diff --git a/meta-arm-autonomy/README.md b/meta-arm-autonomy/README.md
index 1f80a054..d0c6181d 100644
--- a/meta-arm-autonomy/README.md
+++ b/meta-arm-autonomy/README.md
@@ -40,6 +40,11 @@ Images
 ------
 This layer is adding the following images:
 
+* arm-autonomy-host-image-minimal: this image includes all elements required
+  to create a minimal arm-autonomy-host system. This includes xen and tools to
+  manage xen guests. This image depends on 'arm-autonomy-host' distribution
+  feature.
+
 Recipes and classes
 -------------------
 This layer is adding the following recipes and classes:
diff --git a/meta-arm-autonomy/recipes-core/images/arm-autonomy-host-image-minimal.bb b/meta-arm-autonomy/recipes-core/images/arm-autonomy-host-image-minimal.bb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fb0a0b7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/meta-arm-autonomy/recipes-core/images/arm-autonomy-host-image-minimal.bb
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# Recipe to create a minimal Arm Autonomy stack host image
+
+DESCRIPTION = "Arm Autonomy stack host minimal image"
+
+inherit core-image
+
+LICENSE = "MIT"
+
+# Includes minimal set required to start and manage guest. The xen specific
+# modules are not explicitly included as they are built as part of the kernel
+# image for performance reasons. Includes all kernel modules anyway as it makes
+# life easier and does not cost that much in size.
+IMAGE_INSTALL += " \
+    packagegroup-core-boot \
+    packagegroup-core-ssh-openssh \
+    kernel-modules \
+    xen-base \
+    qemu \
+    "
+
+python __anonymous() {
+    if bb.utils.contains('DISTRO_FEATURES', 'arm-autonomy-host', False, True, d):
+        raise bb.parse.SkipRecipe("DISTRO_FEATURES does not contain 'arm-autonomy-host'")
+
+    if bb.utils.contains('DISTRO_FEATURES', 'xen', False, True, d):
+        raise bb.parse.SkipRecipe("DISTRO_FEATURES does not contain 'xen'")
+}