Drinks & extras Food Library
When can babies have cashew yogurt?
Can babies have cashew yogurt?
Babies can have plain, unsweetened cashew yogurt from about 6 months, when they start solids. Cashew yogurt is made from cashews, a tree nut and common allergen, so introduce it carefully. Cashew yogurt is lower in protein than dairy yogurt, so it works best as a side, not a main protein.
How to serve cashew yogurt by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Offer plain unsweetened cashew yogurt on a spoon, or hand your baby a preloaded spoon to bring to their mouth. You can stir in smooth fruit puree, a little thinned nut butter or iron-fortified baby cereal to make it more filling.
7–8 months
Serve thicker cashew yogurt with fork-mashed fruit or lumpy oatmeal stirred in, on a preloaded spoon or in a bowl for messy self-feeding. It also works as a dip for soft toast strips or steamed veggie sticks that squash easily between your fingers.
9–12 months
Serve cashew yogurt in a bowl for self-feeding practice, as a dip for soft toast strips or steamed veggie sticks, or swirled into oatmeal. Thicker yogurt is easier for babies to scoop.
12 months +
Toddlers can have cashew yogurt with chopped soft fruit, as a creamy base for dips, or blended into smoothies. Keep choosing plain versions and add your own fruit for sweetness.
Why it’s good
Cashew yogurt gives babies healthy fats, some plant protein and, in many brands, live cultures. Some brands add calcium and vitamin D, but many do not, and most have much less protein and calcium than dairy yogurt. Mixing cashew yogurt with iron-fortified cereal, nut butters or seeds adds more nutrition.
Safety notes
- Choose plain, unsweetened cashew yogurt. Flavored versions often contain added sugar, which experts recommend avoiding before age 2.
- Read the label for other allergens. Some cashew yogurts also contain coconut, almond, soy or other tree nuts.
- Cashew yogurt is not a full replacement for dairy yogurt nutritionally. If your baby avoids dairy, ask your pediatrician or a dietitian how to cover protein, calcium and vitamin D.
- Keep cashew yogurt in the fridge, check the use-by date, and throw it out if it smells off, looks pink or grows mold.
- Do not add honey to cashew yogurt for babies under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.
Introduce cashew yogurt on its own, then keep it in
Cashew yogurt is made from cashews, a tree nut and one of the Top 9 allergens, so start with a small spoonful and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing. If your baby has severe eczema or another food allergy, check with your pediatrician first, and keep cashew in the diet regularly once it is tolerated.
Cashew yogurt for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about cashew yogurt for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have cashew yogurt?
Babies can have cashew yogurt from about 6 months, when they are ready to start solids. Cashew yogurt should be plain and unsweetened, and introduced like any other tree nut allergen.
Can babies have cashew yogurt?
Yes, babies can eat plain unsweetened cashew yogurt as part of a varied diet. Cashew yogurt is a gentle way to introduce cashews, but it has less protein and calcium than dairy yogurt.
Is cashew yogurt a choking hazard for babies?
Cashew yogurt is a low choking risk because it is smooth and soft. Check that the cashew yogurt has no nut pieces or granola mixed in, and keep your baby seated upright while eating.
Is cashew yogurt a common allergen?
Yes, cashew yogurt is a common allergen because it is made from cashews, a tree nut. Introduce a small amount of cashew yogurt first and watch your baby closely for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve cashew yogurt to a 6 month old?
To serve cashew yogurt to a 6 month old, offer plain cashew yogurt on a spoon or hand your baby a preloaded spoon to hold. Stirring iron-fortified cereal or smooth fruit puree into the cashew yogurt makes it more nutritious.
Is cashew yogurt a good dairy-free yogurt for babies?
Cashew yogurt can be part of a dairy-free diet for babies, but it is usually lower in protein than soy yogurt or dairy yogurt. Look for a cashew yogurt fortified with calcium and vitamin D, and ask your pediatrician how to cover other nutrients.
Can babies with a dairy allergy have cashew yogurt?
Babies with a dairy allergy can usually have cashew yogurt, as long as it is made without milk and they are not allergic to cashews. Check the cashew yogurt label for milk ingredients and cross-contact warnings.
Does cashew yogurt have probiotics?
Many cashew yogurts contain live and active cultures, but the amount and type vary by brand. Look for live cultures on the cashew yogurt label if this matters to you.
Can I make cashew yogurt at home for my baby?
You can make cashew yogurt at home by blending soaked cashews smooth and fermenting them with a yogurt starter. Homemade cashew yogurt must be kept clean and cold, and any batch that smells unusual or grows mold should be thrown away.
The takeaway
- Babies can have plain, unsweetened cashew yogurt from about 6 months, when they start solids.
- Offer plain unsweetened cashew yogurt on a spoon, or hand your baby a preloaded spoon to bring to their mouth.
- Choking risk is low. Tree nut 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
- Peanut Allergy: What to Know About the Latest Prevention Guidelines American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Recommended Drinks for Young Children Ages 0-5 American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
- Botulism Prevention 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.