Chipotle Pepper

Chipotle peppers may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. However, you may want to wait until baby has tried a variety of other foods. Because chipotle peppers are often very hot and added to dishes, baby may get confused about which solid foods are always, inherently spicy and which aren’t. Note that hot peppers may cause a harmless rash where they come into contact with baby’s skin, as well as cause or worsen diaper rash and digestive upset.

Chipotle peppers and their fresh form, jalapeños, originated in the Americas, where they have been used to add spicy flavor to moles, salsas, sopas, and other dishes for thousands of years. Chipotle comes from the Nahuatl word chilpoctli, and there are two primary varieties, chipotle morita and chipotle meco. To make chipotle peppers, jalapeños are picked when fully ripe and red, then canned in sauces or dried and smoked. The preservation process gives chipotle peppers a smoky flavor that lends richness to dishes from tacos to sauces and stews.

Yes. While chipotle peppers are not typically consumed in significant amounts, they do offer vitamin C to help support immunity and iron absorption, in addition to small amounts of fiber and vitamins A to support digestion and vision. Chipotle peppers also contain antioxidants to aid the body’s resilience against stressors—even more than fresh jalapeños by weight.

Contrary to popular belief, babies can enjoy big flavors, including hot peppers, but it is important to start with small tastes and adjust the spice level to suit the child. The goal is to avoid a negative experience from too much heat and to ensure that the child does not get confused about which foods are inherently spicy. To reduce the heat, remove the seeds and taste the food before offering to baby. If it seems too spicy, adjust the seasonings to mellow the flavor.

★Tip: Balance the heat by serving chipotle alongside creamy foods like mashed avocado, plain yogurt, or an age-appropriate milk like breast/human milk, formula, or cow’s milk. Acidic or water-based foods and drinks can intensify the heat.

No. When finely chopped, chipotle peppers are not a choking hazard, though their heat can make babies cough and salivate more (which can increase gagging). When sharing foods with hot peppers, serve baby’s portion with a creamy food like mashed avocado, plain yogurt, or an age-appropriate milk to balance the heat. 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 sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

No. Allergies to chipotle peppers are not common, but have been reported. Contact reactions (such as temporary rashes, eye irritation, respiratory difficulty, and digestive upset) to spicy peppers like chipotle are frequently mistaken for allergic reactions. However, this is commonly due to the irritating qualities of capsaicin, and is not typically a true allergic reaction.

People who are allergic to latex or plant pollens may also be allergic to peppers, such as chipotle pepper, or experience Oral Allergy Syndrome (also known as pollen-food allergy syndrome). Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Cooking chipotle pepper may help minimize and even eliminate the reaction.

Note that spices can also cause reactions similar to allergic symptoms. For example, inhaling a puff of powdered chipotle pepper can irritate the nasal passageways and trigger sneezing and coughing, but may not be triggered by an allergic reaction.

Spicy foods may cause a harmless rash around the mouth while baby eats or may cause or worsen diaper rash. Applying a thin layer of barrier cream or ointment—such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax balm—to baby’s face and bottom can help prevent contact rashes.

As with introducing any new food, start by serving a small quantity for the first few servings, and watch closely for any signs of an allergic reaction. As time goes on, you can offer larger quantities as desired.

No. Chipotle pepper is not generally thought of a food that directly helps with pooping since it is consumed in small amounts in the diet. However, chipotle pepper can play a role in supporting baby’s rapidly developing gut microbiome (the bacteria and microorganisms in baby’s intestines), which can help support healthy digestion overall. That said, excess consumption of chipotle peppers may cause digestive upset and possibly irritation in the diaper area when pooping due to the spiciness of the peppers, so start small when introducing any spicy food to baby. Remember that pooping patterns can vary significantly from baby to baby. If you have concerns about baby’s pooping and digestive function, check out our page on knowing when to worry about baby’s poop and, as always, talk to your pediatric healthcare provider.