Pancakes

Prepared

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

Yes

two pancakes, one on top of the other, on a white background

When can babies have pancakes?

Pancakes may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age, as long as they do not contain honey, which is associated with a risk of infant botulism.

Every culture has its own form of pancake, and most are made by combining ingredients to form a batter that gets fried to make thin cakes, but that is where the commonalities end. Pancakes are wildly diverse: there are buckwheat blini, delicate pancakes like crepes and injera, protein-packed pancakes like lentil cheela and dosa, vegetable pancakes like potato latkes and yachaejeon, and of course, the fluffy American-style pancakes enjoyed at diners and dinner tables alike.

How do you serve pancakes 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 Pancakes for Babies: strips for babies 6 months+, bite-sized pieces for 9 months+, whole or bite-sized pieces with utensil for 12 months+

6 months old +:

Cut pancakes into strips about the size of two adult fingers pressed together, then hold a strip in the air and let baby grab it from you. Pancakes with a crispier exterior (such as freshly cooked or toasted pancakes) are less likely to gum up in baby’s mouth than pancakes that are softer or more dry. Adding butter or a thin spread of applesauce or yogurt to a very dry pancake can help decrease gagging. Thin-style pancakes like crepe, dosa, and injera can be shared with baby, too. Just keep in mind that they can easily stick to the tongue as they are moistened with saliva, which may cause more gagging, and a strip of a thin-style pancake easily falls apart as baby grips it. If a pancake strip gets too small and makes you uncomfortable, swap it out for a new strip.

Avoid pancakes that contain or are topped with honey, due to the risk of infant botulism. If you have pancakes topped with sweeteners like maple syrup or powdered sugar, it’s fine to share an occasional taste with baby as part of a varied diet. That said, it can be beneficial to wait until the child is older to regularly serve sugary foods.

9 months old +:

Serve any type of pancake cut into bite-sized pieces or continue to offer pancake strips for biting and tearing practice. If baby is overstuffing their mouth, try serving one bite-sized piece or pancake strip at a time. If the pancakes contain vegetables, reduce the risk of choking by shredding the vegetables or cooking them until they are very soft before mixing them into the batter.

12 months old +:

Continue to serve any type of pancake in strips or bite-size pieces. At this age, you can also serve a whole pancake for biting practice. Feel free to serve pancakes with an age-appropriate utensil, but don’t expect accurate and consistent utensil use until a child is older (closer to age 2 or 3).

a hand holding two long strips of pancake in the palm — Strips of pancake for babies 6 months +

a hand holding five bite-sized pieces of pancake in the palm — Bite-sized pieces of pancake for babies 9 months +

Learn how to serve any food safely with the Solid Starts app.

Videos

Maya, 6 months, eats strips of buckwheat pancake.

Tifa, 10 months, eats bite-sized pieces of pancake.

Cooper, 14 months, eats spelt pancakes with blueberries.

Are pancakes a choking hazard for babies?

No. Pancakes present a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve pancakes in an age-appropriate way. Note that pancakes, especially when dry, can get sticky in the mouth when mixed with saliva and can cause baby to gag. Serving alongside a cup of water can help. 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.

Do pancakes contain common allergens?

Yes. Pancakes are often made with wheat, dairy, and eggs, and may also include other common food allergens such as soy, peanut, tree nuts, seafood (like shrimp), or sesame depending on the type of pancakes.

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

Prior to sharing pancakes 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 pancakes, 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.

Are pancakes healthy for babies?

Yes. Pancakes are generally a good source of carbohydrates and can offer some protein and fat. They can also contain a variety of micronutrients, like calcium, various B vitamins, and folate.

Never serve pancakes that contain honey to babies under 12 months of age, as honey is associated with a risk of infant botulism. If you have pancakes topped with sweeteners like maple syrup or powdered sugar, it’s fine to share an occasional taste with baby as part of a varied diet. That said, it can be beneficial to wait until the child is older to regularly offer sugary foods to help support baby’s oral health and ensure that baby has space in the belly to explore a variety of nourishing foods. If the family would like low- or no-sugar options to serve with pancakes, try unsweetened applesauce or other fruit compotes, berry sauces, whipped heavy cream, or plain yogurt.

Can babies have pancakes from boxed mixes?

Yes. An occasional taste of whatever pancakes you are having won’t hurt (as long as they are free of honey), but aim for moderation if the pancakes are very high in sodium or sugar.