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Almond

Food Type

Tree Nut

Common Allergen

Yes

Age Suggestion

6 months

Yes

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Almond

When can babies be introduced to almond?

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.

Where do almonds come from?

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.

Videos

Cooper, 7 months, eats almond butter on yogurt

Ripley, 9 months, eats ricotta with almond butter mixed in

Kalani, 12 months, eats almond butter on wheat toast. Both bread and nut butters are choking hazards for babies so wait until you think your child is ready to offer them

Are almonds healthy for babies?

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.

Are almonds and almond butter common choking hazards?

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.

Are almonds a common allergen?

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

Can babies drink almond milk?

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.

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How do you prepare almonds for babies with baby-led weaning?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience. Your child is an individual and may have needs or considerations beyond generally accepted practices. In determining the recommendations for size and shape of foods, we use the best available scientific information regarding gross, fine, and oral motor development to minimize choking risk. The preparation suggestions we offer are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for child-specific, one-on-one advice from your pediatric medical or health professional or provider. It is impossible to fully eliminate all risk of a baby or child choking on any liquid, puree, or food. We advise you to follow all safety protocols we suggest to create a safe eating environment and to make educated choices for your child regarding their specific needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.

How to Serve Almond to Babies

6 to 11 months old:

Purchase smooth almond butter and mix into applesauce, yogurt, or thin with breast (human) milk, formula, or water or finely grind almonds into a fine flour and sprinkle on other foods that it will stick well to (avocado, banana, etc.). Consider adding almond butter or almond flour to your batter when making pancakes, waffles, muffins, etc. Refrain from serving nut butter on toast as both bread and nut butters can increase the risk of choking.

12 months old+:

Continue mixing smooth almond butter into yogurt, warm cereals, or baked goods, and sprinkling ground almond on other dishes and foods or mixing it into batter when preparing baked goods. At this age, toddlers may be ready to try nut butter on toast. Make sure the butter is thinly spread and that you offer milk or water in an open cup to help wash down any sticky pieces of food. At this age, you may also introduce almond milk as an occasional drink (although there are more nutritious plant-based milks to choose from). Read more in our Milk FAQs.

36 months old+:

Continue to serve finely ground almonds and smooth almond butter in small quantities. If a child has developed mature eating skills (taking small bites with their teeth, moving food to the side of the mouth when chewing, chewing thoroughly before swallowing, not stuffing food in their mouths, and finally, the ability to identify and spit out foods when it is not well chewed, AND is able to eat softer nuts like walnut and pecans with ease, they may be ready to learn how to eat whole almonds. Just remember that nuts and nut pieces are considered choking hazards until age 4 and even beyond by all governing medical bodies.

Almonds are particularly risky and challenging to eat as they are firm and difficult to take a bite out of--all of which increase choking risk. We'd recommend starting with other nuts before offering almonds.

To model how to eat almonds safely, start by telling the child: "This is a hard one. Watch me." Then, show your toddler how to place the nut in-between your front teeth. Hold the nut between your teeth and exaggerate taking a small bite of the nut. Then, show how you move the nut piece to your molars with your tongue. Chew with your mouth open (you can even demonstrate by opening and closing your hands at the same time). Once you have chewed the nut well, open your mouth to show the toddler how it has been broken down. Say, "I moved it to my big strong teeth to chew it. It needs a lot of chewing." Demonstrate a couple of times before offering the toddler an almond to do the same.

To coach the child through eating a whole almond safely, say, "Your turn to try." For the very first attempt, firmly hold on to the nut for them to take a bite from it (without you letting go of the nut). DO NOT PUT THE NUT IN THEIR MOUTH. Don't let go until they have used their teeth to actively take a bite. This ensures that they initiate chewing. Continue but only serve one or two nuts at a time to pace the practice. If the child insists on holding the almond themselves, allow them to self-feed and take a bite if you feel comfortable. If you do not feel comfortable or if the child does not bite or attempt to break down the almond, we recommend coaching the child to spit the nut out and waiting a few weeks more to practice chewing other nuts that are less challenging.

It is important to help the child stay engaged with the task, and part of that is modeling that safe chewing takes place when we are not talking, singing, watching television, etc. A highly animated child who is talking, yelling, or singing while practicing eating nuts increases choking risk. After practicing nuts with a toddler, make sure their mouth is clear before taking them out of the high chair. Never allow a toddler to walk around with nuts or nut pieces in their mouth.

a hand holding two banana spears covered in finely ground almonds
Banana spears coated with finely ground almonds for babies 6 months+

For more information on how to cut food for babies, visit our page on Food Sizes & Shapes.

Almond Yogurt with Banana Spears

Yield

1 child size serving

Cooking Time

5 minutes

Age Suggestion

6 months+

bowl of almond yogurt with sliced bananas

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup unsweetened, full-fat Greek yogurt

  • 1 teaspoon smooth almond butter (or ¼ teaspoon if almond has not been introduced yet)

  • 1 banana

Directions

  1. Mix the Greek yogurt and almond butter in your baby’s bowl.

  2. Split the banana into thirds vertically (video here) and stick them into the yogurt so they stand up. (Doing so makes it easy for young babies to grab them.)

Place the bowl in front of your child along with a baby spoon. To encourage self-feeding, pre-load the spoon and either hand it in the air or rest it on the edge of the bowl for your baby to grab.

This recipe contains common allergens: dairy and almond. Only serve to your child after these each allergen has been introduced safely.

Pairings

The nutty and sweet flavor of almond pairs well with apricot, asparagus, banana, blueberry, blackberry, butternut squash, cantaloupe, chicken, coconut, dates, honeydew melon, orange, plum, pomegranate, prune, sardine, trout, and seasonings such as cardamom, cinnamon, orange blossom, rosemary, rose, and saffron.

By

Dr. Sakina Shikari Bajowala

Dr. Sakina Shikari Bajowala

Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist

Kary Rappaport

Kary Rappaport

Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant

Kim Grenawitzke

Kim Grenawitzke

Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant

K. Tatiana Maldonado

K. Tatiana Maldonado

Speech-language pathologist, feeding & swallowing specialist

Venus Kalami

Venus Kalami

Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist

Dr. Rachel Ruiz

Dr. Rachel Ruiz

Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist

Dr. Sakina Shikari Bajowala

Dr. Sakina Shikari Bajowala

Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist

Kary Rappaport

Kary Rappaport

Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant

Kim Grenawitzke

Kim Grenawitzke

Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant

K. Tatiana Maldonado

K. Tatiana Maldonado

Speech-language pathologist, feeding & swallowing specialist

Venus Kalami

Venus Kalami

Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist

Dr. Rachel Ruiz

Dr. Rachel Ruiz

Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist

Dr. Sakina Shikari Bajowala

Dr. Sakina Shikari Bajowala

Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist

Kary Rappaport

Kary Rappaport

Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant

Kim Grenawitzke

Kim Grenawitzke

Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant

K. Tatiana Maldonado

K. Tatiana Maldonado

Speech-language pathologist, feeding & swallowing specialist

Venus Kalami

Venus Kalami

Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist

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