18 Easy Finger Food Recipes for Babies 9–12 Months Old

Yesterday your baby was gumming purees, and today they’re reaching for food from your plate! That tiny hand stretching toward your lunch means big changes are coming.

Between 9-12 months, your little one begins their journey into self-feeding. Watching them concentrate on picking up a pea can turn an ordinary Tuesday into something special – even if half the food ends up in their hair.

In this post, I’ll share when to start finger foods, which foods to try first, and 18 simple recipes perfect for little hands.

You’ll learn how to safely introduce new textures and flavors while supporting your baby’s growing independence. Let’s make mealtime fun for both of you!

When to Introduce Babies to Finger Foods?

Your baby is ready for finger foods when they can sit up without help and pick up small things with their thumb and finger.

Most babies show these skills around 8-9 months, but each child moves at their own speed. Always stay with your baby during meals to keep them safe.

Cut all foods into small, soft pieces about the size of your fingertip. This makes it easier for your baby to pick up and reduces the risk of choking. Remember that learning to eat this way takes time and practice.

Finger Food Recipes for Babies 9-12 Months

Ready to transform your kitchen into a baby-friendly food lab? These 18 recipes are perfect for tiny hands and developing taste buds.

Each one is packed with nutrients your growing baby needs, while being simple enough for busy parents to prepare in minutes.

1. Steamed Carrot Sticks

Carrots offer natural sweetness and plenty of vitamin A for growing eyes, while the stick shape helps little hands practice their grip.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium carrots
• Water for steaming

Steps:

1. Peel carrots and cut into finger-sized sticks.
2. Steam until very soft (about 15-20 minutes).
3. Cool completely before serving.

2. Avocado Toast Fingers

The healthy fats in avocado help brain development, and the toast strips make perfect handles for eager eaters.

Ingredients:

• 1 slice of whole wheat bread
• ¼ ripe avocado
• Pinch of pepper (optional)

Steps:

1. Toast bread lightly.
2. Mash avocado and spread on toast.
3. Cut into thin strips.

3. Soft Broccoli Tots

These tots sneak in veggies with a mild cheese flavor that most babies enjoy, plus their small size is perfect for tiny fingers.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons shredded cheese

Steps:

1. Chop steamed broccoli finely.
2. Mix with egg, bread crumbs, and cheese.
3. Form small tots and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

4. Sweet Potato and Apple Patties

The natural pairing of sweet potato and apple creates a flavor mix babies love, with added fiber and vitamins in every bite.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked sweet potato
• ½ cup grated apple
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Pinch of cinnamon

Steps:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Form small patties.
3. Cook in a lightly oiled pan until golden on both sides.

5. Banana Pancake Bites

With just three ingredients, these pancake bites offer a soft texture and natural sweetness that babies can easily mash with their gums.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons flour

Steps:

1. Mash the banana and mix with the egg and flour.
2. Drop small spoonfuls into a lightly oiled pan.
3. Cook until bubbles form, then flip and cook the other side.

6. Mini Oatmeal Balls

These fiber-rich balls help introduce peanut butter safely, while the oatmeal provides lasting energy for active babies.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked oatmeal
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon mashed banana

Steps:

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Roll into small balls.
3. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

7. Mashed Lentil Squares

Lentils are packed with protein and iron that growing babies need. Their mild taste pairs well with the slightly sweet carrot.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked red lentils
• 1 tablespoon grated carrot
• 1 egg

Steps:

1. Mix lentils with carrot and egg.
2. Pour into a small baking dish.
3. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, then cut into squares.

8. Soft Boiled Egg Pieces

Eggs offer complete protein in an easy-to-eat package, and the soft yolk is mild and creamy for babies just learning to eat solids.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg

Steps:

1. Place the egg in cold water and bring to a boil.
2. Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 6 minutes.
3. Peel and cut into small pieces.

9. Quinoa Veggie Fritters

Quinoa adds protein and texture while the mild zucchini blends in, making these fritters a nutritional powerhouse in disguise.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked quinoa
• ¼ cup grated zucchini
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon flour

Steps:

1. Squeeze water from zucchini.
2. Mix all ingredients together.
3. Form small fritters and cook in a lightly oiled pan until golden.

