First foods database
🥔 Celeriac for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat celeriac? Yes, from about 6 months. This knobbly root cooks into a smooth, mild mash, but it belongs to the celery family, so treat it as a possible allergen and introduce it on its own.
Good source of: Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Fibre, Potassium
How to serve celeriac by age
6 to 9 months
Peel thickly, cut into chunks and boil or steam until very soft, then mash with potato or blend with a little milk. For finger food, roast thick chips until tender inside.
9 to 12 months
Offer soft roasted cubes, or mash mixed with carrots or apple. Celeriac soup with bread fingers works well. Celeriac also blends into a silky soup with leek, lovely with toast fingers for dipping.
12 months and up
Serve in family mash, soups, gratins and stews.
Choking safety
Raw celeriac is hard and crunchy, so always cook it until soft enough to squash between your fingers. Avoid raw grated celeriac slaw for babies. Cut roasted pieces into finger-sized chips for young babies.
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
- Celery, including celeriac, is one of the 14 major allergens. Offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains celery, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce celery
Easy ideas
- Celeriac and potato mash
- Roasted celeriac chips
- Celeriac and apple purée
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat celeriac?
Can babies eat celeriac? Yes, from about 6 months. This knobbly root cooks into a smooth, mild mash, but it belongs to the celery family, so treat it as a possible allergen and introduce it on its own.
Is celeriac an allergen?
Yes, celeriac counts as celery, which is one of the UK's 14 major allergens.
Does celeriac taste like celery?
It is milder and nuttier, with a slight celery flavour that softens when cooked.
Sources
- NHS Start for Life: Weaning
- NHS: What to feed young children
- NHS: How to stop a child from choking
- NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children
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).