they begin to eat well as they grow. As time passes by, even you can analyse what is suitable to your baby and how much. Thanks a ton for the wishes and all the appreciations. Wish you all too the same. I have learnt to be patient and understanding dealing with 2 of my fussy kids. Do not hesitate you can ask me anything and would love to know the improvements. Have a wonderful week ahead
gurneet kaur says
Hi mam
Your blog is very informative. And easy to follow.
One question though. I have read every where to avoid salt for babies till one year. Is it okay to use
salt as mentioned in this khichdi recipe? I have a 7 month old baby.
swasthi says
Hi Gurneet,
This khichdi recipe is for babies above 8 months old, meaning must complete 8 months. Otherwise, skip salt, ajwain, turmeric, pepper powder. Follow method 1 with 1:4 proportion for dal:rice. If the baby has cold and using moong dal, i suggest using a tiny pinch of pepper only. Regarding the usage of salt, it is not good to get the baby used to salty or sweet foods before 1 year. But salt too has minerals in it, so we use only a tiny pinch once or twice a day after 8 months. When you taste the food, it must not be salty – meaning the quanity of salt used must be very less. It is actually recommended not to use before 1 year as it may be a load to the kidneys. Use your judgement whether to use or not. But i have used it for both my kids in moderation after 8 months. Hope this helps
gurneet kaur says
Hi mam
Thanks for ur reply.
can i give jaggery to my 7 month old boy daily and how much in quantity? As without something sweet in his food he becomes fussy and i want to avoid sugar. Plzzz suggest what should I do.
swasthi says
Welcome Gurneet,
I suggest you wait until your baby completes 8 months to use jaggery more frequently. Till then at the most once or twice a week is okay. 1 to 1.5 tsp powdered jaggery can be given. Melt it in water first and then filter it and use. Even jaggery is processed with loads of chemicals. Try to use organic jagery if available. If he doesn’t like to eat food without sweet taste in it, in future it may be a problem for you to cook everything sweet. It is better you keep him away from this now itself. Occasionally give him sweetened foods, try adding banana to rice, apple to rice like i made this apple rice, you can also try this sweet potato rice. Hope these help.
Supritha says
Hi Swasthi,
I liked your recipe’s, looks so simple… Will surely try one today..
I have 2 year old son who is fussy in eating… He was born premature so he is underweight.. He likes spicy food than sweet one. Please help me with some more nutritional recipe’s which helps him gain weight and have gud mental and physic growth.
Thanks 🙂
swasthi says
Welcome Supritha,
You can follow this food chart for timings and recipes. It can be followed up to 3 years. Not only the food, even the timings are important for weight gain. Hope this helps
Supritha says
Hi Swasthi,
I liked your recepie’s, looks so simple… Will surely try one today..
I have 2 year old son who is fussy in eating… He was born premature so he is underweight.. He likes spicy food tgan sweet one. Please help me with some more nutritional recepie which helps him gain weight and have gud mental and physic growth.
Thanks 🙂
Madhavi says
Hi swasthi! I tried the veg khichdi and my baby thoroughly enjoyed it. These days i find it difficult to feed him dal rice and vegetable as he is refusing to eat. But this one helped me. Thanks a ton. I always use to think khichdi was a difficult recipe but now i realise that it is the easiest. cant thank u enough!! Also can u please suggest what more vegetables can be added or altered.
swasthi says
Welcom madhavi. Iam glad your baby liked it. I feel kids must eat dal regularly at least till they reach 5. This recipe has worked well for me so far. I try with veggies like bottle gourd, pumpkin, tomato, shallots, bell peppers, chayote, beets. But all lend a different flavor, some may not like the flavors. If using tomatoes, they need to be sauteed well after frying ginger. Most times i too eat the same for lunch when i make for my boy. I feel it is so easy and not much to clean up. I also make this with millets / korralu, sometimes with half millet and half rice or half brown rice with white rice. Hope this helps you to come up with some ideas
Madhavi says
Yes indeed it helps. Thanks again. Brown rice is taking longer time to get cooked when i mix it with rice may be i should soak for a longer time. I wanted to try beets in khichdi but read some where on the net that the water in which we boil beets should not be used as the nitrates are left in water. So was confused. Do u have any idea?
swasthi says
Madhavi brown rice needs a good soak, i usually soak after breakfast and begin to cook by 11 am. Also cook it on a low flame for some time and then on a medium flame. It turns out soft. Actually nitrates are present in most foods and foods high in nitrates are not recommended for babies under 6 months for older babies its just fine to use a moderate quantity. When we use beets in khichdi, we tend to use a small piece but in the west, beets are cooked, pureed and fed. The quantity fed when pureed is more than what we add for the khichdi. So it is highly recommended that the water used for cooking beets and spinach be discarded. But apart from the beets stock, nitrates are present even in cooked beets. High intake of nitrate foods are very dangerous hence best to avoid for babies under 6 months. but research has shown that nitrates have health benefits too if consumed in moderation (not for babies under 6 months). This is what i have trusted and have used beets for both my babies after 10 months.
Madhavi says
Thanks a lot for the info. Guess it’s better to make beetroot curry and palak as dal and feed.
Bhavya says
Hey Swathi, the receipe for baby toddlers are very useful. Pleased to have this site.
swasthi says
Thanks Bhavya