10. Soft Cheese and Spinach Bites

The creamy ricotta hides the spinach’s taste while adding calcium for growing bones and teeth.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped spinach
• 1 egg yolk

Steps:

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Drop by spoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet.
3. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

11. Whole Wheat Pasta with Soft Veggies

Small pasta shapes are perfect for practicing pincer grasp, while peas add a pop of color and gentle sweetness that babies enjoy.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked small pasta shapes
• ¼ cup steamed peas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

1. Cook pasta until very soft.
2. Mix with steamed peas and olive oil.
3. Cut larger pasta pieces in half if needed.

12. Ripe Mango Chunks

Mangoes melt in the mouth with tropical sweetness and vitamin C, making them a perfect no-cook finger food option.

Ingredients:

• ½ ripe mango

Steps:

1. Peel the mango and remove the pit.
2. Cut flesh into small, soft chunks.
3. Serve fresh.

13. Mini Meatballs (baked)

These protein-packed meatballs help introduce meat in a form that’s easy to pick up and gentle on tender gums.

Ingredients:

• ¼ pound ground turkey
• 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon grated onion

Steps:

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Form into tiny meatballs.
3. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes or until fully cooked.

14. Zucchini Muffins (sugar-free)

These muffins use banana for natural sweetness while sneaking in zucchini, creating a soft texture perfect for little mouths.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grated zucchini
• 1 mashed banana
• 1 egg
• 1 cup flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

1. Mix wet ingredients, then add dry ingredients.
2. Pour into mini muffin tins.
3. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

15. Mashed Chickpea Patties

Chickpeas offer plant-based protein and iron, and their mild, nutty flavor pairs well with the bright hint of lemon.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup canned chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Steps:

1. Mash chickpeas with a fork.
2. Add oil and lemon juice, mix well.
3. Form small patties and cook in a pan until golden.

16. Tiny Turkey & Sweet Potato Cubes

The sweet potato helps bind the turkey together while adding moisture and nutrients that complement the lean protein.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup cooked ground turkey
• ¼ cup cooked sweet potato
• Pinch of garlic powder

Steps:

1. Mix the turkey and sweet potato together.
2. Add garlic powder if using.
3. Form into small cubes and warm before serving.

17. Pear Slices with Cinnamon Dust

Pears have a gentle sweetness and soft texture that’s easy on babies’ gums, while the hint of cinnamon adds warmth and new flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe pear
• Pinch of ground cinnamon

Steps:

1. Peel the pear and remove the core.
2. Cut into small, thin slices.
3. Sprinkle with a tiny bit of cinnamon.

18. Egg-Free Banana Waffles

Perfect for babies with egg allergies, these waffles still offer a fun texture and natural sweetness that little ones can easily handle.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

1. Mash the banana and mix with milk.
2. Add flour and baking powder.
3. Cook in a waffle iron, then cut into small pieces.

What Kind of Finger Foods Should You Start With

Begin with foods that are soft-cooked and easy for little hands to hold. Good first options include steamed vegetable sticks, ripe banana slices, and small bits of scrambled egg.

These foods are soft enough to mash with gentle pressure. Pick foods that have mild flavors at first. Your baby is still getting used to different tastes.

As they get more comfortable, you can slowly add new flavors and textures to their meals.

How to Help a Baby Start Eating Finger Foods?

Offer finger foods alongside purees that your baby is already used to eating. This makes the change less sudden. Don’t worry about the mess – exploring food with hands is how babies learn.

Try eating the same foods as your baby during meals.

They learn by watching you. Keep offering new foods even if your baby seems unsure at first – it can take many tries before they accept something new.

Your Finger Food Travel Begins!

Hey mama, you’ve got this finger food adventure! Those messy high chair moments aren’t just about food – they’re your baby’s steps toward independence.

Don’t stress if they reject something new or turn your kitchen into an art studio. Take it slow and remember there’s no rush; your baby will learn at their own perfect pace.

The yogurt in their hair? Just proof you’re doing it right! Every squished banana is actually a science experiment for those curious minds.

Which recipe will become your baby’s favorite? Share your tiny foodie’s adventures in the comments below!