Finding protein-rich meals for baby-led weaning that aren’t just another scrambled egg can feel like a challengeespecially when you want something easy, healthy, and actually freezable. Enter: these soft, veggie-packed baby led weaning meatballs.
They’re simple to make, easy for tiny hands to hold, and you can batch freeze them so you’re not scrambling for ideas midweek. These have become one of my go-to lunch or dinner options for my 9-month-old, and I love that I can sneak in some extra veggies too.
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Why I Love These baby led weaning Meatballs
These meatballs are:
✔️ Super soft and easy to chew
✔️ Loaded with hidden veggies
✔️ Protein-packed
✔️ Freezer-friendly and reheat like a dream
✔️ Perfect for baby-led weaning (and toddlers too!)
My Go-To Baby Led Weaning Meatball Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (or beef/chicken)
- ½ cup grated zucchini (squeeze out excess liquid)
- ½ cup grated carrot
- 1 egg
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Optional: pinch of Italian herbs
- You can also use a tiny bit of flour to help them stick together if you wanted!
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, mix all ingredients until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Scoop into small baby-sized balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes or until cooked through and golden.
- Let cool before serving. Store in the fridge for 3–4 days or freeze extras.
Tip: I like using a small cookie scoop for uniform size. Here’s the one I use. You can also sub in any veggies that you have in the fridge!
How I Serve Them to My Baby
- Cut into quarters for new eaters
- Pair with avocado or soft-cooked veggies for a full meal
- Serve plain or with marinara for extra flavor
These are great for practicing pincer grasp or for baby to gnaw on whole if they’re advanced eaters. They’re also soft enough to mash with a fork if you’re doing a combo feeding approach.
Make It a Meal
Here are a few sides I pair with these meatballs for a quick, balanced baby meal:
- A smear of hummus or yogurt for dipping
- Steamed broccoli or zucchini
- Roasted sweet potato cubes
- Sliced fruit (like banana or steamed apple)
These baby led weaning meatballs have been such a helpful meal prep item in our BLW journey. They’re healthy, filling, and easy to grab when you don’t feel like cooking from scratch every meal (which, let’s be honest, is most days).
Let me know if you give these a try!!
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