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As your baby grows and gets older, he or she will start to show a few signs of independence, such as wanting to feed themselves. The best way to tell that your little one is ready to start noshing on finger foods is when they’ve managed to pinch with their fingers well. You don’t have to wait until that point, though. Some babies are ready earlier than that, but they’ll just shove food in their mouths using their whole hand (which is adorable). Whether your tot is toothless or is just starting to grow little nubs of teeth, they can still chew soft solids.

Some of the best finger foods for a baby are soft, natural, and easy to digest, such as bits of cheese, avocado, pasta, and soft fruit. For an even easier solution, and still nutritious, you can buy some prepared foods that babies love to eat.

BEST OVERALL | Happy Baby Organic Superfood Puffs, Variety Pack, 2.1 Ounce (Pack of 6)

Happy Baby Organic Superfood Puffs, Variety Pack, 2.1 Ounce (Pack of 6)

Happy Baby Organic Superfood Puffs, Variety Pack, 2.1 Ounce (Pack of 6)

Your baby has finally reached the age that they’re grabbing at anything and everything. If you give them Happy Baby Organic Superfood Puffs, they’ll happily grab these little-puffed cereal bits and shove them in their mouths. The shape of these little pieces is big enough for little chubby hands to pick up but small enough to help them continue fine-tuning those fine motor skills. It’s the perfect next-step-snack from rice cereal. Happy Baby Organic Superfood Puffs come in a variety of flavors that your baby will be happy to suck, chew, and chomp on, including kale and spinach, sweet potato and carrot, banana and pumpkin, apple and broccoli, strawberry and beet, and purple carrot and blueberry. The best part is that these are packed with the nutrients you’d expect from those fruits and vegetables – and there’s no added sugar.

If you’re concerned about the size of these puffs for your baby, there’s little need to worry about choking. The little cereal pieces easily and quickly dissolve in a baby’s mouth. There’s almost no mess to worry about unless your kid throws them on the ground, which is bound to happen. The good news is that they sweep or vacuum up easily. Another option: Any family dog is likely to happily munch these up for you. The recommended age for these handheld snacks is 6 months, so even if your toothless wonder is ready for crunchy snacks, but doesn’t have the teeth for grinding them down, these should work well. They’re not exactly nutritionally dense, but they also don’t have all the bad stuff you’re trying to keep from your little one. Also, they’re perfect for tossing in your diaper bag like the Graco Gotham Diaper Bag. Their MSRP is $20.14, but be sure to check the current Happy Baby Organic Superfood Puffs here.

BEST DESIGN | Gerber Graduates Lil’ Crunchies, Mild Cheddar, 1.48-Ounce Canisters (Pack of 6)

Gerber Graduates Lil' Crunchies, Mild Cheddar, 1.48-Ounce Canisters (Pack of 6)

Gerber Graduates Lil’ Crunchies, Mild Cheddar, 1.48-Ounce Canisters (Pack of 6)

It’s tempting to offer your baby a snack you already have on hand, but then there’s the concern of what kind of nutrition they’re getting from it. Ditch the adult crunchy snacks and consider Gerber Graduates Lil’ Crunchies. Just like the cheesy puffed snacks you might enjoy, these come with a mild cheddar flavor, which any kid is likely to love. A full serving is only 35 calories, so your baby won’t be taking in too many added calories outside of their normal meals. These cheese puffs are surprisingly nutritious in some respects. There’s 20mg of calcium and 1.5mg of vitamin E in each serving, which is considerable for a snack. One container includes about six servings, which makes this a fairly priced product.

Gerber has taken the design of the package and the product into careful consideration. The can itself is easy to reach into and pull out a handful for your baby. Each Lil’ Crunchy is also shaped ideally for tiny chubby hands. If your baby is still working on their pincer grip, these can help them perfect it. They’re a little wide, but shorter than the cheese puffs you know. The puff is crunchy, but it’s also easily dissolved in a toothless baby’s mouth. You can use these at home in between meals to keep your baby snacking, or take a can with you on a road trip. Of course, like the puffy cheese snacks you know, these can be a bit messy. The powder can get all over your baby’s hands, face, and clothes, and the crumbs go everywhere. But who doesn’t have baby wipes on hand, too? Their MSRP is $16.12, but be sure to check the current Gerber Graduates Lil’ Crunchies here.

