Apple for Babies: How to Serve Them Safely
Yes, if the apple is cooked until soft or is an extremely ripe, mashable variety. Raw hard apple is a choking hazard for babies. Steam, bake, or stew until a fork slides through easily.
Can babies eat apples?
Yes. Cooked apple is a common first fruit. Raw apple is generally saved until chewing is much more mature, often well after the first birthday, and even then it should be cut safely.
When can babies have apples?
Cooked apple can be offered around 6 months. There is no benefit to offering raw apple early.
Apples provide fiber and vitamin C. Cooked apple is gentle for sensitive tummies; the fiber can help with constipation when the fruit is cooked with the pulp, not just juice.
How to serve apple
How to serve apple at 6 months
Peel, remove seeds, and steam or bake halves until tender. Serve as large wedges or halves a baby can hold. The flesh should mash with light pressure.
How to serve apple at 9 months
Offer smaller soft wedges or thin cooked slices. Unsweetened applesauce is fine for scooping practice.
How to serve apple at 12+ months
Very ripe, peeled thin slices may be possible for some toddlers. Hard raw apple remains a choking risk; grate it or keep cooking if you are unsure.
Are apples a choking hazard?
Raw apple, especially round slices and firm chunks, is a well-known choking hazard. Cook until soft in the first year. Never offer whole apples or large raw cubes.
Are apples an allergen?
Apple allergy is uncommon. Oral itching can occur later in children with pollen allergies; this is rare in infants.
How much apple can a baby eat?
A few soft wedges or a few spoonfuls of cooked apple is enough at 6 months. Pair with a protein or iron-rich food so the meal is not only fruit.
Do apples need to be cooked?
Yes for most babies. Cooking is the main safety step. Very ripe, naturally soft apples are the exception, and even then they should mash easily.
Can babies eat frozen apples?
Cooked apple freezes well. Thaw and serve warm or at room temperature.
How to prepare apple
- Wash, peel, and remove the core and seeds.
- Steam or bake 8–10 minutes until tender.
- Cool slightly and serve as halves or wedges.
Storage
- Refrigerate whole apples for up to 2 weeks.
- Keep cooked apple 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Freeze cooked apple for up to 6 months.
Easy apple recipes
Frequently asked questions
Can babies drink apple juice?
Juice is not recommended for babies under 12 months. Offer the fruit itself, not juice.
Sources
- Starting Solid Foods — American Academy of Pediatrics
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods — CDC
- Complementary feeding — World Health Organization
- Your baby’s first solid foods — NHS
Reviewed by Morvarid Nikousokhantayar, Canadian Child Nutrition & BLW Expert.