Prep warning
Always cook squid fully, never raw, and cook it until tender, since medium cooking makes it rubbery. Shellfish is a Big-9 allergen, so introduce it on its own. Squid is low in mercury. Because cooked squid stays chewy, blend or finely mince it and keep pieces tiny and soft, and never serve it in rings or fried. Add no salt.
Choking notes
Cooked squid is chewy and rubbery, which makes it a real choking risk for babies and young children, and squid rings are an unsafe shape. Cook it until tender, blend or finely mince it, and keep pieces tiny and soft so they break apart easily, or mix it into a soft dish. Never serve squid in rings, in firm chunks, or fried.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Cook squid fully and gently, never raw, then blend or finely mince it so it is smooth and not rubbery. Quick-cooking or long, slow braising keeps it tender, while medium cooking turns it chewy. Mix the minced or puréed squid into a soft purée or mash to soften it further. As a shellfish, which is a Big-9 allergen, offer it on its own and wait a few days before adding another new food. Squid is a low-mercury seafood. Add no salt, and never serve it fried or breaded.
Smooth purée or very finely minced, mixed into a soft mash. Never rubbery rings or pieces.
9-12 months
Keep cooking squid fully and gently so it stays tender, then finely mince it. As the pincer grasp develops, you can offer very small, soft minced pieces, but only if they break apart easily, since cooked squid can be rubbery and hard to chew. Mixing it into a soft dish is a safer way to serve it at this stage. Continue with no added salt, and never fried or breaded.
Finely minced, very small soft pieces that break apart easily, or mixed into a soft dish. Never rubbery rings.
12-18 months
Serve squid cooked until tender, either quick-cooked or slow-braised, and minced or cut into very small soft pieces as part of family meals. Because cooked squid stays chewy and rubbery, keep pieces tiny and check that each one breaks apart easily, or fold it into a soft dish like a rice or vegetable mix. Skip rings, which are a choking shape. Keep added salt low, and never fried or breaded.
Minced or very small soft pieces that break apart easily, or mixed into a soft dish. No rings.
Key nutrients
Allergen information
Shellfish is a common allergen. Read Shellfish guidance
Common questions
When can my baby eat Squid?
Most babies can try Squid 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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