Can Babies Eat Apples?
Yes. Babies can have apple from around 6 months. Cook it first for young babies, because raw apple is hard and a choking risk. Steam or bake it until soft, then puree or mash. Apple is a gentle, popular first fruit.
Apple is one of the most common first fruits, but the way you serve it matters. Raw apple is hard, so young babies need it cooked or grated. This guide covers when to start, how to serve apple at each age, the benefits and a simple puree.
What is an apple?
An apple is the fruit of the apple tree, one of the most widely grown tree fruits in the world. Apples come in sweet and sharp varieties. Sweeter types such as Gala or Fuji make the easiest puree for babies because they need no added sugar.
Apple puree is soft and mild, so it mixes well with other first foods. It is one of the four foods in the BRAT diet, along with banana, rice and toast, which is sometimes used to settle a tummy.
Apple nutrition for babies
Apple gives your baby fibre and vitamin C, and it is low in fat. Much of the fibre is in the skin, so a whole cooked apple has more than peeled puree.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g (raw) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 52 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 13.8 g |
| of which sugars | 10.4 g |
| Fibre | 2.4 g |
| Protein | 0.3 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g |
| Vitamin C | 4.6 mg |
Values for raw apple with skin. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
When can babies eat apple?
Apple can start at around 6 months, but the form is important because raw apple is a choking risk. Change how you serve it as your baby grows:
Peel, core and steam apple until soft, then puree or mash. You can also offer a whole cooked apple half as a soft finger food.
Serve small pieces of soft cooked apple, or grate raw apple finely so it is easy to manage.
From about a year, most children can manage thin slices of raw apple. Keep pieces thin rather than chunky.
Choking: raw apple and hard apple chunks are a common choking hazard for babies and toddlers. Cook, puree or finely grate apple for children under 12 months, and always stay with your baby while they eat.
Health benefits of apple for babies
Fibre
Apple has soluble fibre that supports digestion. Cooked apple is gentle, while the skin adds more fibre.
Vitamin C
Apple provides some vitamin C, which helps the body take up iron from other foods.
Mild and popular
The soft texture and gentle sweetness make apple an easy food that most babies accept.
Apple puree mixes well with other gentle foods. Stir it into oatmeal for breakfast, or blend it with steamed carrots for a simple fruit and vegetable meal.
How to serve apple safely
Do
- Cook apple until soft for young babies.
- Peel and core it before cooking.
- Grate raw apple finely if you serve it uncooked.
- Choose sweeter varieties so you add no sugar.
Avoid
- Hard raw apple chunks for babies under 12 months.
- Whole apple, which is a choking risk.
- Sweetened apple juice as a drink.
- Adding sugar to the puree.
Risks and safety
The main risk with apple is choking on hard raw pieces, so cooking or grating solves it for young babies. Apple allergy is uncommon, though a few children get a mild itchy mouth from raw apple that cooking removes.
Starting solids: introduce apple on its own and wait a couple of days before the next new food. The NHS has practical advice on weaning and safe first foods.
Easy apple recipe (6 months)
Apple puree for baby
Makes 3 baby portions, from 6 monthsIngredients
- 2 sweet apples
- 2 tbsp water
Method
- Peel, core and chop the apples into small pieces.
- Steam them for about 8 minutes, or simmer in a little water, until soft.
- Blend or mash to a smooth puree, adding cooking water to loosen it, then cool before serving.
Apple FAQ
When can babies eat apple?
Babies can have apple from around 6 months. Cook it first for young babies, since raw apple is hard and a choking risk. Steam or bake it until soft, then puree or mash.
Can babies eat raw apple?
Raw apple is firm and can break into hard pieces, so it is a choking risk for babies. Wait until about 12 months for thin raw slices, and grate raw apple for younger babies instead.
Does apple help with constipation?
Cooked apple and apple puree are gentle and part of the BRAT diet used to settle a tummy. Whole apple with the skin has more fibre. If your baby is constipated, ask your doctor for advice.
Can apple cause an allergy in babies?
Apple allergy is uncommon. A few children get a mild itchy mouth from raw apple, which cooking usually removes. Offer apple on its own the first time and watch how your baby reacts.
Sources
- Apple, Wikipedia.
- FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Weaning and feeding, National Health Service (UK).
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. Talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about your own baby, and about starting solids or any allergy concerns.
