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    Home » Recipes » Kid Friendly Recipes

    Wholesome Homemade Baby Cereal

    Published: Sep 3, 2009 · Updated: Aug 2, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Did you know that baby’s first food does not have to be a commercial infant rice cereal? Here are several ways to make wholesome homemade baby cereal. If you like this, you may also enjoy our article on How to Make Healthy, Organic Homemade Baby Food.

    Oatmeal Cereal

    • ¼ cup of ground oats (do NOT use instant or Quick Cook), ground in blender or food processor
    • ¾ to 1 cup water

    Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the oatmeal powder while stirring constantly.

    Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired. Serve warm.

    Barley Cereal

    • ¼ cup ground barley (barley ground in blender or food processor)
    • 1 cup water

    Bring liquid to a boil. Add the barley and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly

    Mix in formula or breast milk or juice and add fruits if desired. Serve warm.

    Rice Cereal

    • ¼ c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
    • 1 cup water

    Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.

    Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired. Serve warm.

    What type of Rice do I use for Homemade Baby Rice Cereals?

    You may use a blend of any type of rice that you like; ensure that it is whole grain however. Brown jasmine rice and plain brown rice make a nice blend for cereals as do basmati and plain brown rice. If you find that your baby does not like this blend, then consider switching to the plain brown rice type until the palate has become used to solid foods!

    Do I Need to Cook the Powder Before I Serve it?

    You need to cook the rice-oatmeal-barley powder prior to serving because when you make your own cereal(s) you are taking a whole grain and grinding it into a powder. This powder should be cooked because the grains were not cooked prior to your processing them into a powder. This powder would not be easily digested if left in its “raw” state.

    Why Doesn’t Commercial Baby Cereal Need to be Cooked?

    The reason that you don’t “cook” commercial baby cereal is that commercial baby cereal is precooked and then dehydrated. Commercial baby cereal is most often made from grain that has been processed and then milled into a flour. You notice this difference when you dump out some “flakes” of commercial cereal(s) and also when you mix up some commercial cereal and find a thin pasty substance in the bowl.

    Baked Apple Cereal

    Bring mixture to a slow boil. Simmer covered, checking frequently, until apples are soft and oatmeal is cooked. Be sure to stir and mash while cooking.

    Mix in formula or breast milk or juice to thin if needed; puree if necessary (sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the cereal if your desire and if baby is ready for or has had cinnamon).

    You might also be interested in:

    • Introducing Finger Foods to Your Baby
    • Nourishing Your Independent Toddler

    To read the full version of this article, visit Wholesome Baby Food.

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • Chipotle Black Bean Burgers (Vegan)
    • Vegan Walnut Taco Meat
    • Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Vegan Hummingbird Cake

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa Wright says

      September 26, 2014 at 11:31 am

      For the rice cereal, how many scoops of formula do we use? The packaging says to use 1 scoop for every 2 fluid oz of water, so do we use 4 scoops?

    2. Pam says

      July 26, 2016 at 9:13 am

      Infant cereal is fortified with iron. Will my little one receive enough iron from organic rolled oats?

    3. Nava says

      July 26, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Pam, this is a question you should ask your child's pediatrician. Compare the iron content and go armed with the specific nutrition facts. Enjoy your baby!

    4. Aya says

      August 04, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      Can I cook the rolled oats without grounding it .. then mix it with all the othr ingredients after cooking ?
      Does this make any difference ?

    5. Nava says

      August 08, 2016 at 11:00 am

      Aya, this would be a good question to ask your pediatrician. I'd hate to give you the wrong answer!

    6. chisom says

      July 11, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      is der any cereal like soya beans nuts with groundnut cereal if yes how can that be made?

    7. Nava says

      July 11, 2017 at 6:44 pm

      soy and nuts are allergens, so you may not want to give these to a young baby. Ask your practitioner!

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