No. 74 · Veggies Passport food
When can babies have leeks?
Can babies have leeks?
Babies can have leeks from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Leeks are a mild, sweet member of the onion family that turn silky when cooked, and they work best braised until very soft or blended into purees, soups and sauces.
How to serve leeks by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Use the white and pale green part, halve it lengthwise and rinse out any grit. Braise or steam it until completely soft, then blend it into a smooth puree with potato or zucchini and offer it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Chop well-cooked leek finely and stir it into thick mashed potato or scrambled egg. You can also offer a halved section about the length of an adult finger, braised until it falls apart when pressed, for baby to hold.
9–12 months
Chop well-cooked leek finely and stir it into scrambled egg, risotto, mashed potato, omelet strips or pasta. Cutting it small keeps long, stringy strands from wrapping around the tongue and causing gagging.
12 months +
Serve soft cooked leek in family meals such as soups, pies, frittatas and stews. Keep cooking it until tender, and chop it into short pieces rather than long rings.
Why it’s good
Leeks give babies vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, vitamin C and manganese, along with prebiotic fiber that feeds healthy gut bacteria. Their gentle onion flavor is a good way to introduce babies to savory tastes. Leeks add flavor to meals without salt, which helps keep a baby's sodium intake low.
Safety notes
- Cook leeks until completely soft. Undercooked leek is fibrous and stringy and can be hard for babies to break down.
- Clean leeks well. Soil and grit hide between the layers, so slice them lengthwise and rinse under running water before cooking.
- Skip the dark green tops for young babies, or use them only for broth. They stay tough even after long cooking.
- Chop cooked leek into short pieces. Long strands can wrap around the tongue and trigger gagging.
- Avoid store-bought leek and potato soups for babies, which often contain a lot of salt and cream. Make your own with no added salt.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Leek is not a common allergen. Allergy to the onion family (alliums) is rare, but watch for hives, rash around the mouth, swelling or vomiting the first few times you serve it.
Leeks for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about leeks for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have leeks?
Babies can have leeks from about 6 months, once they are developmentally ready for solids. Leeks should be cleaned well and cooked until very soft before being served to a baby.
Can babies have leeks?
Yes, babies can eat leeks from around 6 months when they are cooked until soft and silky. Leeks can be blended into purees and soups at first, then chopped into other foods or served as a soft braised piece from 7–8 months.
Are leeks a choking hazard for babies?
Leeks are a low choking risk when cooked until very soft, but stringy, undercooked strands can make babies gag. Chop cooked leek into short pieces and always stay close while your baby eats.
Are leeks a common allergen?
No, leeks are not one of the Top 9 common food allergens. Reactions to leeks and other onion-family vegetables are rare, but watch for hives, swelling or vomiting when you first offer leeks.
How do I serve leeks to a 6 month old?
To serve leeks to a 6 month old, use the white part, rinse it well, and braise or steam it until very soft. Blend the leek with potato or squash into a smooth puree for spoon feeding. A soft braised piece to hold can follow at 7–8 months.
How do I clean leeks for my baby?
To clean leeks, trim off the roots and dark green tops, slice the leek in half lengthwise, then fan open the layers under running water to wash out hidden soil. Grit in leeks is common, so rinse until the water runs clear.
Can babies have leek and potato soup?
Babies can have homemade leek and potato soup made with no added salt and low-sodium or homemade stock. Serve leek and potato soup thick enough to scoop, or blended and offered on a pre-loaded spoon, and let it cool before serving.
Do leeks give babies gas?
Leeks contain fiber called fructans that can cause some extra gas in babies, as onions and garlic do. Most babies handle small amounts well; start with a little leek mixed into a meal and see how your baby does.
Can babies have the green part of leeks?
The dark green part of leeks is safe but very tough and fibrous, even after cooking. For babies, use the white and pale green parts, and save the dark green tops for flavoring homemade broth.
The takeaway
- Babies can have leeks from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids.
- Use the white and pale green part, halve it lengthwise and rinse out any grit.
- 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
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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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.