Peanut & Peanut Butter

Legume

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Yes

Common Allergen

Yes

a pile of roasted peanuts on a table before being prepared for babies starting solid food

Warning

Peanuts are a common choking hazard, so keep reading to learn how to serve them safely.

When can babies have peanuts?

Peanut may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Whole peanuts, chopped peanuts, and peanut butter are choking hazards for babies and children, so make sure to learn how to prepare them in safe ways.

Classified as a major allergen by food regulators, peanut is not actually a nut, but rather the edible seed of a legume plant that grows underground. Peanut originated in South America, where Indigenous people cultivated the groundnut for nourishment and ceremonial purposes. European colonizers brought peanuts with them around the globe.

Are peanuts healthy for babies?

Yes. Peanuts are rich in fat, protein, and fiber. They also offer iron, magnesium, and zinc, in addition to folate and vitamins B6 and E. Together, the nutrients work to provide long-lasting energy, essential building blocks for development, and fuel for the developing gut microbiome. They also help to support healthy red blood cells, electrolyte balance, taste perception, nervous system function, and immune function. Plus, they contain antioxidants that help support repair and recovery in baby’s body.

★ Tip: Because peanuts and peanut butter are susceptible to mold, store opened jars of peanut butter in the fridge.

Is peanut butter healthy for babies?

Yes. Peanut butter is rich in protein, fat, iron, and various other nutrients that support baby’s growth and development. While some versions of peanut butter have added salt or sugar, they are usually in small amounts and tastes of these peanut butters are generally not a cause for concern. For families looking to reduce added salt and sugar, unsalted, unsweetened (sometimes labeled as "natural") peanut butters are an option to explore. Make sure that peanut butter is free of honey for babies 12 months and under, due to the risk of infant botulism.

Are peanuts a common allergen?

Yes. Peanut allergies in children are on the rise, with a greater risk among babies with severe eczema or an existing egg allergy. If you believe baby may have a peanut allergy, or if baby has severe eczema, consult with your pediatrician or a pediatric allergist before introducing peanuts.

A groundbreaking study demonstrated that the early introduction of peanuts could significantly reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy later. Following the study, the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases now recommends that peanuts be introduced before a baby’s first birthday while considering any risk factors.

Unfortunately, for those who do develop peanut allergies, they tend to be lifelong. Only about 20% of children outgrow a peanut allergy. Furthermore, kids who are allergic to peanuts have a greater chance (between 25 and 40%) of being allergic to one or more tree nuts. Interestingly, for those with peanut allergies, highly refined peanut oils are typically tolerated because the allergenic peanut proteins are removed during processing. However, unrefined peanut oil still poses a risk of allergy due to retained proteins within the oil.

How early should peanut be introduced? While babies with severe eczema or pre-existing food allergy should consult with their doctor prior to peanut introduction, other babies can introduce peanut as soon as they are developmentally ready for solids, usually at around 6 months of age. For babies with eczema of any severity, earlier introduction is recommended – ideally between 4 to 6 months of age.

As with all food allergens, it’s best to start small. Serve a small amount (such as a pinch of ground peanut or 1/8 of a teaspoon of smooth peanut butter that does not contain honey) during the initial introduction and watch closely after the first taste, as reactions don’t always occur immediately. If there is no adverse reaction after 5 to 10 minutes, offer the remainder of the peanut at baby’s natural feeding pace. You can then gradually increase the quantity of peanut offered over the next few servings. Allergists recommend maintaining common allergens, including peanut, in the diet regularly once introduced. Based on recent studies, an average of 2 grams of peanut protein each week throughout the toddler years is believed to be sufficient to induce long-lasting tolerance to peanut.

Want more support in introducing peanuts? See our guide Introducing Allergens to Babies

Are peanuts a choking hazard for babies?

Yes. All nuts, nut pieces, and nut butters are choking hazards for babies and children. To reduce the risk, thin peanut butter out with water, breast milk, formula, or purées like applesauce and finely grind peanuts to sprinkle on other food. As always, be sure to create a safe eating environment, stay within arm’s reach of a baby during meals, and check out our age-appropriate serving suggestions.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

Videos

Isar, 9 months, eats peanut butter mixed into yogurt

Adie, 10 months, eats a banana dipped in yogurt with peanut butter mixed in

Kalani, 12 months, eats peanut butter mixed into yogurt

Is peanut oil okay for babies?

Yes. Both refined and unrefined peanut oil are just fine as a cooking oil in moderation. Peanut oil is either processed at high heats to remove the color and taste (refined peanut oil) or cold-pressed to retain flavor and nutrition (unrefined peanut oil). Both types add nourishing fats to a baby’s diet. However, you may want to choose refined peanut oil as it has a higher smoke point, great for cooking, such as making stir fries.

Is peanut flour healthy for babies?

