5 Talbina Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

Once your baby is used to plain talbina, it is easy to turn this simple barley porridge into new meals and snacks. These five recipes use either homemade talbina or Nutri Bowl Talbina Dates & Nuts, and none of them need added sugar.

If your baby has not had talbina yet, read Talbina for Babies: When to Start, Benefits and How to Make It first. It explains the right age and the allergy points to know about barley, nuts and sesame.

Before you start

• Each recipe shows a suggested minimum age. Follow your baby's own readiness.
• Only use ingredients your baby has already tried on their own.
• Never add honey for babies under 12 months.
• Serve everything lukewarm, and test the temperature on your wrist.

1. Talbina with banana (8 months and up)

A soft, naturally sweet breakfast.

1. Prepare 3 tablespoons of talbina mix with 100 ml hot milk or water and let it rest for 5 minutes.
2. Mash a quarter of a ripe banana until smooth.
3. Stir the banana into the porridge and cool before serving.

Tip: for a younger baby, add a little extra liquid for a thinner texture.

2. Talbina with stewed apple and a pinch of cinnamon (8 months and up)

Warm and comforting on winter mornings.

1. Peel and chop half an apple. Cook it in 3 tablespoons of water for 8 to 10 minutes until very soft, then mash.
2. Prepare talbina as usual.
3. Stir in the apple and a tiny pinch of cinnamon (darchini).

3. Talbina yogurt bowl (10 months and up)

A cool, creamy option for warmer days.

1. Prepare talbina and let it cool completely.
2. Mix 2 tablespoons of the porridge with 2 tablespoons of plain, unsweetened dahi.
3. Top with mashed papaya or soft pear.

Use plain yogurt only. Flavoured yogurts usually contain added sugar.

4. Soft talbina pancakes (12 months and up)

A finger food that toddlers can hold themselves.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons talbina mix
• 1 egg
• Half a mashed ripe banana
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• A few drops of ghee or oil for the pan

Method

1. Whisk everything into a thick batter. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
2. Heat a non-stick pan on low and add a few drops of ghee.
3. Pour small spoonfuls of batter and cook for 2 minutes on each side until set in the middle.
4. Cool and cut into strips.

Egg is a common allergen. Only use this recipe once your baby has eaten well-cooked egg without any reaction.

5. Talbina date bites (12 months and up)

A no-bake snack for the lunchbox or a day out.

1. Soak 4 soft dates in warm water for 10 minutes, remove the seeds and mash into a paste.
2. Mix the date paste with 5 to 6 tablespoons of dry talbina mix until it forms a soft dough. Add a few drops of milk if it is too dry.
3. Roll into small, flat bites, about the size of a thumbnail. Keep them soft, not hard balls.
4. Store in the fridge in an airtight box and use within 2 days.

Always stay with your toddler while they eat, and serve bites flattened rather than round to lower the choking risk.

Which recipe for which age?

Recipe	From	Best for
Talbina with banana	8 months	Breakfast
Talbina with stewed apple	8 months	Winter breakfast
Talbina yogurt bowl	10 months	Afternoon meal
Soft talbina pancakes	12 months	Finger food
Talbina date bites	12 months	Snack, travel

This article is general information, not medical advice. Check with your paediatrician before introducing new foods, especially if your baby has allergies, eczema or a medical condition.

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