Baby / 23 September, 2026 / Ellie Thompson

Gut-Friendly Weaning Recipes From Annabel Karmel

When it comes to weaning, variety is one of the simplest ways to introduce little ones to new flavours, textures and a broad range of foods. And with growing interest in the role gut health plays during a baby’s early development, Annabel Karmel MBE has created a new collection of gut-friendly recipes for babies, designed with little tummies in mind.

From colourful, veg-packed meals to clever takes on family favourites, the recipes focus on introducing a variety of plant foods and fibre-rich ingredients in an easy, baby-friendly way. Annabel says offering a colourful range of fruit and vegetables from the beginning can help encourage adventurous eating while supporting a diverse gut microbiome.

So, whether you’re just starting the weaning journey or looking for fresh ideas for your baby or toddler, here are some of Annabel Karmel’s latest gut-friendly recipes to try at home.

Rainbow Veggie Orzo

The EASIEST one-pan meal for baby and you. Packed with FIVE veggies and lots of fibre, this is a brilliant boost for baby’s gut to support healthy digestion and immunity.

  • Suitable from 8 months
  • Makes 4-6 portions
  • Suitable for freezing

Ingredients

  • ½ leek, finely diced
  • 1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced or grated
  • ½ red pepper, finely diced
  • 50g sweetcorn, mashed / flattened
  • 50g peas, mashed / flattened
  • 100g orzo
  • 600ml vegetable stock
  • 4 tbsp creme fraiche
  • 60g Parmesan cheese, grated

Method

Add the leek, carrot, red pepper, sweetcorn, peas, & orzo to a saucepan

Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 12 mins until the orzo is soft and the stock is mostly absorbed

Stir in the crème fraiche and grated Parmesan

Healthy Baked Beans

Skip the tin… baby-friendly baked beans are here!  This healthy recipe is super easy and great for baby’s gut.

Haricot beans are brilliant as they are rich in fibre and prebiotics to support healthy digestion and immunity. AND they count towards their 5-a-day!

  • Suitable from 9 months
  • Makes 4-6 portions

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 x 400g tin haricot beans
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 small red pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 3 tsp sweet smoked paprika
  • 200ml vegetable stock
  • 400g passata
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Method

Heat the oil and sauté the onion & red pepper for 3-4 mins

Add the garlic and cook for 30 secs

Reduce the heat, add the smoked paprika and stir

Add the passata, stock, tomato puree, balsamic vinegar, & cook for 10 mins

Add the drained haricot beans & simmer for 5 mins. Flatten beans with the back of a fork before offering to your baby.

4 simple, 3-ingredient purees

Packed with gut-friendly goodness to help support healthy digestion and keep tiny tastebuds exploring (from 6+ months)

Prune + pear + oats

  • Makes 2 portions

Method

Put the pear, prunes and water into a small saucepan and bring to the boil.

Add the oats, stir and simmer for 5 mins until soft.

Blend until smooth.

Pear + kiwi + banana

  • Makes 4 portions

Method

Add the ripe pear, banana and kiwi to a bowl.

Blend until smooth.

Apple + blueberries + yoghurt

  • Makes 4 portions

Method

Steam the apples for 5 mins until soft.

Add the blueberries and steam for a further 2 mins.

Blend until smooth using a stick blender.

Once cooled, add the yoghurt.

Sweet potato + peas + leek

  • Makes 3 portions

Method

Heat the oil in a saucepan.

Add the leek and sweet potato. Sauté for 2 mins.

Add the stock, cover and simmer for 8 mins.

Add the peas and cook for 2–3 mins.

Blend until smooth.

Recipes created by Annabel Karmel MBE as part of The Infant Gut Health Journey in partnership with SMA® Nutrition.

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