First foods database
🫓 Arepa for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat arepas? Yes, from about 6 months. These Venezuelan and Colombian corn cakes are made from pre-cooked maize flour, are naturally gluten-free, and soft homemade arepas make easy finger food when made without added salt.
Good source of: Carbohydrate, Fibre, Magnesium, Vitamin B6
How to serve arepa by age
6 to 9 months
Make arepas without salt, cook until soft inside and cut into finger-length strips. Split them and spread the soft centre with mashed avocado or beans, or crumble the inside into purées.
9 to 12 months
Offer smaller pieces of arepa filled or topped with soft cheese, black beans, shredded chicken or egg.
12 months and up
Serve whole arepas split and stuffed with fillings, as the family eats them, keeping fillings low in salt.
Choking safety
The crisp outer crust can be hard and break into sharp pieces for new eaters. Choose a soft-cooked arepa, or trim the crispiest edges, and offer strips large enough to hold.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Arepa dough is often salted; leave the salt out for your baby's batch.
- Use pre-cooked white or yellow maize flour (masarepa); it is gluten-free, but check fillings for allergens.
Easy ideas
- Arepa strips with mashed avocado
- Arepa with black beans and soft cheese
- Mini arepas with scrambled egg
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat arepa?
Can babies eat arepas? Yes, from about 6 months. These Venezuelan and Colombian corn cakes are made from pre-cooked maize flour, are naturally gluten-free, and soft homemade arepas make easy finger food when made without added salt.
Are arepas gluten-free?
Yes, arepas made only with maize flour are naturally gluten-free. Check the flour label for any cross-contamination statements.
What is the best arepa filling for babies?
Soft, moist fillings work best, such as mashed avocado, refried or black beans, scrambled egg or finely shredded chicken.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).