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Can babies eat celery?
Celery can be offered once your baby has started solids, prepared to suit their stage. This is a common allergen (Celery).
How to cook celery for a baby
- Method
- Boil or steam
- Ready in
- 12 Min.
- Texture
- Smooth purée
How you cut and serve celery changes as your baby grows. That is set out age by age below.
How to prepare celery, age by age
- 6 to 8 months
- Remove all stringy fibres, cook until completely soft, then blend to a smooth purée.
- 9 to 11 months
- Cook until very soft, remove strings, and mash finely into other vegetables.
- 12 to 17 months
- Very soft cooked celery, strings removed, cut into tiny pieces.
- 18 months and over
- Soft cooked celery sticks with strings removed, or mixed into soups and stews.
Choking risk
Raw celery is a high choking hazard for babies and toddlers — always cook until very soft. The stringy fibres must also be removed before serving.
Watch: How to avoid choking
Is celery an allergen?
Celery is one of the 14 major allergens recognised by the EU and UK. Introduce a small amount first and watch for any reaction over 24 hours.
Learn about allergen introduction
Is celery good for babies?
Celery provides Vitamin K and folate, important for bone health and cell growth. Its high water content helps with hydration. As a major EU allergen, always introduce celery carefully alongside other already-accepted foods, and never during allergy season if your baby has pollen allergies.
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Folate
Storing celery
In the fridge
2 Days. Store cooked celery sealed in the fridge
In the freezer
3 Months. Blanch and freeze in portions — best used in cooked dishes
Baby recipes with celery
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This page is general information based on NHS weaning guidance, not medical advice. Always stay with your baby while they eat. If you have concerns about allergies, choking or your baby's development, speak to your health visitor or GP.