Grains Food Library
When can babies have graham crackers?
Can babies have graham crackers?
Graham crackers are best saved until about 12 months, mainly because many brands are made with honey, which is not safe for babies under 1. Graham crackers also contain added sugar, and dry pieces can break off into shards. They are made from wheat, a common allergen.
How to serve graham crackers by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Skip graham crackers at this age because many contain honey and added sugar. Offer iron-fortified infant cereal or a smooth fruit puree on a spoon instead.
7–8 months
Keep skipping graham crackers. For something to hold, offer a soft toast strip with a thin spread or a soft piece of ripe fruit, and keep iron-fortified cereal in the routine.
9–12 months
Keep waiting on graham crackers. If you want a cracker, choose a honey-free, low-sugar cracker that softens quickly, and pair it with a soft spread.
12 months +
From 12 months, toddlers can have a graham cracker square now and then, broken into pieces or spread with a thin layer of nut butter or cream cheese. Sit together and offer water alongside.
Why it’s good
Graham crackers provide carbohydrates and some B vitamins from enriched flour, and whole wheat graham flour adds a little fiber. Most brands contain added sugar, and many contain honey. They are a snack, not a source of key nutrients.
Safety notes
- Check the label for honey. Honey in any form, even baked into crackers, is not safe before 12 months because of infant botulism risk.
- Dry graham crackers can snap into sharp pieces. Break them into small pieces or add a soft spread.
- Graham crackers contain added sugar, so keep them as an occasional snack.
- Serve graham crackers with your child seated, and offer water, or milk for toddlers, to help with dry crumbs.
Introduce graham crackers on its own, then keep it in
Graham crackers are made from wheat, one of the Top 9 allergens, and some contain milk or soy. Introduce wheat in a simpler food first, then watch for hives, vomiting or swelling.
Graham crackers for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about graham crackers for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have graham crackers?
Babies can have graham crackers from about 12 months. Many graham crackers contain honey, which is not safe for babies under 1 year.
Can babies have graham crackers?
Babies under 12 months should skip most graham crackers because of honey and added sugar. After 12 months, graham crackers are fine as an occasional snack.
Are graham crackers a choking hazard for babies?
Graham crackers are a medium choking risk because dry pieces can break off into sharp shards. Break graham crackers into small pieces or add a thin spread for toddlers.
Are graham crackers a common allergen?
Yes, graham crackers are a common allergen because they contain wheat, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Some brands also contain milk or soy.
How do I serve graham crackers to a 6 month old?
Graham crackers are not recommended for a 6 month old, since many contain honey and added sugar. Offer iron-fortified infant cereal or a smooth fruit or vegetable puree on a spoon instead.
Do graham crackers have honey?
Many graham crackers, especially honey grahams, are made with honey. Even baked honey can carry the spores that cause infant botulism, so check the label before offering graham crackers to babies under 12 months.
Are there honey-free graham crackers?
Yes, some graham crackers are made without honey, and the ingredient list will say. Honey-free graham crackers still contain sugar, so they are best kept as an occasional snack.
Are graham crackers healthy for toddlers?
Graham crackers are a light snack for toddlers but are not very nutritious. Pair graham crackers with fruit, yogurt or nut butter for protein and fiber.
The takeaway
- Graham crackers are best saved until about 12 months, mainly because many brands are made with honey, which is not safe for babies under 1.
- From 12 months, toddlers can have a graham cracker square now and then, broken into pieces or spread with a thin layer of nut butter or cream cheese.
- Choking risk is medium. Wheat 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)
- 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.