Ghee Recipes for Baby Weaning (6-12 Months): Complete First Foods Guide
Your baby is ready for solids, and you're wondering how to include ghee in their weaning diet. Traditional Indian wisdom meets modern nutrition—ghee has been nourishing Indian babies for centuries, and pediatricians agree it's one of the best first foods for brain development and healthy weight gain.
This guide provides 10+ easy ghee recipes for baby weaning from 6-12 months—dal, khichdi, porridge, and vegetable purees with exact ghee quantities by age. First, understand when and how much ghee to give babies.
👶 Why Ghee in Weaning Foods
Why Add Ghee to Baby Weaning Food?
When babies transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods around 6 months, they need healthy fats to support their rapid brain development. Ghee is the perfect first fat for Indian babies—it's part of our culinary heritage and medically recommended.
🧠 Brain Development
60% of your baby's brain is made of fat. Ghee's saturated fats and cholesterol are essential for myelin sheath formation—the coating that helps nerve signals travel faster.
💪 Healthy Weight Gain
Each teaspoon of ghee adds ~45 calories. For underweight babies or those with low appetite, ghee-enriched foods provide energy-dense nutrition without increasing portion size.
🍅 Vitamin Absorption
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. Without fat like ghee, your baby can't absorb these vitamins from vegetables and fruits. Ghee makes other foods more nutritious.
🩺 Digestive Comfort
Ghee lubricates the digestive tract, preventing constipation—a common issue when babies start solids. Butyric acid in ghee feeds gut cells and supports healthy digestion.
Ghee Quantities for Weaning: Age-Wise Guide
Before diving into recipes, know exactly how much ghee to add based on your baby's age. These are safe, pediatrician-approved guidelines:
6-7 Months (Just Starting)
Purees, dal water, thin porridges
Add melted ghee drops to dal water, mashed banana, or vegetable purees. Start with one meal per day.
7-8 Months (Developing Palate)
Mashed foods, soft khichdi, thicker purees
Add to 2 meals daily. Baby is now comfortable with solid textures.
8-10 Months (Active Crawler)
Regular khichdi, dal-rice, vegetable mash
Baby is actively crawling and needs more calories. Ghee becomes a regular part of meals.
10-12 Months (Almost Toddler)
Family foods, soft chapati, rice meals
Baby is transitioning to family foods. Add ghee to rice, soft rotis, and vegetable preparations.
💡 Important Tip:
Always add ghee after cooking when food has cooled slightly. This preserves nutrients and makes it easier for baby to digest. Never give ghee as a standalone—always mix it into food.
Ghee Recipes for 6-8 Months: First Tastes
At this stage, baby is just learning to eat. Foods should be smooth, thin, and easy to swallow. Here are the best first recipes with ghee:
🥣 1. Dal Ka Pani with Ghee
The classic first food for Indian babies—nutritious, easily digestible, and perfect for introducing ghee.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp moong dal (split yellow lentils)
- 1 cup water
- Pinch of turmeric (optional, after 7 months)
- 2-3 drops A2 cow ghee
Method:
- Wash and pressure cook dal with water until soft (3-4 whistles)
- Strain the dal water into a bowl
- Let it cool to feeding temperature
- Add 2-3 drops of ghee and stir well
- Feed with a small spoon
🍌 2. Mashed Banana with Ghee
Sweet, creamy, and loved by most babies. The ghee adds richness and essential fats.
Ingredients:
- ½ ripe banana (elaichi or robusta variety)
- 2-3 drops A2 cow ghee
- 1 tsp breast milk or formula (to thin)
Method:
- Peel and mash banana with a fork until smooth
- Add ghee drops and mix well
- Thin with milk if needed
- Serve immediately (bananas oxidize quickly)
🥔 3. Sweet Potato Puree with Ghee
Naturally sweet, loaded with beta-carotene, and the ghee helps absorb Vitamin A.
