Durian
Fruit
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have durian?
Durian may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Durians are an impressive fruit with a strong smell, large size, thorny rind, and myriad uses in savory and sweet cooking, particularly on the islands of Southeast Asia, where the plant originated. Crack open the spiked shell and one will find creamy flesh in varying shades of white, yellow, green, or red, depending on the variety. Some durians taste sweeter and smell less intense than other varieties, whose pungent aroma has inspired some municipalities to ban it from public spaces.
How do you serve durian 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 +:
Mash fresh durian flesh, seeds removed, until it is mostly smooth with no large clumps, then let baby try to scoop it up with their hands. Scooping up the durian can be easier for baby if the durian is served in a bowl rather than directly on the tray or table. The seeds pose a high choking risk, but can be shared with babies by thoroughly cooking and grinding the seeds into a fine flour or boiling and mashing them.
9 months old +:
Continue to serve mashed fresh durian, and as you feel more comfortable, offer large clumps (like the size of a tennis ball) of durian for baby to hold and take bites from. As baby develops their pincer grasp (where the thumb and pointer finger meet to pick up smaller objects), you can also serve bite-sized pieces of ripe durian. No matter the presentation, take care to remove all seeds from the fruit before serving.
12 months old +:
Offer bite-sized pieces, mashed durian, or large clumps of the fruit for the toddler to take bites from. No matter the presentation, take care to remove all seeds from the fruit before serving.
Get the family on board with how to raise a happy eater with our Do’s and Don’ts tip sheet.
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Is durian a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Durian flesh, especially when underripe, can be firm and slippery, qualities that can increase choking risk, and the fruit’s large, hard seeds are also a possible choking hazard. To reduce the risk, carefully remove all the seeds and serve durian in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.
Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.
Is durian a common allergen?
No. Allergies to durian are rare, although they have been reported. Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome who are allergic to birch pollen may be sensitive to durian, although this is uncommon. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching, burning, or tingling in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
Is durian healthy for babies?
Yes. Durian is loaded with fiber to support a healthy gut and energy-producing carbohydrates and B-vitamins, including folate. For a fruit, durian even offers a good amount of protein and fats. Durian also provides vitamin C, potassium, traces of many more minerals, plus a wide array of plant nutrients and antioxidants—carotenoids, flavanols, quercetin, and more—which are beneficial to the body’s overall health.
Durian seeds are rich in fiber and are edible when cooked thoroughly and prepared in an age-appropriate way.
★Tip: Once its hard shell is cracked open, durian has a short shelf life. Scoop out the flesh and store it in an air-tight container in the fridge, then consume it within 5 days or freeze it for up to 2 months to extend the shelf life.
What are some great first foods for babies?
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.
How many meals per day should baby eat?
It’s flexible. Generally speaking, bring baby to the table at least once per day between 6 and 7 months of age, twice per day between 8 and 9 months of age, and 3 times per day starting at around 10 months of age. See our sample feeding schedules for details.
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
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