Barley for baby? You bet! One of my favorite parts of feeding babies is introducing them to new foods they may grow to love for years to come. Barley is a fun one to add to the rotation thanks to its mild, nutty flavor and chewy texture. Blend it into a puree with carrots and a pinch of curry powder, or serve it mixed with avocado or yogurt for baby-led weaning. Great for babies 6 months and up!

Blue baby plate on a white marble counter with different ways to serve barley to babies on top with baby spoons.

Want to give your baby all the healthy nutrients that barley has to offer, but not sure how?

I’ve got you!

This complete guide on how to feed barley to your baby is what you are looking for!

Below, you will find everything you need to know on how to cook and serve barley to your little one – the health benefits, how to serve it to your baby for baby-led weaning or as a puree, how to store these recipes, FAQs, and so much more!

Featured Video

Barley Baby Puree

Small silver saucepan over a white countertop with cooked barley and carrots.
Cook barley and carrots for 25 minutes, or until tender.
Cook, barley and carrots in a clear blender on a white countertop.
Strain and add the barley and carrots to a blender.
A clear blender, full of puréed carrots, and barley on a white countertop.
Blend until smooth.
Great baby bowl on a white tank top full of carrot and barley purée with a pink spoon resting on top full of a purée.
Serve to baby.

Barley for Baby-Led Weaning

Graphic for post – barley for baby led weaning. Images of a blue baby plate, showing different ways to serve barley for baby led weaning with different age graphics.

Barley is a great first food for your baby and can be served on its own, with seasonings, or mixed into other dishes to add protein and fiber.

  • 6-12 months: Serve barley as a porridge that is easier to scoop for little hands or on a preloaded spoon. You can mix barley with pureed or mashed avocado, yogurt or any other pureed fruits and vegetables for more variety. Use barley flakes or barley flour to make pancakes, baked goods, or as a binder for meatballs. You can also roll slippery foods, like banana or mango spears in barley flakes to make it easier for baby to grip these foods.
  • 9+ months: At this age you can serve your baby whole barley to work on their pincer grasp.
  • 12+ months: You can continue serving barley porridge, in baked goods, meatballs or veggie patties at this age. Barley is also great for adding to casseroles and for giving soups and stews a thicker texture. You can also try serving to your toddler whole, for toddlers who are practicing their spoon skills.

Get the recipe: Barley Baby Food (puree & baby-led weaning)

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Barley for baby? You bet! One of my favorite parts of feeding babies is introducing them to new foods they may grow to love for years to come. Barley is a fun one to add to the rotation thanks to its mild, nutty flavor and chewy texture. Blend it into a puree with carrots and a pinch of curry powder, or serve it mixed with avocado or yogurt for baby-led weaning. Great for babies 6 months and up!
Yield: 4 servings
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Author: Michele Olivier
Course: baby food, Baby Led Weaning
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Ingredients 

  • 1/3 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • pinch mild curry powder (optional)

Instructions 

  • Place the barley and carrots in a small saucepan with the water. Place the saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the barley is chewy.
  • Drain any excess water.
  • Transfer the cooked barley, carrots and mild curry powder (if using) to a blender.
  • Puree for 1-2 minutes on a medium-high speed. If the puree is too thick, add in 1/4 of a cup of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Serve a portion and then store the rest of the puree in the fridge or freezer for a later meal.

Notes

Age: 6+ months
Storage: you can store the barley puree in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. You can store the cooked barley in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 
Spices/Herbs: Adding spices to your baby’s foods is a great way to introduce more complex flavors at an early age. Some great spices and herbs to add to cooked barley are a pinch of mild curry, garlic powder, ginger, turmeric, and cumin, or you can add in a pinch of chopped fresh parsley, chives, mint, and cilantro.
Barley for Baby-Led Weaning: Place the barley and water in a small saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the barley is chewy. Drain any excess water.
Serve the barley to your baby in an age-appropriate way – either mashed by themselves or with another cooked fruit or vegetable, avocado or yogurt and served on a self-feeding spoon, or added into another food such as a burger or meatballs.
 

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Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).