Easy Easter Recipes and Basket Ideas for Baby Led Weaning

Your little ones can still get in on the Easter celebration with these healthy Easter treats for babies and kids. I’ll share some Easter basket goodies ideal for babies too!

In this post, I’ll share five sugar-free, salt-free Easter recipes, each using whole, simple ingredients. Also included are ten fun Easter basket fillers perfect for babies. Whether you’re hosting a simple get together on Good Friday, or a large family Easter celebration, these ideas will help you balance nutrition with taste and fun. 

How to Serve Easter Foods for Baby-Led Weaning

These are general guidelines for serving food to babies for baby-led weaning. When in doubt, check out solidstarts First Foods database.  

• Younger Babies (6–8 months): Serve foods that are either unbreakable food teethers like a mango pit, fibrous like an asparagus spear, soft like a cooked cauliflower floret, or soft and scoopable food like yogurt. 
• Older Babies (9–12 months): Bite-sized pieces, very thin slices, and shreds of food go well at this age because babies are developing the pincer grasp to pick up food on their own. 
• Toddlers (12+ months): Soft pieces or thinly sliced or shredded meat. 

Easter Recipes for Baby-Led Weaning

1. Carrot and Banana Mini Muffins

These soft, naturally sweetened muffins are packed with nutrients. Spread cream cheese on top for added fat and energy-packed calories. These also work as a “baby cupcake” for a first birthday celebration if you choose to avoid added sugar.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Steps:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or line a mini muffin tin.
  2. Mix the mashed bananas, grated carrots, applesauce, vanilla, and egg in a bowl.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon stirring until combined.
  4. Spoon the batter into the muffin tin and bake for 12–15 minutes.
• How to Serve:
  • For 6–8 months: cut in half and spread butter or cream cheese on halves
  • For 9–12 months: Serve as halves or whole muffins.
  • For 12+ months: Offer whole muffins as finger foods.
• Nutritional Benefits: Rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin A for healthy digestion and vision.
• Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

2. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes and winter squashes are the perfect, soft texture for babies and are super nutritious for the entire family. Sweet potato casserole can be dressed up with butter and spices and makes a great holiday side dish. 

• Ingredients:
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1/4 cup half and half milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla 
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon 
  • 1/4 cup ground pecans
• Steps:
  1. Steam or boil the sweet potatoes until soft.
  2. Mash with half and half milk, egg, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth.
  3. Sprinkle ground pecans on top
  4. Bake in a small casserole dish at 375°F for 10 minutes.
• How to Serve:
  • For 6 + months: Serve as is. For 6-9 months you can preload a spoon. These NumNum GOOtensils work well for grabbing purees.
• Nutritional Benefits: Provides beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber for immunity and digestion.
• Storage Tips: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze in portions for up to 1 month.

3. Easter Fruit Bites

These bright, fun, and hydrating fruit bites can be served to babies at 12+ months or when mature chewing and swallowing patterns have evolved. These fruits can be served to babies at 6 months and up but must be modified to safely chew and hold for younger babies. See notes below for serving suggestions!

• Ingredients:
  • Watermelon, cantaloupe, kiwi
• Steps:
  1. Use Easter egg-shaped cookie cutters to slice fruit into fun egg, star, crosses, or other Easter shapes.
  2. Arrange on a platter or serve individually.
• How to Serve:
  • For 6–8 months: Watermelon: serve in sticks, the width and length of two adult fingers. Cantaloupe: a flat, crescent moon shape. Kiwi: Whole or half kiwi
  • For 9-12 months: Watermelon: serve as is in small, fun shapes. Cantaloupe: long, flat slices. Kiwi: serve as is. 
  • 12+ months: serve as is in fun shapes
• Nutritional Benefits: Very hydrating, vitamins C and A, and antioxidants.
• Storage Tips: Serve fresh. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

4. Pink Hummus Easter Spread and Dip

A colorful Easter twist on classic hummus, perfect for dipping or spreading on toast. Check out the full recipe in this Easy Valentine’s Day Recipes and Activities for Babies and Kids post.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 small cooked beet
  • 1 can chickpeas
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Cooked veggies (for 6 months+)
  • Raw veggies (for 2 years old +)

• How to Serve:
  • For 6–8 months: Spread thinly on lightly toasted bread, slice into toast “fingers” the length and width of two adult fingers. Dip cooked, easily squished veggies into hummus
  • For 9–12 months: Let baby self-dip with soft veggies or toast squares
  • For 12+ months: Serve as a dip with crackers or safely served veggies. Serve the hummus with raw veggies like peppers or cucumbers. Never serve round foods like carrot coins due to increased choking risk. 
• Nutritional Benefits: Healthy fats, vitamin K, and protein for muscle and bone health.
• Storage Tips: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.

