First foods database
🍚 Idli for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat idli? Yes, from about 6 months. These soft steamed South Indian rice and lentil cakes are gentle, easy to hold and naturally low in fat.
Good source of: Carbohydrate, Protein, Fibre
How to serve idli by age
6 to 9 months
Mash idli with a little warm water, breast milk or formula, or a mild sambar or dal. Offer quartered idli pieces as a finger food. Idli is gentle on the tummy and easy to mash.
9 to 12 months
Offer pieces of idli dipped in mild sambar, coconut chutney (without chilli) or yoghurt. Mini idli are handy for little hands.
12 months and up
Serve idli with sambar, dal or chutney with the family. Toddlers enjoy dipping idli in sambar. Idli makes a soft, quick breakfast for busy days.
Choking safety
Idli is soft and spongy and low risk. Offer finger-length pieces and watch for big mouthfuls, which can clump. Avoid large balls of idli.
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
- Make idli without salt for babies, or set baby's batter aside before salting.
- Shop-bought batter often contains salt.
Easy ideas
- Idli with mild sambar
- Idli mashed with yoghurt
- Mini idli with dal
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 idli?
Can babies eat idli? Yes, from about 6 months. These soft steamed South Indian rice and lentil cakes are gentle, easy to hold and naturally low in fat.
Is idli good for babies?
Yes. It is soft, fermented and easy to digest. The fermentation helps digestion.
Can babies have idli with chutney?
Yes, mild chutney with no chilli heat or salt. Avoid chilli heat in chutneys for young babies.
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).