First foods database
🧆 Falafel for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat falafel? Yes, from about 6 months if it is homemade, baked and soft. Chickpea falafel is full of plant protein, iron and fibre, and soft patties make easy finger food. Shop-bought and deep-fried falafel tends to be salty and crunchy, so it is better kept for older children.
Good source of: Protein, Fibre, Iron, Folate
How to serve falafel by age
6 to 9 months
Blend cooked chickpeas with a little onion, garlic, cumin and parsley, then shape into flat patties and bake until just set but still soft inside. Leave out salt. Offer a whole soft patty or a thick strip to hold, or mash a falafel with yoghurt for spoon-feeding.
9 to 12 months
Break baked falafel into bite-sized pieces and serve with plain yoghurt, hummus or mashed avocado, and soft cucumber.
12 months and up
Offer falafel in pitta or wraps with salad and yoghurt, cut in halves or quarters. Shop-bought falafel is fine now and then.
Choking safety
Deep-fried falafel has a hard, crunchy crust and a crumbly middle that can break into dry pieces. For babies, bake flat, soft patties instead of crisp balls, and serve with a dip to keep them moist.
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
- Shop-bought falafel is often salty; check labels and offer only occasionally.
- Some falafel recipes contain sesame (tahini) or wheat flour, which are allergens; check ingredients.
Easy ideas
- Baked falafel with yoghurt and cucumber
- Falafel and hummus pitta strips
- Falafel mashed with roasted carrot
Goes well with
Weaning with OBubba
Log first foods in seconds. OBubba spots the allergens for you.
Track every food your baby has tried, see reactions over time, and let OBubba gently pace new allergens one at a time. Free to download.
Questions parents ask
Can babies eat falafel?
Can babies eat falafel? Yes, from about 6 months if it is homemade, baked and soft. Chickpea falafel is full of plant protein, iron and fibre, and soft patties make easy finger food. Shop-bought and deep-fried falafel tends to be salty and crunchy, so it is better kept for older children.
Is falafel healthy for babies?
Homemade baked falafel is a nutritious, iron-rich food. Fried or shop-bought versions are higher in salt and fat.
What can I serve with falafel for a baby?
Plain yoghurt, hummus, mashed avocado or a soft tomato sauce all work and help keep it moist.
Can I freeze homemade falafel?
Yes. Freeze baked patties, then reheat in the oven until hot all the way through.
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).