Feeding a 10-month-old baby opens up an exciting world of meal ideas and food choices. At this age, your baby can handle more textures and flavors, from soft meats to mashed potatoes.

While baby food in jars might be convenient, making fresh meals allows you to control ingredients and introduce your little one to the foods your family enjoys. The recipes in this guide offer simple, nutritious options that support your baby’s growth.

Many registered dietitians agree that exposing babies to various tastes and textures at this stage helps develop healthy eating habits, so let’s learn how to follow that advice.

1. Sweet Potato and Chicken Mash

This meal gives your baby plenty of vitamins and protein. You’ll need a sweet potato, some cooked chicken breast, and about 15 minutes to prepare it.

First, peel and cut the sweet potato into small cubes. Put them in a pot with water and boil until they’re soft – you should be able to pierce them easily with a fork. While the sweet potato cooks, finely shred the cooked chicken using two forks or your fingers.

Drain the sweet potatoes and mash them with a fork or potato masher. Mix in the shredded chicken. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of breast milk, formula, or water to make it smoother.

Let it cool to room temperature before serving. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

Tip: Make extra mashed sweet potato and freeze it in ice cube trays. This way, you’ll always have some ready to mix with chicken for a quick meal.

Related: Easy Baby Meal Ideas to Introduce New Flavors and Textures 

2. Avocado Toast

Avocado toast works great for babies who are ready for finger foods. It’s soft, nutritious, and takes just minutes to make.

Pick a ripe avocado — it should feel slightly soft when you press it. Cut it in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh into a bowl. Mash it with a fork until smooth. You can add a tiny bit of breast milk to make it creamier if needed.

Choose a soft whole-grain bread and toast it lightly. Cut off the crusts and slice the toast into small pieces or strips that are the right size for your baby’s pincer grasp. Spread the mashed avocado on top.

This meal gives your baby healthy fats and makes a great breakfast or lunch option. The whole family can enjoy it, too — just add some pepper to the grown-up portions (skip the salt for your baby’s serving).

A quick tip: If you’re following baby-led weaning, cut the toast into finger-sized strips. This helps your baby practice their self-feeding skills while enjoying regular food with the family.

3. Oatmeal with Fruit

Oatmeal mixed with soft fruits creates a nutritious breakfast packed with fiber and vitamins. Babies at 10 months old can enjoy this warm, comforting meal just like the rest of the family.

Start with plain oatmeal — the regular kind works fine; no need for special baby oatmeal. Cook it in water, breast milk, or formula until it’s very soft. The texture should be runny enough for your baby to eat easily.

Now for the sweet part: add mashed banana or applesauce. These soft fruits give natural sweetness without any added sugar. You can also try other fruits like mashed peaches or small pieces of soft cooked apples.

The combination of oatmeal and fruit provides the energy and nutrients your growing baby needs. Many babies love eating oatmeal because it’s easy to swallow and feels good on teething gums. Plus, it’s a filling breakfast that keeps your baby satisfied.

Related: Top Meal Prep Ideas for Picky Eaters: A Parent’s Guide 

4. Mini Vegetable Fritters

These soft, bite-sized fritters pack lots of veggies into a form your baby can easily handle. They’re perfect finger foods for developing your baby’s self-feeding skills at 10 months old.

Grab a zucchini and a sweet potato — these veggies make the base of our fritters. Grate them finely, then squeeze out extra moisture using a clean kitchen towel. Mix the grated vegetables with a small amount of flour to help bind everything together.

Heat a little olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Drop small spoonfuls of the mixture into the oil and flatten them slightly. Cook until golden brown on both sides. The fritters should be soft enough to squish between your fingers – that’s how you’ll know they’re perfect for your baby to eat.

These veggie-packed bites work great for lunch or dinner. They’re also an excellent way to introduce new vegetables to your baby’s diet. The whole family can enjoy them too. Simply add a pinch of herbs to the grown-up portions.

5. Cheesy Pasta

Small pasta shapes mixed with creamy cheese sauce offer the perfect texture for your 10-month-old baby. This simple dish packs protein and energy into a meal your little one can practice picking up.

Pick tiny pasta shapes like stars, small shells, or mini wheels. They’re ideal for your baby’s pincer grasp. Cook them until they’re very soft, a bit past what adults would call “al dente.” Drain the pasta, but save a little cooking water.

For the sauce, melt mild cheese with a splash of whole milk in a small pan over low heat. Stir constantly until smooth. Mix the sauce with the pasta, adding a tiny bit of the saved cooking water if needed to keep everything creamy.

Test the temperature carefully before serving (cheese sauce stays hot longer than plain pasta). Cut any larger pasta pieces into smaller bits if needed. Your baby might enjoy eating this dish for lunch or dinner.

6. Cottage Cheese with Soft Fruit

Cottage cheese with fruit gives your baby a protein-rich base for a healthy breakfast or snack. Its soft, easy-to-eat texture makes it an excellent food for 10-month-olds learning to feed themselves.

Choose full-fat cottage cheese — babies need these healthy fats for growth. Top it with small pieces of very ripe peaches or soft berries. Cut the fruit into tiny bits that your baby can grab with their pincer grasp.

Make sure all berries are soft enough to squish between your fingers. Hard fruits could be a choking risk. Ripe peaches work particularly well because they’re naturally soft and sweet. You can also try mashed banana or applesauce as alternatives.

This simple combination offers protein, calcium, and vitamins in one meal. The mild flavor of cottage cheese pairs nicely with sweet fruits, making it appealing for babies just starting to explore different tastes.

7. Scrambled Eggs with Spinach

Scrambled eggs and spinach offer protein-rich nutrition that’s easy for your 10-month-old to eat. Adding spinach boosts the vitamins and minerals in this simple breakfast.

Finely chop fresh spinach leaves, or if you’re using frozen spinach, thaw and drain it well. Beat a fresh egg in a bowl. Add the spinach to your beaten egg. The small pieces will cook right into the eggs.

Cook the mixture in a pan over low heat, stirring gently. Skip the butter or oil if possible — non-stick pans work great for eggs. Keep stirring until the eggs are fully cooked but still soft and moist. Hard, dry eggs can be tough for babies to eat.

Let the eggs cool until they’re just warm, not hot. Break up any large pieces into small, baby-sized bites. Many babies love the soft texture of scrambled eggs, and they’re perfect for practicing the pincer grasp.

8. Black Bean and Rice Bowl

Soft black beans paired with well-cooked rice create a filling meal full of protein and fiber. This bowl works great for 10-month-olds who’ve mastered picking up soft foods.

Cook white or brown rice until it’s extra soft, a bit mushier than you’d make it for yourself. Rinse canned black beans well, then mash them with a fork. Mix some of the mashed beans with the rice to help everything stick together.

Cut a ripe avocado into tiny pieces or mash it slightly. Sprinkle these creamy bits over your rice and bean mixture. The avocado adds healthy fats that your baby needs for growth.

The different textures in this meal help your baby practice handling various foods. Keep the pieces small enough for your baby’s pincer grasp. You might notice your little one gets better at picking up food with each meal.

A Few Extra Words

Creating nutritious meal ideas for your 10-month-old doesn’t need to be complicated. From simple mashed sweet potatoes to more adventurous pasta dishes, these recipes prove that baby food can be both nutritious and easy to prepare.

Each meal supports your baby’s development while introducing new tastes and textures. Remember to adjust portions and consistency based on your baby’s needs, and always watch them while they eat.

With these recipes as your starting point, you can mix and match ingredients to create countless healthy meals your little one will enjoy.