Almonds, if they are finely ground or offered in the form of a smooth, thinned out nut butter, may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Almonds are a common allergen, so take care when introducing them and check out our age-appropriate preparation suggestions.

If you are feeling terrified to introduce nuts to your baby, watch our peanut and allergen videos in our virtual course, which were created by our award-winning allergist MD and our founder, who is an allergy mom.

The almond may be one of the world’s most popular nuts, but botanically speaking, it is a seed. Like the pits of cherries, peaches, and plums, almonds are found at the center of a fruit that grows on a tree native to the southwest Asia. The young fruits are known as green almonds, with soft edible flesh—just like its stone fruit cousins—that is celebrated as a seasonal treat in some cultures. However, most of the world’s almonds are cultivated for their seed and are farmed in the United States, where they are classified as a tree nut for regulatory purposes. There are bitter and sweet varieties of almonds; the sweet ones are safe to eat, and because bitter almonds can be poisonous, they are typically processed and used in small amounts to make extracts, liqueurs, oils, and other products.

Yes. Almonds are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and heart-healthy fats. They also offer plenty of vitamins and minerals to help baby thrive, including calcium for strong bones, zinc for healthy growth, vitamin E for antioxidant support, and iron to help move oxygen through the body, as well as fiber to support baby’s digestion. Plus, almond skins are full of antioxidants to support the body’s resilience. Purchase skin-on almonds, almond butter, and almond meal for an added boost of nutrition in baby’s meal—and choose varieties that are unsweetened and unsalted when you can.

★Tip: Store almonds in a cool, dark place, like your pantry or fridge for optimal freshness and quality. If you live in a warm, humid environment, it’s especially ideal to keep almonds in the fridge to avoid spoiling.

Yes. Whole nuts, nut pieces, and globs of nut butters are considered choking hazards for babies and young children.  To reduce the risk, finely grind almonds into a fine flour and sprinkle on other foods or purchase smooth almond butter and mix into applesauce, yogurt, or thin with breast (human) milk, formula, or water. Almond flour and almond butter can also be added to baked goods such as pancakes, waffles, and muffins. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

Yes. Almonds are considered to be tree nuts (although they are technically seeds), and all tree nuts are common food allergens. While only 1% of the American population is allergic to tree nuts, it is usually life-long: only 9% of children with tree nut allergy will outgrow it on their own.   

Although an allergy to one tree nut increases risk of allergy to another, keep in mind that being allergic to one nut does not necessarily mean that all nuts need to be removed from the diet.   Having as diverse of a diet as possible, even within the confines of food allergies, is important for nutrition.

There is no recommendation to have allergy testing before introducing tree nuts into the diet, even if there is a family history of food allergy. However, if you suspect your baby may be allergic to nuts, make an appointment with your primary care clinician or a pediatric allergist. Your allergist can help you determine if almonds can be safely introduced.

When it’s time to introduce the nut, offer a small quantity (such as ¼ of a teaspoon of thinned nut butter or finely ground nut) for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals. It is okay if your baby does not consume each serving entirely. It is important to maintain common food allergens (such as tree nuts) in the diet regularly (twice weekly, if possible) once introduced. Don’t stop offering the nut unless your baby shows signs of a reaction.

Recommended Guide: Introducing Allergens

No. Prior to 12 months, the only liquids an infant should receive are breast (human) milk, formula, and if the baby is older than 6 months of age, water in small amounts (less than 2-4 oz a day) in an open cup.    For babies 6 months and up, almond milk used as an ingredient in solid food (such as in oatmeal, etc.) is totally fine.

If, after the first birthday, you’d like to introduce almond milk as a drink, it’s fine to do so, but know that almond milk lacks adequate calories, fat, and protein, as well as calcium and vitamin D, when compared to cow’s milk. Other plant-based milks like fortified soy or pea milk tend to be more nutritious.  See our Milk FAQs to learn more.