Nuts & seeds Food Library
When can babies have sesame?
Can babies have sesame?
Babies can have sesame from about 6 months, ideally as thinned tahini or finely ground sesame seeds mixed into food. Sesame is one of the Top 9 food allergens, and introducing it early and keeping it in the diet may help lower the chance of allergy. Never serve thick globs of tahini, which can stick in the mouth.
How to serve sesame by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Thin a small amount of tahini with warm water, breast milk or formula until runny, then stir it into smooth oatmeal, yogurt, vegetable puree or thinned hummus and offer it on a spoon. Finely ground sesame seeds can also be stirred into purees.
7–8 months
Stir thinned tahini or ground sesame into thicker, lumpier foods, or spread a very thin layer of tahini or hummus on a soft toast strip. You can also roll soft foods like ripe banana or tofu pieces in ground sesame seeds for better grip.
9–12 months
Spread a thin layer of tahini on toast strips, add hummus to meals, or roll soft foods like banana or tofu in ground sesame seeds for better grip. Keep offering sesame regularly once it is tolerated.
12 months +
Toddlers can have tahini sauces, hummus, sesame-crusted fish or tofu and foods sprinkled with whole sesame seeds. Avoid hard sesame candy and brittle until at least age 4.
Why it’s good
Sesame seeds and tahini provide iron, zinc, calcium, healthy fats, protein and fiber. Hulled tahini has less calcium than unhulled, but both are nutritious. Pairing sesame with vitamin C foods helps babies absorb the iron.
Safety notes
- Never serve tahini by the spoonful or in thick smears. Thin it until runny or spread it very thin.
- Hard sesame snaps, halva bars and sesame brittle are choking hazards and high in sugar; wait until at least age 4.
- Sesame oil alone may not contain enough sesame protein to count as an allergen introduction; use tahini or ground seeds.
- Sesame is now labeled as a major allergen in the US, but check bakery items, hummus, spice mixes and bread carefully.
- If your baby has severe eczema or another food allergy, talk to your pediatrician before introducing sesame.
Introduce sesame on its own, then keep it in
Sesame is one of the Top 9 food allergens. Offer a small amount the first time, watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing, and once tolerated, keep sesame in the diet a few times a week.
Sesame for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about sesame for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have sesame?
Babies can have sesame from about 6 months, as thinned tahini or finely ground seeds mixed into food. Early introduction of sesame is encouraged because it is a common allergen.
Can babies have sesame?
Yes, babies can eat sesame when it is served safely, such as thinned tahini stirred into food or ground sesame seeds. Avoid thick tahini globs and hard sesame candies.
Is sesame a choking hazard for babies?
Sesame is a low choking risk for babies when it is ground or served as thinned tahini. Thick tahini can form a sticky glob in the mouth, and sesame brittle is a choking hazard.
Is sesame a common allergen?
Yes, sesame is a common allergen and is one of the Top 9 food allergens in the US. Introduce sesame early, start with a small amount and keep it in the diet if your baby tolerates it.
How do I serve sesame to a 6 month old?
To serve sesame to a 6 month old, thin a little tahini with warm water until runny and mix it into oatmeal, yogurt or mashed vegetables on a spoon. Ground sesame seeds can also be stirred into smooth foods.
Is sesame oil enough for allergen introduction?
Sesame oil is usually not enough for sesame allergen introduction because refined oils contain little protein. Use tahini, hummus or ground sesame seeds to introduce sesame.
Can babies have whole sesame seeds?
Babies can eat a light sprinkle of whole sesame seeds on soft foods, but whole seeds often pass through undigested. Ground sesame seeds or tahini are better for nutrition and allergen exposure.
Can babies have hummus?
Yes, babies can have hummus from about 6 months, and hummus is an easy way to introduce sesame. Choose a low-sodium hummus or make it at home, thin it and offer it on a spoon at first, then spread it thinly on soft toast strips from 7–8 months.
How often should babies eat sesame?
Once sesame is introduced and tolerated, offer sesame a few times a week to help keep it in the diet. Regular exposure is thought to help maintain tolerance to allergens.
The takeaway
- Babies can have sesame from about 6 months, ideally as thinned tahini or finely ground sesame seeds mixed into food.
- Thin a small amount of tahini with warm water, breast milk or formula until runny, then stir it into smooth oatmeal, yogurt, vegetable puree or thinned hummus and offer it on a spoon.
- Choking risk is low. Sesame 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
- 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.