Lentils for Babies: How to Serve Them at Every Age
- From around 6 months
- Not a common allergen
- Cook until very soft
Lentils are a great first food from around 6 months: a cheap, plant-based source of iron and protein. Red lentils cook down into a soft, smooth dal in about 20 minutes. Cook them until very soft, and season the family's portion after taking out your baby's.
📲 30 Bibful recipes with lentilsHow to serve it by age
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6–8 months
✋ Finger food (BLW)
Offer large, soft lentil patties, bigger than your baby's palm, made with mashed lentils and vegetables.
🥣 Purée or spoon
Serve smooth, thick red lentil dal, or stir cooked lentils into mashed vegetables or porridge.
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9–12 months
✋ Finger food (BLW)
Offer small soft balls or clumps of mashed lentils bound with potato or sweet potato.
🥣 Purée or spoon
Serve thicker, lumpier dal and lentil stews.
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12+ months
✋ Finger food (BLW)
Offer bite-sized pieces of lentil patty or soft lentil balls.
🥣 Purée or spoon
Share family soups, stews and lentil sauces, and let your toddler practise with a spoon.
Have lentils at home? See what you can cook
Add a second ingredient to see matching Bibful recipes.
30 Bibful recipes with lentils
Palak Moong Dal (Lentils with Spinach)29 min · from 6 months
Moong Dal (Yellow Lentils)30 min · from 6 months
Mejadra (Spiced Lentils & Rice)38 min · from 6 months
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Preparation tips
- Red lentils for beginners. They cook down the softest and quickest, with no soaking.
- Loose lentils are tricky. Single lentils are hard to pick up; bind them with mash or serve them as a thick dal.
- Pair with vitamin C. Tomato, pepper or fruit helps the body absorb the iron in lentils.
Frequently asked questions
When can babies eat lentils?
From around 6 months, cooked until very soft, as a smooth dal or in soft patties.
Do lentils cause wind in babies?
They can, as with any fibre-rich food. Start with small amounts and increase gradually.
More first foods
- 🍎 Apple
- 🥑 Avocado
- 🍌 Banana
- 🥩 Beef
- 🫐 Blueberries
- 🍞 Bread
- 🥦 Broccoli
- 🎃 Butternut squash
- 🥕 Carrot
- 🍗 Chicken
- 🥚 Egg
- 🫛 Green beans
- 🥣 Oats
- 🥜 Peanut
- 🍐 Pear
- 🐟 Salmon
- 🍓 Strawberries
- 🍠 Sweet potato
- 🥛 Yogurt
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This page is general information, not medical advice. It follows NHS Start for Life and World Health Organization guidance on introducing solid foods. Always stay with your baby while they eat, and speak to your health visitor or GP if you have concerns about feeding, allergies or choking.