First foods database
🍲 Dal for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat dal? Yes, from about 6 months. Dal made from red lentils, moong or toor dal cooks down into a soft, comforting texture that is rich in plant iron and protein, and it is lovely served with rice or chapati.
Good source of: Iron, Protein, Folate, Fibre
How to serve dal by age
6 to 9 months
Cook dal until very soft, blend smooth or mash, and mix with rice. Cook with gentle spices like turmeric and cumin, without salt or chilli. A little ghee or butter makes dal creamier and adds energy.
9 to 12 months
Offer thicker dal with rice, or with soft chapati strips for scooping. Add vegetables like spinach or carrot. Soft chapati or rice helps babies learn to scoop.
12 months and up
Serve family dal, setting aside your baby's portion before adding salt or chilli. Make big batches and freeze in portions.
Choking safety
Dal is low choking risk. Make sure whole spices like cloves, cardamom and bay leaves are removed 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
- Leave out salt and chilli for your baby's portion.
- Remove whole spices before serving.
Easy ideas
- Red lentil dal with rice
- Spinach dal with soft chapati
- Moong dal khichdi
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat dal?
Can babies eat dal? Yes, from about 6 months. Dal made from red lentils, moong or toor dal cooks down into a soft, comforting texture that is rich in plant iron and protein, and it is lovely served with rice or chapati.
Can babies eat dal every day?
Yes, as part of a varied diet. Try different lentils and vegetables for variety.
Which dal is best for babies?
Red lentils and moong dal are the softest and easiest to digest. Toor dal and chana dal take longer to cook but are also good.
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).