Chicory may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solid foods, which is generally around 6 months of age. When prepared properly by cooking until very soft, chicory can be a nutritious vegetable to offer during baby-led weaning. Its naturally bitter flavour may take some time for babies to accept, so repeated exposure without pressure is key.
Chicory is a good source of fibre, which supports healthy digestion in babies. It also contains vitamin K, important for blood clotting and bone health, as well as folate and vitamin A. The prebiotic inulin found in chicory helps promote beneficial gut bacteria, supporting your baby's developing digestive system.
When cooked until very soft, chicory presents a low choking risk as it becomes tender enough for babies to gum and mash with their mouths. The leaves and tender parts break down easily, making them safe for babies who are learning to eat.
Chicory is not a common allergen and is generally well tolerated by babies. As with any new food, introduce chicory on its own and watch for any signs of an allergic reaction, though such reactions are rare with this vegetable.
Detailed prep guidance tailored to each stage.
Steam or roast chicory leaves or halved endive until they are completely soft and tender enough to squish easily between your fingers. Offer whole leaves or cut the chicory into finger-length strips about the length and width of an adult finger, which makes them easy for your baby to grasp in their palm with some sticking out to gnaw on. You can also serve large wedges of cooked endive that baby can hold and munch on from the top.
Continue to cook chicory until very soft, and offer it in bite-sized pieces such as small strips, coins, or florets that your baby can pick up with their developing pincer grasp. The pieces should still mash easily between your fingers to ensure they are safe and manageable. You can mix cooked chicory into grain dishes or serve alongside other foods to encourage self-feeding with fingers.
Offer cooked chicory in pieces sized to match your toddler's growing chewing skills, which may include smaller strips or chopped pieces. While the chicory should still be soft and easy to chew, toddlers at this age can typically manage slightly firmer textures than younger babies. Continue to cook chicory thoroughly, and consider mixing it into pasta, grain bowls, or serving it as a side vegetable alongside family meals.
