First foods database

🫛 Edamame for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies eat edamame? Yes, from about 6 months, mashed or squashed. Edamame are young soya beans, rich in protein and iron, and they introduce soya, one of the common allergens.

From 6 monthsAllergen: SoyaHigher choking risk: prepare carefullyIron rich

Good source of: Protein, Iron, Folate, Fibre

How to serve edamame by age

6 to 9 months

Cook shelled edamame until very soft, then mash or blend with a little olive oil or mix into mashed potato. Never offer whole beans or pods.

9 to 12 months

Squash each bean flat, or blend into dips and pasta sauces.

12 months and up

Offer halved or squashed beans with meals. Keep pods away from young children.

Choking safety

Whole edamame beans are firm and round, a size that can block a small airway, so flatten every bean for young children. The pods are tough and not for eating. Always stay with your baby while they eat, and offer food with them sitting upright.

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

Contains soya, an allergen: introduce a small amount first.
Never give pods; they are fibrous and not edible.

Introducing it as an allergen

It contains soya, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce soya

Easy ideas

Edamame and pea mash
Edamame hummus on toast fingers
Squashed edamame in egg fried rice

Goes well with

🫛PeaFrom 6 months 🍚RiceFrom 6 months 🥚EggFrom 6 months · Egg 🥑AvocadoFrom 6 months

Recipes with edamame

🫛Edamame and pea smash dipFrom 9 months · Snack · 10 min 🍚Edamame, pea and egg veggie fried riceFrom 9 months · Lunch · 20 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat edamame?

Can babies eat edamame? Yes, from about 6 months, mashed or squashed. Edamame are young soya beans, rich in protein and iron, and they introduce soya, one of the common allergens.

Can babies eat edamame beans?

Yes, cooked soft and mashed or squashed flat, from about 6 months. Frozen shelled edamame are handy: boil them for a few minutes longer than the packet says so they squash easily.

Can babies eat the edamame pods?

No. The pods are tough, fibrous and not edible for anyone, so pop the beans out and throw the pods away before serving.

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).