5. No Added Sugar Easter Bunny Paw Cookies

So cute and fun to make with kids, these Easter bunny paws are sure to be a hit!

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk
  • 10 raspberries
  • 4 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional for toddlers)
• Steps:
  1. Mix flour, butter, and milk to form a dough ball. Roll into a log, wrap in plastic wrap and place in fridge for 30 minutes. 
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet.
  3. When dough has hardened, take out of fridge and cut 1 inch cookies from the log. Cut circle in half and roll one half into ball. Flatten this ball to make the “base” of the paw. Split the other circle half into 3 pieces. Roll these 3 pieces into balls, flatten them, and place at the top of the paw. Continue until all dough has been used.
  4. ​Use your thumb to make an indent in the middle of each flattened ball. 
  5. ​Bake for 8-10 minutes and press down indents after removing from the oven.
  6. ​Mash the raspberries into the cream cheese. Mix in powdered sugar if you’d like. 
  7. Add icing to each indent to make a bunny paw. 
• How to Serve:
  • For 6+ months: serve these Easter cookies as is 
• Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Natural Food Dyed Hard-Boiled Easter Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are super nutritious and dying them can be a great Easter activity for toddlers and kids. and creative Easter treat. Use the foods below to create a natural food dye!

• Steps to Dye Eggs Naturally:
  1. Boil red cabbage for blue, turmeric for yellow, or beets for pink dye.
  2. Soak peeled boiled eggs in the dye until they reach the desired color.
• How to Serve:
  • For 6–9 months: Mashed the boiled egg and mix with breastmilk/ formula, water, or cow’s milk. Serve on a preloaded spoon. 
  • For 9+ months: Serve in small soft pieces.
• Nutritional Benefits: Excellent source of protein and choline for brain development.

Asparagus Spear Easter Recipe

Babies love chewing and sucking on asparagus spears! They are a great vegetable side that babies of any age can enjoy!

• Steps:
  1. Bake asparagus with olive oil until just soft when speared with a fork. 
  2. Cool to room temperature before serving.

• How to Serve:
  • For 6–9 months: Serve as is. 
  • For 9-18 months: Cut lengthwise and then into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins K and C and fiber. 

Ten Easter Basket Filler Ideas for Babies

1. Easter crinkle sensory book
2.  Soft stacking rings 
3. Sensory blocks
4. Board books: Foster early reading with favorites like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear”, or “Dear Zoo”, My First Easter
5. Easter teether
6. Easter puppet board book
7. ​Soft plush bunny
8. Baby bunny piano
9. Feeding essentials: Encourage fuss-free eating kids with items like silicone bibs, baby silicone spoons, and an open cup. These can make baby’s fun mealtime even easier for you and them!
10. Baby bath toys

How to make Baby-Led Weaning at Easter with Family a Success

• Bring a Safe Dish: Share one of these recipes with everyone or check out my other recipes for babies.  
• Pack Essentials: A portable high chair, smock bib, and wipes make mealtimes easier.
• Set Expectations: Educate your family on baby led weaning. Let them know your baby is able to explore new foods on their own in a safe way and it allows everyone to enjoy the meal together. 
• Stay Flexible: Focus on creating a positive experience. Don’t worry about cleaning up your baby or the floor until after the meal. Feed your baby when they are not overly hungry (breastfeed babies 12 months and younger before meals) and are not overtired. 
• Keep safety first: Be mindful of choking hazards like whole nuts, hard candies, or sticky foods that are common around Easter and other holidays. Use solidstarts as a resource to understand how to serve foods safely by your baby’s age. Use a highchair with a food rest or hold your baby while they eat. Opt for easy-to-hold items that allow baby to explore and be entertained so you can enjoy your meal too!
• Include the family: Many Easter recipes can double as dishes for the entire family, making it easier to celebrate together.
• Plan for traditions: If participating in Easter egg hunts, consider baby-safe Easter eggs or baby-safe toys for babies and young children.

Best Tips for Baby-led Weaning at Easter

• Plan ahead- pack meal time essentials like a high chair, bib, and utensils.
• Bring a dish that is baby-friendly
• Educate family and friends on the benefits of baby-led weaning before your Easter celebration
• Enjoy the day with your family and baby!