First foods database
🍚 Basmati rice for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat basmati rice? Yes, from about 6 months. Basmati is a fragrant long-grain rice that cooks fluffy and soft, and carries flavours from dal, curry or vegetables beautifully. Rice contains some inorganic arsenic, so vary grains through the week.
Good source of: Carbohydrate, Manganese, Thiamin
How to serve basmati rice by age
6 to 9 months
Rinse the rice, then cook it in plenty of water until very soft and drain. Mash or blend with vegetable purée, lentils or a little breast milk or formula. For finger food, overcook slightly so it is sticky, then press into small balls or patties your baby can grab.
9 to 12 months
Serve soft basmati mixed with dal, mild curries, flaked fish or scrambled egg. Your baby will start picking up individual grains, which is great pincer practice.
12 months and up
Offer basmati as part of family meals such as pilau, biryani or vegetable fried rice, made with low-salt stock and mild spices. Brown basmati adds extra fibre.
Choking safety
Loose dry rice grains can scatter in the mouth and cause gagging, which is normal. Mixing rice with sauce or pressing it into balls makes it easier to manage. Remove whole spices such as cardamom pods, cloves and bay leaves from pilau before serving.
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
- Rice contains some inorganic arsenic, so vary grains with oats, pasta, couscous and quinoa.
- Cool leftover rice quickly, keep in the fridge and reheat only once until steaming hot.
Easy ideas
- Basmati rice balls with mashed peas
- Red lentil dal with soft basmati
- Mild chicken and vegetable pilau
Goes well with
Recipes with basmati rice
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat basmati rice?
Can babies eat basmati rice? Yes, from about 6 months. Basmati is a fragrant long-grain rice that cooks fluffy and soft, and carries flavours from dal, curry or vegetables beautifully. Rice contains some inorganic arsenic, so vary grains through the week.
Is basmati rice good for babies?
Yes. It is a good grain choice and tends to be lower in arsenic than some other rices.
Do I need to rinse basmati?
Rinsing, and cooking in plenty of water then draining, can help reduce arsenic.
Can I reheat rice for my baby?
Yes, once. Cool it within an hour, keep it in the fridge for no more than a day, then reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
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).