HeySolids
Choking risk
Fresh mozzarella is a moderate choking risk because it is soft but springy, and a whole mini ball or round coin is a choking shape.
Tear or cut it into small, thin pieces, grate it, or melt a thin layer into warm food, and never serve whole mini balls or round slices. See how to serve for age-by-age prep.
Allergens
Mozzarella is made from cow's milk, a common food allergen, and cow's milk allergy is one of the most common in babies.[1]
If your baby has reacted to other dairy, check with your pediatrician before offering cheese. Use pasteurized mozzarella, and avoid any cheese made from raw (unpasteurized) milk unless it is cooked until steaming hot, since cooking kills listeria.[2][3]
Offer it on its own, start with a small amount, and watch for a reaction. Once your baby is comfortable with it, keep it in their regular diet.
If baby refuses
Mozzarella is mild and creamy and usually well accepted. If plain pieces are refused, melt a thin layer over warm pasta, soft vegetables, or soft toast fingers, where its flavor blends in. Tearing it very small can also make it easier for a hesitant baby to manage.
How to serve
6+ months old
Torn small soft pieces or grated
Soft torn pieces about 1/2 inch or a small sprinkle of grated cheese
Offer pasteurized, full-fat mozzarella torn into small, thin, soft pieces, or finely grated over a soft food. You can also melt a thin layer into pasta, mashed vegetables, or a smooth sauce. Avoid whole mini balls and round coins.
How to prepare
No cooking needed for fresh mozzarella. Tear or grate it, or melt a thin layer into a warm dish and let it cool a little before serving, but sprinkle sparingly, as globs of melted cheese present an increased choking risk.
9+ months old
Small thin pieces or grated
A small handful of thin pieces, or grated cheese
Keep serving mozzarella in small, thin pieces baby can pick up with a developing pincer grasp, or grated over soft food. This is a good stage to fold it into an omelet or melt it thinly over soft vegetables. Continue to avoid whole mini balls and round coins.
How to prepare
No cooking needed. Tear or grate fresh mozzarella, or melt a thin layer into warm pasta, soft vegetables, or onto soft toast fingers.
12+ months old
Small pieces, thin strips, or grated
A small portion in pieces, thin strips, or grated
Serve mozzarella in small pieces, thin strips for biting and tearing, or grated. You can also melt a thin layer over pasta, vegetables, or toast, or stir it into family dishes. Continue to avoid whole mini balls and round coins.
How to prepare
No cooking needed. Tear, grate, or melt a thin layer into family dishes, and let melted cheese cool a little so it does not harden into firm clumps.