No. 15 · Protein Passport food
When can babies eat lentils?
Can babies eat lentils?
Babies can have lentils from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Cooked until very soft, lentils are a cheap, iron-rich protein that can be blended into a smooth puree at first, then mashed, spread on toast or shaped into soft patties from 7–8 months.
How to serve lentils by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Cook red or yellow lentils until they are very soft and fall apart, then blend or mash them smooth with a little breast milk, formula or cooking water. Offer them on a spoon or a pre-loaded spoon, plain or stirred into mashed sweet potato.
7–8 months
Mash cooked lentils into a thick, lumpier dal, or spread them on soft toast strips. You can also shape mashed lentils into soft patties that squash easily between your fingers, and green or brown lentils cooked very soft can be fork-mashed.
9–12 months
Offer soft whole cooked lentils that squash easily, sprinkled on the tray for pincer practice or mixed into rice or pasta. Soft lentil patties or fritters cut into strips also work well.
12 months +
Serve lentils in family meals like soups, dal, stews, bolognese or lentil burgers. Cook without added salt, or take baby's portion out before seasoning the rest.
Why it’s good
Lentils give babies plant iron, protein, zinc, folate and fiber, which makes them one of the best budget foods for the iron babies need from 6 months. Plant iron is absorbed better when it is eaten with vitamin C, so pair lentils with tomato, bell pepper, broccoli or fruit. Lentils also offer slow-release energy from complex carbohydrates.
Safety notes
- Always cook lentils fully. Raw or undercooked lentils are hard, a choking risk, and contain natural compounds (lectins) that can upset the stomach.
- Check that whole lentils squash easily between your thumb and finger before serving them to a baby.
- Rinse dry lentils and pick out any small stones or debris before cooking.
- Choose no-salt-added canned lentils, or rinse regular canned lentils well in a sieve to remove much of the sodium.
- Lentils are high in fiber. Start with small portions and offer water in an open or straw cup with meals to help keep poop soft.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Lentils are not one of the Top 9 allergens, but lentil allergy does occur and is more common in some regions, such as the Mediterranean and South Asia. Some people with a peanut or chickpea allergy also react to lentils, so if your baby has a legume allergy, ask your pediatrician before offering them.
Lentils for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about lentils for babies and toddlers.
When can babies eat lentils?
Babies can have lentils from about 6 months, once they are ready for solids. Lentils should be cooked until very soft and blended or mashed smooth at first, with soft patties from about 7–8 months.
Can babies eat lentils?
Yes, babies can eat lentils from around 6 months. Lentils are an excellent source of plant iron, protein and fiber, and they are easy to mash, spread or mix into other foods.
Are lentils a choking hazard for babies?
Lentils are a low choking risk when they are well cooked and soft. Undercooked lentils are hard and can be a choking hazard, so check that each lentil squashes easily between your fingers.
Are lentils a common allergen?
No, lentils are not one of the Top 9 common food allergens. Lentil allergy is possible, especially in children with a peanut or other legume allergy, so introduce lentils like any new food and watch for a reaction.
How do I serve lentils to a 6 month old?
To serve lentils to a 6 month old, cook red lentils in water until they collapse into a soft puree, about 15 to 20 minutes. Mash or blend until smooth, then serve on a spoon or pre-loaded spoon, or stir into mashed sweet potato. Lentils spread on toast strips can follow at 7–8 months.
Do I need to soak lentils for my baby?
Lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking for a baby, unlike dried beans and chickpeas. Lentils only need a rinse and a check for small stones, though some families soak them for an hour or two to shorten cooking time and ease digestion.
Can babies eat canned lentils?
Yes, babies can eat canned lentils. Choose no-salt-added canned lentils when possible, or drain and rinse regular ones well, and mash or flatten them before serving to a young baby.
Do lentils cause gas or constipation in babies?
Lentils can cause some gas in babies because of their fiber and natural sugars, which is normal. Lentils usually help prevent constipation, but offer water with meals as fiber intake goes up, and start with small portions.
Which type of lentil is best for babies?
Red and yellow lentils are best for babies just starting solids because they break down into a smooth mush. Green and brown lentils hold their shape and suit babies 9 months and up once they can pick up soft small pieces.
Can I freeze cooked lentils for my baby?
Yes, cooked lentils freeze well for up to about 3 months. Freeze mashed lentils in ice cube trays, thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat until steaming before cooling to serve.
Are lentils good for babies?
Yes, lentils are one of the best foods for babies from about 6 months, giving plant iron, protein, zinc, folate and fiber at a low cost. Cook them until very soft and blend or mash them smooth at first. Pair lentils with vitamin C foods like tomato or bell pepper to help absorb the iron.
The takeaway
- Babies can have lentils from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids.
- Cook red or yellow lentils until they are very soft and fall apart, then blend or mash them smooth with a little breast milk, formula or cooking water.
- 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
- Iron 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.