This is one of the first purées babies usually eat. Rice cereal is one of the recommended foods for babies starting solids from 4 months, since it’s easy to digest and has a mild flavor. It’s also rich in iron, magnesium and B vitamins.
The best thing about making homemade rice cereal is that it costs less than half the price of store-bought cereals and you know you’re using the best quality ingredients. Follow this step-by-step recipe to make a homemade rice cereal that the youngest babies will enjoy. It’s super easy!
How to make rice cereal for babies
- Rinse the rice well under the tap to remove the excess starch and keep it from turning sticky.
- Put the rice in a small saucepan with water or vegetable broth, without adding any salt. Cook the rice over low heat for about 20 minutes, until soft.
- Once it’s ready, drain it and blend with a hand blender until creamy. Gradually add more liquid if needed (cooking water, breast milk, formula or vegetable broth).
- Serve the cereal on a plate and, once it’s lukewarm, you can give it to your baby. They’re going to love it!
How to enrich rice cereal
- From 6 months, add 1 teaspoon of virgin olive oil to the cereal once it’s cooked and stir well. This improves the flavor and provides essential healthy fats, vitamins (A, D, E, K) and antioxidants.
- This cereal mixed with small pieces of fruit, compote or cooked vegetables (carrot, zucchini, pumpkin…) makes a super complete meal.
- Brown rice is a great option since it has more nutrients, but it needs a little more preparation and you should wait until your baby is at least 6 months old. Remember it’s important to follow the steps to remove arsenic from rice (soak it, rinse it under the tap and cook it in plenty of water). You’ll need to boil it for 5 more minutes since it’s a bit tougher.
Tips and tricks
- You can use different types of rice (bomba, senya, arborio…) so your baby gets used to slight changes in flavor.
- Rice cereal is also a great option for older babies who need a bland diet during a stomach bug or diarrhea.
- Once prepared, it can be stored in the fridge for 24 hours, although the texture will get a little thicker. When you reheat it, add a little liquid to bring back the creaminess.
For answers to other questions, check the frequently asked questions about homemade cereals.
