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When can babies have avocado oil?
Can babies have avocado oil?
Babies can have avocado oil from about 6 months, used in cooking or drizzled over food. Avocado oil adds healthy monounsaturated fat and a mild flavor, and its high smoke point makes it handy for roasting and sauteing baby foods. Use a small amount as part of a meal, not by the spoonful.
How to serve avocado oil by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Drizzle a little avocado oil over smooth vegetable purees, mashed beans or iron-fortified cereal and stir it in well. A small amount adds healthy fat to spoon-fed meals.
7–8 months
Stir avocado oil into thicker, lumpier mashes, or use it to roast soft wedges of sweet potato and squash until they squash easily between your fingers. Oily pieces can be rolled in ground oats so they are easier to grip.
9–12 months
Use avocado oil to saute soft vegetables, scramble eggs or cook small fish and meat pieces. A teaspoon or so mixed into a meal adds calories and helps your baby absorb vitamins A, D, E and K from vegetables.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat family meals cooked in avocado oil, and you can whisk it into simple dressings with lemon for salads and dips. Keep offering a range of healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, nut butters and fish.
Why it’s good
Avocado oil is mostly monounsaturated fat (oleic acid), similar to olive oil, plus vitamin E. Babies need plenty of fat for brain growth and energy, and adding a small amount of healthy oil helps them absorb fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids from vegetables. Avocado oil does not have the fiber, potassium or folate of whole avocado.
Safety notes
- Never add oil to a baby's bottle, and do not give spoonfuls of oil on their own. Small amounts mixed into food are all that is needed.
- Store avocado oil in a cool, dark place with the lid tight, and throw it out if it smells stale, bitter or like crayons, which means it has gone rancid.
- Hot oil causes serious burns. Keep pans out of reach and let oil-cooked food cool before serving.
- Buy from a trusted brand and check the best-by date. Testing has found some store-bought avocado oils were stale or mixed with cheaper oils.
- Avocado oil sprays may contain propellants and other additives; a small brush or drizzle is a simpler choice for baby food.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Avocado oil is not a Top 9 allergen, and highly refined avocado oil contains very little of the protein that triggers allergy. Children with avocado allergy or latex-fruit syndrome (latex allergy with reactions to avocado, banana or kiwi) should check with their pediatrician before trying it, especially unrefined avocado oil.
Avocado oil for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about avocado oil for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have avocado oil?
Babies can have avocado oil from about 6 months, when they start solids. Use a small amount in cooking or drizzled over soft foods.
Can babies have avocado oil?
Yes, babies can eat avocado oil as part of their meals. Avocado oil is a good source of healthy fat, and a little drizzle helps babies absorb vitamins from vegetables.
Is avocado oil a choking hazard for babies?
No, avocado oil is not a choking hazard. Oil can make some foods slippery, so cut oiled foods into safe shapes and roll slippery pieces in ground oats or breadcrumbs to help with grip.
Is avocado oil a common allergen?
No, avocado oil is not one of the Top 9 common food allergens. Children with avocado allergy or latex allergy should talk to their pediatrician before trying avocado oil.
How do I serve avocado oil to a 6 month old?
To serve avocado oil to a 6 month old, drizzle about half a teaspoon over a puree or mashed food and stir it in before spooning it up. Soft roasted vegetable wedges cooked in a little oil can follow at 7–8 months.
Is avocado oil better than olive oil for babies?
Avocado oil and olive oil are both healthy choices for babies, with similar amounts of monounsaturated fat. Avocado oil has a milder taste and a higher smoke point for roasting, while extra virgin olive oil has more studied plant compounds, so using both is a good approach.
Is refined or unrefined avocado oil better for babies?
Both refined and unrefined avocado oil are safe for babies. Unrefined avocado oil has more flavor and color and is best for drizzling, while refined avocado oil is neutral and better for high-heat cooking.
How much avocado oil can a baby have?
Babies only need about half a teaspoon to a teaspoon of avocado oil added to a meal. Fat needs are high in the first years, but most fat should come from breast milk or formula and whole foods like avocado, eggs, fish and nut butters.
Can I use avocado oil on my baby's skin?
Some parents use plain avocado oil on dry skin, but talk to your pediatrician first, especially if your baby has eczema. Patch test a small area, and avoid oils on broken or inflamed skin unless your doctor recommends them.
The takeaway
- Babies can have avocado oil from about 6 months, used in cooking or drizzled over food.
- Drizzle a little avocado oil over smooth vegetable purees, mashed beans or iron-fortified cereal and stir it in well.
- Choking risk is low. Not a Top 9 allergen, but offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Recommended Drinks for Young Children Ages 0-5 American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.