The best tool for making baby food depends on how you like to cook and how much you plan to prepare at once. An all-in-one steamer and blender can handle several steps in one appliance, while a manual masher or food mill may be simpler for small, quick portions. These five options cover both approaches, from batch prep and freezer storage to mashing food right before a meal.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Best for | Notable feature | Availability note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NutriBullet Baby Complete Food-Making System | Electric blender and storage set | Batch prep and freezing portions | Batch bowl, storage cups, and freezer tray | Listed as available |
| GROWNSY Baby Food Maker | Electric steamer and blender | Preparing food in one appliance | Auto and manual mixing modes | Listed as available |
| OXO Tot Food Masher | Manual masher and bowl | Small, fresh portions | Masher nests inside the lidded bowl | Listed as available |
| Nuby Garden Fresh Mash N’ Feed Bowl | Manual masher, bowl, and spoon | Mashing and feeding from one bowl | Textured bowl and sealing lid | Listed as unavailable |
| Matyz Versatile Baby Food Maker Set | Manual multi-tool set | Mashing, grating, and juicing | Includes a masher, grater, and citrus juicer | Listed as unavailable |
Our Picks: Best Tools For Making Baby Food reviews
NutriBullet Baby Complete Food-Making System: Best for Batch Prep
The NutriBullet Baby Complete Food-Making System is an electric blending setup designed to make and store homemade baby food. Its 200-watt motor base works with a 32-ounce batch bowl or a smaller cup, and the set includes storage cups with date-ring lids, a storage tray, and a silicone freezer tray.
This system makes the most sense if you want to prepare several portions at once. Blend a batch, divide it among the included cups, and freeze portions for later. The date rings can help you keep track of stored food, while the smaller cup is useful when you want to make less. The batch bowl and cups are described as BPA-free plastic, and the components are listed as dishwasher-safe.
Compared with a steamer-blender combo, this set focuses on blending and storage rather than cooking ingredients. You’ll need to prepare ingredients separately before blending. It also has more separate pieces to store and wash than a single manual masher, so consider whether you’ll use the batch-prep accessories enough to justify the extra counter and cabinet space.
Pros:
- Includes a batch bowl and smaller blending cup
- Comes with storage cups, a tray, and a freezer tray
- Date-ring lids help track stored portions
- Dishwasher-safe components make cleanup more convenient
Cons:
- Does not steam or cook ingredients
- Has more parts to store and clean than a basic manual tool
Verdict: Choose the NutriBullet if you want an electric blender with portioning and freezer-storage accessories for making food ahead.
GROWNSY Baby Food Maker: Best for Steaming and Blending Together
The GROWNSY combines steaming and blending in one electric appliance. Its elevated steam basket is designed to keep food above the water, and its controls offer auto and manual mixing modes. The bowl is made from heat-resistant Tritan, which the product description says is free from BPA, lead, phthalates, odors, and latex.
Combining cooking and blending may suit you if you want fewer separate steps and tools for preparing a puree. The two mixing modes also give you a choice between an automatic cycle and more direct control over texture. The product includes a sterilizer mode and a recipe book; check the manual for setup, cleaning, and instructions for each mode before use.
This appliance is more specialized than the NutriBullet, which concentrates on blending and storage. The GROWNSY’s container is compact, so it may be less suited to preparing a large batch at once. Its product description recommends cutting ingredients into small pieces for better blending, so expect some prep work even with an all-in-one machine.
Pros:
- Combines steaming and blending in one appliance
- Offers auto and manual mixing modes
- Includes a sterilizer mode and recipe book
- Uses a heat-resistant Tritan bowl
Cons:
- Requires you to cut ingredients into small pieces for blending
- The compact container may not suit larger batch-prep needs
Verdict: Pick the GROWNSY if you want one appliance for steaming and blending and prefer adjustable mixing modes over a separate blender and cooker.
