Cashew

Tree Nut

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Yes

Common Allergen

Yes

a pile of cashews on a table before being prepared for babies starting solid food

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.

Are cashews healthy for babies?

Yes. Cashews are a terrific source of healthy fats for baby’s nervous system and brain development. Cashews are also rich sources of zinc and fiber, two nutrients that are important for healthy growth and digestion. Nuts in general are a great source of iron and protein for babies on plant-based diets. Lastly, cashews contain vitamin K, a nutrient that is essential for blood clotting.

★Tip: Like most tree nuts, cashews can go rancid. Store raw nuts and open jars of cashew butter in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life. Cashews can keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 6 months and in the freezer for up to 1 year.

Are cashews a common allergen?

Yes, cashews are classified as a Global Priority Allergen by the World Health Organization. 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. If there is no adverse reaction, you can increase the quantity over future meals. It is okay if your baby does not consume each serving entirely. 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.

Need more support introducing allergens? Check out our Introducing Allergens guide.

Are cashews a choking hazard for babies?

Yes. Whole nuts, nut pieces, and globs of nut butter are choking hazards for babies and young children. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve cashews and cashew butter in an age-appropriate way. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

Videos

Alex, 7 months, eats cashew butter mixed into yogurt.

Aaïla, 8 months, eats egg noodles with cashew butter.

Río, 24 months, practices eating cashew halves.

Can babies drink cashew milk?

No. Prior to 12 months, the only liquids an infant should receive are breast milk, formula, and if the baby is older than 6 months of age, water in small amounts (less than 2-4 ounces / 60-120 milliliters a day) in an open cup. If cashew milk is used as an ingredient in solid food (such as oatmeal), then it is acceptable to serve before 12 months of age.

If, after the first birthday, you’d like to introduce cashew milk as a beverage, it’s fine to do so, but know that nut milk often lacks adequate calories, fat, and protein for a plant-based milk for toddlers; typically, fortified soy or pea milk are more nutritious. See our Milk FAQs to learn more.

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, yogurt, 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 the 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), 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 a child is seated in an upright seat and is actively engaged in mealtime and not distracted. 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, etc. A highly animated child who is talking, yelling or singing while practicing eating nuts increases choking risk. Do not serve nuts in a stroller, car seat, or while a toddler is on the move (walking around).

To model how to eat cashews safely, start by telling the child: "This is a hard one. Watch me." Then, show the child how to eat one cashew half at a time. Place the half cashew in-between your front 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 so it’s visible. 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 this a couple of times before offering the toddler a cashew half to do the same.

To coach a child through eating a cashew half safely, say, "Your turn to try." For the very first attempt, firmly hold on to the nut for the 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 the 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 the child does not bite or attempt to break down the cashew with your support, we’d recommend waiting a few weeks more. Once the toddler has had ample practice with half cashews, you can repeat the process with a whole cashew.

After practicing nuts with a child, 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.