Baby Led Weaning: Healthy and Tasty Cheese Quesadilla

Baby-led weaning (BLW) introduces solid foods to infants without using purees or spoon-feeding. This weaning method encourages babies to feed themselves, allowing them to control the process and learn at their own pace.

Introducing cheesy quesadillas to an infant’s diet can be a great way to continue the baby-led weaning process, as it offers a variety of flavors and textures that both baby and caregiver can enjoy.

This article will discuss how to make a cheese quesadilla and how to introduce it to your baby safely and successfully.

Let’s get after it!

*If you are in a hurry, here is a quick video from our Instagram with a healthy and tasty tortilla recipe suitable for babies.

If you need a meal plan for your 6-month-old baby, click here.

You may also check out our BLW Meal Plan Generator!

How to make a Cheese Quesadilla for baby led Weaning

Easy and much richer than those sold in supermarkets.

Ingredients for 4-6 soft tortillas:

• 250 g spelt flour
• 150 ml water at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon yeast/baking powder
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pinch of salt (+2 years)

Letting the dough rest for approximately one hour before kneading is convenient.

Leftovers can be frozen. I separate them with parchment paper or plastic wrap and put them in a bag. So it will be easier to separate them later. And they can be used as a pizza base, too!

Once the homemade tortilla is ready, we must fill it with the ingredients we want to increase its nutritional value.

Proteins: canned tuna with olive oil | beans | lentils | larded meat | fresh cheese

Carbohydrates: The tortilla itself | corn | any vegetable.

Healthy fats: avocado | olive oil | coconut oil | beans | lentils | larded meat | fresh cheese | almond butter

As you can see, a quesadilla can be a complete meal if we structure it well.

What is the Nutritional Value of a Cheese Quesadilla for Babies?

Whole wheat tortillas are a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, which are essential for your baby’s energy and digestion.

The precise ingredients used in the recipe will determine the nutritional content of a cheese quesadilla for babies. However, a cheese quesadilla cooked with a whole wheat spelt tortilla, low-fat cheese, and extra vegetables can generally offer a range of crucial nutrients for infants.

A good source of protein, which is necessary for growth and development, is cheese. Protein is crucial for tissue growth and repair and for synthesizing hormones, enzymes, and other bodily substances.

Calcium: Cheese is another excellent mineral source necessary to grow strong bones and teeth. Additionally, calcium affects how muscles, nerves, and blood coagulate.

Carbohydrates are the main energy source for infants, and whole wheat tortillas are a good source. Carbohydrates provide both energy for daily activities and energy for growth and development.

Fiber: Dietary fiber, essential for digesting and encouraging regular bowel movements, is included in whole wheat tortillas in good amounts. Additionally, fiber can aid in blood sugar regulation and cholesterol reduction.

Vitamins and minerals: Vegetables include many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, folate, iron, and many others.

Nutritional Benefits of Cheese Quesadillas for Babies
Good source of protein for growth and development
Excellent source of calcium for strong bones and teeth
Whole wheat tortillas provide carbohydrates for energy
Good source of dietary fiber for digestion and regular bowel movements
Vegetables provide a range of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and iron

Are Cheese quesadillas a good BLW food?

Quesadillas can be a pleasant and engaging meal for babies, allowing them to practice their pincer grasp, self-feeding techniques, and hand-eye coordination.

Yes, they are! If prepared accordingly of course. 

For various reasons, quesadillas might be a fantastic choice for baby-led weaning.

• They are a terrific choice for infants already exploring solid foods because they are easy to manage once they have some skills.
• The cheese filling is a fantastic source of calcium and protein, which are crucial for a baby’s healthy growth. Remember always to offer fresh cheese if your baby is younger than 12 months and be aware of the daily amount of animal protein!
• Furthermore, quesadillas are adaptable and can be cooked with various contents, including veggies, meat, or beans, so they can introduce babies to various tastes and sensations. Add a small amount of mashed avocado or vegetables to increase the nutrients and variety.
• Another benefit is that quesadillas are simple to prepare and might be a practical meal choice for working parents. They are an excellent choice for meals on-the-go because they can be prepared ahead of time, divided into little pieces, and kept in the refrigerator.
• Finally, quesadillas can be a pleasant and engaging meal because babies may practice using their pincer grasp and self-feeding techniques. They can grow in skill and hand-eye coordination while being encouraged to feed themselves independently.

You should not expect your child to eat the quesadilla as an adult would. Your baby will open it and tear it apart, but that’s part of learning.

Don’t get frustrated if your baby ends up eating a deconstructed quesadilla, give them autonomy, and little by little they will learn from you by imitation.

How to cut and offer cheese quesadilla to your baby

You have two options for offering the quesadilla to your baby:

1. Offer it whole. This way, your baby will explore the quesadilla and try to open it and experiment with it. This is the best way if your baby is younger and does not yet have a strong enough bite to bite into a well assembled quesadilla.

2. Cut it into thin strips. This option is suitable for older babies with more autonomy and independence. Ideally, they should be able to pick it up with their fingers and bite it in one piece. Make sure your baby can see you so he can imitate you.

How to adapt the recipe for older babies and toddlers

There are many ways to adapt a quesadilla to your little one as they grow.

• Increase the diversity of flavors and textures by adding more content to the quesadilla, such as diced veggies (we recommend zucchini), meat, or beans. You can also use a different kind of cheese or some spices to add taste.
• Serve with dipping sauces: You can serve the quesadilla with various homemade dipping sauces, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, for older infants and toddlers. This can enhance the meal’s flavor and intrigue.
• Cut into larger pieces: You can cut the quesadilla into larger pieces as your child ages and their hand-eye coordination develops so they can practice using a butter knife.
• Introduce new foods: You can start introducing more tasty and sophisticated foods as your toddler ages. You can experiment with several quesadilla variations, such as using various kinds of cheese or including more types of meat (like baby-friendly bacon) or vegetables.
• Involve your toddler in the cooking process! This will foster a healthier relationship with food in the long run. 

Can you freeze homemade tortillas?

Homemade tortillas can be frozen without any problem. Our recommendation is to do it as you see in the picture above.

Use bags and surround each pancake individually so that they do not stick together and you can take them individually when you are going to use them.

Cheese Quesadilla BLW FAQs

At what age can my baby start eating a quesadilla?

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics advises delaying the introduction of solid foods to kids until they are about 6 months old, it is better to hold off until your baby is about 8 to 9 months old, and use cheese that is suitable for you baby’s age.

Before introducing new meals, it’s crucial to start with dishes with only one ingredient and keep an eye out for any symptoms of allergies; quesadillas frequently have several components.

You should always break it into small bite-sized pieces and allow the baby pick it up and feed themselves, even when they are 8 to 9 months old.

Can I give my baby a quesadilla with spicy ingredients?

It’s best to avoid spicy foods for babies under two years old. The heat and spices can be overwhelming for their developing taste buds and can cause discomfort or even burns in their mouths.

You can add a little bit of mild salsa to the quesadilla or serve it on the side for the adults.

Can I make a cheese quesadilla with other ingredients?

Of course! The options are unlimited.
The base of the quesadilla, which is the tortilla, can be filled and complemented with anything. Shredded meats, chopped or mashed vegetables, avocado, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and so on.

Once your baby eats a variety of foods, don’t hesitate to be creative and make different variations. You are sure to find one that your baby will love.