Dried Dates for Babies
Can be served at every age in a safe size and texture, as described below. Choking risk is very high (5/5). Low allergen risk.
Find recipes with Dried Dates in Dalo SolidsLast reviewed: October 2026
Safety Information
Always read the safety guidance before servingHow to Serve Dried Dates to a 6–9 Months Old
Milestones for 6–9 monthsPrepare with care
Only if pitted, soaked in warm water until soft, and pureed into a completely smooth paste.
The CDC identifies dried fruit as a choking hazard for young children. Dried dates must always be pitted, soaked in warm water, and pureed completely smooth.
How to Cut
Dried dates are very sticky and pose a high choking risk, especially for babies. For this age, never offer whole or chopped dates. Instead, soak the pitted dates in warm water until very soft, then finely mash or blend into a smooth paste. If using in recipes, mix the paste thoroughly into other foods, such as oatmeal, yogurt, or purees, so the texture is manageable for new eaters. Ensure there are no skins, chunks, or pits left before serving. Avoid serving pieces or slices until your baby is much older.
Serving Instructions
Dried dates are naturally sweet and can be used as a natural sweetener for baby food in this stage. Always ensure dates are completely pitted, well-soaked and smoothly pureed before serving. Mix a small amount (about 1/2 date or 5g / 0.2oz of paste) into oatmeal, plain yogurt, or fruit puree to add sweetness and nutrients. Serve as part of a balanced meal, keeping portions small and avoiding excess sugar for young infants. Pair with other nutrient-rich foods as part of a varied diet.
How to Serve Dried Dates to a 9–18 Months Old
Milestones for 9–12 monthsPrepare with care
Only if pitted, soaked until soft, and finely mashed or blended into other foods.
The CDC lists dried fruit as a choking hazard for young children. Dates must be pitted, soaked soft, and finely mashed or pureed into other foods.
How to Cut
Continue to treat dried dates with caution. For young toddlers in this range, always remove pits and soak dates in warm water to soften. Optionally, mash or finely chop dates into very small, soft pieces. You can mix softened pieces or paste into oatmeal, yogurt, or porridge. Avoid serving whole dates, which remain a serious choking hazard. Begin introducing tiny amounts of finely chopped or mashed date as finger food only when you are confident in your child’s chewing skills. Always supervise closely, ensuring there are no pits or tough skin pieces.
Serving Instructions
For this age, dried dates can be offered as a mix-in to soft foods. Use pitted, well-soaked dates and mash or finely chop before adding to oatmeal, porridge, or yogurt. Offer a small portion (about 1 date or 10g / 0.35oz) as part of a meal, not as a stand-alone snack. Continue to avoid pieces that could pose a choking risk. Dates pair well with foods rich in iron and healthy fats for a more balanced snack or meal.
How to Serve Dried Dates to a 18+ Months Old
Milestones for 18–24 monthsPrepare with care
Only if pitted and chopped into small, bite-sized pieces (and softened if tough).
The CDC lists dried fruit among common choking hazards for toddlers. Dates should remain pitted and cut into small bite-sized pieces.
How to Cut
For older toddlers, dried dates can be offered in small, soft pieces, always with pits removed. You may continue to soak dates to soften if they seem too chewy or sticky for your child. Cut dates into small bite-sized pieces (about 1 cm / ⅖ inch) and monitor your child’s chewing ability closely. Even at this age, avoid serving whole dates, as they remain dense and sticky. Offer alongside a variety of foods for balanced meals, and encourage thorough chewing. Supervision remains important as chewing skills are still developing.
Serving Instructions
Older toddlers may enjoy small pieces of dried dates as part of a balanced snack. Offer bite-sized (about 1 cm / ⅖ inch) pieces only if your child can confidently chew and swallow various textures. Serve 1-2 dates (10-20g / 0.35-0.7oz) alongside other foods, such as fruit slices, cheese, or nut butters (if tolerated and not a choking risk), to support a nutrient-rich diet. Limit intake to avoid excess sugar and always supervise meals.
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Important Safety Disclaimer
Every child develops chewing and swallowing skills at their own pace. The preparation methods shown are general guidelines; you must always evaluate your individual child's ability before serving. By offering this food, you agree to the following:
- Choking & Preparation: All foods can pose a choking hazard. You are strictly responsible for modifying food sizes and textures to match your child's skills. Always physically inspect this food for hidden hazards (e.g., bones, pits, seeds, splinters, or tough skins) before serving.
- Food Handling: Ensure all ingredients are properly washed, stored, and cooked to safe internal temperatures to prevent foodborne illness. Never serve raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs to an infant.
- Allergens: Introduce any new food one at a time. Observe your child closely for signs of an allergic reaction (hives, swelling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing) and seek emergency medical care immediately if symptoms occur.
- Strict Supervision: 100% active, arm's-length adult supervision is required at all times while your child is eating or interacting with food.
- Talk to your pediatrician: If your baby has known allergies, was born prematurely, or has feeding difficulties, check with your pediatrician before introducing new foods.
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Age and preparation guidance informed by the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the World Health Organization's complementary feeding guidelines, ESPGHAN's (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) position paper on complementary feeding, and EFSA's (European Food Safety Authority) scientific opinion on the introduction of complementary feeding. This content is independently created by Dalo Baby for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with any of these organizations.
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