Pancakes

Choking risk

A soft, well-cooked pancake is a low choking risk - thin and easy for babies to gum.

Cook pancakes through with no doughy center and serve in finger-width strips, since a thick, gummy, or undercooked pancake can clump in the mouth.

Keep them free of added sugar and salt, with no honey or syrup before 12 months. See how to serve for age-by-age prep.

Allergens

Pancakes are made from common allergens - usually wheat, egg, and milk in one bite.^[2]

Because a pancake bundles these together, introduce wheat, egg, and dairy one at a time first, so a reaction points to a single food. Start with a small amount, and watch for a reaction.

Once each is tolerated, keep them in the diet regularly - steady exposure helps prevent an allergy.

For a known allergy, swap in oat or another wheat-free flour, or a plant-based milk.^[3]

If baby refuses

Pancakes are rarely turned down. If the texture puts baby off, make them thinner and moister, or top with mashed fruit or plain yogurt for extra moisture and a familiar flavor.

How to serve

6+ months old

Long wide strips

Strips about the width of an adult finger

Cook thin pancakes and slice them into long strips about the width of an adult finger, easy for baby to grip in the fist and chew. Keep them soft and moist. Introduce wheat, egg, and milk separately first, before offering a pancake that combines them.

Leave added sugar and salt out of the batter, and never add honey before 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism. Sweeten with mashed banana or grated apple instead.^[1]

How to cook

Whisk flour, egg, and milk into a thin batter (mashed banana adds sweetness and moisture). Cook in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat until set and cooked all the way through with no wet center, then cool and slice into strips. Whole milk is fine in cooking from 6 months, just not as a main drink until 12 months.

9+ months old

Bite-sized pieces

Pieces about 1/2 inch

As the pincer grasp develops, tear pancakes into small, bite-sized pieces for baby to pick up. Strips still work well for biting and tearing practice, so follow baby's lead on size.

How to cook

Cook as before, keeping them thin and cooked through, then tear into pieces. Fold soft fruit, finely grated vegetables, or finely ground seeds into the batter for variety. Keep added sugar and salt out.

12+ months old

Wedges or small whole pancakes

Quartered wedges, or mini pancakes about 3 inches across

Serve pancake wedges or small whole pancakes and let your toddler take their own bites. Pancakes carry new flavors well, so try savory versions with spinach, corn, or grated cheese.

How to cook

Cook mini pancakes or cut larger ones into wedges. Top with soft fruit and plain yogurt, or go savory. Honey can be used for flavor now that the botulism risk no longer applies, but keep added sugar and salt low.