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When can babies have tamales?
Can babies have tamales?
Babies can have tamales from about 6 months when the husk is removed and the soft steamed masa and a mild filling are mashed smooth, with soft masa strips from 7–8 months. Tamales can be salty and some fillings are spicy or chunky, so make or choose milder versions. Many tamales contain dairy, and some contain egg or wheat, so check ingredients.
How to serve tamales by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Remove the corn husk or banana leaf completely, then mash a little soft steamed masa with a mild filling like beans or squash and thin it with breast milk or formula until smooth. Blend any meat filling finely and check for bones.
7–8 months
Mash masa and finely shredded filling together into a thicker, lumpier texture, or offer a strip of soft steamed masa about the size of two adult fingers to hold. Shred any meat finely and check for bones.
9–12 months
Cut tamales into small, bite-size pieces with the filling finely shredded. Skip fried tamales, which have a firm, crisp crust.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat tamales cut into bite-size pieces at family meals. Remove husks every time, and pick milder fillings or set aside a less spicy batch.
Why it’s good
Tamales give babies energy from corn masa, which is often made with nixtamalized corn that adds calcium and niacin. Meat, bean or cheese fillings add protein, and some add iron and zinc. Lard or oil in the masa adds fat for energy.
Safety notes
- Always remove the corn husk or banana leaf before serving. Husks are not edible and are a choking hazard.
- Dense masa can clump in the mouth. Offer strips or small pieces and stay with your baby while they eat.
- Fried tamales are firm and crisp, which raises choking risk for babies. Serve steamed tamales instead.
- Restaurant and store-bought tamales can be high in sodium and spicy. Check labels and choose mild versions, or make a low-salt batch at home.
- Check meat fillings for bones and gristle, and reheat tamales until steaming hot, then cool before serving.
Introduce tamales on its own, then keep it in
Tamales often contain dairy from cheese or butter, and some recipes include egg, wheat or nuts in sweet versions. Introduce these allergens on their own first, and read labels or ask the cook about ingredients.
Tamales for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about tamales for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have tamales?
Babies can have tamales from about 6 months when the husk is removed and the soft masa and filling are mashed smooth, then served in soft strips from 7–8 months. Choose mild, lower-salt tamales for babies.
Can babies have tamales?
Yes, babies can eat tamales prepared for their age. Steamed tamales with soft masa and finely shredded fillings are best.
Are tamales a choking hazard for babies?
Tamales can be a choking hazard because dense masa can clump and the husk is inedible. Remove the husk, offer strips or small pieces, and avoid fried tamales for babies.
Do tamales contain common allergens?
Yes, tamales often contain common allergens such as dairy from cheese or butter. Some tamales also contain egg, wheat or nuts, so check ingredients.
How do I serve tamales to a 6 month old?
To serve tamales to a 6 month old, unwrap the tamale, mash the soft masa with a little mild filling, thin it until smooth and offer it on a spoon. Finger-size strips of soft masa can follow at 7–8 months.
Can babies have tamales made with lard?
Yes, babies can have tamales made with lard or butter, since fat is an important energy source for babies. Keep portions reasonable and serve them alongside vegetables and fruit.
Can babies have store-bought or restaurant tamales?
Babies can have store-bought or restaurant tamales occasionally, but these can be salty and spicy. Choose mild fillings and keep portions small.
Can babies have sweet tamales?
Sweet tamales usually contain added sugar, and sometimes raisins or nuts, which are choking hazards. Sweet tamales are best saved for toddlers over 2 as an occasional treat, with whole nuts and raisins removed.
The takeaway
- Babies can have tamales from about 6 months when the husk is removed and the soft steamed masa and a mild filling are mashed smooth, with soft masa strips from 7–8 months.
- Remove the corn husk or banana leaf completely, then mash a little soft steamed masa with a mild filling like beans or squash and thin it with breast milk or formula until smooth.
- Choking risk is medium. 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
- Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit 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.