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Can babies eat peanut butter?
Peanut Butter can be offered once your baby has started solids, prepared to suit their stage. This is a common allergen (Peanuts).
How to cook peanut butter for a baby
- Method
- Thinned Smooth Peanut Butter
- Texture
- Thinned smooth spread
How you cut and serve peanut butter changes as your baby grows. That is set out age by age below.
How to prepare peanut butter, age by age
- 6 to 8 months
- Mix 1 tsp smooth peanut butter with 2–3 tsp water or breast milk until runny — never thick.
- 9 to 11 months
- Thin smear on soft bread or mixed into porridge.
- 12 to 17 months
- Thin smear on toast soldiers or stirred into yogurt.
- 18 months and over
- Small amount of smooth peanut butter on bread.
Choking risk
Whole peanuts are a severe choking hazard. Only smooth peanut butter thinned with water or breast milk is safe.
Watch: Safe peanut butter preparation
Is peanut butter an allergen?
Peanut allergy is one of the most common. Current guidelines recommend early introduction — speak to your GP if there is family history.
Read: Early peanut introduction guidelines
Is peanut butter good for babies?
Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, niacin, and magnesium. Current evidence strongly supports early introduction of peanut protein to significantly reduce the risk of peanut allergy later in life. Always use smooth only, thinned to a runny consistency. Start with a small amount and watch for 2 hours.
- Protein
- Healthy Fats
- Magnesium
Storing peanut butter
In the fridge
3 Months. Refrigerate opened natural peanut butter
In the freezer
Not recommended. Peanut butter does not need freezing
Goes well with
Baby recipes with peanut butter
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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.