Grains Food Library
When can babies have tortillas?
Can babies have tortillas?
Babies can have soft tortillas from 6 months, softened and mashed into purees at first and into lumpier mashes at 7–8 months, then cut into small pieces or folded around a soft filling from 9 months. Flour tortillas contain wheat, a common allergen, while corn tortillas do not. Soft tortillas are a low choking risk, but crispy tortillas and tortilla chips are choking hazards for young children.
How to serve tortillas by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
At 6 months, babies are still eating smooth purees, so hold off on chewy tortilla. You can tear a little soft corn or flour tortilla into warm bean or vegetable puree, let it soften, then blend or mash it smooth and serve it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Tortillas can turn gummy in the mouth, so keep softening them at this age: tear a little soft corn or flour tortilla into warm mashed beans or vegetable puree, let it soak until very soft, and mash it into a lumpy texture for the spoon. Soft bread strips that squash easily are a better finger food for now.
9–12 months
Cut tortillas into small squares or bite-size pieces, or make small soft quesadillas and wraps with beans, egg or shredded chicken. Avoid crisping tortillas into hard shells.
12 months +
Toddlers can have soft tacos, wraps and quesadillas cut into manageable pieces. Wait on hard taco shells and tortilla chips until about 2 years, then offer a few at a time with your child seated and supervised; before then, crush them into small crumbs over food.
Why it’s good
Tortillas give babies energy from carbohydrates. Corn tortillas made from nixtamalized corn provide fiber and some calcium, while whole wheat flour tortillas add fiber and B vitamins. Fillings like beans, eggs and meat add iron and protein.
Safety notes
- Serve tortillas soft. Toasted, crispy tortillas, taco shells and chips can break into hard, sharp pieces and are choking hazards for young children.
- Some tortillas are high in sodium. Compare labels and choose brands with less sodium, or make your own.
- Tortillas can be gummy and stick to the roof of the mouth. Spread them with something moist and cut them into strips.
- Let quesadillas cool before serving, as melted cheese can burn and form sticky globs.
- Check grain-free tortillas carefully, as they are often made from nut, coconut or egg-based flours.
Introduce tortillas on its own, then keep it in
Flour tortillas contain wheat, one of the Top 9 allergens, while plain corn tortillas do not. Grain-free tortillas may contain tree nuts, coconut or egg, so read labels and watch for hives, vomiting or swelling when introducing a new type.
Tortillas for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about tortillas for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have tortillas?
Babies can have soft tortillas from 6 months, softened and mashed into purees at first, then cut into small pieces with a moist spread or filling from about 9 months. Save crispy tortillas and chips for later.
Can babies have tortillas?
Yes, babies can eat soft corn or flour tortillas. Tortillas are an easy way to serve beans, eggs, avocado and other nutritious fillings to babies.
Are tortillas a choking hazard for babies?
Soft tortillas are a low choking risk for babies when cut into strips and served with a moist filling. Crispy tortillas, taco shells and tortilla chips are choking hazards for young children.
Are tortillas a common allergen?
Flour tortillas are a common allergen because they contain wheat, while plain corn tortillas are not. Introduce wheat separately and check labels for other allergens.
How do I serve tortillas to a 6 month old?
To serve tortillas to a 6 month old, soften a little tortilla in warm bean or vegetable puree and blend or mash it smooth, then offer it on a spoon. Small pieces of soft tortilla with a thin spread can follow from about 9 months.
Are corn or flour tortillas better for babies?
Both corn and flour tortillas are fine for babies. Corn tortillas are often lower in sodium and wheat-free, while whole wheat flour tortillas are softer and add fiber.
When can kids have tortilla chips?
Tortilla chips are a choking hazard and are usually salty, so they are best saved until about 2 years, and then served a few at a time with your child seated. Before then, crush tortilla chips into small crumbs and sprinkle them over food.
Can babies have quesadillas?
Yes, babies from about 9 months can have quesadillas made with a soft tortilla and a thin layer of pasteurized cheese, beans or vegetables. Let the quesadilla cool and cut it into small pieces.
Can I serve grain-free tortillas to my baby?
Grain-free tortillas are fine for babies if you check the ingredients first. Many are made from almond, cassava or coconut flour and may contain tree nuts or eggs.
The takeaway
- Babies can have soft tortillas from 6 months, softened and mashed into purees at first and into lumpier mashes at 7–8 months, then cut into small pieces or folded around a soft filling from 9 months.
- At 6 months, babies are still eating smooth purees, so hold off on chewy tortilla.
- 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
- 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
Track every new food in your baby’s passport
Track the first 100 foods and the Top 9 allergens. 7 days free.
Recipes with tortilla
More grains for babies
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.