How to serve tofu by age
6–8 months
Firm tofu in finger-length strips, two fingers wide. Steam or pan-cook briefly so they hold together but squish easily.
9–11 months
Soft cubes about the size of a chickpea for pincer practice, or crumbled into scrambled egg or veg.
12–24 months
Family-style cubes or crumbles in stir-fries, soups, or a mild, low-salt mapo tofu.
Needs special prep: low
choking risk in its raw or whole form
Roll strips in ground oats for grip, or pan-cook to firm the outside.
Tofu is soft and mashes easily against the gums, though it can be slippery.
Allergen notes
Tofu is a soy food, and soy is a common allergen. For a first taste, offer a small piece of plain soft tofu, mashed or in a strip. If there's no reaction, keep tofu in your baby's diet regularly.
Nutrition
- Contains plant protein and iron.
- Contains calcium when set with calcium sulfate (check the label).
Preparation tips
- Serving it with a vitamin C food like broccoli or tomato is a nice pairing: vitamin C improves iron absorption.
- Press out the water, then bake strips at 200°C / 400°F until just firm outside.
Sources
- AAAAI / ACAAI / CSACI · A Consensus Approach to the Primary Prevention of Food Allergy Through Nutrition (2021)
- American Academy of Pediatrics · HealthyChildren.org: Starting Solid Foods
- NHS Best Start in Life · Weaning
This is general information, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer and methodology.
Keep a record of tofu
The free tracker saves food records in this browser. No account needed.