Easy to make sweet potato fries for baby led weaning. These are perfect for babies starting at 6 and 7 months old! These soft, oven-baked sweet potato sticks are a great first food for little hands to grasp and self-feed. Naturally sweet and packed with nutrients, they’re one of the best first finger foods for babies.
Sweet Potato Fries for Baby Led Weaning
Sweet potato fries are one of the easiest and most popular first foods for baby led weaning. Their naturally sweet flavor and soft texture make them perfect for tiny hands just learning to grasp and self-feed. If your baby is just starting solids around 6 months, these oven-baked sweet potato fries are a simple, nutritious option to have on hand.
Looking for more baby led weaning ideas? Try these Baby Sweet Potato Cookies and carrot fries for babies too — they’re another great first finger food packed with vitamins!
When is a baby ready for baby led weaning?
Every baby is different, but there a few signs you can easily spot when a baby is ready to begin baby led weaning.
Your baby can start baby lead weaning once they can sit up unassisted and has strong neck controls, usually around 6-7 months. Your baby does not need teeth to start baby led weaning.
You might start noticing your baby showing more interest in what you’re eating and drinking. Around 4 to 5 months, many babies begin eyeing your food, reaching for snacks, or even licking their lips when they see you eat — all signs that they may be getting ready to start solids soon.
How to Make Sweet Potato Fries
First, let’s talk about peeling the sweet potato or not. In my experience if a baby is brand new to finger foods, around 6-7 months old, then I peel the sweet potato. I find that the skins give them trouble swallowing when they’re beginning.
Once the baby gets older, around 8-9 months old, then I stop peeling as they can swallow and digest easier.
In this recipe I’m going to peel the sweet potatoes because that’s what works best for my daughter Proxy.
Chop the sweet potatoes up into 1/2 inch thick pieces, or approximately the size of your finger.
Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet directly. You can use parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup but I find that they bake best directly on the sheet. Pour olive oil on top and stir to fully coat them.
Bake for 24 minutes, flipping them half way. Check after 24 minutes. Does a fork easily slide through? They’re done. If it doesn’t, bake for a couple more minutes.
Allow to cool before serving to your adorable baby!
These will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I like to put them in individual jars so I can easily reach for a serving as sometimes dinner time is hectic! Ok I lied, dinner time is always hectic in my house. 🙂
What spices can I add to these for baby?
If your baby is ready for flavor, you can add cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, paprika or cumin on top of the fries before baking. My 7 months old loves cinnamon, garlic and cumin.
How to Freeze
I will often make a double batch of these to always have in the freezer for quick lunch, dinner and daycare meals.
To freeze them simply place in freezer bags and place in freezer. When ready to use pop the amount you want into the microwave and heat, allowing to cool down before giving to your baby.
Pin for later:
Sweet Potato Fries for Baby Led Weaning
PrintIngredients
- 2 sweet potatoes about a pound
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Regarding peeling the sweet potato: Peel the sweet potato if your baby is brand new to finger foods, I always find that if the baby is 6 or 7 months old they have a problem swallowing the skin. Once they become used to finger foods (around 8-9 months) then you don't have to peel anymore.
- Cut the sweet potato in half, and then cut up into 1/2 inch thick long strips, or about the size of your finger. If the piece is very long, you can chop them in half again.
- Place sweet potatoes directly on baking sheet. Pour olive oil on top and stir to coat them. Make sure they are single layer and not on top of each other.
- Bake for 24 minutes, flipping them half way, so they don't stick to the pan. Check after 24 minutes and if they’re soft, they’re done. My rule is if a fork goes through very easily then they're done. If they are too hard, add a couple of minutes until you get the softness consistency you want.
- Allow to cool and then give a couple sweet potato fries to baby to eat as finger food.
- If you want to serve this as sweet potato mash, place in a bowl and mash with a fork. The sweet potatoes are already soft so you don’t really need a food processor to mash them, a fork does the job.
- You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I heat them up in the microwave, making sure they are cooled down before serving baby. For long term storage, you can place them in freezer bags and freeze.
Nicole B says
I cannot wait to try for my picky eater
Stephanie says
My 10 month old loved these! She was tired of the sweet potato mash and really enjoyed holding the fries. It made a great side dish for a whole family meal.