HeySolids
Choking risk
Coconut is a moderate choking risk - firm chunks of fresh coconut, dry chips, and large flakes are hard and difficult to chew.
Finely grate fresh coconut or stir finely shredded unsweetened coconut into soft, wet foods, or blend it smooth.
Skip firm raw chunks, chips, and large flakes. See how to serve for age-by-age prep.
Allergens
Coconut is not a common food allergen, so a true allergy to it is rare. Despite its name it is a fruit, not a tree nut, and most children with a tree nut allergy can still eat it.[4]
Start with a small amount and watch for a reaction.
If baby refuses
Coconut has a bold flavor that can be a lot at first. Stir a little finely grated or fine flaked coconut through a food baby already likes, such as oatmeal, yogurt, or fruit puree, and build up the amount slowly so the new taste lands gently.
How to serve
6+ months old
Finely grated or stirred into soft food
Fine crumbles mixed into soft foods
Finely grate fresh coconut, or use finely shredded unsweetened coconut, and stir it into wet foods like oatmeal, yogurt, or fruit puree so it softens and is easy to swallow. You can also blend coconut smooth into a puree or smoothie. Choose unsweetened, and skip firm chunks, chips, and large flakes at this age.
How to cook
No cooking needed. For fresh coconut, pry the flesh from the shell and take the thin brown skin off with a peeler, then grate on the finest side of a box grater. Shredded coconut from a bag works just as well - check the label for unsweetened, since much of what's sold is sweetened for baking.
9+ months old
Fine coconut stirred in or baked into soft dishes
Fine shreds mixed through soft foods, or baked in
Keep stirring finely grated or finely shredded coconut through soft, wet foods, and start folding it into baking - soft muffins, pancakes, oat bars. Choose unsweetened, and skip firm chunks, chips, and large flakes.
How to cook
Mix the coconut into the wet ingredients before combining with dry, so it hydrates as the batter rests and bakes in soft rather than chewy.
12+ months old
Fine coconut across cooked dishes and baking
Finely shredded, stirred through family dishes
Finely grated or finely shredded coconut can go into more dishes now - curries, rice, baking - and coconut milk works as a cooking base for family curries and stews too. Skip firm chunks, chips, and large flakes. Sweetened coconut and coconut candies like macaroons stay off the menu - added sugar is best avoided before age 2.
How to cook
Stir fine coconut into curries, rice, and sauces near the end of cooking so it softens in the liquid, or fold it into bakes mixed through the wet ingredients as before.