First foods database
🥞 Dosa for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat dosa? Yes, from about 6 months. Dosa is a South Indian pancake made from fermented rice and urad dal, so it brings plant protein as well as carbohydrate. A soft, thicker dosa without salt tears easily into strips for little hands.
Good source of: Carbohydrate, Protein, Fibre, Iron
How to serve dosa by age
6 to 9 months
Make a small, thicker, soft dosa (sometimes called a set dosa or uttapam style) using batter with no salt added. Cook on a medium heat with a little ghee or oil so it stays soft and does not crisp. Tear or cut into finger-width strips, or dip into a smooth, mild dal or coconut chutney without chilli.
9 to 12 months
Offer smaller pieces of soft dosa with mashed potato filling, lentil sambar made without salt or chilli, or a dollop of plain yoghurt. Grated carrot or finely chopped spinach can be stirred into the batter.
12 months and up
Share family dosa, still soft rather than paper thin and crisp, with mild chutneys and sambar. Serve your toddler's portion before adding salt or chilli to the rest.
Choking safety
Very crispy, thin dosa can break into hard, sharp shards. Keep baby's dosa soft and thicker. Avoid whole mustard seeds and curry leaves in the tempering for young babies, or remove them.
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
- Do not add salt to baby's batter.
- Shop-bought batter often contains salt.
- Keep chutneys and sambar mild, without chilli heat.
Easy ideas
- Soft dosa strips with mild coconut chutney
- Spinach and carrot uttapam
- Dosa with potato masala made without salt or chilli
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat dosa?
Can babies eat dosa? Yes, from about 6 months. Dosa is a South Indian pancake made from fermented rice and urad dal, so it brings plant protein as well as carbohydrate. A soft, thicker dosa without salt tears easily into strips for little hands.
Can babies eat dosa?
Yes, made soft and without salt, from about 6 months.
Is dosa batter healthy?
Yes. It is fermented and the urad dal adds protein and some iron.
Can I use ready-made dosa batter?
Yes, but check the label for salt. Some brands add plenty, so look for unsalted batter or make your own.
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).