Dairy Food Library
When can babies have burrata?
Can babies have burrata?
Babies can have burrata from about 6 months, as long as it is made with pasteurized milk and eaten very fresh. Burrata is a soft mozzarella shell filled with cream and shreds of curd, so it is mild and fairly low in salt. The outer shell can be rubbery, so serve the creamy center or tear the shell into thin shreds, and remember burrata is a dairy allergen.
How to serve burrata by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Spoon a little of the creamy center of pasteurized burrata into smooth vegetable puree, mashed potato or fruit puree and stir it in, or blend it with the shell until smooth. Offer it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Stir the creamy center and very thin shreds of the shell into lumpier mashed vegetables or soft pasta, or spread the creamy center thinly on a soft toast strip. Avoid rubbery chunks of the shell.
9–12 months
Offer small, thin shreds of the burrata shell and dabs of the creamy center mixed with soft-cooked vegetables, ripe tomato pieces or pasta. Thin shreds are good for pincer grasp practice.
12 months +
Toddlers can have burrata torn over pasta, pizza, roasted vegetables or with peeled, chopped ripe tomato and bread. Keep tearing the shell into bite-size pieces rather than serving a whole ball.
Why it’s good
Burrata gives babies fat and calories for growth, plus protein, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B12 for bones and muscles. Burrata is usually lower in sodium than aged cheeses like parmesan or feta, which makes it a friendly cheese for babies. Burrata is not a source of iron, so pair it with iron-rich foods.
Safety notes
- Only serve burrata made with pasteurized milk, and check the label every time. Burrata made from raw milk can carry Listeria and other harmful bacteria.
- Burrata is a fresh, moist cheese with a short shelf life. Buy it close to the date you will use it, keep it cold, eat it within a day or two of opening and never serve it past the use-by date.
- The mozzarella shell is rubbery and can be a choking risk in chunks. Tear it into thin shreds, blend it, or stick to the creamy center for young babies.
- Do not leave burrata out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Warming it in a hot dish until steaming adds a layer of safety.
- Burrata is very rich. Offer it in small amounts alongside vegetables, grains and proteins rather than as a large portion on its own.
Introduce burrata on its own, then keep it in
Burrata is made from cow's milk (or sometimes buffalo milk), and dairy is one of the Top 9 allergens. Offer a small amount first and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing, and once dairy is tolerated keep it in the diet regularly.
Burrata for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about burrata for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have burrata?
Babies can have burrata from about 6 months, as long as the burrata is pasteurized and very fresh. Start with the soft, creamy center stirred into a puree, and add thin shreds of the shell from about 7–8 months.
Can babies have burrata?
Yes, babies can eat pasteurized burrata in small amounts. Burrata is mild and lower in salt than many cheeses, which makes it a good choice for babies when it is fresh and stored cold.
Is burrata a choking hazard for babies?
Burrata can be a choking hazard when the rubbery mozzarella shell is served in chunks. Tearing the burrata shell into thin shreds or serving the creamy filling lowers the risk for babies.
Is burrata a common allergen?
Yes, burrata is a common allergen because it is made from milk, and dairy is one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce burrata in a small amount and watch for any signs of a reaction.
How do I serve burrata to a 6 month old?
To serve burrata to a 6 month old, stir a spoonful of the creamy center into mashed vegetables or a smooth puree and offer it on a spoon. Blend any shell smooth. Burrata spread thinly on a soft toast strip can follow at 7–8 months.
Is burrata pasteurized?
Most burrata sold in US grocery stores is made with pasteurized milk, but some imported or artisan burrata may not be. Always read the label for the word pasteurized before serving burrata to a baby.
How much cheese can babies eat?
Babies only need small amounts of cheese like burrata, such as a tablespoon or two at a meal a few times a week. Cheese adds fat and calcium, but too much can crowd out iron-rich foods and contribute to constipation.
What is the difference between burrata and mozzarella for babies?
Burrata is a mozzarella shell filled with cream and soft curds, so it is softer and richer than plain fresh mozzarella. Both are mild, lower-sodium cheeses that are fine for babies when pasteurized.
How long does burrata last once opened?
Opened burrata is best eaten the same day and within about one to two days in the fridge. Throw burrata out if it smells sour, looks slimy or has passed its use-by date.
The takeaway
- Babies can have burrata from about 6 months, as long as it is made with pasteurized milk and eaten very fresh.
- Spoon a little of the creamy center of pasteurized burrata into smooth vegetable puree, mashed potato or fruit puree and stir it in, or blend it with the shell until smooth.
- Choking risk is medium. Dairy is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
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
- Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Preventing Listeria Infection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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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.