Prep warning
Hazelnut is a tree nut, a common allergen, so introduce it on its own and watch closely for any reaction. Always thin the butter or grind the nut fine, and keep whole and chopped hazelnuts off the menu until about age 5.
Choking notes
Whole and chopped hazelnuts are a high choking risk and are kept off the menu until about age 5. Offer hazelnut only as smooth butter thinned until pourable, or as fine flour, and never as a thick glob of butter, which is itself a hazard.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Whole and chopped hazelnuts are a choking hazard and are not for babies. Offer hazelnut only as a smooth hazelnut butter thinned with water, breast milk, or formula until it is pourable, or as a fine hazelnut flour stirred into porridge or a purée. Introduce it on its own, early in the day, and watch closely, since tree nuts are a common allergen.
No pieces. Smooth hazelnut butter thinned until pourable, or fine hazelnut flour mixed into food. Never whole or chopped.
9-12 months
Keep offering hazelnut only as thinned smooth hazelnut butter or fine flour, made a little thicker if you like. Whole and chopped hazelnuts remain off the menu. Keep the exposure regular once it is tolerated.
Still no pieces. Thinned smooth butter or fine flour only. Never whole or chopped.
12-18 months
Hazelnut still goes in as smooth butter on a soft carrier like toast, as nut flour baked into food, or stirred into yogurt or oatmeal. Whole and chopped hazelnuts stay off the menu. Spread butter in a thin layer rather than a thick glob.
Thin layer of smooth butter or nut flour baked in. No whole or chopped pieces.
2 years and up
Hazelnut stays as smooth butter, fine flour, or finely ground nut mixed into food. Whole and chopped hazelnuts are still a choking hazard and are generally kept off the menu until about age 5, when a child chews reliably. Keep nut butter in a thin layer.
Smooth butter, fine flour, or finely ground nut only. No whole or chopped hazelnuts before about age 5.
Key nutrients
Allergen information
Tree nut is a common allergen. Read Tree nut guidance
Common questions
When can my baby eat Hazelnut?
Most babies can try Hazelnut from around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness. Check the prep and cut-size notes above before you start.
General informational content, not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician about introducing new foods, especially if your baby has any medical conditions or family history of allergies.
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