How to Serve Nuts to Babies and Toddlers

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Learn how to safely introduce and serve nuts to babies and toddlers to avoid choking risks and offer up a load of nutrition. Win win!

Nuts for Kids

There aren’t many foods that I say NO to for kids, but whole nuts are a choking hazard until at least age 4, which I know is surprising to some. Plus, spoonfuls of nut butters can be way too sticky for little mouths to handle, which can also cause potential trouble.

Here’s the good news though: There are SO many yummy options for how to serve nuts that offer up the healthy fats, protein, and more that are easier for the kids to chew and swallow! Plus, nuts and seeds are a great source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamins and minerals including Vitamin E and iron. So incorporating them into their diets is a great way to add nutrients.

P.S. Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that we introduce allergens, including peanuts, to babies soon after they start solids UNLESS there is a family history of food allergies or the baby has had or has eczema. Always be in touch with your pediatrician for medical advice and with any concerns about introducing potential food allergens.

Peanut Butter Puree

This is my go-to way to serve peanut butter to babies and it’s such a flavorful and nutrient-rich food for littles. All you need is unsweetened peanut butter and warm water to mix up a fluffy puree! (It has the consistency of yogurt!) You can serve this on a spoon like any other puree or add to oatmeal or yogurt.

TIP: Find the full info on how to Introduce Peanuts to Babies here.

Nut Powder

Grinding up a homemade nut powder by blending up whole nuts into a fine dust-like powder. This adds texture and nutrients! You can sprinkle on grains, meat, veggies…anything you like! Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the specifics on how to do this.

TIP: Using this sort of a nut powder can help toddlers with texture aversions too.

Peanut Butter Toast

Try a thin smear on toast, pancakes or waffles. The key here is thin, not globs, to ensure that this is easy to chew. This also works as a baby led weaning food for younger babies to gnaw on on a finger-size piece of lightly toasted bread.

TIP: I toast bread lightly for younger toddlers, verses untoasted bread, simply because the texture difference makes it a little easier to chew—and a little less likely to get stuck on the roof of their mouths.

Chopped Nuts and Seeds for Kids

For kids over about 20-22 months, try finely chopped or finely sliced nuts as an option. Sit with them and give a very small amount to make sure they do okay as it take some practice to learn the new texture.

You can also soak cashews and chop them for an even softer option.

Roasted sunflower seeds are a good option from about 2.5/3 years and up. I’d do pumpkin seeds a little later than that since they can be hard to chew.

Halved cashews, walnuts, or peanuts are a good option for kids about 3 + years. (I am being conservative here just to err on the safe side of things.)

Best Tips for Success

I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, or any questions you may have, so please comment below!