OXO Tot Food Masher: Best for Quick, Small Portions
The OXO Tot Food Masher is a simple manual tool: a masher and a lidded bowl for turning suitable fruit and vegetables into a quick portion. Ridges on both the masher and bowl are designed to work together and help you scrape food from the sides. The masher fits inside the bowl for storage or taking along.
Because it is hand-operated, this tool doesn’t need a motor or electrical outlet. It’s a practical fit for mashing a small amount at mealtime, or for keeping a compact food-prep option on hand when you don’t want to run a larger appliance. Its bowl walls are designed to help contain food while you mash. The product is described as BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free plastic and silicone.
A manual masher is not a substitute for a steamer or blender. You’ll need to prepare ingredients separately, and the result depends on how soft the food is and how much you mash it. If you want smooth, consistent batches or plan to freeze many portions, an electric option may be more convenient.
Pros:
- Simple manual operation with no motor
- Masher stores inside the lidded bowl
- Ridges are designed to help mash and scrape food
- Useful for making a small portion at a time
Cons:
- Does not cook or steam ingredients
- Manual mashing may take more effort for larger amounts or firmer foods
Verdict: Choose the OXO Tot if you want a compact, reusable tool for mashing small portions rather than an appliance for batch cooking.
Nuby Garden Fresh Mash N’ Feed Bowl: Best for Mashing and Serving
The Nuby Garden Fresh set brings together a mashing bowl, food masher, long-handled spoon, and sealing lid. The bowl has a textured interior intended to help mash food, and the set is designed to let you prepare, store, and feed from the same bowl. That can mean fewer dishes when you only need a small serving.
The bowl is listed as safe for microwave sterilization and top-rack dishwasher cleaning. The product description says to wash it before first use and after each use, then rinse and dry it thoroughly. Color varies, so you may receive one of the listed options rather than selecting a specific shade.
This is a manual set, not a cooking appliance, so ingredients need to be prepared separately. Also, the supplied product information lists it as unavailable. If this particular set interests you, check its listing before planning to buy it; the OXO Tot or Matyz set may be alternatives to consider depending on the tools you need.
Pros:
- Combines a bowl, masher, spoon, and lid
- Designed for mashing and feeding from the same bowl
- Textured bowl interior is intended to help with mashing
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe, according to the product description
Cons:
- Does not steam or cook food
- Listed as unavailable in the supplied product information
Verdict: The Nuby is a practical concept for a basic mash-and-feed routine, but check availability before choosing it over an in-stock alternative.
Matyz Versatile Baby Food Maker Set: Best for Multiple Manual Prep Tasks
The Matyz set is a collection of manual food-prep tools rather than a single-purpose masher. It includes a mashing bowl and hand masher, plus a grater, citrus juicer, strainer, and mashing lid. The different pieces are intended for mashing, grating, and extracting juice, giving you more options as you prepare different foods.
The product description says the parts are made from food-grade polypropylene and are dishwasher-safe. It also describes using the masher with a little liquid to adjust a mash to a thinner consistency. As with other manual tools, you’ll need to prepare ingredients separately, and the grater and juicer may be useful only if you expect to use those specific functions.
The extra attachments make this set more versatile than the OXO Tot masher or Nuby bowl, but they also mean more pieces to keep track of and clean. The supplied product information lists this set as unavailable, so confirm the listing before counting on it as your choice.
Pros:
- Includes a masher, bowl, grater, citrus juicer, and strainer
- Offers more manual prep options than a basic mashing bowl
- Product description says the parts are dishwasher-safe
- Can be used to mash or grate, depending on the food and texture needed
Cons:
- Does not steam or cook ingredients
- Listed as unavailable in the supplied product information
Verdict: Consider the Matyz set if you want several manual prep tools in one kit, but verify availability and make sure you’ll use its extra attachments.
