12 Finger Foods That Don't Come From A Box

Skip highly processed finger foods for these natural, nutritious bites babies and toddlers will love to get their hands on.

- Natalia Stasenko

1. Well-cooked beans 

Once your baby has developed the pincer grasp, go beans! They make an ideal finger food, thanks to their mild taste and soft texture. They are full of protein, fibre, and folic acid. Rinse them well before cooking.

2. Tender chopped meats

Softened meat can be a smart source of iron, an important nutrient for babies, especially if you are breastfeeding. It is now recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a first solid food, so it’s a perfect finger food as soon as your baby is ready to pick up small pieces, usually between 7 and 9 months of age. You need to make sure that the meat is cooked until it is very soft. Then you cut it in very small pieces. Ground meat in meatballs and burgers typically has a softer texture which makes it a lot easier for your tiny tot to nibble on it.

3. Thick cereal, sticky rice, and mashed potatoes

This is rather unconventional and messy! It is one of those finger foods that babies love self-feeding. So protect the floor (and your sanity) by placing a plastic mat under your baby’s high chair before allowing her to dip her fingers or even grab the food in her first. Just remember, playing with food is an important developmental step and can even help children be better learners.

4. Steamed or broiled fish