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 Top Ten Finger Foods for Babies 

Starting solids at an early age is typically a necessary step in the process of weaning your baby from breast milk or formula to solid foods. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all babies are ready for solids at the same time. 

If your little one still has no teeth, you may be wondering what types of baby foods are best for babies with no teeth—and which should be avoided altogether.

Yogurt

Babies are getting teeth earlier and earlier, so a good option to ease them into chewing food is to give them something that’s soft and easy to chew on. Try adding some yogurt or applesauce to their baby cereal for something soft and nutritious. 

If you offer your baby yogurt, try taking it off of a spoon so that they get used to picking up food with their fingers—it will also help them learn how to eat independently.

Peas

A great source of iron, calcium and dietary fiber, boiled peas are delicious finger foods for babies. Just be sure to cook them until soft enough that your baby can easily swallow them. Avoid giving your baby frozen peas since they’re harder than their fresh counterparts.

Avocado

This fruit is not only one of nature’s most perfect snacks, but it’s also a great way to introduce your baby to foods that are packed with nutrition. The mild flavor won’t overwhelm your baby and provides an easy introduction to solid foods.

It contains plenty of fat and can easily be mashed on a high-chair tray or served in pieces as finger food. 

Cucumber

Cut it into slices, or even small discs. Hold them in front of your baby’s mouth to gently help her practice chewing without too much effort on her part. She can also play with cucumber slices by moving them around with her tongue and grasping them between her gums to pull them back and forth. Remember, she won’t be able to bite through a piece of cucumber just yet!

Apple Slices

Because they’re soft and easy to chew, apple slices are one of the best finger foods you can feed your baby when he has no teeth. Just don’t put them in a covered dish in case your little one bites down on more than just his snack! 

Your teeth are supposed to come through at different times—you might even notice a gap between them if you look closely!

Hard Boiled Egg

Hard-boiled eggs are a great finger food option because they're easy to peel, won't crumble in a baby's hands and can be bitten into easily by someone who isn't used to chewing. 

To prepare hard-boiled eggs, place them in a single layer in boiling water. Cover and cook over medium heat until they float (about 8 minutes). Remove from water with tongs and plunge immediately into cold water; set aside to cool completely before peeling.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

These are easy to make and a great snack when your baby’s first teeth have come in. To make these fries, simply wash and dry a sweet potato. Then, use a mandolin to slice them into thin slices (about 1/8 inch). Place them on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, then bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit until they are cooked through (about 20 minutes).

White Rice Cereal

Research has shown that eating rice cereal is beneficial for babies who have trouble breastfeeding. Not only does it aid in digestion, but it also introduces your child to a food that can be further developed upon once his or her teeth have grown in. 

White rice cereal is usually recommended as it’s easy on a baby’s developing tummy.

Corn Chips or Corn Salsa

Corn salsa is a great way to offer a tasty snack without worrying about little ones gnawing on large chunks of corn. 

It’s also quite versatile—you can make it as spicy or mild as you like by adjusting how much chili powder or cayenne pepper you add to it. If your baby has never had tomato before, be sure to introduce these finger foods in moderation, since they can cause stomach upset in young children.

Breadsticks

Soft breadsticks are a great option, since they don’t require any chewing. If your baby has teeth, you can also give them steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, and soft fruits—all of which are tasty and good for teething babies. 

Some parents may want to introduce their baby to tough foods like carrots or chicken. Just keep in mind that these foods will need to be cut into tiny pieces until your baby develops more of a pincer grip.