First foods database

🌿 Cumin for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies have cumin? Yes, from about 6 months. Cumin is a warm, earthy spice with no chilli heat, and a pinch adds lovely flavour to lentils, vegetables and meat without any salt.

From 6 monthsLow choking risk when prepared well

Good source of: Iron, Antioxidants, Flavour

How to serve cumin by age

6 to 9 months

Add a small pinch of ground cumin to lentil, carrot or sweet potato purées, or to a chicken and vegetable blend. Cumin pairs beautifully with carrot, which has a natural sweetness.

9 to 12 months

Use cumin in dals, bean dishes, meatballs and roasted vegetable fingers. It pairs beautifully with chickpeas and yoghurt. A pinch in hummus adds warmth.

12 months and up

Cook with cumin in family curries, mild chilli, tagines and soups. Cumin roasted vegetables are a tasty family side.

Choking safety

Ground cumin is not a choking risk. Whole cumin seeds are tiny but can be gritty, so grind them or strain them out 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

Easy ideas

Goes well with

🥕CarrotFrom 6 months🫘Red lentilsFrom 6 months🍠Sweet potatoFrom 6 months🫘ChickpeasFrom 6 months

Recipes with cumin

🫘Baby chickpea and courgette hummus mashFrom 6 months · Lunch · 18 min🍅Baby friendly shakshukaFrom 9 months · Breakfast · 35 min🍲Baby-friendly Moroccan lamb and apricot tagineFrom 7 months · Dinner · 105 min🧆Baked baby falafel with tahini yoghurtFrom 9 months · Lunch · 35 min🧅Baked mixed veg pakora frittersFrom 9 months · Lunch · 35 min🟣Beetroot and green lentil pattiesFrom 9 months · Dinner · 40 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat cumin?

Can babies have cumin? Yes, from about 6 months. Cumin is a warm, earthy spice with no chilli heat, and a pinch adds lovely flavour to lentils, vegetables and meat without any salt.

Is cumin spicy for babies?

No. Cumin is warm and earthy but does not have chilli heat. It is a good way to add flavour without salt.

How much cumin can a baby have?

A pinch in a portion of food is plenty. Spices are used for flavour, so a little goes a long way.

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).