Fruit Food Library
When can babies have olives?
Can babies have olives?
Babies can have olives from about 6 months if they are pitted, rinsed to cut salt and blended into a paste, then finely minced into foods from about 7–8 months. Whole olives are round and slippery, which makes them a choking hazard, and many olives are very salty. Offer small amounts as an occasional food.
How to serve olives by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Rinse pitted olives well, then blend them into a smooth paste and stir a little into hummus, yogurt or smooth vegetable puree on a spoon. Never serve whole or halved olives.
7–8 months
Mince rinsed, pitted olives very finely and stir them into hummus, yogurt, mashed vegetables or soft pasta for more texture. Never serve whole or halved olives.
9–12 months
Offer finely chopped, pitted olives mixed into pasta, rice or eggs, or flatten a pitted olive and cut it into small pieces for pincer practice.
12 months +
Toddlers can have pitted olives cut into quarters lengthwise or thin slices. Keep cutting them until at least age 4, and keep portions small because of the salt.
Why it’s good
Olives give babies healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin E and some iron, plus a bold flavor that helps build a taste for varied foods. Black olives in particular contain some iron. Olives are high in sodium, so small amounts go a long way.
Safety notes
- Whole and halved olives are round and slippery and can block the airway. Quarter them lengthwise or chop finely for children under 4.
- Always use pitted olives and double-check for pits and pit fragments before serving.
- Olives are cured in salty brine. Rinse or soak them in fresh water and keep portions small and occasional.
- Skip stuffed olives with blue cheese, anchovies or jalapeno for babies, and watch for allergens in stuffings.
- Store opened olives in the fridge in their liquid and use within the time on the label.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Olives are not a common allergen, though rare reactions have been reported. Olive tree pollen allergy is more common than olive fruit allergy. Watch for itching around the mouth, hives or swelling the first few times.
Olives for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about olives for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have olives?
Babies can have olives from about 6 months if they are pitted, rinsed and finely chopped or mashed. Olives should be an occasional food because they are high in salt.
Can babies have olives?
Yes, babies can eat olives in small amounts when the olives are pitted, rinsed and cut to a safe size. Olives add healthy fats and big flavor to baby meals.
Are olives a choking hazard for babies?
Yes, olives are a choking hazard because whole olives are round, firm and slippery, like grapes. Quarter olives lengthwise or chop them finely, and always check for pits.
Are olives a common allergen?
No, olives are not a common allergen. Rare reactions to olives are possible, so start with a small amount and watch for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve olives to a 6 month old?
To serve olives to a 6 month old, rinse pitted olives, mince them very finely or blend them into a paste, and stir a little into hummus, yogurt or pasta. Never give a whole olive to a baby.
How do I reduce the salt in olives?
To reduce the salt in olives, rinse them under running water or soak them in fresh water for 15 to 30 minutes. Lower-sodium olives are also available in many stores.
Are black or green olives better for babies?
Both black and green olives are fine for babies when pitted, rinsed and chopped. Black olives tend to be milder and a bit lower in sodium, while green olives are often saltier.
Can babies have olive oil?
Yes, babies can have olive oil from 6 months, and it is a great way to add healthy fat to purees, mashed foods and roasted vegetables. Olive oil has no salt, unlike olives.
The takeaway
- Babies can have olives from about 6 months if they are pitted, rinsed to cut salt and blended into a paste, then finely minced into foods from about 7–8 months.
- Rinse pitted olives well, then blend them into a smooth paste and stir a little into hummus, yogurt or smooth vegetable puree on a spoon.
- Choking risk is high. 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
- 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.