Grains Food Library
When can babies have roti?
Can babies have roti?
Babies can have roti from about 6 months, soaked into dal and mashed smooth at first, then torn into soft strips from 7–8 months. Roti is a South Asian and Caribbean flatbread usually made from whole wheat flour, so it contains gluten and counts as a wheat allergen. Make it at home without salt, or choose store-bought roti with little sodium.
How to serve roti by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Roti is not a first food in its usual form. Tear a soft, freshly cooked, unsalted roti into a thick, smooth dal or vegetable curry, let it soak until very soft, and mash or blend it smooth to offer on a spoon.
7–8 months
Tear a soft, freshly cooked roti into strips about the width of two adult fingers. Spread with a thin layer of ghee, mashed avocado or dal, or let your baby dip strips into a thick lentil or vegetable curry.
9–12 months
Offer bite-size pieces of roti for pincer practice, or use small pieces to scoop up dal, yogurt or mashed vegetables. Babies at this age often enjoy tearing it themselves.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat roti as part of family meals, rolled around fillings or used as a scoop. Avoid over-crisped or hard roti and cut very chewy pieces smaller.
Why it’s good
Whole wheat roti gives babies carbohydrates for energy, fiber, B vitamins, magnesium and some plant protein and iron. Serving roti with dal, beans or meat adds protein and iron, and vitamin C foods like tomato help with iron absorption. Roti made with atta flour is a whole grain.
Safety notes
- Roti contains wheat. If your baby has not had wheat yet, offer a small amount early in the day and watch for a reaction.
- Keep roti soft. Crispy or overcooked roti can break into hard shards, and very chewy pieces can be hard to break down.
- Make roti without salt for babies, or choose store-bought roti with low sodium. Some frozen roti and parathas also contain added sugar or a lot of fat.
- Stuffed parathas and roti made with spicy or salty fillings should be adjusted for babies. Use mild, low-salt fillings like mashed potato or paneer.
- Store leftover roti wrapped in the fridge for a day or two, or freeze, and reheat until soft.
Introduce roti on its own, then keep it in
Roti is usually made from whole wheat flour, and wheat is one of the Top 9 allergens. Introduce a small amount, watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or wheezing, and keep wheat in the diet once tolerated; roti is not suitable for children with celiac disease or wheat allergy.
Roti for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about roti for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have roti?
Babies can have roti from about 6 months of age, soaked into dal and mashed smooth at first, then served soft and torn into strips from about 7–8 months. Roti made at home without salt is the best choice for babies.
Can babies have roti?
Yes, babies can eat roti, and it is a common first food in many South Asian and Caribbean families. Roti is made from wheat, so introduce it carefully if your baby has not had wheat yet.
Is roti a choking hazard for babies?
Roti is a low choking risk when it is soft and torn into strips or small pieces. Avoid crispy or hard roti and very chewy pieces, and always stay with your baby during meals.
Is roti a common allergen?
Yes, roti is a common allergen because it is usually made from wheat flour, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Roti made from millet, sorghum or other flours may not contain wheat, so check the ingredients.
How do I serve roti to a 6 month old?
To serve roti to a 6 month old, soak a little soft, unsalted roti in thick dal or vegetable curry until very soft, then mash or blend it smooth and offer it on a spoon. Soft roti strips to hold and dip can follow at 7–8 months.
Can I use store-bought roti for my baby?
Yes, you can use store-bought roti for babies if you check the label for sodium, sugar and additives. Choose plain whole wheat roti with the lowest sodium and warm it so it is soft.
Can babies have roti with dal?
Yes, babies can eat roti with dal, and roti and dal is a great combination of grains and iron-rich legumes. Make the dal thick so your baby can scoop it with roti strips, and add little or no salt.
Is roti the same as chapati?
Roti and chapati are very similar unleavened flatbreads, and the names are often used for the same bread. Caribbean roti can be softer and layered, but all types can be served to babies the same way.
Can babies have ghee on roti?
Yes, babies can have a little ghee from 6 months, stirred into dal or mashed vegetables, and spread on soft roti strips from about 7–8 months. Ghee is clarified butter with only trace milk proteins, but introduce it carefully if your baby has a known cow's milk allergy.
The takeaway
- Babies can have roti from about 6 months, soaked into dal and mashed smooth at first, then torn into soft strips from 7–8 months.
- Roti is not a first food in its usual form.
- Choking risk is low. Wheat 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
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
- 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.