Poha Recipes for Babies Toddlers and Kids - Poha/Flattened Rice/Aval is made from rice which is parboiled, flattened and dried into flakes. It is easily digestible food for babies, toddlers, and kids. Also, it is packed with iron and other essential nutrients for the child's growth and development. Poha requires minimal, or no cooking depends on the poha type. Hence it can be made in minutes. Is that not good news?
Here are some ideas to include poha in your child's menu. Read more to know information about the nutritional benefits of poha, how and when to introduce poha to the baby etc.
When can I introduce Poha to my baby?
Poha can be given to babies from 7 months after introducing rice, basic vegetables & fruits. You can start with poha porridge when you introduce poha to your baby for the first time. Start with 2 tablespoon of poha porridge and increase the quantity gradually as the baby grows.
How to select and store Poha for Baby Food
Poha is available in different sizes and color: Thick or Thin White Poha/Red Poha. The Red poha is made from brown rice/red rice whereas white poha is from white rice. Red poha has slightly more nutrients than white poha. Soaking time varies on the poha variety used. Remember that too much soaking makes the poha mushy and less soaking makes it hard to chew. You can choose the poha variety and soaking time as per the recipe requirement.
Thin poha is ideal for babies when you start poha for your baby, as its easily mashable and takes less time to soak and cook. You can buy poha from grocery stores or online stores like Amazon. Store in an airtight container after buying. Place it in a cool and dry place.
Nutrients in Poha
Here is the nutrition information of 1 cup of raw poha (100 g)
Source: USDA
Health Benefits of Poha for Babies and Toddlers
- Poha is rich in iron, hence prevents baby from iron deficiency or anemia.
- Loaded with carbs and considered as a wholesome breakfast option for babies and kids to keep them full, active and energetic.
- Poha is low in gluten and hence less likely to develop a food allergy in babies.
- Probiotic content in poha ensures gut health in children.
- Easily digestible for babies and kids, hence the best option even when your child is down with an upset tummy or fever!
Poha Recipes for Babies Toddlers, and Kids
Here are some recipes to incorporate poha in your child's menu.
1. Poha Porridge Mix (7 Months+)
This poha cereal mix is prepared with poha, roasted gram dal, and nuts. It is loaded with protein which helps in healthy weight gain for babies and kids. Skip nuts while introducing and add nuts to this mix only after introducing each nuts separate, preferably after eight months.
2. Poha Porridge (7 Months+)
Healthy porridge recipe made with homemade poha cereal mix which has poha, roasted gram dal, and nuts. This poha porridge can be prepared by just mixing with hot water during emergencies or travel; For babies above one year, you can make this poha porridge with milk (instead of water) and jaggery! Tastes yum!
3. Instant Oats Poha mix (8 Months+)
Healthy instant mix prepared with poha, oats, and nuts. This poha oats powder comes handy when traveling with your baby as you can make instant porridge with it.
4. Poha Oats Porridge (8 Months+)
Healthy porridge recipe made with homemade poha oats cereal mix which has poha, oats, roasted gram dal, and nuts. This porridge tastes good even plain without adding any additional sweetener or salt. But you can add banana puree, apple puree, dates syrup or raisins syrup to enhance the taste.
5. Dahi Chura (8 Months +)
Dahi Chura is a delicious dessert made with poha and curd/yogurt. It’s such an easy recipe to make within 15 minutes & no cooking is required, hence its ideal for travel. It can be served as a breakfast or as a quick evening snack for babies.
6. Dahi Poha (8 Months+)
An easy and humble dish made with poha, curd/yogurt, and cucumbers. This dahi poha recipe is apt for kids any day as it tastes very much like curd rice! It’s is easy to make & no cooking is required (if you skip the tempering part), hence its ideal for travel too.
7. Poha Kheer (8 Months+)
Quick kheer made with poha, nuts, dry fruits and coconut milk/cow’s milk or formula. This poha kheer recipe is so simple with fewer ingredients, and it takes only 15 minutes to make this delicious tasting kheer. It can be served as a dessert or as a quick evening snack for babies and kids.
8. Sweet Potato Poha (7 Months+)
Healthy porridge recipe made with poha, sweet potatoes and raisins. This porridge has a naturally sweet taste from sweet potatoes and doesn’t require any additional sweetener. Adding sweet potatoes to poha makes it healthier!
9.Broccoli Poha (10 Months+)
Easy and healthy breakfast recipe made with poha & broccoli. I have used small cut broccoli florets, but I would suggest shredding the broccoli florets (after cooking) if your child is not fond of broccoli, in that way they won’t find its made of broccoli.
Sweet poha is sure a better alternative to corn flakes. Also, it can be made in a jiffy as it doesn’t require cooking.
11. Poha Idli (10 Months+)
Instant poha idli is a quick, no grind, no fermentation idlis are made with poha, idli rava, and curd. It’s a quick and easy breakfast recipe you can make for a busy morning for your kids. This poha idlis are little bland in taste, so serve it with sambar, chutney, or any tasty side dish of your choice!
12. Sweet Potato Poha (1 Year+)
Easy healthy breakfast recipe made with poha & sweet potatoes. This healthy poha can be done in a jiffy and hence it is ideal for busy mornings. You can even make it with aloo/potatoes instead of sweet potatoes.
Jaggery poha is a sweet made with Poha cooked and jaggery. It can be served as a breakfast or snack for babies & kids.
14. Poha Ladoo (1 Year+)
Poha ladoo is very quick to make dessert and am sure any beginner can give a try. These poha ladoos are generally prepared with white sugar, to make it healthy I used jaggery, believe me, the taste is no lesser!
15. Poha Balls (1 Year+)
The easy sweet recipe made with poha, jaggery syrup, coconut, and nuts. It is soft, melts in the mouth and tastes different from poha ladoo. It is so simple to make but tastes yum! I am sure you cannot stop with one.
16. Poha Oats Milkshake (1 Year+)
17. oats poha cookies (1 Year +)
Oats Poha Cookies/Oats Poha Biscuits is an easy, crispy, quick and healthy cookie/biscuit recipe made with Oats and Poha. It can be served as an evening snack to toddlers and kids with milk!
18. Instant No Cook Poha Porridge
Easy, no-cook, quick poha porridge recipe made with poha aka flattened rice, fruits, and milk. This porridge is super fast to make within 10 minutes, and it doesn’t require any cooking. Hence it is ideal when you travel with your baby or toddler.
19. Sweet Poha Mix (1 Year+)
A healthy sweet recipe made using instant poha mix powder, grated coconut, nuts, and jaggery syrup. If your toddler is bored of poha porridge, try this easy sweet with the poha powder. Its very simple to make but tastes so good. This poha sweet mix is ideal as an evening snack for kids from one year.
20. Poha Chivda (1 Year+)
An evening snack recipe made with poha & nuts. Also, its ideal when you travel with your toddler/kid as it can be made ahead, packed up and eaten during your journey. This poha chivda is usually made with deep fried thick poha and nuts, to make it healthier I have opted for shallow fry and used thin poha.
Try these healthy and nutritious poha recipes for babies and kids! Don't forget to share your feedback!
Leave a Reply