How to Serve Peanut Butter for Baby
Last updated October 2026
Offer smooth peanut butter mixed into soft moist food rather than as thick sticky spoonfuls. Whole peanuts and chopped nuts are choking hazards.
For babies with severe eczema or egg allergy, NIAID recommends risk-based assessment before first peanut exposure. A fixed observation period does not diagnose or exclude an allergy.
Quick answer
When ready for solids, usually around six months, many babies can try peanut food in a suitable texture. NHS recommends introducing common allergens one at a time in small amounts and continuing tolerated foods.
Select Baby's Age
6–8 months
Beginning eater: smooth peanut diluted in soft food
Stir a small amount of smooth peanut butter into familiar soft porridge or mash until completely dispersed without sticky globules. Alternatively thin it using water, breast milk or properly prepared formula. Avoid offering a thick spoonful straight from the jar or whole nuts. If your baby has severe eczema or egg allergy, follow a clinician's specific risk-based introduction advice.
6 month baby feeding schedule for more tips.
9–11 months
More independence: thin spread or moist mixture
Continue to mix tolerated peanut into soft moist foods. A very thin layer on soft toast or pancake may suit a baby managing that texture; check other ingredients, including wheat. Never offer a dry thick smear or chunky nut butter, even when pincer grasp has developed.
12+ months
Toddler: avoid whole nuts and sticky spoonfuls
Smooth nut butter can remain part of regular meals, mixed into porridge or spread thinly onto appropriate soft food. A first birthday does not make thick globs or whole and chopped peanuts appropriate. Continue supervision and follow any allergy action plan.
When can babies try peanut butter?
NIAID has different pathways for severe eczema and/or egg allergy; clinical evaluation may be needed before earlier peanut introduction at four to six months.
Stir smooth peanut butter into soft porridge or puree so thick sticky clumps do not remain. Check labels and avoid honey before twelve months.
See our first foods for baby guide for more ideas.
Thinned peanut serving examples
These are texture ideas, not standardized allergen doses or kitchen-tested recipes.
- Smooth peanut blended into soft oatmeal
- Thinned smooth peanut through mashed banana
- A genuinely thin layer on already tolerated soft toast
- Peanut butter dispersed into familiar vegetable mash
Explore our baby-led weaning food list and first foods for baby for more inspiration.
More Cutting Guides
Related Guides
View all feeding guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Can a six-month-old try peanut butter?
Many babies ready for solids can try thinned smooth peanut butter; those with severe eczema or egg allergy may need prior medical assessment.
Can babies have a spoonful of peanut butter?
Not a thick sticky spoonful. Mix smooth peanut butter through a moist soft food.
Should peanut continue after a successful first taste?
Keep tolerated peanut in regular meals in line with national advice or an allergist's plan.
What if symptoms follow peanut?
Stop the suspected food, obtain medical advice, and call emergency services for severe breathing, swelling or collapse symptoms.
Sources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
- ●NHS - Your Baby's First Solid Foods NHS
- ●AAP - Starting Solid Foods AAP
- ●AAP - Choking Prevention AAP
