If you have ambitions of getting tacos into the pie hole of your infant or toddler but can’t quite figure out the logistics of getting a small child to eat a multi-ingredient/multi-texture dish, we have one word for you: baleada. Central American in origin, it consists of a flat flour tortilla spread with refried beans, white cheese, and whatever else strikes you–a real blank canvas, and one soft enough for even young toddlers. The version here tries to strike a balance between typical and true flavors of Central and South America with what older infants and (younger toddlers) like: creamy and rich or sweet flavors like avocado, bananas, and cheese. Keep the beans-and-cheese-on-a-soft-tortilla base but adapt as you and/or your toddler see fit.
Heads up: get ready to smash and smooth a bunch of t’ngs…
👶 A Soft, Safe Start to Taco Night
This recipe is a gentle, baby-led introduction to one of the most beloved family meals—tacos! Designed for infants just starting solids and toddlers still building their chewing and self-feeding skills, this taco skips meat, spice, and salt in favor of mild, nourishing ingredients that are easy to handle and digest.
Whether served open-faced, rolled, or broken into small bites, this taco fits a range of developmental stages and textures.
🥑 Ingredients Overview
- Soft tortilla – choose a small, pliable tortilla suitable for your child’s grip and chewing ability
- Mashed beans – black beans, pinto beans, or white beans, served plain or gently mashed for spreadability
- Avocado – mashed up and soft
- Plantains – fried up until soft and sweet
There’s no meat, added salt, or strong spices—just real food made toddler-appropriate.
🥣 Steps Overview
- Slice plantains into thin coins, they fry until golden and soft
- Mash the beans until smooth, or leave slightly chunky for older toddlers
- Spread the beans on the tortilla as the base; add avocado layer on top
- Add plantain pieces, cheese, and anything else you’d like
- Warm tortilla in pan for 30 seconds per side.
- Serve as a roll-up, wedge, or deconstructed, depending on what works best for your child
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is this recipe suitable for babies under 1?
Yes—this taco is designed for infants starting solids, with no added salt and soft textures throughout.
Can I serve it deconstructed?
Definitely. Offering the components separately is great for early eaters still developing pincer grasp and chewing coordination.
What kind of beans should I use?
Any soft-cooked beans will work—black beans, white beans, or pintos are all good options. Just make sure they’re fully cooked and easy to mash.
Do I need to season the beans?
No seasoning is necessary. This recipe is about letting your infant or toddler experience whole food flavors on their own terms.
How To Make a Taco for Infants (and Toddlers)
Description
This blend of avocados, black beans, plantains, and cheese in a soft tortilla is the perfect gateway into tacos for your toddler or infant.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
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Rinse and dry the black beans. Place just enough water into a small pot or saucepan to cover the bottom and heat on Low; pour in black beans and a drizzle of olive oil, and allow to heat for roughly 3-5 minutes. Once soft, squeeze in the juice of the lime and sprinkle cilantro all over; mix. Using a fork or potato masher, smash the beans down until the form a chunky paste. Remove from heat.
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Slice the banana into thick coins. Heat a small pan with some oil in it to Medium; when hot, place banana slices into pan and cook until just slightly caramelized and soft roughly 2 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Smash down innards of the avocado until it forms a chunky puree (or make guacamole with it).
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Spread the black bean mix over one side of the tortilla and avocado on the other; place a few banana slices and crumbled or shredded cheese in between.
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Drape one side of the tortilla onto the other and press down to adhere to the ingredients.
Cook
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Heat a pan to Medium, adding a bit of cooking spray or oil if needed; when hot, place stuffed tortilla in and cook until outside is just starting to crisp, roughly 20 seconds; flip and do the same for the other side. Remove from heat.
Serve
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Your kiddo may want for something red and tangy–salsa? ketchup?–to dip; otherwise, this one is good to go. I usually keep the tortilla whole for the first few bites so that my son can get acquainted with the flavors inside and the structure of a taco; that often means holding it up for my son until he lets me know how he wants to eat it.
Adapt
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As noted at the outset, lots of different modifications are possible on this one: swap out the bananas and add in some eggs; go the meaty route and add in some ground pork or meat; or keep it minimalist and just do beans and cheese. Soft and sweet: those are the only rules.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 80kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 2.5g4%
- Total Carbohydrate 12g4%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Sugars 1g
- Protein 3.5g8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
User Reviews
Been looking for something like this! Thanks