Ingredients:
- 1 small sweet potato
- ¼ tsp A2 cow ghee
- Water as needed
Method:
- Steam or pressure cook sweet potato until soft
- Peel and mash thoroughly
- Add water to reach desired consistency
- Stir in ghee when cooled to feeding temperature
🍚 4. Rice Kanji with Ghee
Thin rice porridge—easy to digest, gentle on tummy, traditional South Indian weaning food.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp rice (white or red)
- 1 cup water
- 2-3 drops A2 cow ghee
Method:
- Wash rice and cook in water until very soft
- Mash or blend to smooth consistency
- Strain if needed for younger babies
- Add ghee drops before serving
For more details on introducing ghee to 6-month-olds, see our complete guide on ghee for toddlers and babies.
Ghee Recipes for 8-12 Months: Growing Baby
By 8 months, baby can handle more texture and variety. These recipes are more filling and nutritionally complete:
🍲 5. Baby Khichdi with Ghee
The ultimate complete meal—protein, carbs, and healthy fats in one bowl. Every Indian baby's staple.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp rice
- 1 tbsp moong dal
- 1 small carrot, diced
- Pinch of turmeric, cumin (optional)
- ½ tsp A2 cow ghee
- Salt to taste (for 8+ months only)
Method:
- Wash rice and dal together
- Add carrot, turmeric, and 2 cups water
- Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles until mushy
- Mash to desired consistency
- Add ghee and mix well before serving
🥕 6. Vegetable Medley with Ghee
Mixed vegetables provide variety of nutrients. Ghee enhances absorption and adds delicious flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 small potato, cubed
- 1 small carrot, cubed
- 2 tbsp peas (fresh or frozen)
- ½ tsp A2 cow ghee
Method:
- Steam all vegetables until very soft
- Mash together with fork (or blend for smoother texture)
- Add ghee and mix well
- Serve with rice or as is
🌾 7. Ragi Porridge with Ghee
Calcium-rich ragi (finger millet) for strong bones. Traditional South Indian superfood for babies.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp ragi flour (or homemade powder)
- 1 cup water
- ½ tsp jaggery (optional, 8+ months)
- ½ tsp A2 cow ghee
Method:
- Mix ragi flour with cold water to avoid lumps
- Cook on low heat, stirring continuously
- Cook until thick porridge consistency
- Add jaggery if using, then ghee
- Cool and serve
🍎 8. Apple Oats Porridge with Ghee
Fiber-rich oats with sweet apple—great for digestion and keeping baby full longer.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp oats (powdered for younger babies)
- ½ apple, peeled and grated
- 1 cup water
- ½ tsp A2 cow ghee
Method:
- Cook oats in water until soft
- Add grated apple and cook 2 more minutes
- Mash if needed for smoother texture
- Add ghee before serving
🍛 9. Dal Rice with Ghee (Dal Chawal)
The classic Indian comfort food. Complete protein from dal + carbs from rice + healthy fats from ghee.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp cooked rice
- 2 tbsp cooked toor or moong dal
- ½ tsp A2 cow ghee
- Pinch of salt (10+ months)
Method:
- Mash rice and dal together
- Add a little dal water for consistency
- Mix in ghee thoroughly
- Serve warm
🥚 10. Egg Bhurji with Ghee (10+ months)
Protein-packed egg scramble. Ghee adds richness and makes eggs easier to swallow.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg (yolk only for 8-10 months)
- ½ tsp A2 cow ghee
- Pinch of turmeric
Method:
- Heat ghee in a small pan on low heat
- Add beaten egg with turmeric
- Scramble gently until fully cooked
- Mash any large pieces for younger babies
Choosing the Right Ghee for Baby Weaning
Not all ghee is suitable for babies. Here's what to look for when selecting ghee for your baby's first foods:
A2 Cow Ghee (Gir/Sahiwal)
Traditional Bilona method from indigenous breeds
- Easier to digest (A2 protein is gentler on baby's gut)
- No BCM-7 peptide (linked to digestive discomfort)
- Higher nutrient content from traditional preparation
- Recommended by Ayurveda for infants
💡 After researching dozens of brands, we found Authentic Urban to be one of the most transparent baby-safe A2 ghee options in India—they send a video of your actual jar being made before shipping, so you see exactly what goes into your baby's food.
Regular Cow Ghee
Commercial brands, hybrid breeds
Safe to use if A2 ghee is unavailable, but A1 protein may cause mild digestive issues in some sensitive babies.
