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French Toast

Prepared

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

Yes

two slices of french toast, one stacked on top of the other, on a white background

When can babies have french toast?

French toast may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, as long as the recipe does not contain honey.

The practice of dipping stale bread in milk and egg, then frying a soaked slice comes from Europe, where there are variations from country to country and region to region. In Spain, the resulting dish is called torrijas and topped with cinnamon and honey. In Greece, it is known as avgofetes and sometimes served with feta cheese. And in France, it is known as pain perdu or “lost bread,” so named for the belief that the dish was a way to use up bread that had gone stale.

How do you serve french toast 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.

a Solid Starts infographic with the header How to Cut French Toast for Babies: strips for 6 mos+, bite-sized pieces for 9 mos+, as desired for 18 mos+

6 months old +:

Cut french toast into strips about the size of two adult fingers pressed together, then hold a strip in the air in front of baby and let the child grab it from you and munch on it. French toast strips with a crispier exterior are less likely to gum up in baby’s mouth, while thicker or moister slices are likely to cause more gagging. Adding butter or a thin spread of applesauce or yogurt to a very dry slice can help decrease gagging. Making french toast using the end piece of a baguette or the end of a sourdough boule can also reduce the likelihood of gagging, since they are more resistive and less likely to stick inside the mouth. Avoid french toast that contains or is topped with honey due to the risk of infant botulism.

9 months old +:

Serve french toast cut into bite-sized pieces or continue to offer strips for biting and tearing practice. If baby is overstuffing their mouth, try serving one piece or strip at a time. Avoid french toast that contains or is topped with honey due to the risk of infant botulism.

18 months old +:

Serve french toast in strips or bite-sized pieces. At this age, you can also serve a whole piece of french toast for the child to pick up and take bites from. Feel free to serve french toast with an age-appropriate utensil, but don’t expect accurate and consistent utensil use until a child is older (likely after the 2nd birthday).

a hand holding a strip of french toast in the palm — A strip of french toast for babies 6 months +

a hand holding five bite-sized pieces of french toast — Bite-sized pieces of french toast for babies 9 months +

Videos

Amália, 6 months, eats french toast strips.

Mila, 15 months, eats strips and bite-sized pieces of french toast.

Is french toast a choking hazard for babies?

Yes. Soft breads tend to soften and stick together upon contact with saliva, forming a sticky clump that can cling to the tongue and roof of the mouth and become difficult to manage, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve french toast in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during mealtime.

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Does french toast contain common allergens?

Yes. French toast is commonly made with wheat, dairy, and eggs, and may also include other common food allergens such as sesame, soy, peanut, and tree nuts depending on the type of french toast.

You will have more control over the ingredients when preparing french toast from scratch at home. When you want to offer pre-made french toast, be mindful of food allergies and check the ingredient list carefully every time. Ingredients and recipes vary from one pre-made french toast to another.

Prior to sharing french toast with baby, it is important to introduce common food allergens on their own and rule them out as allergens before serving them together in a prepared food. This way, you’ll be able to identify which allergen is responsible if baby has a reaction. Then, when you are ready to offer french toast, you will be confident that they have already safely eaten any common food allergens in the dish.

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 french toast healthy for babies?

Yes, it can be. French toast usually offers carbohydrates, as well as some protein and fat. They can also contain a variety of micronutrients, like calcium, iron, folate, B vitamins, and various other vitamins and minerals. These nutrients work to provide energy for growth, play, and exploration, in addition to supporting bone health, red blood cells, neurodevelopment, metabolic processes, and more.

Can babies have frozen french toast or french toast sticks?

Yes. While some frozen french toast can be high in sodium and/or sugar, the amount that babies eat tends to be low as they learn the skills to feed themselves, and some sodium is important for supporting baby’s electrolyte balance, hydration, and overall health. Frozen foods like pre-made french toast can offer a convenient option and are perfectly fine as part of a varied diet.