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Waffle

Prepared

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

Yes

two waffles stacked on top of each other with a third tilted off the stack on a white background

When can babies have waffles?

Waffles 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.

Different forms of waffle exist worldwide, but most are made by combining ingredients to form a leavened batter that is then cooked in a waffle iron to make its distinctive shape and texture. From the practice of making communion wafers in the early Christian church, secular wafers and waffles became a popular food in the lands around the Mediterranean and beyond. Some waffles are often paired with sweet flavors, such as bright green pandan waffles or the cookie-like pizzelles or stroopwafels, while others are treated as a savory dish, like American fried chicken and waffles or potato waffles.

How do you serve waffles 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 Waffles for Babies: strips for 6 months+, bite-sized pieces for 9 months+, whole or in pieces with a utensil for 18 months+

6 months old +:

Cut waffles 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. Waffles with a crispier exterior (such as freshly cooked or toasted waffles) are less likely to gum up in baby’s mouth. Very soft or fluffy waffles (such as mochi waffles) may cause more gagging. Adding butter or a thin spread of applesauce or yogurt to a very fluffy or very dry waffle can help decrease gagging.

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

18 months old +:

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

a hand holding two thin strips of waffle for babies 6 months+ — Strips of waffle for babies 6 months+

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

Learn how to serve any food with the Solid Starts App.

Videos

Wei Wei, 7 months, eats a strip of waffle.

Mila, 15 months, eats bite-sized pieces of waffle.

Juliet Rose, 19 months, practices eating pieces of waffle with a fork.

Are waffles a choking hazard for babies?

No. Waffles 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 waffles in an age-appropriate way. Note that fluffy or sticky waffles can cause more gagging. 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 waffles contain allergens?

Yes. Waffles are often made with wheat, dairy, and eggs, and may also include other common food allergens such as soy and nuts (like almonds, peanuts, and more), depending on the type of waffles.

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

Prior to sharing waffles 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 waffles, 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 waffles healthy for babies?

Yes. Waffles 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 waffles that contain honey to babies under 12 months of age, as honey is associated with a risk of infant botulism. If you have waffles 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 frozen waffles?

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

Can I give baby a frozen waffle for teething?

Yes. As long as baby is in a safe eating environment and you are carefully supervising the activity, baby can gnaw on a frozen waffle if it helps relieve discomfort from teething. If the waffle starts to thaw and get gummy in baby’s mouth, remove it and offer a new waffle that is still frozen. In addition, make sure that any common food allergens in the waffle have been safely introduced before offering a waffle as a food teether. Keep in mind that if baby is allergic to an ingredient in the waffle, they could have a reaction while teething on the food even if they do not consume much of it.