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Carrots are one of the easiest and most popular first foods for babies. As a pediatric dietitian and mom, I’ll show you when to introduce carrots, how to cook them safely, and simple ways to turn them into balanced meals your baby can actually eat.
Carrots for Baby at a Glance
- When can babies eat carrots? Around 6 months, once ready for solids.
- Safest way to serve: Cook until very soft and easily squishable.
- Best shapes for beginners: Large sticks for early BLW. Avoid round coin slices.
- Can you puree carrots? Yes! carrots make a smooth, naturally sweet puree that you can serve on its own or combine with other nutritious foods, like iron-rich beef, omega-3 packed hemp seeds, etc.
- Raw carrots? Not recommended for babies due to choking risk.
Table of Contents
When can babies eat carrots?
This nutritious vegetable can be offered to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.
If you’re unsure, be sure to grab my FREE handout!
Health Benefits
Just like sweet potatoes (here’s an in-depth post on how to serve sweet potato for babies), carrots are one of the best food sources of beta-carotene. Once consumed, the body converts it to vitamin A, which is key for good vision, cell growth, and a healthy immune system.
They are also a good source of several B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium, and fiber.
They come in different colors and are all wonderful to introduce to your baby. They contain similar vitamin and mineral content, but where they differ is their antioxidant profile.
The orange-fleshed ones are rich in carotenoids whereas the purple varieties are rich in anthocyanins. White-fleshed carrots have the lowest amount of antioxidants.
Are carrots safe for babies?
Raw carrot sticks and baby carrots are choking hazards, so it’s important that they are offered in an appropriate size and texture.
The “Squish Test” – if you can press it between your thumb and forefinger and it flattens easily, it’s ready. If it bounces or feels firm in the center, cook longer.
It is also not a common allergen.
Note that carrots (organic and conventional) contain arsenic and other heavy metals that are found in the soil and water. While this may be concerning, it’s nearly impossible to avoid these contaminants. So DON’T stop offering!
Just like with rice, as long as you are offering a wide variety of foods and not serving carrots all the time, there’s no need to worry.
How to Cook Carrots for Baby
I personally don’t recommend roasting carrots for this age as the exterior of the vegetable can get too crispy or even burnt before it softens. You can boil, but I don’t recommend it as most of the nutrients will leach into the water. Here are my 2 favorite ways to prepare carrots for baby.
Method 1: Steam
- Peel and cut carrots into large sticks.
- Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Steam 10–15 minutes until very soft.
- Test with the squish test before serving.
Method 2: Steam roasting (my favorite!)
This is my go-to method because it enhances flavor compared to steaming while keeping carrots soft. Plus you can toss the carrots with oil, which will aid in the absorption of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin.
Here’s what you do:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Toss carrot sticks with a little olive oil and seasoning(s).
- Spread on baking pan. It’s ok if they overlap a little bit. It will create more steam resulting in softer carrots.
- Cover tightly with foil. I like to use this baking mat or this smaller mat instead.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until very soft.
Learn more about steam roasting as well as cooking times for ALL other vegetables
How to Make Carrot Puree
- Steam or steam-roast carrots until very soft.
- Blend with water, breastmilk, or formula until smooth.
- Add olive oil or yogurt for healthy fats if desired.
You can adjust thickness based on your baby’s comfort level. To make it even more flavorful, try this creamy carrot pasta sauce or carrot hummus!
How to Cut and Serve Carrots by Age
6–9 Months
These are actual plates that I served to my daughter at 6 months of age. If interested in learning more, check out my 3 month meal plan.
- Serve as large, thick sticks (about two adult finger widths)
- Cook until very soft
- Baby will suck, gnaw, and explore
- Finely grated – I like to use a lemon zester or the smallest hole in the box grater.
- You can add mashed or finely grated carrots to:
- Homemade baby oatmeal
- Quinoa
- Lentils
- Carrot pancakes
- Chia Pudding for babies
- Overnight quinoa oats
- Yogurt – here are the best yogurt for babies
- Vegetable omelette
Avoid coin-shaped rounds at this stage.
9–12 Months
Pictured: lentil balls with Indian Spiced Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas
- Finely shredded
- Small soft diced pieces
- Mixed into yogurt, oatmeal, or mashed foods
- If you haven’t already, this is a good time to introduce utensils. Your baby will most likely just play around or toss it. But it’s still great for exposure!
12+ Months
- Small bite-sized pieces
- Can introduce lightly seasoned roasted carrots
- Continue cooking until tender
Easy Carrot Recipes for Babies
- Carrot hummus
- Carrot oatmeal muffins
- Carrot lentil soup
- Pumpkin carrot soup
- Carrot pasta sauce
- Roasted sweet potatoes and carrots
Carrots for Baby FAQs
Carrots don’t typically cause constipation when offered as part of a balanced diet. They contain fiber, which supports digestion. If your baby seems constipated, focus on overall hydration and include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fiber sources rather than removing carrots entirely.
For baby-led weaning, carrots should be cooked until very soft and easily squishable. You can steam them for about 10–15 minutes or steam-roast them at 425°F (covered with foil) for 15–20 minutes. Serve in large sticks about two adult finger widths wide so your baby can safely grasp and explore them.
Raw carrots and firm round slices can be choking hazards. To reduce risk, always cook carrots until very soft and avoid cutting them into coin-shaped rounds for young babies. Larger, soft pieces are safer for beginners because they’re easier to grasp and less likely to lodge in the airway.
There is no set timeline as to at exactly what age you should try offering them. That’s because every child is different. It depends on many different factors, such as the number of teeth and your child’s eating/chewing skills.
So be observant, stay close, and move forward as you and your child feel confident and ready. Here’s how to introduce raw vegetables to your toddler. 
Yes. Carrot puree freezes very well. Store it in small portions (like silicone trays or ice cube molds) and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or gently warm before serving.
If you want to learn how to prepare other specific food(s), check out my How To Series!
How to Cook Carrots for Babies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium carrots, sliced into thick strips
- 1 tablespoon oil (for steam roast)
- seasoning(s) of choice (for steam roast)
Instructions
Steam
- Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Add carrots, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 10-15 minutes. It should be easily pierce-able with a fork.
Steam roast
- Add carrots to a baking pan, toss with oil and seasoning(s) of choice. It's ok if they overlap a little bit. It will create more steam resulting in softer carrots.
- COVER with baking mat, and roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, until fork tender.
