Veggies Food Library
When can babies have celeriac?
Can babies have celeriac?
Babies can have celeriac, also called celery root, from about 6 months when it is cooked until soft. Raw or firm celeriac is hard and can be a choking hazard, so roast, steam or boil it until it squashes easily. Celeriac is not one of the Top 9 allergens in the US, but celery is a recognized allergen in Europe.
How to serve celeriac by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Peel celeriac thickly with a knife, cut it up and boil or steam until very soft. Blend or mash it smooth with potato and a little olive oil, breast milk or formula, and offer it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Cut peeled celeriac into wedges or sticks about the length and width of an adult finger, then roast or steam until they squash easily between your fingers. Celeriac can also be fork-mashed with potato for a lumpier texture.
9–12 months
Offer soft-cooked celeriac cut into small bite-sized cubes for pincer-grasp practice. Celeriac mash also works well as a dip or mixed into soups and stews.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat roasted celeriac fries, soups, mash and stews. Keep celeriac cooked until soft, and wait until about age 4 for thin shreds of raw celeriac in salads.
Why it’s good
Celeriac gives babies vitamin K for healthy blood clotting, plus vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus and fiber. Celeriac is lower in starch than potato and has a mild, nutty celery flavor that adds variety. It is not a good source of iron, so serve it with meat, beans or eggs.
Safety notes
- Raw celeriac is hard and crunchy, and raw chunks are a choking hazard for babies and young children. Always cook celeriac until it squashes easily between your thumb and finger.
- The knobbly skin is tough and holds dirt. Scrub the root, then cut away the skin and any tough root parts with a sharp knife.
- Celeriac contains natural nitrates, like many root vegetables. Normal servings are fine for babies over 6 months. Store cooked celeriac in the fridge and use it within 2 to 3 days.
- Celeriac browns quickly once cut. Drop pieces into water with a squeeze of lemon if you are not cooking them right away.
- Keep added salt low in celeriac soups and mash, and use low-sodium or homemade stock.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Celeriac is not a Top 9 allergen in the US, but celery and celeriac are among the 14 major allergens in the UK and EU, and reactions can be serious in some people. Celery allergy is often linked to birch or mugwort pollen allergy, so introduce a small amount and watch for itching around the mouth, hives, vomiting or swelling.
Celeriac for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about celeriac for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have celeriac?
Babies can have celeriac from about 6 months, as soon as they start solids. Celeriac should be cooked until very soft, since raw celeriac is hard and a choking risk.
Can babies have celeriac?
Yes, babies can eat celeriac when it is peeled and cooked until soft. Celeriac is a mild root vegetable that works well roasted, steamed or mashed.
Is celeriac a choking hazard for babies?
Celeriac is a choking hazard when raw or undercooked, because it is firm and crunchy. Cook celeriac until it squashes easily between your fingers, and serve it mashed at 6 months and in large soft finger-shaped pieces from 7–8 months.
Is celeriac a common allergen?
Celeriac is not one of the Top 9 allergens in the US, but celery, including celeriac, is a major allergen in Europe. Celery allergy is uncommon in babies, but introduce celeriac in small amounts and watch for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve celeriac to a 6 month old?
To serve celeriac to a 6 month old, peel it, boil or steam it until very soft, then blend or mash it smooth with potato or a little oil and offer it on a spoon. Soft roasted celeriac wedges can follow at 7–8 months.
Are the nitrates in celeriac safe for babies?
The nitrates in celeriac are safe for babies over 6 months in normal food amounts. Store cooked celeriac in the fridge and use it within 2 to 3 days, and avoid giving homemade high-nitrate vegetable purees to babies younger than 3 months.
Is celeriac the same as celery?
Celeriac and celery are close relatives, but celeriac is grown for its large round root, while celery is grown for its stalks. Celeriac has a milder, nuttier taste than celery stalks.
Can babies have raw celeriac?
Babies should not eat raw celeriac, because raw pieces are hard and can be a choking hazard. Wait until about age 4 to offer thin shreds of raw celeriac, and always serve it cooked to babies.
How do I pick a good celeriac?
A good celeriac feels heavy for its size and firm all over, with no soft spots. Smaller celeriac roots are often less woody in the center.
The takeaway
- Babies can have celeriac, also called celery root, from about 6 months when it is cooked until soft.
- Peel celeriac thickly with a knife, cut it up and boil or steam until very soft.
- Choking risk is medium. 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
- Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Infant Methemoglobinemia: The Role of Dietary Nitrate in Food and Water Greer FR, Shannon M; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2005;116(3):784-786
Track every new food in your baby’s passport
Track the first 100 foods and the Top 9 allergens. 7 days free.
More vegetables for babies
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.