Peanut for babies: how to serve it by age

How to serve peanut by age

6–8 months

Stir a little smooth peanut butter or peanut powder into oatmeal or yogurt, or spread it very thinly on a toast strip. Never whole nuts.

9–11 months

Thin peanut butter with warm water or breast milk until runny, then swirl into porridge or spread thinly on soft toast. No globs.

12–24 months

Always ground or as thin butter: spread thinly on toast or stir into sauces and oatmeal. Never a spoonful from the jar, and no whole nuts or pieces.

Needs special prep: high

choking risk in its raw or whole form

No whole nuts or pieces small enough to pick up; grind them to a fine powder stirred into moist food, or use smooth nut butter thinned and spread thinly. To be extra safe, we suggest keeping to this until at least age 4–5.

Whole peanuts, peanut pieces, and thick globs or spoonfuls of peanut butter can lodge in or coat a small airway.

Allergen notes

Peanut is a common allergen, and introducing it early, around 6 months, is recommended. If your baby has severe eczema or a known egg allergy, talk to your pediatrician before the first peanut taste. For a first taste, offer about ¼ teaspoon of smooth peanut butter thinned with warm water, or peanut powder stirred into a food your baby already eats. If there's no reaction, keep peanut in the diet regularly — for example, about 3 times a week.

Read the guide to introducing allergens

Nutrition

Contains protein and fat, mostly unsaturated.
A source of vitamin E and niacin.

Preparation tips

Peanut powder stirred into yogurt or applesauce is the easiest, least messy start.
Pick smooth peanut butter with only peanuts on the label; skip crunchy, sweetened, or salted jars.

Sources

This is general information, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer and methodology.

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