Hazelnut (Filbert)

Hazelnuts, if they are finely ground or served as hazelnut butter, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Whole hazelnuts, chopped hazelnuts, and hazelnut butter are choking hazards for babies, so read our preparation by age section closely before serving.

Also known as cobnut, filbert, fındık, noisette, and nocciola, hazelnuts grow in the wild and on farms throughout much of the northern hemisphere, from North America to Europe and Asia. Excavations have uncovered pits of hazelnut shells from ancient dwelling sites, suggesting that humans have been enjoying the sweet, creamy nut for thousands of years.

Yes. Hazelnuts are a rich source of vitamin E, healthy fats, and fiber, which are important nutrients to develop and maintain baby’s brain, heart, immune system, and digestion. Nuts in general are an excellent source of iron and protein, making them a particularly healthful food for babies on plant-based diets. Lastly, hazelnuts contain vitamin K, a nutrient that is essential for blood clotting.

★Tip: Like most tree nuts, hazelnuts can go rancid. Hazelnuts can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 year and in the freezer for up to 2 years.

Yes, hazelnuts are classified as a Global Priority Allergen by the World Health Organization. Reactions to hazelnut can range from mild oral itching to severe systemic reactions (anaphylaxis) - interestingly, more severe reactions to hazelnut ingestion are noted in areas of the world where birch trees are not native, such as Southern Europe. Severe reactions to hazelnut are also more common in children under 5 years of age, who are more likely than adults to have primary sensitization to hazelnut (while Oral Allergy Syndrome is more common in adults). 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 a tree nut allergy will outgrow it.

Hazelnuts are a common cause of Oral Allergy Syndrome, especially in individuals who are allergic to birch, hazel, or alder tree pollen. Oral Allergy Syndrome to hazelnut typically results in short-lived itching, tingling, or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction.

Due to similarities in the nuts’ protein structure, individuals who are allergic to hazelnut may have cross-reactive allergy with peanut and a number of other tree nuts. However, this 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 hazelnut 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 hazelnut at home. Your doctor can help you determine if hazelnuts 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 hazelnut 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.

Recommended Guide: Introducing Allergens

Yes. Whole nuts, nut pieces, and globs of nut butters are choking hazards for babies and young children. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve hazelnuts and hazelnut 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.

No. Prior to 12 months, the only liquids an infant should consume 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 hazelnut 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 hazelnut milk as a beverage, it’s fine to do so, but know that nut milks often lack adequate calories, fat, and protein for toddlers. Typically, fortified soy or pea milk are more nutritious. See our Milk FAQs to learn more.