Access our First Foods® Database in the Solid Starts App.
Learn moreCashew
Tree Nut
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
Yes
Common Allergen
Yes
When can babies have cashews?
Cashews, if they are finely ground or served as cashew butter, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Whole cashews, chopped cashews, and cashew butter are choking hazards for babies and children, so read our preparation by age section closely before serving.
From its origins in Central and South America, the cashew tree was introduced by the Portuguese to India, which is now the world’s most prolific producer of the nut. The original Tupian word for this nut in its homeland—acajú—gave rise to many others (cashew, cajou, casu, kaju) as it spread across the globe.
How do you serve cashews to babies?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
6 months old +:
Make a dip or sauce to serve on porridge or cooked veggies by mixing smooth cashew butter (honey free) with applesauce, breast milk, formula, or water until smooth with no clumps. You can also spread the thinned-out cashew butter very thinly on toast strips. Try serving with a drink in an open cup to help wash down any sticky pieces of food. Alternatively, finely grind cashews and sprinkle a pinch on fresh fruits like avocado or banana and cooked veggie spears. Make a batch of cashew cream by soaking cashews in water for a few hours until they’re saturated (they’ll be a little squishy) and then blending them until smooth. Serve a spoonful or two as a sauce on baby’s pancakes, porridge, or cooked meats, fish, beans, or tofu.
12 months old +:
Continue to finely grind cashews and sprinkle on fruits and vegetables or incorporate cashew butter or cashew cream into other foods like yogurt, warm cereals, or mashed vegetables, or thinly spread on toast. At this age, you may also introduce cashew milk as an occasional drink.
24 months old +:
Continue to finely grind cashews and use cashew butter as you wish. If your child has developed mature eating skills (taking small bites with their teeth, chewing thoroughly before swallowing, not stuffing food in their mouth, and finally, the ability to identify and spit out foods when it is not well chewed), they may be ready to learn how to eat whole cashews. Just remember that nuts and nut pieces are considered choking hazards until age 4 and even beyond by all governing medical bodies.
Only serve nuts when your child is seated in an upright seat and is actively engaged in mealtime and not distracted. To model how to eat cashews safely, start by telling your child: "This is a hard one. Watch me." Then, show your child how to eat one cashew half at a time. 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 so it’s visible. Once you have chewed the nut well, open your mouth to show your 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 this a couple of times before offering your toddler a cashew half to do the same.
Then say, "Your turn to try." For the very first attempt, firmly hold on to the nut for your child 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 your child insists on holding the cashew half themselves, allow them to self-feed and take a bite if you feel comfortable. If you do not feel comfortable or if your child does not bite or attempt to break down the cashew with your support, we’d recommend waiting a few weeks more. Once your toddler has had ample practice with half cashews, you can repeat the process with a whole cashew. After practicing nuts with your child, make sure their mouth is clear of food before taking them out of the high chair.
How to prepare cashews and cashew butter for babies 6 months +
How to offer cashews to toddlers 24 months +
Videos
Are cashews a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Whole cashews are small, firm, and challenging to chew, and cashew butter can be sticky, all qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve cashews and cashew butter in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. 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.
Are cashews a common allergen?
Yes, cashews are classified as a common allergen. Cashews are considered tree nuts (although they are technically a seed). Due to similarities in the protein structure of cashews and pistachios, children are often allergic to both of these specific tree nuts (approximately 75% of children with cashew allergy will also be allergic to pistachio). While only 0.5 to 1.2% of the population is allergic to tree nuts, tree nut allergy is usually life-long: only 9% of children with tree nut allergy will outgrow it.
Sumac and pink peppercorn belong to the same botanical family as cashew (Anacardiaceae), and individuals with cashew allergy may be sensitive to these spices. While mango is also a member of this family, most individuals with cashew allergy are able to enjoy mango pulp without any reaction.
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 a diet as possible, even within the confines of food allergies, is important for a child’s nutrition and quality of life. If your child has a cashew allergy, work with an allergist to determine if other tree nuts can be safely incorporated into the diet.
For most babies, there is no need to pursue allergy testing before introducing tree nuts into the diet, even if there is a family history of food allergy. However, if baby has severe eczema or has already experienced an allergic reaction, or you suspect your baby may be allergic to nuts, make an appointment with your primary care clinician or a pediatric allergist before introducing cashew at home. Your doctor can help you determine if cashews can be safely introduced in the home setting, or if supervised introduction in the clinic would be preferable. Keep in mind that a growing body of evidence supports the preventive benefits of early food allergen introduction (especially for babies with eczema), so it’s important not to delay introduction any longer than necessary.
When it’s time to introduce the nut at home, offer a small quantity (such as a pinch of finely ground nut or 1/8 teaspoon of smooth cashew butter thinned with water, breast milk, or formula) at first. For step-by-step guidance on how to introduce cashew and other common allergens, start your subscription in the Solid Starts App. Rather than filling the belly with the nut, it is important to maintain exposure to 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.
Are cashews healthy for babies?
Yes. Cashews offer nourishing fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber. They also offer iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamins E and K, and zinc. Together, these nutrients provide energy to fuel baby’s growth, play, and exploration. They also support gut microbiome diversity, red blood cells, electrolyte balance, hormone health, immune function, blood clotting, bone density, and taste perception.
★ Tip: Store cashews in a cool, dark place, like your pantry or fridge for optimal freshness and quality.
Can babies have cashew milk?
Yes—as an ingredient in solid food, but wait until after the first birthday to offer cashew milk as a drink so it does not displace breast milk or formula, which offer important nutrition that baby needs to grow and thrive. After baby’s first birthday, cashew milk may be offered as a drink, but keep in mind that many forms of cashew milk can lack the nutrition growing toddlers need. If available, try to select kinds that are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. See our Milk FAQs to learn more.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Rachel Ruiz
Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist
Dr. Sakina Bajowala
Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
Expert Tips Delivered to Your Inbox
Sign up for weekly tips, recipes and more!
Copyright © 2026 • Solid Starts Inc