HeySolids
Choking risk
Whole peas are a moderate choking risk - small, round, and firm is exactly the shape the CDC warns can lodge in a baby's airway.
Smash or mash cooked peas so they're no longer round, and save whole peas until baby chews well, usually around 12 months. See how to serve for age-by-age prep.
Allergens
Green peas are not a common food allergen, so a true food allergy to them is rare.
Start with a small amount and watch for a reaction.
If baby refuses
Most babies like peas. If yours is unsure, blend them into a smooth potato or sweet potato base to mellow the flavor, or stir them through pasta or rice. Keep offering them - familiar tastes build acceptance over time.
How to serve
6+ months old
Smooth puree or smash
Blend cooked peas into a smooth puree and serve on a pre-loaded spoon, or smash them well so they are no longer round. For a milder flavor, blend with potato or sweet potato.
How to cook
Boil fresh or frozen peas for 3 to 4 minutes until soft, then blend. Pressing the puree through a fine sieve removes the skins, which can be fiddly for young babies. Add a little cooking water to reach a smooth consistency.
9+ months old
Squashed peas or mash
Individual squashed peas, no longer round
Squash each cooked pea flat with the back of a fork so it's no longer round, then serve on the tray for pincer-grasp practice. A mash also works well alongside fish or potato as simple mushy peas.
How to cook
Boil fresh or frozen peas for 3 to 4 minutes until soft, then drain. Squash the peas with a fork before serving; no need to sieve now, as a little texture is fine.
12+ months old
Whole or lightly squashed
Whole cooked peas can now be offered, as baby has better chewing and mouth control. Squashing a few is still fine if your baby prefers them that way. A fork is good for spearing practice, and peas work well stirred into pasta, rice, risotto, or alongside fish.[2]
How to cook
Boil fresh or frozen peas for 3 to 4 minutes, or steam from frozen, until soft. No further preparation is needed beyond cooking them soft.
Tips
Keep a bag of frozen peas in the freezer - they're picked and frozen at their peak, so they're just as nutritious as fresh and ready in minutes.