Baby and toddler recipes

🌽 Mini corn arepas with avocado

Little Venezuelan and Colombian style corn cakes made with cornmeal and a little mozzarella, served with mashed avocado. Naturally gluten free and great for little hands.

From 9 monthsPrep 15 minCook 15 minFreezes wellContains: Milk

Makes about 8 mini arepas

Ingredients

  • 100g precooked white corn flour (masarepa), or fine cornmeal
  • about 150ml warm water
  • 30g Mozzarella (grated)
  • 1 tsp Rapeseed oil
  • half Avocado (mashed with a squeeze of lime)
  • a squeeze Lime

Method

  1. Mix the corn flour and warm water into a soft dough. Leave for 5 minutes, then knead until smooth.
  2. Knead in the grated mozzarella.
  3. Roll into walnut sized balls and flatten into discs about 1cm thick.
  4. Heat the oil in a non stick pan on a medium heat.
  5. Cook the arepas for 5 to 6 minutes each side until golden and cooked through.
  6. Cool and serve split open with mashed avocado.

Serving it to your baby

From 9 months, cut each arepa into quarters or strips and spread with avocado. The outside should be lightly crisp but the inside soft.

For the rest of the family

Make larger arepas for adults and stuff with black beans, cheese, shredded chicken and salsa, seasoning to taste.

Storing and reheating

Cool and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a dry pan until hot through, then cool.

How to introduce milk

Weaning with OBubba

Plan meals and log what your baby loved.

OBubba keeps a record of every food your baby has tried and spots the allergens for you, so you always know what is next. Free to download.

Download for iPhoneGet it on Android

Questions parents ask

Can babies eat cornmeal?

Yes. Corn flours like masarepa and polenta are gluten free and fine from 6 months once cooked.

Is mozzarella OK for babies?

Yes, pasteurised mozzarella is mild and relatively low in salt.

OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).