EASIEST TO USE | Happy Baby Organic Yogis Freeze-Dried Yogurt & Fruit Snacks, 3 Flavor Variety Pack, 1 Ounce

Happy Baby Organic Yogis Freeze-Dried Yogurt & Fruit Snacks, 3 Flavor Variety Pack, 1 Ounce

Happy Baby Organic Yogis Freeze-Dried Yogurt & Fruit Snacks, 3 Flavor Variety Pack, 1 Ounce

A baby cannot snack on cereal alone, and that could be why Happy Baby created these organic freeze-dried yogurt and fruit snacks called Yogis. These are about the size of a small coin, and the texture is smooth. You can easily break these in half for younger babies, but it won’t be long before your little one is shoveling these by tiny handfuls into their mouths. They do dissolve easily, which is reassuring for any parent or grandparent. But have been known to make a gooey mess if moistened, so be sure to stick the baby in a high chair sometimes. Each package of Happy Baby Organic Yogis Freeze-Dried Yogurt & Fruit Snacks includes about four servings each, and one serving is about 25 pieces. It’s a large serving size and only contains about 30 calories. The soft packaging includes a zip top to keep the yogurt bites fresh. It’s hard to imagine a snack like this could be good for your baby, but they are. They’re low in sodium and sugar, but higher in protein, vitamin A, calcium, and vitamin D than you’d expect. These also include probiotics, making this an excellent snack to give your baby when they’re on antibiotics to keep their system balanced.

These come in three flavors: banana mango, strawberry, and mixed berry. These don’t require refrigeration, so you can easily keep these in your pantry without worry. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself snacking on these, too, when you grab a handful for your little one. Their MSRP is $10.79, but be sure to check the current Happy Baby Organic Yogis Freeze-Dried Yogurt & Fruit Snacks here.

MOST VERSATILE | Gerber Graduates Fruit and Veggie, Melts Very Berry Blend, 1 Ounce (Pack of 7)

Gerber Graduates Fruit and Veggie, Melts Very Berry Blend, 1 Ounce (Pack of 7)

Gerber Graduates Fruit and Veggie, Melts Very Berry Blend, 1 Ounce (Pack of 7)

It’s hard to imagine how a snack food for babies that could be versatile, but then again, maybe you haven’t tried Gerber Graduates Fruit and Veggie in the Very Berry Blend. These little melts are a great size for babies that are making the transition from baby food to solid foods. They’re small enough for little hands to grab. These not only make a great low-calorie snack for your little one, they’re good for the whole family. Although these are meant for babies who are crawling, grasping, and clutching, they’re also a great sweet treat for older kids, and even you. At 25 calories per serving, you could eat a whole bag and not have any regrets – except maybe the price of that one bag of snacks. Each bag has about four servings in it, so if you stick to the serving size of 32 pieces, you probably won’t go through more than a bag or two per week.

These aren’t totally packed with nutrients, but you’ll find a bit of vitamin A, C, and E in there, thanks to the real fruit and vegetables used as ingredients. This ready-to-eat snack includes butternut squash, apple, banana, strawberry, and blueberry puree. All the sugar in this snack comes from those purees and the fruit juice concentrates added for flavor and color. You can mix these in with easy-to-grab cereals to make a tasty snack mix or use them to top ice cream or yogurt. Using them this way will make a bag stretch even longer. Also, these could be a yummy treat for your puppy – keep them in the freezer or refrigerator to soothe sore gums. Their MSRP is $26.67, but be sure to check the current Gerber Graduates Fruit and Veggie here.

BARGAIN BUY | Cheerios Gluten-Free Breakfast Cereal, 21 oz, Family Size Cereal Box

Cheerios Gluten Free Breakfast Cereal, 21 oz, Family Size Cereal Box

Cheerios Gluten Free Breakfast Cereal, 21 oz, Family Size Cereal Box

Frankly, you just can’t go wrong with a classic like Cheerios Gluten-Free Breakfast Cereal. Whose kid didn’t grow up popping these little oat O’s in their mouths? You can find these in almost any mom’s pantry, and for good reason. Cheerios are easy to give to growing babies, toddlers, little kids, teens, and adults still love them. Plus, they’re only pennies per ounce, making them one of the best bargains for families who need to watch the grocery budget. A whole cup of these little pieces of cereal has only 100 calories, and they’re super low in sugar. It’s also a more nutritionally dense snack for little ones. A cup of these little O’s includes almost the whole alphabet in vitamins, plus they’re high in folic acid, iron, and zinc.

You can use these for all sorts of things besides as a finger food for your baby. You can toss a handful on your baby’s highchair tray and teach them how to count. Your baby can use them to create art projects. They’re great for teaching boy toddlers how to aim with a great training potty like these right here. Cheerios are inexpensive, versatile, and they make very little of a mess when babies’ hands are all over them. Their MSRP is $3.98, but be sure to check the current Cheerios Gluten-Free Breakfast Cereal here.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a mom who requires gluten-free, organic, or inexpensive finger foods for your baby, you’re likely to find one of them reviewed here. All the snacks listed here are the best for different reasons, but it might be a good idea to stock all of them for your baby. Plus, many of these snacks work well for older kids, yourself, and even your pet. Obviously, the best finger foods for baby are the ones they’ll eat. And if you’re looking for something more specific such as yogurt or fruit puree snacks, then check out our Best Yogurt for Babies right here!