Blueberry Spinach Puree for Toddler Snack Pouches

Apparently, the part of me who used to make all of Bean’s baby food from scratch was still in there somewhere. She resurfaced the minute toddler snack pouches entered our lives.

I had purchased a few of the premade pouches from the store, but the frugal queen in me immediately started thinking, “I can make those.” So, naturally, I went to Amazon and ordered reusable food pouches! *the pouches I bought back in 2014 when I originally wrote this are no longer available, but there’s an even better option now!

This blueberry spinach puree was one of the first combinations I tried. It has blueberries and apples to make it naturally sweet, plus spinach blended right in. The blueberries also help disguise the fact that there are greens involved, which never hurts when you’re feeding a suspicious toddler.

The whole recipe comes together in about 15 minutes and can be served with a spoon or added to reusable snack pouches. You can also add a little extra water while blending if you need a thinner consistency.

Bean was slightly confused by the first bite because I think she was expecting plain applesauce. But once she figured out what was happening, it was immediately, “More! More!”

Toddler approved. Frugal-mom approved. And much easier to make than I originally expected.

Spinach note: I originally made this with a spinach and kale mixture because that was what I had at home. You can still use a mixture, but plain baby spinach gives the puree a milder flavor.

How to Make Blueberry Spinach Puree

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

Peel, core, and chop the apples into small, evenly sized pieces. Smaller pieces will soften more quickly and blend more smoothly.

Step 2: Cook the Fruit

Add the chopped apples, frozen blueberries, and ¼ cup water to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Step 3: Simmer Until Soft

Reduce the heat and simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The apples should be completely tender and easy to pierce with a fork.

Step 4: Add the Spinach

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the spinach and stir it into the warm fruit mixture for 2–3 minutes, or until the leaves have wilted.

Step 5: Blend the Puree

Blend the fruit and spinach until completely smooth. I like using an immersion blender because I can blend everything directly in the saucepan, but a countertop blender or baby-food blender will also work.

Step 6: Adjust the Consistency

Check the consistency after blending. If the puree is too thick for your reusable pouches, add more water 1 tablespoon at a time and blend again.

How Thick Should the Puree Be?

The finished puree should be smooth and thick enough to stay on a spoon, but loose enough to move through the opening of a reusable pouch. It may thicken slightly as it cools, so avoid adding too much water at once.

Start with the original ¼ cup of water. After blending, add more water 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches the consistency you need.

Step 7: Cool Before Filling

Allow the puree to cool before transferring it to reusable food pouches or storage containers. Follow the pouch manufacturer’s filling, cleaning, and storage instructions.

Does Blueberry Spinach Puree Taste Like Spinach?

The blueberry and apple flavors are much stronger than the spinach in this puree. The spinach changes the color, but it does not make the finished recipe taste like a green smoothie or salad.

For the mildest version, use baby spinach instead of kale or a spinach-and-kale blend.

How to Store Blueberry Spinach Puree

Allow the puree to cool before transferring it to a covered container or reusable pouch. Refrigerate it promptly and follow current food-safety guidance for homemade fruit and vegetable purees.

To freeze the puree, divide it into small portions using freezer-safe pouches or a silicone freezer tray. Label each portion with the recipe name and date.

Follow the reusable pouch manufacturer’s instructions for freezing, thawing, cleaning, and reuse.

Bean has given this recipe her approval. She was a little confused with the first taste because she expected applesauce, but after the first slurp settled it was, “More! More!”

I’ll consider that a toddler recipe success. 🙂