First foods database
Can babies eat apple?
The short answer: yes, with preparation. Here's the safe way to do it.
When can babies eat apple?
Apples are great for babies — but raw, hard apple is a genuine choking hazard for under-1s. Cooked soft or grated, it's a brilliant everyday fruit from 6 months.
Is apple a choking hazard?
Yes, when raw and hard: chunks of raw apple break into firm pieces that are hard for gums to manage. Steam, roast or grate until at least 9-12 months and strong chewing skills.
Simmered apple slices should pass the squish test between finger and thumb. Grated raw apple is a good bridge texture from around 9 months.
Is apple a common allergen?
No — apple is not one of the top-9 food allergens, which makes it a low-stress food to serve alongside deliberate allergen introductions.
How to serve apple by stage
Steamed or roasted wedges, soft enough to squish; or stirred into porridge as purée.
Grated raw apple, or soft-cooked cubes for pincer pickup.
Thin raw slices (never chunks) once chewing is strong; whole apples are for much older children.
For more depth on this topic, see our guide: Gagging vs Choking in Babies: Know the Difference.
Track every new food in BabyEats
Checking foods one by one is exactly what the BabyEats app streamlines: age-appropriate serving guidance for the food in front of you, allergen introduction planning, and a tracker that logs everything your baby has tried — so the "can they eat this?" moment takes seconds, not a search.