This post was in partnership with Cerebelly but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"Trying to think of creative ways to sneak fruits and vegetables into your little one’s diet is truly a parenting tale as old as time. In reality, we almost never have the time to make an elaborate meal that’s both nutritionally valuable and kiddo-approved. We know that it’s 2024, so we are not about to tell you to make the classic cauliflower mac and cheese or throw together a wild berry smoothie. Instead, a snack your kids are most likely already obsessed with is the key ingredient for healthy meals you’ve been waiting for: puree pouches. And the baby food pouches from Cerebelly are by far the best choice for recipes to make with kids pouches, giving a simple yet yummy meal that packs all of the nutrients and benefits your toddler needs.
According to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Kacie Barnes, Cerebelly products are the perfect way to sneak a ton of nutrients into the diet of even the pickiest eaters, as they’re some of the most scientifically and nutritionally sound formulations of any baby products on the market. With an impressive ratio of macronutrients, brain-boosting nutrient blends, and an array of vitamins and minerals necessary to support growing brains and bodies, using baby food pouches on their own or in simple recipes is the ultimate, Everymom-approved mealtime hack. So, if you’re looking for some nutritionally dense and tasty meals you can whip up for your kiddos in no time, these five recipes made with the Cerebelly baby food pouches are going to quickly become a part of your household’s weekly menu:
1. Blueberry, Beet, and Banana Muffins
These muffins are the perfect quick breakfast or nutrient-dense, low-sugar treat for picky eaters. When it comes to kids who aren’t always the most open-minded when it comes to foods, Barnes recommends always trying to incorporate their “safe foods” (AKA foods they know they like) into each meal. So, if your kid is a fan of muffins or cupcakes, this is definitely a must-try healthy alternative. With rolled oats, cinnamon, and blueberries, it’s like oatmeal in a snackable, on-the-go format. And the best part? You can quickly make them on Sunday or Monday for a no-brainer, healthy option to grab for your kids throughout the week.
Ingredients
- 1 Cerebelly Beet Carrot Blueberry pouch
- 1 ripe banana
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup gluten-free, all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a muffin tin with nine muffin liners.
2. Mash the banana in a medium-sized mixing bowl, then add in the eggs, beet carrot blueberry packet, avocado oil, and vanilla extract, and whisk to combine.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, and mix until thoroughly combined.
5. Add in the blueberries and mix until well incorporated.
6. Portion the batter evenly across the muffin liners, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
Cerebelly
2. Carrot Chickpea Fritters
It’s no secret that sneaking in veggies is definitely more of a feat than sneaking in fruits. While the flavor of the carrot-chickpea pouch is tasty on its own, adding it into a recipe like these delicious fritters is the perfect way to incorporate even more veggies into a meal they’ll love. Barnes assures us that toddlers being picky is very normal and expected, as developing neophobia—the rejection of new or unfamiliar foods—is typical for children aged 18-24 months. These fritters are a creative and tasty way to combat this aversion to vegetables as best as you can.
Ingredients
- 1 Cerebelly Carrot Chickpea pouch
- 15-ounce can chickpeas, strained
- 1 medium carrot, grated (about ½ cup)
- ¼ cup flat-leaved parsley
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ⅓ cup whole wheat flour
- Oil for frying
Instructions
1. Place chickpeas, carrots, parsley, garlic, salt, cumin, and coriander in a food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse until combined but still chunky.
2. Add the Cerebelly Carrot Chickpea Pouch and flour. Pulse a few times until a dough has formed. Add a little more flour if the dough seems wet.
3. Shape approximately 14 small patties between the palms of your hands and press gently to flatten.
4. Pan-fry in oil for 3 minutes on each side or bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Cerebelly
3. Black Bean Sweet Potato Quesadillas
OK, what kid doesn’t love cheese and a tortilla? These flavorful and ridiculously easy quesadillas go the extra mile by sneaking in a healthy dose of iron, folate, iodine, and other nutrients. This pouch is also a great source of healthy fats, which Barnes explains as being crucial for these developmental years. Babies and children need higher amounts of fat for central nervous system development, and Cerebelly products like this one feature high-quality fats like olive oil and other important, brain-boosting nutrients that many children don’t consume in adequate amounts. This is a recipe the whole family will absolutely love.
Ingredients
- 1 Cerebelly Black Bean Sweet Potato pouch
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- Salt to taste
- Shredded white cheese
- Your choice of tortillas
- Lime wedges for serving
- Sour Cream for serving
Instructions
1. Stir together black bean pouch, cumin, oregano, and salt.
2. Spread the mixture evenly on one tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese and your other favorite filling items of choice, then close with another tortilla.
3. Heat a frying pan or a griddle to medium heat. Fry the quesadilla on dry pan for 2 minutes on each side or until slightly crisp and browned and the cheese has melted.
4. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, radishes, and lime wedges.
Cerebelly
4. Carrot Pumpkin Spice Loaf
We’re firm believers that pumpkin spice should be a year-round affair, and this loaf is the perfect treat without being loaded with sugar, making it a great choice to bake with the kids. The carrots and pumpkin from this Cerebelly pouch pack a double punch of antioxidants like beta-carotene to support little immune systems (and grown-up ones, too). Combined with oats that add fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, you almost won’t believe how something so good could carry so many benefits.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1½ cups oats
- 10 walnuts, chopped (optional)
- 1¼ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1¼ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ⅔ teaspoon salt
- 1 pouch Cerebelly Carrot Pumpkin puree
- 1 cup milk of your choice (regular, almond, coconut, oat)
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease an 8½-inch loaf pan.
3. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
4. Mix the Cerebelly Carrot Pumpkin puree, milk, and honey together in another bowl.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon.
6. Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
7. After it cools slightly, it’s ready to eat! In the unlikely event that there’s any leftover, store it in an airtight container—a zip-top bag works well.
Cerebelly
5. Butternut Squash White Bean Hummus
If you’re one of the lucky ones whose toddlers are a bit more on the adventurous side when it comes to trying new foods, this hummus is a delicious game-changer. Plus, it is insanely easy to throw together and have in the fridge ready for school lunches and afternoon snacks. This specific pouch’s combo of protein, iron, Vitamin B12, choline, and vitamin B6 is crucial for the growth of areas like your child’s cingulum, which helps regulate cognitive functions like attention, memory, and visual and spatial skills. According to Barnes, these are key areas of development nourished by the foods we give to our kids. With some pita bread or chips, this savory recipe will become a go-to in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 Cerebelly Butternut Squash White Bean pouch
- 1 can cannellini beans, drained
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon tahini
- Juice from 1 lemon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Pinch black pepper
- Pita bread for dipping
Instructions
1. Mix all the ingredients together in a jar or other airtight vessel.
2. Store in the fridge for a minimum of four hours and a maximum of five days.
This post was in partnership with Cerebelly but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.