Eggs are full of protein and essential nutrients that are perfect for growing babies. Here’s a guide on how to prepare eggs for babies and toddlers, along with the ideal time to introduce them to your little one.

Eggs check all the boxes when it comes to nutrition, flavor, and ease of preparation. With numerous ways to transform them into tasty treats, they’re one of the best additions to your baby’s menu.

On the other hand, they’re also a common allergen, so you might have some concerns about the right way to introduce eggs to your baby. Here’s everything you need to know about when babies can eat eggs, the safest way to serve them for the first time, and plenty of ideas to make them delicious.

When Can Babies Eat Eggs?

Eggs are a common allergen, so they shouldn’t be the first food on your new eater’s menu. However, you don’t need to wait too long before introducing them.

Your pediatrician will likely give you the green light to start introducing solid foods around 6 months. After your baby has tried and tolerated less allergenic foods (such as fruits, vegetables, or baby cereals), your pediatrician will let you know when it’s safe to move on to allergens like eggs.

While experts once thought that delaying the introduction of allergenic foods reduced the risk of reactions, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now states there’s no reason to wait. In fact, some studies show that babies who start eating eggs between 4 and 6 months are less likely to develop an allergy compared to those who don’t eat eggs until 10 to 12 months.

Still, always check with your pediatrician before introducing eggs to the menu for the first time. When serving them for the first time, plan to do so at home (rather than at daycare or a restaurant). This will make it easier to keep an eye on your baby during the first hour or two after eating, so you can monitor for any potential allergic reactions. Plus, you’ll be certain of all the ingredients your baby consumed, making it easier to identify eggs as the culprit if there’s an issue.

How to Prepare Eggs for Your Baby

Although eggs aren’t quite suitable in pureed form, you can still introduce them early, especially if you’re following Baby-Led Weaning (BLW), an approach that introduces solid foods as soft and chewable options when babies are able to feed themselves.

Opt for light preparations that are easy for your growing gourmand to gum or chew — think boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, or baked egg dishes, instead of fried eggs, which can be too hard around the edges. Always make sure the eggs are well-cooked.

When serving eggs for the first time, keep it super simple. Plain eggs, with no added ingredients (other than those your baby has already tried and tolerated), are the best option. That way, if you notice signs of a potential allergic reaction, you won’t be left wondering which food triggered the issue.

The tips below can help parents determine how to serve eggs at different stages, but remember, all babies develop at their own pace. Consult your pediatrician before starting BLW, and talk to them if you have any concerns about your child’s motor skills, chewing abilities, swallowing skills, or if you’re unsure whether your baby is ready for certain food preparations.

How to Prepare Eggs for a 6-Month-Old

Boil the eggs and cut them into quarters. They’ll be large enough for your baby to hold. (If the slices are a bit slippery, you can make them easier to grip by rolling them in infant cereal.) You can also bake eggs in mini muffin tins (far right) or make frittatas (center) and cut them into thick strips.

How to Prepare Eggs for a 9-Month-Old

Try offering scrambled eggs cut into small pieces. Working to pick up the small pieces will help your budding epicurean practice her developing pincer grasp.

How to Prepare Eggs for a 12-Month-Old

All of the above options are still great. At this point, small pieces of cut-up eggs are also a fantastic way for your toddler to start practicing with a fork, as the soft texture is easy to spear.

How to Prepare Eggs for an 18-Month-Old

As your child’s motor skills become more coordinated, try folding eggs into a whole wheat tortilla or toast to make a breakfast taco or sandwich. (Spreading a bit of mashed avocado, melted cheese, or even hummus on the tortilla or bread can help the eggs stick better.) It’s sure to be a messy situation, but still a delicious one!

Egg Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

Eggs have earned their reputation as a superfood partly because they’re so versatile. While you can’t go wrong with a simple scramble, these easy prep ideas are winners too. Just remember to always introduce one food at a time, especially major allergens like peanuts, soy, wheat, dairy, and seafood.

Baby Omelet: Fill with cheese and cut into thin, easy-to-grab strips.
Mini Egg Muffins or Frittatas: Fold in diced bell peppers or spinach into beaten eggs and bake in mini muffin tins.
French Toast Tots: Dip slices of whole wheat bread in beaten eggs, milk, and cinnamon, then fry. Cut into strips and serve.
Best Egg Salad: Swap out regular mayo for mashed avocado or hummus. Serve with toast strips. (Leave out the raw diced celery, which can be a choking hazard.)
Easy Pancakes: Mix eggs with baby cereal and mashed banana to form a thin batter and fry in a pan.
Deconstructed Breakfast Tacos: Serve scrambled eggs with black beans, diced avocado, salsa, and whole wheat tortilla strips.
Egg Pasta: Add scrambled or chopped boiled eggs to whole wheat pasta and top with parmesan cheese.

What Are the Benefits of Eggs for Babies and Toddlers?

They might be small in size, but nutritionally speaking, eggs are quite powerful. They’re packed with high-quality protein to support your little one’s growth and provide plenty of energy.

They’re also rich in nutrients that can be difficult for kids to get from other foods. Eggs provide vitamin D, which is essential for building strong and healthy bones. And they’re one of the few food sources of choline, an essential mineral for brain development and memory function.

Can Babies Be Allergic to Eggs?

Eggs are one of the most common food allergens for babies, along with cow’s milk and peanuts. (Fortunately, most children outgrow egg allergies by the age of 5.) This means it’s crucial to stay alert for signs of a potential reaction when introducing them.

Your baby or toddler might have a food allergy if, immediately or within one or two hours of eating, they show signs such as:

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

If you suspect your baby or toddler is allergic to eggs, remove them from the menu and contact your pediatrician to discuss the symptoms. The doctor may recommend allergy testing to confirm the diagnosis.

A severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening if multiple areas of the body are affected. In the rare event that your child shows signs of a fatal allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 911 immediately.

Do Eggs Pose a Choking Hazard for Babies?

Eggs aren’t generally considered a common choking hazard for babies. However, you should still prepare them safely by ensuring they’re soft and easy to chew (such as scrambling them or serving them in a frittata), then cut them into small, bite-sized pieces that are manageable for your baby’s age.

Always supervise your toddler while eating, seat them upright during meals, and never serve food while they’re reclining, walking, sitting in a car seat, or playing.

Eggs have earned their reputation as an amazing food in terms of versatility and nutrition. So, serving them to your baby as soon as they’ve tried a few other foods on their menu is a smart move. Once they’ve added a few foods to their repertoire, go ahead and start incorporating eggs!