Humita

Soft humita removed from the corn husk may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, as long as it does not contain honey. Note that humita often contains egg and dairy, both common allergens.

Humita is a traditional Andean dish, its name thought to derive from the Quechua humint’a, made from fresh corn that is ground or grated, mixed with aromatics and fat, then wrapped in corn husks and steamed or boiled until set. While humita is common across many countries today, it takes on different characters by region: savory and onion-forward in Argentina and Chile, sometimes sweet and laced with anise or cinnamon in Peru and Ecuador, and occasionally enriched with fresh cheese.

• Babies need fat. The fat in humita—oil, butter, or lard—is what gives the filling its tender, cohesive texture, and fats are an important part of infant nutrition. Avoid reducing the fat significantly when making humita for baby.

• Pair with beans for protein. Humita is commonly served with stewed beans, slow-cooked meat, or eggs—all excellent first foods for babies.

Yes, it can be. Humita can contain firm or chewy fillings that increase the risk of choking, including chunks of meat, cheese, or vegetable, globs of cheese, or dried fruit like raisins. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve humita in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. The corn husk wrapper is not edible and must be removed before serving. 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.

It depends. Humita made with corn, onion, and oil or lard is free of common allergens, but many variations contain egg and cheese (which is usually made from milk), both common allergens. 

It is important to introduce common food allergens individually and rule out a food allergy before offering baby prepared foods that contain multiple potential food allergens. This way, when you are ready to share a humita, you will be confident that baby has already safely eaten any common food allergens in it. This approach can also help you quickly identify potential culprits in the unlikely event that baby experiences an allergic reaction after eating a humita.

Yes. While ingredients and preparations vary, the corn in humita generally offers carbohydrates for energy, some fiber for digestive health, and protein to support growth. Humita is often made with fats like lard or butter, which provide energy for growing babies. Depending on the humita's filling which can include cheese, vegetables, and meat, it can also contribute calcium, protein, fiber, and iron, among other nutrients. Opt for humita made with pasteurized cheese, as eating raw or unpasteurized cheese carries a significantly increased risk of foodborne illness, to which babies are more susceptible.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Yes. Humita en olla is a version of the dish that is cooked loose in a saucepan rather than wrapped and steamed in husks. The result is a soft, scoopable corn mixture that typically doesn’t need to be modified to share with babies. Stir in a bit of extra water if needed to reach a smooth, scoopable texture.

Yes, as long as it is shared in an age-appropriate way to reduce choking risk. While humitas from restaurants or stores can be higher in sodium than homemade ones, it’s fine for baby to share tastes of these on occasion.