Dragon Fruit for Babies

Dragon Fruit has become extremely popular over the past couple of years. This includes an increase in parents introducing their babies to the exotic fruit. 

What is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon Fruit has two common types you are probably familiar with. These both have bright red skin with green scales that resemble a dragon - which is where it derives its name. The more commonly available one has white pulp with black seeds, while another less common type has red pulp with black seeds. You might hear dragon fruit called pitaya or strawberry pear, but the name dragon fruit is used more regularly.

While dragon fruit looks exotic, it tastes very similar to other fruits. Most describe its sweet flavor as a cross between a kiwi and a pear.  Dragonfruit is high in magnesium and fiber and offers up antioxidants similar to other berries, which makes it a great nutrient dense fruit to introduce to baby. 

How to Choose and Store Dragon Fruit 

To choose a ripe fruit, find one with bright red, evenly colored skin that gives slightly when squeezed. If there is no give, the dragon fruit is not quite ripe and dragon fruit that is too soft when squeezed is over ripe. 

Dragon Fruit can be cut apart and stored in a ziploc or airtight container for up to 7 days. 

How to Prepare Dragon Fruit for Baby

While it might look intimidating, dragon fruit is actually very easy to prepare. Using a sharp knife, cut straight through the fruit, slicing it in half. You can then eat the fruit out of the skin with a spoon or peel on the skin and slice it up. 

For baby food: Take the sliced fruit, without the peel, and place it in a food processor blending until it’s a puréed consistency.

For baby led weaning: For babies 6-12 months old, after the peel is removed, cut the dragon fruit in large half-size pieces. Once baby has developed grasping, you can cut into quarter-size pieces. For babies 12-18 months old, start to cut into bite-size pieces and serve with a utensil. For babies 18-24 months old, serve in bite-size pieces or in spears.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cafe Baby® Fresh Baby Food (@cafebabytogo)

Dragon Fruit Recipes

Dragon fruit can also be added to smoothies, pudding and tea to capitalize on its sweet flavor.

Dragon Fruit Smoothie

What You'll Need:

• 1/2 dragon fruit, peel removed
• Big T NYC "Strawberry is My Jam" Organic Kids' Tea, prepared
• Café Baby Kiwi Mango Banana

Instructions:

• Combine ingredients into blender. Blend until smooth. Serve over ice. 

Dragonfruit Chia Pudding

Prepare this easy pudding recipe for a healthy breakfast or snack.

What You'll Need:

• 1/2 dragon fruit, peel removed
• 1 banana, peel removed
• 1/3 cup milk of choice
• 2 TBSP chia seeds

Instructions:

• Combine dragon fruit, banana and milk into blender. Blend until smooth.
• Mix in chia seeds.
• Refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.