First foods database
🌿 Za'atar for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat za'atar? Yes, from about 6 months, as long as the blend has no added salt. This Middle Eastern mix of dried thyme or oregano, tangy sumac and toasted sesame seeds adds bright flavour and is a gentle way to introduce sesame.
Good source of: Calcium, Iron, Antioxidants
How to serve za'atar by age
6 to 9 months
Mix about a quarter of a teaspoon of salt-free za'atar with a teaspoon of olive oil and brush it over toast fingers or soft roasted courgette, or stir it into hummus, plain yoghurt or labneh. If sesame is new, make this a sesame first-taste day.
9 to 12 months
Sprinkle oiled za'atar onto flatbread strips, scrambled egg, roasted vegetables or yoghurt dips. Babies enjoy dipping soft bread into za'atar and oil.
12 months and up
Use in family cooking on chicken, fish, roasted vegetables, eggs and flatbreads. Make your own by mixing dried thyme, sumac and toasted sesame seeds, leaving out salt.
Choking safety
Za'atar is fine mixed into oil or moist food. Sesame seeds are tiny and low risk, but a dry, dusty coating can make babies cough, so blend it with oil first.
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 sesame, an allergen: introduce it in a small amount first.
- Many shop blends contain salt: choose salt-free or make your own.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains sesame, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce sesame
Easy ideas
- Za'atar and olive oil toast fingers
- Za'atar roasted courgette
- Labneh dip with za'atar
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat za'atar?
Can babies eat za'atar? Yes, from about 6 months, as long as the blend has no added salt. This Middle Eastern mix of dried thyme or oregano, tangy sumac and toasted sesame seeds adds bright flavour and is a gentle way to introduce sesame.
Is za'atar safe for babies?
Yes, salt-free versions in small amounts from about 6 months.
Does za'atar contain sesame?
Usually yes, so it counts as a sesame food. Offer a small amount first if your baby has not had sesame.
Sources
- NHS Start for Life: Weaning
- NHS: What to feed young children
- NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children
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).