Recipe by Judith Lynn - Paediatric Nutrition

Dairy-Free Muffins Perfect for Weaning Babies with Cow's Milk Allergy

Welcoming a new phase in your baby's life is exciting, and introducing them to solid foods is a milestone that many parents look forward to. However, for parents navigating the challenges of a dairy allergy, this phase can also bring a bit of anxiety. At Little Monkey Nutrition, we understand the importance of creating recipes that are not only nutritious and safe for your little ones but also delicious. Today, we're excited to share a dairy-free muffin recipe that is perfect for babies with a cow's milk allergy.

Why Dairy-Free?

Cow's milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in infants and young children. Introducing dairy-free alternatives early on can help in managing this allergy while ensuring your baby still receives all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development.

Dairy-Free Muffins: A Nutritious Snack for Weaning Babies

Our dairy-free muffins are soft, moist, and packed with flavour, making them an ideal snack, breakfast or dessert for weaning babies. They are made with wholesome ingredients that provide essential nutrients without the risk of triggering an allergy reaction.. Here's how you can make them:

Ingredients:

- 50g of oats or readybrek
- 50g of wholemeal flour
- 50g of self-raising flour
- 50g of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 3 ripe bananas
- 150g of smooth peanut/almond/hazelnut/cashew nut butter (choose based on your baby's tolerance and nutritional needs)
- 2 large eggs
- 150mls of dairy-free milk (e.g., calcium fortified soya, oat, coconut, almond, etc.)
- 50g raisins (or grated apple, carrot, etc. for a twist)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180C. Spray a mini muffin tray with oil, or if you have mini muffin cases, place these into the tray.
2. In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together.
3. In a separate jug, mix the wet ingredients.
4. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, taking care not to over-mix.
5. Spoon the mixture into your mini muffin tray or cases.
6. Bake for about 15-20 minutes.
7. Once baked, loosen the edges with a knife, gently take them out, and let them cool on a wire tray. These muffins can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutritional Benefits

These muffins are not just allergy-friendly; they are also packed with nutrients. The oats and wholemeal flour provide fibre, prefect for a maturing digestive system. The nut butter adds healthy fats and proteins, vital for your baby's growth and brain development. Additionally, by incorporating fruits like bananas and raisins, you're adding natural sweetness and vitamins without the need for added sugars.

This recipe incorporates all food groups: Eggs and nut butter provides protein, banana's and raisins with fruit, choose a calcium fortified dairy free milk for the dairy group, flour and oats provides energy from the carbohydrates and the nut butter provides essential fats. 

Serving Suggestions

These muffins are perfect as they are, but you can also get creative with toppings. A smear of additional nut butter or mashed fruits can make them even more appealing to your little one. Remember, always supervise your baby while they're eating to ensure they're safe and comfortable.

At Little Monkey Nutrition, we believe in making nutrition simple and accessible for all parents, especially those navigating the challenges of food allergies. We hope this dairy-free muffin recipe brings joy and ease to your weaning journey. For more recipes and tips on raising healthy, happy babies, stay tuned to our blog.

For more information and recipes about how to navigate Cow's Milk Allergy in your Little One, have a look at my Cow's Milk Allergy Essentials Club - all the information you need in one place plus one to one support.