When babies can eat apples
Babies can eat apple from around 6 months when starting solids.
Raw apple must be avoided until babies are much older - it is too hard. Cook apple until soft, or offer very thin, softened peel-on strips for older babies.
See our first foods for baby guide for more ideas.
Select Baby's Age
How to cut apple for a 6 month old
Steam or bake apple until very soft. Cut into thick wedges or strips that babies can hold. Leave some peel on for grip if desired. The apple should mash easily between your fingers.
6 month baby feeding schedule for more tips.
Safety Tips
- ✓Raw apple is hard and a choking hazard - cook until soft for young babies.
- ✓Steam, bake, or roast apple until it mashes easily with your fingers.
- ✓Avoid large chunks of raw apple until your child is older and chews well.
- ✓Remove seeds and core before serving.
Apple recipes for babies
Looking for meals using apples? See our baby recipes.
- ★Stewed apple
- ★Apple oatmeal
- ★Apple pear mash
- ★Baked apple wedges
Explore our baby-led weaning food list and first foods for baby for more inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can babies eat apple?
Most babies can eat apple from around 6 months when starting solids. Always serve it in a safe size and texture appropriate for your baby's age and development.
How do you cut apple for baby led weaning?
For babies around 6 months, apple should be cut into large pieces that are easy to grasp with their hands. As babies develop their chewing skills, the pieces can gradually become smaller.
How to serve apple baby led weaning?
For BLW, cut apple into strips or wedges that babies can hold. The texture should be soft enough to mash easily with gentle pressure.
Can babies choke on apple?
apple can become a choking hazard if served in small round or hard pieces. Cutting it into larger soft pieces appropriate for baby-led weaning helps reduce choking risk.
How should apple be served to a 6 month old?
At around 6 months, apple should be served in large soft pieces that babies can hold with their hands. See our full ingredient guide.
Is apple safe for baby led weaning?
apple can be included in baby-led weaning when cut into safe shapes and soft textures that babies can hold and gum. Browse recipes with this ingredient.
How small should apple be cut for older babies?
From around 9 months, babies typically use a pincer grasp, so apple can be cut into smaller pea-sized pieces. Continue ensuring pieces are soft enough to mash and watch for any choking risk shapes.
Should apple be cooked or raw for babies?
Cook apple until easily mashable when raw textures are too firm for babies to gum. Soft ripe fruits are often offered raw, while firmer foods are typically steamed, roasted, or boiled until tender.
Can apple be served as a finger food at 6 months?
Yes, apple can be a 6-month finger food when cut into long graspable strips and softened to a mashable texture. Always supervise meals and adjust shape as your baby's chewing skills develop.
How to cut apple for a 7 month old?
At 7 months babies still use a palmar (whole-hand) grasp. Cut apple into long strips about 2-3 inches long and finger-width thick, with part sticking out of the fist for chewing. Soft enough to mash between two fingers.
How to cut apple for an 8 month old?
At 8 months babies are refining grasp and may begin pincering. Continue offering apple in 2-inch strips alongside a few small pea-sized pieces to practice the pincer grasp. Cooked until easily mashable.
How to cut apple for a 9 month old?
At 9 months most babies have developed the pincer grasp. Cut apple into pea-sized pieces (about ½ inch / 1.5 cm) for self-feeding practice. Continue avoiding round, hard, or sticky shapes; soft enough to mash with mild pressure.
How to cut apple for a 10 month old?
At 10 months babies eat a wider variety of textures. Offer apple in pea-sized pieces or small bite-sized cubes (½ inch / 1.5 cm). They can manage slightly firmer textures, but pieces should still mash easily.
How to cut apple for a 12 month old?
From 12 months babies eat in pieces about ½ inch (1.5 cm). Round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes) must still be quartered until age 4 due to choking risk. Soft enough to chew without much molar work.
Can babies eat apple for breakfast?
Yes — apple can be part of a balanced baby breakfast when prepared in baby-safe shapes. Pair with a protein, healthy fat, or whole grain (eggs, yogurt, oats, nut butter on toast) for a complete morning meal.
verifiedSources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
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