Empanada

Empanadas may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, as long as any cheese used is pasteurized and any choking hazards have been modified for a child’s age and eating ability. Globs of cheese, cubes of meat, firm pieces of vegetable, corn kernels, and raisins are some of the filling ingredients that can increase choking risk, so read on to learn how to safely prepare empanadas for babies by age.

Empanadas are filled pastries found across Central and South America, Spain, the Philippines, and beyond. The name comes from the Spanish word empanar, meaning to bread or coat. At their most simple, they are a piece of dough folded around a filling and either baked or fried. Fillings vary widely by country, region, and family: seasoned ground beef with olive and hard-boiled egg in Argentina; chicken with potatoes and ají amarillo in Peru; sweet corn and cheese in Colombia; tuna with sofrito in Spain, and many more.

• Freeze extras for easy meals. Empanadas freeze well before or after cooking. Just re-check the texture after reheating, as crusts can become firmer when reheated dry.

Yes. The outside of an empanada can be firm or dry, and it may include fillings that are firm, sticky, or challenging to chew, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve empanadas in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. As always, create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Yes. Empanadas are commonly made with dairy (cheese and butter) and wheat, and may contain other common allergens such as shellfish, egg, tree nuts, or soy. Read the ingredients carefully when buying pre-made empanadas to check for common allergens.

It is important to introduce common food allergens individually and rule out a food allergy before offering baby prepared foods that contain multiple potential food allergens. This way, when you are ready to share an empanada, you will be confident that baby has already safely eaten any common food allergens in it. This approach can also help you quickly identify potential culprits in the unlikely event that baby experiences an allergic reaction after eating an empanada.

Yes. Empanadas can be made with a variety of ingredients, but most include wheat flour, which offers essential nutrients for babies, including carbohydrates, B vitamins, and more. Empanada fillings can also offer key nutrients, such as iron from ingredients like beans and meat, fiber from vegetables, and calcium from cheese.

Empanadas can be high in sodium, and sweet empanadas can contain lots of added sugar. Delaying the introduction of highly salty or sweet foods can help establish a foundation for a varied and nutritious diet and can help ensure that baby has motivation and room in the belly to try a wide variety of foods.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Yes, as long as they are shared in an age-appropriate way to reduce choking risk. While empanadas from restaurants or stores can be higher in sodium than homemade ones, it’s fine for baby to share tastes of these on occasion.