No. 64 · Protein Passport food
When can babies have tofu?
Can babies eat tofu?
Babies can have tofu from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Tofu is soft, mild and rich in protein and iron: start with blended silken tofu on a spoon, then offer mashed tofu and soft strips to hold from 7–8 months. Tofu is made from soy, a Top 9 allergen, so introduce it in a small amount and keep it in the diet once tolerated.
How to serve tofu by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Blend silken or soft tofu until smooth and stir it into vegetable or fruit purees, oatmeal or yogurt, or mash it finely with a fork and a little breast milk or formula. Offer it on a spoon or a preloaded spoon.
7–8 months
Crumble or fork-mash firm tofu into lumpier mashes, or cut it into strips about the length and width of an adult finger and steam or bake them so they hold together but still squash easily between your fingers. Coat strips in finely ground oats or seeds if they are slippery.
9–12 months
Cut cooked tofu into small cubes, about the size of a chickpea, for pincer-grasp practice, or crumble it like scrambled egg. Rolling cubes in ground seeds, hemp hearts or finely ground oats makes slippery tofu easier to pick up.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat tofu in stir-fries, curries, soups and baked nuggets with the rest of the family. Go easy on salty sauces like soy sauce and teriyaki, or choose low-sodium versions and use only a little.
Why it’s good
Tofu gives babies complete protein, iron, zinc and healthy fats, and calcium-set tofu is one of the best non-dairy sources of calcium. The iron in tofu is better absorbed when served with a vitamin C food like tomato, broccoli or red pepper. Tofu is especially useful for vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free families.
Safety notes
- Tofu is safe to eat straight from the package, but warming it briefly makes it firmer to hold and adds an extra food safety step for babies. Rinse, drain and use opened tofu within a few days.
- Slippery tofu can be hard to grip and may slide back in the mouth. When you start offering pieces at 7–8 months, pat tofu dry and coat it in ground oats or ground seeds, or serve it as strips rather than small wobbly cubes.
- Avoid fried tofu puffs, seasoned or marinated tofu and tofu jerky for babies, as they are often high in sodium and can be tough and chewy.
- Check the label for calcium sulfate or calcium chloride as the coagulant if you want the most calcium.
- Soy is a Top 9 allergen. Introduce tofu on its own in a small amount and watch closely the first few times.
Introduce tofu on its own, then keep it in
Tofu is made from soybeans, and soy is one of the Top 9 allergens, though many children outgrow a soy allergy. Watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or breathing changes after the first few servings, and speak to your pediatrician first if your baby has severe eczema or another food allergy.
Tofu for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about tofu for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have tofu?
Babies can have tofu from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids. Silken tofu blended into a puree is an easy way to start, with firm tofu strips to hold from about 7–8 months.
Can babies eat tofu?
Yes, babies can eat tofu from 6 months. Tofu is a soft, iron-rich protein that is easy to gum, and it is a helpful food for introducing soy early.
Is tofu a choking hazard for babies?
Tofu is a low choking risk for babies because it is soft and squashes easily. Small slippery cubes can be harder to control, so offer strips when your baby starts holding food at 7–8 months, coat pieces to add grip, and always stay with your baby while they eat.
Is tofu a common allergen?
Yes, tofu is a common allergen because it is made from soy, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce tofu in a small amount, watch for signs of a reaction, and keep it in the diet regularly once your baby tolerates it.
How do I serve tofu to a 6 month old?
To serve tofu to a 6 month old, blend silken tofu until smooth and stir it into a vegetable puree, oatmeal or yogurt, then offer it on a spoon. Firm tofu strips to hold can follow at 7–8 months.
What kind of tofu is best for babies?
Firm or extra-firm tofu is best for finger foods because it holds its shape, while silken tofu is best for blending and mashing. Plain tofu made with calcium sulfate gives the most calcium, and plain is better than seasoned or smoked tofu, which can be salty.
Can babies eat raw tofu?
Babies can eat tofu straight from the package because tofu is already cooked during production. Many parents still warm tofu briefly for babies, since it makes strips easier to hold and adds an extra safety step against bacteria picked up after opening.
Are the phytoestrogens in tofu safe for babies?
Tofu contains plant compounds called isoflavones, and current evidence does not show harm from eating soy foods like tofu as part of a varied diet. Offering tofu a few times a week alongside other proteins is a sensible approach, and you can ask your pediatrician if you have concerns.
How do I make tofu less slippery for my baby?
To make tofu less slippery, press out extra water with a clean towel, then bake or pan-cook it until the outside is slightly firm. Rolling tofu pieces in ground oats, hemp hearts or finely ground nuts also gives little fingers more grip.
Is tofu good for babies?
Yes, tofu is a good food for babies from about 6 months, offering complete protein, iron, zinc and healthy fats, and calcium-set tofu adds calcium too. Tofu is made from soy, a Top 9 allergen, so start with a small amount of blended silken tofu and keep it in the diet once tolerated.
Is tofu good for toddlers?
Yes, tofu is a good food for toddlers 12 months and older, giving protein, iron and often calcium in a soft, easy-to-chew form. Add it to stir-fries, curries, soups or baked nuggets, and go easy on salty sauces like soy sauce and teriyaki.
What can I mix with tofu for baby food?
Blended silken tofu mixes well with smooth sweet potato, avocado, banana, pear puree or iron-fortified oatmeal, all fine from 6 months. Adding a vitamin C food like tomato, broccoli or red pepper puree also helps your baby absorb the iron in tofu.
The takeaway
- Babies can have tofu from about 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solids.
- Blend silken or soft tofu until smooth and stir it into vegetable or fruit purees, oatmeal or yogurt, or mash it finely with a fork and a little breast milk or formula.
- Choking risk is low. Soy 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
- 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.