Veggies Food Library
When can babies have snap peas?
Can babies have snap peas?
Babies can have snap peas from about 6 months when they are cooked until soft. Raw snap peas are crunchy, and the round peas inside the pod can be a choking hazard, so cook or flatten them for young babies. Remove the tough string along the seam before serving.
How to serve snap peas by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Pull off the string along the seam and steam snap peas until very soft, then blend them into a smooth green puree, on their own or with potato, and offer it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Steam stringed snap peas until very soft, then fork-mash them or chop them finely and stir them into potato or rice for a lumpier texture. Flatten any whole peas that pop out of the pods.
9–12 months
Cut steamed snap peas into small pieces, or open the pods and flatten the soft peas so your baby can pick them up. Make sure the pods squish easily between your fingers.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat lightly steamed snap peas cut lengthwise, and in stir-fries or pasta. Wait on raw snap peas until your child chews well, and slice them thinly at first.
Why it’s good
Snap peas give babies vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, fiber and a little plant protein. Vitamin C helps babies absorb iron from other foods at the same meal. Their natural sweetness makes them a friendly green vegetable for new eaters.
Safety notes
- Raw snap peas are crunchy and hard to chew. Cook them until soft for babies under 12 months.
- The small, round peas inside the pod can be inhaled if they pop out. Flatten them or serve them mashed for young babies.
- Remove the fibrous string along the seam, which is tough and can cause gagging.
- Frozen snap peas are a good option. Steam them until soft rather than serving them partly thawed.
- Wash snap peas well before cooking.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Snap peas are not a common food allergen. Pea allergy is possible, especially in children with other legume allergies, so start with a small amount and watch for hives, vomiting or swelling.
Snap peas for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about snap peas for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have snap peas?
Babies can have snap peas from about 6 months when they are steamed until very soft. Snap peas should have the tough string removed before serving.
Can babies have snap peas?
Yes, babies can eat cooked snap peas, blended into a puree at 6 months, mashed or finely chopped into other foods from 7–8 months, and cut into small pieces later. Raw snap peas are best saved for toddlers who chew well.
Are snap peas a choking hazard for babies?
Snap peas can be a choking hazard for babies when raw or firm, and the round peas inside can slip into the airway. Cook snap peas until soft and flatten the peas for young babies.
Are snap peas a common allergen?
No, snap peas are not a common allergen. Pea allergy can happen, so watch for any reaction the first few times you serve snap peas.
How do I serve snap peas to a 6 month old?
To serve snap peas to a 6 month old, remove the string, steam the pods until very soft, then blend them into a smooth puree or mash them into potato and offer it on a spoon. Mashed or finely chopped soft snap peas can follow at 7–8 months.
Can babies have raw snap peas?
Raw snap peas are not recommended for babies under 12 months because they are crunchy and hard to chew. Toddlers can try raw snap peas sliced into thin strips with supervision.
Do I need to remove the string from snap peas?
Yes, remove the string from snap peas before serving them to babies. Snap the stem end and pull the string down along the seam.
Are snap peas high in iron?
Snap peas have some iron, but they are not considered an iron-rich food. Serve snap peas alongside meat, beans, eggs or fortified cereal to boost iron at meals.
Can babies have frozen snap peas?
Babies can eat frozen snap peas once they are steamed until soft. Do not serve frozen or partly thawed snap peas to babies, because the pods are hard and crunchy.
The takeaway
- Babies can have snap peas from about 6 months when they are cooked until soft.
- Pull off the string along the seam and steam snap peas until very soft, then blend them into a smooth green puree, on their own or with potato, and offer it on a spoon.
- Choking risk is medium. Not a Top 9 allergen, but offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
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)
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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.