Buffalo Ghee
Heavier fat content
Too heavy for baby's digestive system. May cause constipation and discomfort. Save for children 3+ years.
Learn how to verify ghee purity in our guide on how to identify pure ghee. For A2 vs regular ghee comparison, see A2 vs A1 ghee differences.
Expert Tips for Adding Ghee to Baby Food
✅ Do's
- Add ghee after cooking—preserves nutrients and aroma
- Start small—2-3 drops initially, increase gradually
- Store ghee properly—keep in airtight container, use clean dry spoon
- Mix thoroughly—ensure ghee is evenly distributed in food
- Watch baby's reaction—every baby is different
❌ Don'ts
- Don't deep fry baby food in ghee—high heat destroys nutrients
- Don't give ghee alone—always mix into food
- Don't use old or rancid ghee—check smell before using
- Don't force if baby refuses—try again after a few days
- Don't exceed recommended quantities—can cause loose stools
Safe Ghee for Your Baby's First Foods
Watch us make YOUR baby's ghee with traditional Bilona method. Video-verified purity for peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What ghee recipes can I give my 6-month-old baby?
For 6-month-old babies just starting solids, the best ghee recipes are: Dal ka Pani with Ghee (¼ tsp ghee in strained dal water), Mashed Banana with Ghee (2-3 drops in ripe banana mash), Rice Kanji with Ghee (thin rice porridge with ghee), and Vegetable Puree with Ghee (carrot, potato, or sweet potato with ghee). Start with 2-3 drops of ghee per meal and increase gradually. Always use A2 cow ghee from indigenous breeds for easier digestion.
How much ghee should I add to baby weaning food?
The recommended ghee quantity for weaning foods varies by age: 6-7 months: 2-3 drops (⅛ tsp) per meal, 7-8 months: ¼ teaspoon per meal, 8-10 months: ½ teaspoon per meal, 10-12 months: ½-¾ teaspoon per meal. Start with minimal amounts and increase gradually over weeks. Watch for any digestive issues like loose stools—if they occur, reduce the quantity temporarily.
Is it safe to add ghee to baby food at 6 months?
Yes, it is completely safe and recommended to add ghee to baby food from 6 months when starting solids. Ghee provides essential fatty acids crucial for brain development (60% of baby brain is fat), helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K from other foods, adds healthy calories for weight gain, and lubricates the digestive tract. Both pediatricians and Ayurvedic practitioners support ghee introduction at 6 months.
Which ghee is best for baby weaning recipes?
A2 cow ghee from indigenous Indian breeds like Gir or Sahiwal is best for baby weaning recipes. A2 ghee contains A2 beta-casein protein which is gentler on developing digestive systems. Choose Bilona (traditional hand-churned) ghee without additives or preservatives. Avoid buffalo ghee (too heavy for babies) and commercial ghee with artificial flavors. Always verify FSSAI certification and look for video-verified purity.
Can I cook baby food in ghee?
For babies under 12 months, it is better to add ghee after cooking rather than cooking in ghee. High-heat cooking can destroy some nutrients in ghee. The recommended method is to cook baby food (dal, vegetables, khichdi) normally, then stir in ghee when the food has cooled slightly to a safe feeding temperature. For babies over 12 months, light sautéing in ghee is acceptable.
Conclusion: Nourishing Your Baby with Ghee
Adding ghee to your baby's weaning diet is one of the best nutritional choices you can make. From the first drops of dal water at 6 months to proper khichdi at 10 months, ghee supports brain development, healthy weight gain, and nutrient absorption.
- Start at 6 months with 2-3 drops per meal
- Use A2 cow ghee from indigenous breeds for easy digestion
- Add ghee after cooking to preserve nutrients
- Gradually increase from drops to ½ tsp by 8-10 months
- Try variety—dal, khichdi, porridge, vegetable purees
Your grandmother was right—ghee is indeed the best first fat for Indian babies. Combined with modern understanding of infant nutrition, these traditional recipes will give your baby the healthiest start in life.
For complete information on ghee quantities and safety, read our comprehensive ghee for babies complete guide.
Give Your Baby the Purest Start
Video-verified A2 ghee from Gir cows—made with the care your little one deserves.