First foods database
🫘 Red lentils for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat red lentils? Yes, from about 6 months. Red lentils cook down into a soft, creamy mash in about 15 minutes, which makes them one of the easiest plant sources of iron and protein for babies.
Good source of: Iron, Protein, Fibre, Folate
How to serve red lentils by age
6 to 9 months
Rinse, then simmer red lentils in water until they collapse into a thick purée. Blend with carrot, sweet potato or tomato for younger babies, or serve as a thick dal on a preloaded spoon. Soft lentil patties make a simple finger food.
9 to 12 months
Offer thicker lentil dal with rice, lentil fritters, or lentils stirred through pasta sauces. Babies can scoop dal with soft strips of flatbread.
12 months and up
Serve red lentils in soups, dals, bolognese and curries with the family. They are a cheap, freezer-friendly way to stretch meals.
Choking safety
Cooked red lentils are very soft and low risk. Make sure patties and fritters are soft inside, and thin very thick dal with water so it is not sticky.
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
- Serve with a vitamin C-rich food to help absorb the iron.
- Lentils can make nappies windier at first.
Easy ideas
- Red lentil and carrot dal
- Red lentil bolognese
- Lentil and sweet potato patties
Goes well with
Recipes with red lentils
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat red lentils?
Can babies eat red lentils? Yes, from about 6 months. Red lentils cook down into a soft, creamy mash in about 15 minutes, which makes them one of the easiest plant sources of iron and protein for babies.
Do I need to soak red lentils?
No. Red lentils just need a rinse and cook in about 15 minutes.
Are lentils good for iron?
Yes. They contain plant iron. Pairing them with vegetables like peppers or tomato helps baby absorb more of it.
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).