Protein Food Library
When can babies have quail eggs?
Can babies have quail eggs?
Babies can have quail eggs from 6 months, fully cooked and mashed smooth, with soft scrambled strips from 7–8 months and quarters from about 9 months. Whole hard-boiled quail eggs are about the size and shape of a grape, which makes them a high choking risk. Quail eggs are an egg allergen, so introduce them carefully.
How to serve quail eggs by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Hard-boil quail eggs for about 3 to 4 minutes, peel carefully, and mash them smooth with a little breast milk, formula or plain yogurt. Offer the mash on a spoon, or stir it into a smooth vegetable puree.
7–8 months
Mash hard-boiled quail egg more roughly so it has small soft lumps. You can also scramble several quail eggs together until fully set and cut the cooked egg into soft strips about the width of two adult fingers.
9–12 months
Cut hard-boiled quail eggs into quarters or small pieces for pincer-grasp practice, or offer small pieces of a fully cooked quail egg omelet.
12 months +
Toddlers can have quail eggs quartered or chopped, scrambled or fried until firm. Never serve whole quail eggs to young children, even toddlers, because of their size and shape.
Why it’s good
Quail eggs give babies protein, iron, choline, vitamin B12, riboflavin and healthy fats for brain growth. Weight for weight, they are similar to chicken eggs, with a slightly larger yolk portion. Serve them with vitamin C foods like tomato or bell pepper to help with iron absorption.
Safety notes
- Never serve whole hard-boiled quail eggs to babies or young children. Their round, grape-like shape can block the airway. Always quarter or mash them.
- Cook quail eggs fully, until the white and yolk are firm. Do not serve runny or raw quail eggs to babies.
- Peel carefully. Quail eggshells are thin and speckled, and small shell pieces are easy to miss.
- Pickled and canned quail eggs are often high in salt and sometimes contain sugar or spices, so they are best saved for older children.
- Buy quail eggs from a reliable source, keep them refrigerated and use them by the date on the package.
Introduce quail eggs on its own, then keep it in
Quail eggs are an egg allergen, and egg is one of the Top 9 allergens. Children allergic to chicken eggs may also react to quail eggs, so introduce them as a new food in a small amount, watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or breathing changes, and talk to your pediatrician first if your baby has a known egg allergy.
Quail eggs for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about quail eggs for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have quail eggs?
Babies can have quail eggs from 6 months, fully cooked and mashed, with scrambled strips from 7–8 months and quarters later. Quail eggs should never be served whole to babies.
Can babies have quail eggs?
Yes, babies can eat quail eggs when they are fully cooked and cut or mashed. Quail eggs are nutritious and can be served much like chicken eggs.
Are quail eggs a choking hazard for babies?
Yes, whole quail eggs are a high choking hazard for babies because they are small, round and firm, like a grape. Always quarter or mash quail eggs and stay close while your baby eats.
Are quail eggs a common allergen?
Yes, quail eggs are a common allergen because egg is one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce a small amount of fully cooked quail egg first, and keep eggs in the diet once tolerated.
How do I serve quail eggs to a 6 month old?
To serve quail eggs to a 6 month old, hard-boil them for 3 to 4 minutes, peel and mash smooth with a little yogurt, breast milk or formula, and offer it on a spoon. Soft scrambled quail egg strips can follow at 7–8 months.
Are quail eggs healthier than chicken eggs for babies?
Quail eggs and chicken eggs have similar nutrition by weight, with quail eggs being slightly richer in some vitamins. Both are healthy choices for babies, so choose what works for your family.
How many quail eggs equal one chicken egg?
About 3 to 5 quail eggs equal one large chicken egg, depending on size. One or two quail eggs is a reasonable serving for a baby.
How long do I boil quail eggs for my baby?
Boil quail eggs for about 3 to 4 minutes for a firm, fully cooked yolk. Cool them in cold water, then peel and quarter or mash before serving.
Can babies have pickled quail eggs?
Babies should not eat pickled quail eggs, which are usually high in salt and may be spicy. Toddlers can try a small taste, chopped, after 12 months.
The takeaway
- Babies can have quail eggs from 6 months, fully cooked and mashed smooth, with soft scrambled strips from 7–8 months and quarters from about 9 months.
- Hard-boil quail eggs for about 3 to 4 minutes, peel carefully, and mash them smooth with a little breast milk, formula or plain yogurt.
- Choking risk is high. Egg 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)
- Iron 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.