No. 86 · Dairy Passport food
When can babies have ricotta?
Can babies have ricotta?
Babies can have pasteurized ricotta cheese from about 6 months. Fresh ricotta is soft, mild and lower in salt than most cheeses, which makes it one of the best first cheeses for babies. Ricotta is made from milk, a Top 9 allergen, so introduce it early and keep offering it.
How to serve ricotta by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Offer pasteurized whole milk ricotta on a spoon or a preloaded spoon, plain or swirled with mashed fruit like banana or smooth berry puree. You can also stir it into pureed vegetables.
7–8 months
Stir ricotta into lumpier mashed fruit, vegetables or soft pasta, or spread it thickly on soft toast strips your baby can hold.
9–12 months
Serve ricotta in a bowl for scooping with hands or a spoon, or dollop it on soft pasta, pancakes or roasted squash. Baked ricotta mixed with egg can be cut into small soft squares for pincer practice.
12 months +
Toddlers can enjoy ricotta in lasagna, stuffed shells, ricotta pancakes or as a dip for fruit. Keep using fresh ricotta and offer a spoon for practice.
Why it’s good
Ricotta gives babies protein, calcium and phosphorus for growing bones, plus fat for energy and vitamin A, vitamin B12 and riboflavin. Fresh ricotta is typically lower in sodium than aged cheeses like cheddar or feta. Whole milk ricotta provides the fat babies need for growth.
Safety notes
- Choose ricotta made with pasteurized milk. Fresh, unpasteurized cheeses can carry Listeria, which is especially risky for babies.
- Ricotta salata is a firm, salty, aged version of ricotta. Grate it finely and use it sparingly, rather than serving it in chunks.
- Pick whole milk ricotta over part-skim for babies, since fat supports growth and brain development.
- Fresh ricotta spoils quickly. Keep it refrigerated, use it within about 5 to 7 days of opening, and throw it out if it smells sour or looks moldy or watery.
- Avoid serving ricotta sweetened with honey before 12 months. Use fruit for sweetness instead.
Introduce ricotta on its own, then keep it in
Ricotta is a dairy food made from milk or whey, and cow's milk is one of the Top 9 allergens. Introduce a small amount, watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing, and talk to your pediatrician first if your baby has severe eczema or a known allergy.
Ricotta for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about ricotta for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have ricotta?
Babies can have ricotta from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Choose pasteurized whole milk ricotta and serve it on a spoon, then spread on soft toast from 7–8 months.
Can babies have ricotta cheese?
Yes, babies can eat ricotta cheese from 6 months as long as it is pasteurized. Ricotta cheese is soft, mild and relatively low in salt, which makes it a great first cheese.
Is ricotta a choking hazard for babies?
Fresh ricotta is a low choking risk for babies because it is soft and spreadable. Firm ricotta salata is harder and saltier, so grate it finely, and always stay with your baby while they eat.
Is ricotta a common allergen?
Yes, ricotta is a common allergen because it is made from milk, one of the Top 9 allergens. Introduce ricotta in a small amount and keep dairy in the diet if your baby tolerates it.
How do I serve ricotta to a 6 month old?
To serve ricotta to a 6 month old, load a baby spoon with pasteurized whole milk ricotta and let your baby bring it to their mouth, or mix it with mashed fruit. Spreading it thickly on a soft toast strip can follow at 7–8 months.
Is ricotta lower in sodium than other cheeses?
Yes, fresh ricotta is usually lower in sodium than aged cheeses like cheddar, parmesan and feta. Brands vary, so compare labels and choose one with less sodium per serving.
Can babies have part-skim ricotta?
Babies can have part-skim ricotta, but whole milk ricotta is the better choice because babies need dietary fat for growth. Whole milk ricotta is also creamier and easier to eat.
Can babies have ricotta in lasagna or stuffed pasta?
Babies can eat ricotta in lasagna or stuffed shells once all the ingredients are suitable for them. Use a low-sodium sauce, go easy on salty cheeses like parmesan, and cut the pasta into age-appropriate pieces.
Is ricotta made from whey?
Traditional Italian ricotta is made by reheating the whey left over from cheesemaking, while many US brands use whole milk. Both kinds are dairy and count as a milk allergen.
The takeaway
- Babies can have pasteurized ricotta cheese from about 6 months.
- Offer pasteurized whole milk ricotta on a spoon or a preloaded spoon, plain or swirled with mashed fruit like banana or smooth berry puree.
- Choking risk is low. 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
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Preventing Listeria Infection 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.