Can Babies Eat Quark?
Yes. Quark is a lovely soft dairy food from around 6 months. It is thick, mild and high in protein, and it usually has less salt than harder cheeses. Go for plain and full-fat, add your own fruit, and you have a quick, gentle meal.
If you have not met quark yet, think of it as yogurt's thicker, higher-protein cousin. It is a soft fresh cheese with a mild taste and a smooth, scoopable texture that babies get on with easily. It is a great base to flavour with fruit, and it slips into both sweet and savoury meals.
What is quark?
Quark is a soft, fresh, unripened cheese made from soured milk. It is popular across central and eastern Europe. It sits somewhere between yogurt and cream cheese: thick and creamy, but higher in protein and usually lower in fat and salt than a lot of cheeses.
Quark takes fruit beautifully. Stir in mashed banana or some squashed blueberries, or use it in place of yogurt anywhere you fancy a thicker, higher-protein option.
Quark nutrition for babies
Quark is high in protein and a good source of calcium, usually with little salt.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g (full-fat) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Carbohydrate | 3.5 g |
| Calcium | 85 mg |
Typical values for full-fat quark. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
When can babies eat quark?
Quark can start from around 6 months and stays useful right through. Full-fat and plain is the way to go:
Offer a few spoonfuls of plain full-fat quark, on its own or stirred with a little fruit puree.
Its thickness makes quark great for early spoon practice, or as a dip for soft fruit and vegetable sticks.
Use quark in dips, on toast, or blended into smoothies and bakes. Keep added sugar out and add fruit instead.
Tip: quark's high protein and thick texture make it a filling snack. Stir in fruit for sweetness rather than buying pre-sweetened pots, which often carry a lot of added sugar.
Health benefits of quark for babies
High protein
Quark is unusually high in protein for a soft dairy food, which supports steady growth.
Calcium
It provides calcium for building strong bones and teeth during the first years.
Soft and mild
Its smooth, mild texture makes quark an easy, gentle food for babies learning to eat.
Quark is a flexible base. Sweeten it with fruit for a pudding, or keep it plain and use it as a creamy topping for savoury foods like soft tomato pasta.
How to serve quark safely
Do
- Choose plain, full-fat quark.
- Add your own fruit for sweetness.
- Serve it on a spoon or as a dip.
- Keep opened pots covered in the fridge.
Avoid
- Sweetened or flavoured quark pots.
- Low-fat versions, since babies need the fat.
- Cow's milk as a main drink before 12 months.
- Adding sugar or honey.
Risks and safety
Quark is soft and low on the choking scale. As a dairy food, the thing to be aware of is cow's milk allergy. If your baby has reacted to dairy before, check with your doctor first, and otherwise introduce it and watch as you would any new food.
Dairy from 6 months: the NHS notes that dairy foods like quark and yogurt are fine in meals from 6 months, while cow's milk as a main drink should wait until 12 months.
Easy quark recipe (6 months)
Quark with fruit for baby
Makes 1 to 2 baby portions, from 6 monthsIngredients
- 3 tbsp plain full-fat quark
- 1 tbsp fruit puree, such as banana, berry or pear
Method
- Spoon the quark into a bowl.
- Stir the fruit puree through it until smooth.
- Serve straight away, and keep any leftovers covered in the fridge.
Quark FAQ
When can babies eat quark?
Babies can have quark from around 6 months. Choose plain, full-fat quark and serve it on a spoon or stirred with fruit. Like other dairy, it is fine in food from 6 months even though cow's milk as a main drink waits until 12 months.
Is quark good for babies?
Yes. Quark is a soft fresh cheese that is high in protein and calcium and usually low in salt, which makes it a good dairy choice for babies. Pick the full-fat version, since babies need the fat.
What is the difference between quark and yogurt?
They are similar soft dairy foods, but quark is thicker and higher in protein, with a milder, less tangy taste. Both work well for babies, and you can use them in much the same way.
Can quark cause an allergy?
Quark is made from milk, so cow's milk allergy is possible. If your baby has reacted to dairy before, talk to your doctor first. Otherwise, introduce it and watch as you would with any new food.
Sources
- Quark (dairy product), 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.