How to Choose a Baby Food-Making Tool
Decide whether you want to cook, blend, or simply mash
These tools do different jobs. The GROWNSY combines steaming and blending, while the NutriBullet is a blender and storage system that requires ingredients to be prepared separately. The OXO Tot, Nuby, and Matyz are manual tools for mashing or other simple prep tasks. Choose based on the steps you want the tool to handle, rather than assuming every baby food maker cooks food.
Think about portion size and how often you prep
If you plan to make several portions in one session, a batch bowl and freezer accessories can be helpful. The NutriBullet includes a 32-ounce bowl, storage cups, and a freezer tray. For a small amount made close to mealtime, a manual masher may be easier to reach for and put away. Consider your usual routine and available storage space.
Choose how much control you want over texture
Manual mashing lets you work directly on the food, while an electric blender can make blending larger amounts less hands-on. The GROWNSY offers auto and manual mixing modes, which provide different ways to control blending. Check the product instructions and prepare ingredients as directed. Your choice should fit the textures you plan to make, not just the number of settings.
Check cleaning and storage needs
Look at which parts can go in the dishwasher and whether the maker has accessories you’ll need to clean separately. The NutriBullet components are described as dishwasher-safe; the Nuby bowl is listed as top-rack dishwasher-safe; and the Matyz parts are described as dishwasher-safe. A compact manual tool has fewer components, while a set with multiple attachments may take more space in a drawer.
Review materials and care instructions
Check the product’s stated materials and follow its manual for washing, sterilizing, and use. The NutriBullet’s bowl and cups are described as BPA-free plastic, the GROWNSY uses a Tritan bowl, and the OXO Tot is described as BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free plastic and silicone. Use the care method specified for each part instead of assuming all pieces can be treated the same way.
Consider availability before settling on a model
The supplied product information lists the Nuby and Matyz sets as unavailable, while the other three are listed as available. Availability can change, so confirm the product listing before deciding. If an item is not offered, compare its main function with an available alternative: the OXO Tot is a straightforward masher, while the NutriBullet and GROWNSY are electric options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a baby food maker and a baby food masher?
A baby food maker may include electric blending and, in some models, steaming. A manual masher breaks down prepared food by hand. In this selection, the GROWNSY steams and blends, the NutriBullet blends and stores portions, and the OXO Tot, Nuby, and Matyz offer manual prep tools.
Which option is best for making food ahead?
The NutriBullet is the clearest fit for batch prep because it includes a large batch bowl, storage cups, a storage tray, and a freezer tray. The GROWNSY may suit you if you want to steam and blend in one appliance, but its listed container dimensions are compact.
Do all of these products cook food?
No. The GROWNSY is described as a steamer and blender. The NutriBullet is a blending system, and the OXO Tot, Nuby, and Matyz products are manual tools. Prepare ingredients separately when the product does not include a cooking function.
Can I use a manual masher for every food?
A masher is intended for foods that can be mashed to the texture you want. The product descriptions do not establish that every food will mash well, so follow the tool instructions and prepare ingredients appropriately. For a smoother blend or larger quantity, an electric appliance may be a better fit.
Which option takes up the least space?
The OXO Tot has a simple design, and its masher fits inside its lidded bowl. The NutriBullet and Matyz include more accessories, while the GROWNSY is an electric appliance. Check the product dimensions and the space you have available before ordering.
Are the Nuby and Matyz sets available?
The supplied product information lists both as unavailable. Their status may change, so check their product pages. If you need an option listed as available in the supplied information, compare the OXO Tot for manual mashing or the electric NutriBullet and GROWNSY models.
Final Recommendation
For most batch-prep routines, the NutriBullet Baby Complete Food-Making System is the most complete choice because it combines blending with portion and freezer-storage accessories. If you want steaming and blending in one appliance, choose the GROWNSY. For small, quick portions without an electric motor, the OXO Tot Food Masher is the simpler pick. The Nuby and Matyz sets offer useful manual features, but the supplied product information lists them as unavailable, so verify their status before making a decision.
