First foods database
🫘 Pinto beans for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat pinto beans? Yes, from about 6 months, mashed or squashed flat. Pinto beans turn soft and creamy when cooked and are a good plant source of iron, protein and fibre, making them a handy addition to meat-free meals.
Good source of: Protein, Iron, Fibre, Folate
How to serve pinto beans by age
6 to 9 months
Mash well-cooked pinto beans with a fork or blend them with a little water, breast milk or formula into a smooth paste. Stir into rice or spread thinly on toast fingers. Whole beans should be flattened between your fingers before offering.
9 to 12 months
Offer squashed beans as finger food so your baby can practise the pincer grip, or serve mild refried beans (homemade, no added salt) with soft tortilla strips and avocado.
12 months and up
Serve whole soft beans in chilli, burritos, soups and stews. Keep checking they are cooked until they squash easily, and keep the spice mild.
Choking safety
Whole round beans can be a choking risk for young babies. Always mash or squash each bean flat until about 12 months, and make sure they are cooked soft enough to crush between finger and thumb.
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
- Choose tinned beans in water with no added salt or sugar, and rinse them well.
- Dried beans must be soaked and boiled thoroughly; never serve undercooked dried beans.
Easy ideas
- Homemade refried pinto beans with mashed avocado
- Pinto bean and sweetcorn quesadilla strips
- Pinto bean and tomato stew with rice
Goes well with
Recipes with pinto beans
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat pinto beans?
Can babies eat pinto beans? Yes, from about 6 months, mashed or squashed flat. Pinto beans turn soft and creamy when cooked and are a good plant source of iron, protein and fibre, making them a handy addition to meat-free meals.
Are tinned pinto beans OK for babies?
Yes. Pick tins labelled 'in water' with no added salt, and rinse them under the tap to wash away extra sodium.
Do pinto beans cause wind in babies?
Beans can cause a little extra wind as your baby's gut adjusts to fibre. Start with a couple of spoonfuls and build up gradually.
How do I help my baby absorb iron from pinto beans?
Serve them with vitamin C foods, such as tomato, pepper, broccoli or orange segments, which help the body absorb plant iron.
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).