Yes. Peanut flour is made by grinding and stripping peanuts of their fats, which is why it is sometimes marketed as “defatted” peanut flour or powder. While peanut flour is lower in fat than other forms of the food, it still contains significant amounts of fiber, protein, and micronutrients such as zinc, vitamin B6, and folate.

How do you serve peanuts and peanut butter 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.

4 to 6 months old:

Babies in this age range are not usually developmentally ready to feed themselves, so peanut is generally only recommended for introduction between 4 to 6 months of age if a doctor or allergist determines that early introduction is desirable for allergy prevention purposes due to pre-existing risk factors for the development of peanut allergy, such as eczema, a pre-existing food allergy, or both. For other babies, peanut can be introduced when baby is showing all the signs of readiness to introduce solids, usually around the 6-month mark.

To introduce peanut between 4 and 6 months of age, you can thin about 1/8 tsp of smooth peanut butter (honey-free) with water and offer a taste to baby from your fingertip or from a spoon. If baby has significant facial eczema or a tendency to develop skin irritation, consider applying a barrier ointment (such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax combination) to the skin around the mouth prior to offering the peanut butter. This will help to prevent mild contact reactions.

Alternatively, you can combine a very small amount of smooth peanut butter (honey-free) or peanut flour/powder with fruit or vegetable puree. If you are introducing peanut mixed with a fruit or vegetable puree, you may want to introduce very small tastes of the puree a few times in advance to rule out an allergy to that food before combining it with a common allergen like peanut. This way, if the child reacts to the peanut mixture, you’ll know for sure the reaction was to the peanut and not the puree.

Offer a small taste of the mixture (dip the tip of a finger or teaspoon, for example) and hold out to baby, pausing in front of their mouth. Do not swipe the peanut butter into their mouth until they appear ready (mouth open, sticking out tongue, ideally leaning forward toward your finger or the spoon). Let them suck briefly on your finger or the spoon tip if baby is willing. Wait 10 minutes, and if there are no signs of an allergic reaction, continue gradually offering tastes of the peanut-containing food if baby shows interest. Don’t worry if baby doesn’t finish the whole thing. The goal at this young age is only to introduce the allergen, not to fill baby’s belly with solid food. Once baby is done eating, observe for another 30 minutes to ensure there are no signs of an allergic reaction. If a reaction does occur, stop feeding and immediately contact your healthcare provider or, if the reaction is severe, emergency services. Read more about Symptoms of Allergic Reactions.

If baby can tolerate the introduction of peanut into the diet, continue offering peanut regularly, aiming for twice a week. Studies show that regular peanut consumption in the diet is key to protecting against the development of peanut allergy.

6 months old +:

Thin smooth peanut butter (honey-free) with water, breast milk, formula, or purees like applesauce and serve on its own or mix into other soft, scoopable foods like porridge or yogurt. You can also spread the thinned-out peanut butter very thinly on toast strips. Try serving with a drink in an open cup to help wash down any sticky pieces of food. Alternatively, grind peanuts to a fine consistency, then sprinkle a pinch on top of soft, scoopable foods like mashed fruits and vegetables, warm cereal, or yogurt. You can also roll slippery fruits like avocado, banana, or mango in ground peanut to add grip. Once peanut has been successfully in the diet for a few weeks, you can offer thinned peanut butter as a “finger paint” or dipping sauce. Be aware that this may not be the best choice for babies prone to eczema on their hands or faces, who may experience contact rashes from the allergen exposure.

12 months old +:

Continue to mix smooth peanut butter into soft, scoopable foods, roll slippery foods in finely ground peanuts to add grip, and add peanut butter or peanut flour to a batter for baked goods. Offer smooth peanut butter thinly spread on toast. Try serving with a drink of water or milk to help wash down any sticky pieces of food. You can also use peanut oil for cooking vegetables, grains, and other whole foods, but keep in mind that peanut oil is not sufficient for maintaining allergen exposure, as it typically does not have enough of the allergenic proteins.

18 months old +:

Serve smooth peanut butter as desired, mixed into or spread on top of other foods and continue to offer finely-ground peanut stirred into the child's meals. At this age, you can also offer chunky peanut butter thinly spread on other foods.

24 months old +:

Sometime after a toddler’s second birthday, they may be ready for whole peanuts if the child has developed advanced chewing and swallowing skills and is able to sit calmly and follow directions. Approach this step with great care and consideration: whole peanuts are among the top causes of non-fatal and fatal food-related choking incidents among children younger than age 3 in North America. To reduce the risk, start by splitting the peanuts in half (the halves easily slide apart with some pressure from your fingers) and make sure the child is in a safe eating environment. Start with one piece at a time. Demonstrate placing the peanut on your own molars and chew in a very exaggerated fashion. Explain to the child how much noise your teeth make breaking down the peanut. Coach the child to do the same. You can count out loud how many crunches the child can make on a peanut, ensuring thorough mastication.

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