Quick answer
Babies can start eating apricot at around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness for solids such as sitting up with little support, good head and neck control, and reaching for or mouthing food. Apricot is not a common allergen, so there is no need to delay it. As with any new food, offer it on its own for the first few tries so you can watch how your baby responds.
When can babies eat apricot?
Babies can start eating apricot at around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness for solids such as sitting up with little support, good head and neck control, and reaching for or mouthing food. Apricot is not a common allergen, so there is no need to delay it. As with any new food, offer it on its own for the first few tries so you can watch how your baby responds.
Choose apricots that are fully ripe and give slightly when pressed, or cook firmer fruit briefly until it is soft enough to mash easily between your fingers. Always remove the pit first, and peel the skin or slice it very thin for young babies, since tough skin is hard to gum. Dried apricot should never be given whole; save it for later, finely chopped or simmered until plump and soft.
See our first foods for baby guide for more ideas.
Safety Tips
- ✓Always remove the pit before serving, since the hard stone is a choking hazard and a hazard if swallowed.
- ✓Serve apricot soft and ripe, and cook firm fruit until it mashes easily between your fingers; peel the skin or slice it very thin for young babies.
- ✓Never offer whole dried apricot. Finely chop it or simmer until soft, because dried fruit is firm, sticky, and a serious choking risk.
- ✓Always supervise your baby while eating, keep them seated upright, and offer one new food at a time so you can spot any reaction.
Select Baby's Age
How to cut apricot for a 6 month old
At 6 months, choose a very ripe apricot, wash it, remove the pit, and peel the skin. Offer a soft, peeled half or a thick wedge about 1.5 to 2 cm wide, large enough for your baby to hold in a whole-fist grasp with a bit sticking out the top to gnaw on. If the fruit is firm, cook it briefly by steaming or simmering until it is very soft, then serve it warm rather than hot. You can also mash ripe or cooked apricot with a fork and offer it on a preloaded spoon, or stir it into plain yogurt or oatmeal. Skip raw, firm apricot at this stage, since unripe fruit is too hard to gum safely, and avoid small, round, or bite-size pieces. Keep your baby seated upright and stay within arm's reach while eating.
6 month baby feeding schedule for more tips.
Apricot recipe ideas for babies
Once your baby is comfortable with plain apricot, try these simple, sugar-free ways to serve it. See our baby recipes.
- ★Stewed apricot mashed into warm oatmeal for a naturally sweet breakfast.
- ★Soft, peeled apricot wedges lightly steamed for early eaters.
- ★Apricot mashed with banana or pear for a gentle fruit blend.
- ★Apricot puree stirred into plain whole-milk yogurt for a creamy snack.
Explore our baby-led weaning food list and first foods for baby for more inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can babies eat apricot?
Most babies can eat apricot from around 6 months when starting solids. Always serve it in a safe size and texture appropriate for your baby's age and development.
How do you cut apricot for baby led weaning?
For babies around 6 months, apricot should be cut into large pieces that are easy to grasp with their hands. As babies develop their chewing skills, the pieces can gradually become smaller.
How to serve apricot baby led weaning?
For BLW, cut apricot into strips or wedges that babies can hold. The texture should be soft enough to mash easily with gentle pressure.
Can babies choke on apricot?
apricot can become a choking hazard if served in small round or hard pieces. Cutting it into larger soft pieces appropriate for baby-led weaning helps reduce choking risk.
How should apricot be served to a 6 month old?
At around 6 months, apricot should be served in large soft pieces that babies can hold with their hands. See our full ingredient guide.
Is apricot safe for baby led weaning?
apricot can be included in baby-led weaning when cut into safe shapes and soft textures that babies can hold and gum.
How small should apricot be cut for older babies?
From around 9 months, babies typically use a pincer grasp, so apricot can be cut into smaller pea-sized pieces. Continue ensuring pieces are soft enough to mash and watch for any choking risk shapes.
Should apricot be cooked or raw for babies?
Cook apricot until easily mashable when raw textures are too firm for babies to gum. Soft ripe fruits are often offered raw, while firmer foods are typically steamed, roasted, or boiled until tender.
Can apricot be served as a finger food at 6 months?
Yes, apricot can be a 6-month finger food when cut into long graspable strips and softened to a mashable texture. Always supervise meals and adjust shape as your baby's chewing skills develop.
How to cut apricot for a 7 month old?
At 7 months babies still use a palmar (whole-hand) grasp. Cut apricot into long strips about 2-3 inches long and finger-width thick, with part sticking out of the fist for chewing. Soft enough to mash between two fingers.
How to cut apricot for an 8 month old?
At 8 months babies are refining grasp and may begin pincering. Continue offering apricot in 2-inch strips alongside a few small pea-sized pieces to practice the pincer grasp. Cooked until easily mashable.
How to cut apricot for a 9 month old?
At 9 months most babies have developed the pincer grasp. Cut apricot into pea-sized pieces (about ½ inch / 1.5 cm) for self-feeding practice. Continue avoiding round, hard, or sticky shapes; soft enough to mash with mild pressure.
How to cut apricot for a 10 month old?
At 10 months babies eat a wider variety of textures. Offer apricot in pea-sized pieces or small bite-sized cubes (½ inch / 1.5 cm). They can manage slightly firmer textures, but pieces should still mash easily.
How to cut apricot for a 12 month old?
From 12 months babies eat in pieces about ½ inch (1.5 cm). Round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes) must still be quartered until age 4 due to choking risk. Soft enough to chew without much molar work.
Can babies eat apricot for breakfast?
Yes - apricot can be part of a balanced baby breakfast when prepared in baby-safe shapes. Pair with a protein, healthy fat, or whole grain (eggs, yogurt, oats, nut butter on toast) for a complete morning meal.
verifiedSources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
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