Cashew Yogurt

Cashew yogurt may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Note that cashew yogurt is made with cashew, a common allergen.

Cashew yogurt is a recent development that takes advantage of the rich, creamy texture of cashews—a nut with centuries of culinary importance in tropical regions. Native to South America, the cashew tree was spread by Portuguese traders to Africa and South Asia in the 16th century. The blending of cashews with water and bacterial cultures to make yogurt is a modern innovation born from the global demand for plant-based dairy alternatives, combining the nut’s natural creaminess with probiotic benefits.

• Choose unsweetened or low-sugar cashew yogurt with live cultures, when available. Live bacterial cultures offer probiotic benefits for baby’s digestion. Sharing sweetened cashew yogurt is not a cause for concern as part of a varied diet, but it can be helpful to hold off on regularly serving very sugary foods until a child is older to help support baby’s oral health and ensure that baby has space in the belly to try a variety of nourishing foods.

• Use as a base for fruit blends, dips, or smoothies.

• Refrigerate and consume within a few days after opening.

No. Cashew yogurt presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve cashew yogurt 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.

Yes, cashew yogurt is made with cashews, which are classified as a common allergen. However, most cashew yogurt contains a very low amount of allergenic protein. This means that cashew yogurt is not sufficient for introducing cashew as an allergen or maintaining exposure to cashew once an allergy is ruled out. See Cashew for more information on how to safely introduce.

Yes. Cashew yogurt provides some plant-based fats, protein, and iron. Some varieties are fortified with calcium and vitamin D, which support bone development and immune function, and some brands are made with live bacterial cultures, which offer probiotic benefits for baby’s digestion.

There are many wonderful options. Look for foods that are easy for baby to feed to themselves, that are low in choking risk, and that offer nutrients babies need, such as iron. A few of our favorite first foods include cooked broccoli, oatmeal, and mango pits.

You can if you’d like, but there's no developmental need to start with textureless food. Babies can be served modified versions of what you eat. Use our First Foods Database to find how to safely serve any food.