1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Peel, seed and cut the butternut squash into 1–2 cm cubes. Toss with about 5 g of the olive oil and spread on the tray. Roast for 20–25 minutes until very soft and starting to brown at the edges.
3. If using canned navy beans (200 g), drain and rinse them well; if using home-cooked beans use the drained weight. Place the beans in a large bowl and roughly mash with a fork, leaving some whole beans for texture.
4. When the squash is cool enough to handle, add about 200 g of the roasted squash to the bowl and mash together with the beans until the mixture holds together but still has visible texture (avoid pureeing).
5. Add the egg (50 g), wholemeal flour (20 g) and the remaining 5 g olive oil. Stir to combine into a soft, slightly sticky batter. If the mixture is too wet add a little more flour; if too dry add a teaspoon of the reserved bean liquid or a splash of water.
6. With wet hands, shape the mixture into small patties (about 3–4 cm diameter, 1 cm thick) that are easy for little fingers to grasp. Place them on the lined tray and very lightly brush or drizzle the tops with a little olive oil.
7. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and set. Alternatively, shallow-fry in a non-stick pan over medium heat with a little oil for 3–4 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly browned.
8. Allow fritters to cool to lukewarm and check the temperature before offering to your toddler. Serve whole or cut into strips for easier grasping. Always supervise while eating.

Summary

Soft, finger-friendly fritters combining protein-rich navy beans and sweet roasted butternut squash. Designed for baby-led weaning from 10+ months: textured, not pureed, with minimal seasoning and easy-to-grasp pieces.

Storing

Cool completely then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Reheat until steaming, then cool briefly to a safe temperature before serving. Freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag for up to 1 month; reheat thoroughly from frozen.

Allergies & Side effects

Contains egg — do not give if the baby has an egg allergy. Beans can cause mild gas; introduce new foods one at a time and watch for allergic reactions. Avoid adding salt or sugar for babies under 12 months. Always supervise the child while eating to reduce choking risk.