When can babies begin eating apples, and how should this fruit be prepared for baby-led weaning? Everything parents need to know about introducing apples to their baby, along with the best apple recipes.

Would you like to know when you can introduce apples to the little one in your life? Although apples are packed with nutrients and have a sweet taste that babies and toddlers generally enjoy, this crunchy fruit can pose a choking hazard.

This means you’ll need some ideas on how to serve them safely, especially if you’re following the baby-led weaning approach—a method where babies dive directly into solid foods rather than starting with purees—when introducing solids.

Here are some easy serving ideas to try, along with when it’s safe to add apples to your little one’s menu.

When Can Babies Eat Apples?

As long as they are prepared safely (we’ll talk more about that later), apples are a great option as soon as your little eater begins solids, typically around 6 months.

If you’re introducing apples via baby-led weaning, you’ll want to wait until your baby is at least 6 months old. This is the age when experts say babies may start to feed themselves.

How to Prepare Apples for Your Baby

Apples need to be steamed and pureed or baked until they have a texture that can be mashed, or served raw in pieces small enough to avoid choking risks—think grated or thinly sliced.

If you’re offering larger pieces that are steamed or baked, peel them, or if the skin helps your baby grip better, monitor them carefully as they eat and remove the skin from the tray or plate once they’ve finished eating the flesh.

Large pieces of raw apple are a choking hazard for children under 4 years old, so avoid snacks like apple slices with peanut butter. Also, avoid giving a whole apple to your baby or toddler.

As for apple juice? Experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) say juice is not appropriate for babies, who should get all their nutrition from breast milk or formula and then solids. After the age of 1, it’s normal for your toddler to have up to 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice per day, but remember that whole fruits are still a better choice, and juice should be an occasional treat. The natural sugars in apple juice can also upset your child’s stomach.

The tips below may help parents decide how to serve apples at different stages, but remember that all babies develop at their own pace. Speak with your pediatrician before starting baby-led weaning and talk to them if you have concerns about your child’s oral motor skills, chewing, swallowing abilities, or if you’re unsure if your baby is ready for certain food preparations.

How to Prepare Apples for a 6-Month-Old

Large slices that have been steamed until soft are easy for beginners to grasp in their palms. Want to make more of a mess? Make your own unsweetened applesauce and give it to your baby with a spoon, offer it in a pre-loaded spoon, or let them grab it with their fingers.

How to Prepare Apples for a 9-Month-Old

Help your older baby perfect their pincer grasp by serving small mounds of finely grated apple. Steamed apple slices and unsweetened applesauce are also great options!

How to Prepare Apples for a 12-Month-Old

Now that your little one has more teeth, you can start offering very thin slices of both raw or steamed apples. They can also practice spoon skills with unsweetened applesauce.

How to Prepare Apples for an 18-Month-Old

All of the serving options above are still great choices. Even though your child may feel all grown up now compared to their early days of eating solids, resist the urge to serve large pieces of raw apple or whole apples until their 4th birthday.

Apple Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

Apples might symbolize simplicity, but they definitely don’t have to be boring. There are many fun ways to incorporate apples into your baby or toddler’s menu. Just remember to always introduce one food at a time, especially major allergens like eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, dairy, and shellfish.

• Apple Pie Slices: Bake apple slices with butter and cinnamon until they soften and caramelize (they really taste like pie filling!).
• Sweet Apple Yogurt: Mix unsweetened oats into plain yogurt.
• Nut Butter Apple Toast: Spread a thin layer of almond or peanut butter on whole-grain toast and top with a sprinkle of grated apple.
• Fruit Frittata: Add grated apple to frittatas for a sweet and savory combination.
• Mini Apple Muffins: Add peeled and diced apple to your favorite whole-grain mini muffin recipe.
• Potato-Apple Pancakes: Mix grated apple into potato latkes.
• Apple Pancake Slices: Dip small steamed apple pieces into whole-grain pancake batter and fry until golden.

What Are the Benefits of Apples for Babies and Toddlers?

Catching a cold is a guarantee in childhood, so an apple a day probably won’t keep the doctor away completely (sorry!).

That said, apples are loaded with vitamin C for a healthy immune system, along with antioxidants that support a healthy brain. Their fiber can also help prevent constipation.

Can Babies Be Allergic to Apples?

Apples are generally not a common allergen. Rarely, raw apples can trigger oral allergy syndrome—a condition caused by cross-reaction between allergens found in both pollen and raw fruits and vegetables. However, children under 3 are typically not affected.

That said, any food can be an allergen, so it’s always a good idea to watch for signs of a potential allergic reaction when serving apples to your child. Your baby or toddler could be allergic to apples if, within one to two hours of eating, they show:

• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling of the skin, lips, or tongue
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the throat or trouble swallowing
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing

Call your doctor immediately if your child shows symptoms of an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can be more severe or potentially fatal (called anaphylaxis) if multiple areas of the body are affected. In the rare case your child shows signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction, like difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 911 immediately.

Are Apples a Choking Hazard for Babies?

Raw apples are one of the biggest choking hazards for children under 4 years old, so you should prepare this fruit safely for your child by steaming or baking it until it’s soft, serving age-appropriate size pieces, and only offering it raw if it’s very thin, like when grated.

Make sure to always supervise your toddler while they’re eating, have them sit upright during meals, and never serve food while they’re reclining, walking, sitting in a car seat, or playing.

Apples are a treat that your baby can enjoy as soon as they start eating solids. Just be careful with how you prepare and serve them, and wait to offer large, crunchy pieces until your child turns 4.