Dairy Food Library
When can babies have pecorino cheese?
Can babies have pecorino cheese?
Babies can have pecorino cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and in small amounts. Pecorino is a hard, aged sheep's milk cheese that is very salty, so use only a light sprinkle. Pecorino is still a dairy allergen even though it is made from sheep's milk.
How to serve pecorino cheese by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Finely grate a small pinch of pecorino and stir it into smooth foods like mashed vegetables, polenta or a vegetable puree so it melts in, then offer it on a spoon. Serve it only finely grated at this age.
7–8 months
Stir a small pinch of finely grated pecorino into lumpier foods like fork-mashed vegetables, thick polenta, soft scrambled egg or very soft pasta. Keep it to a light sprinkle because of the salt, and still no chunks or shavings.
9–12 months
Use finely grated pecorino as a light sprinkle on finger foods like pasta, zucchini spears or omelet strips. Keep it to about a teaspoon per meal because of the salt.
12 months +
Toddlers can have grated pecorino on pasta, soups and vegetables. Cubes and large crumbles remain a high choking risk, so keep grating it until your child is an older, confident chewer.
Why it’s good
Pecorino cheese gives babies protein, calcium and phosphorus for bones and muscles, plus fat for energy. Its sharp, salty flavor means a small amount adds lots of taste. Pecorino is one of the saltiest cheeses, so the benefits come from tiny portions.
Safety notes
- Pecorino is very high in sodium. Use only a light sprinkle and choose lower-sodium cheeses like fresh mozzarella or ricotta for regular portions.
- Firm cubes and crumbles of pecorino can form a sticky mass in the mouth. Always grate it finely for babies and toddlers.
- Some pecorino is made from raw sheep's milk. Hard, long-aged cheeses are generally considered low risk, but choose pasteurized pecorino when you can, especially for young pecorino with a softer texture.
- Sheep's milk cheese is not a safe swap for babies with a cow's milk allergy, since the milk proteins are very similar.
- Wrap pecorino tightly and keep it in the fridge. Cut away small spots of surface mold on hard cheese by at least an inch, or discard it if unsure.
Introduce pecorino cheese on its own, then keep it in
Pecorino is made from sheep's milk, and milk is one of the Top 9 allergens; most babies who react to cow's milk also react to sheep's milk. Offer a small amount first and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing.
Pecorino cheese for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about pecorino cheese for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have pecorino cheese?
Babies can have pecorino cheese from about 6 months when it is finely grated and offered in small amounts. Pecorino cheese is very salty, so use it as a seasoning rather than a main food.
Can babies have pecorino cheese?
Yes, babies can eat pecorino cheese from 6 months as a small sprinkle on other foods. Pecorino cheese should be an occasional flavor boost because of its high sodium content.
Is pecorino cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Pecorino cheese is a choking hazard when served in cubes, chunks or large crumbles. Finely grated pecorino cheese mixed into moist food is much safer for babies and toddlers.
Is pecorino cheese a common allergen?
Yes, pecorino cheese is a common allergen because it is made from milk, one of the Top 9 allergens. Pecorino cheese is made from sheep's milk, which usually triggers reactions in babies who are allergic to cow's milk.
How do I serve pecorino cheese to a 6 month old?
To serve pecorino cheese to a 6 month old, finely grate a small pinch and stir it into smooth foods like mashed vegetables, polenta or vegetable puree, then offer it on a spoon. Avoid chunks or shavings at this age.
Is pecorino cheese too salty for babies?
Pecorino cheese is one of the saltiest cheeses, so it is too salty to serve in large amounts. A light sprinkle of pecorino cheese a few times a week is a reasonable amount for babies.
Is pecorino cheese better than parmesan for babies?
Pecorino cheese is usually saltier than parmesan, so parmesan is a slightly better choice when you want a hard grating cheese. Both should be finely grated and used in small amounts.
Can babies with a cow's milk allergy have pecorino cheese?
No, babies with a cow's milk allergy should not have pecorino cheese unless their allergist says it is safe. Sheep's milk proteins are very similar to cow's milk proteins and commonly cause the same reactions.
Is pecorino cheese pasteurized?
Some pecorino cheese is made from pasteurized milk and some from raw sheep's milk. Check the label, and choose pasteurized pecorino cheese for babies when it is available.
The takeaway
- Babies can have pecorino cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and in small amounts.
- Finely grate a small pinch of pecorino and stir it into smooth foods like mashed vegetables, polenta or a vegetable puree so it melts in, then offer it on a spoon.
- Choking risk is medium. Dairy 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
- 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.