Cooked celery may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solid foods, which is generally around 6 months of age. Because raw celery is stringy and firm, it poses a high choking risk and should be avoided until your child can chew thoroughly. Always cook celery until very soft before offering it to babies and young toddlers.
Cooked celery provides modest amounts of fibre, which supports healthy digestion, along with vitamin K, folate, and potassium. Whilst celery is not particularly nutrient-dense compared to other vegetables, it offers a mild flavour and soft texture that can help babies explore new tastes and develop chewing skills. Celery also contains antioxidants that support overall health.
When cooked until very soft, celery breaks down easily and poses a low choking risk. The key is ensuring it is tender enough to mash between your fingers, which allows babies to gum and chew it safely without the fibrous strings present in raw celery.
Celery is not considered a common allergen in the UK or US, though allergic reactions are possible with any food. If your baby has a history of food allergies or if celery allergy runs in your family, consider discussing introduction with your health visitor or GP.
Detailed prep guidance tailored to each stage.
Steam or roast celery stalks until very soft and tender, then cut them into finger-length strips about the width of two adult fingers so baby can grasp them in a closed fist with some sticking out. The pieces should mash easily between your fingers. Serve the strips on their own or alongside other steamed vegetables to encourage self-feeding and exploration of mild flavours.
Continue to cook celery until soft, then cut it into smaller pieces such as half-moons, short strips, or bite-sized chunks that your baby can pick up with a developing pincer grasp. Ensure each piece still mashes easily between your fingers to remain safe. You can mix cooked celery into soups, stews, or pasta dishes to add texture and flavour as your baby becomes more confident with varied foods.
Offer cooked celery in bite-sized pieces that match your toddler's growing chewing ability, continuing to ensure it is soft and tender. You can include celery in family meals such as casseroles, risottos, or mixed vegetable sides. As your child's chewing skills improve, you can gradually offer slightly firmer cooked celery, but avoid raw celery until they are older and can chew thoroughly.
