Snap pea
Usually introduced around 6 months
Prep warning
Pull off the tough string along the seam before serving — it doesn't soften with cooking. Serve plain, without added salt.
Choking notes
A whole snap pea pod is firm, rounded and stringy — a high choking risk for babies and young children. Always cook it soft, pull off the tough string, and either mash the peas or chop the cooked pod into small pieces. Never offer a whole raw pod.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Snap peas are firm and stringy raw — cook them until very soft (steam or boil until they squish easily), then pull off the tough string along the seam. Open the pod, scrape the soft peas out and mash them, or finely chop the cooked pod. Avoid serving whole pods.
Mashed soft peas, or finely chopped cooked pod. Never a whole pod.
9-12 months
Keep cooking snap peas soft and removing the string. As the pincer grasp develops, offer the soft peas (burst or halved) and small chopped pieces of the soft cooked pod. The whole pod is still too firm and round to give intact.
Burst or halved soft peas, small chopped pieces of soft pod.
12-18 months
Cook snap peas until tender, remove the string, and serve the soft pod chopped into small pieces with the peas burst or halved. The firm, rounded raw pod stays a choking shape until your child chews reliably, so keep cooking it soft and cutting it down.
Small chopped pieces of soft pod, peas burst or halved.
Key nutrients
Common questions
When can my baby eat Snap pea?
Most babies can try Snap pea 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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