Chickpeas for baby? Yes, please! We all know that introducing a variety of foods in your baby’s first year is super important, and chickpeas are an underrated gem. With their mild, slightly nutty flavor and soft, creamy texture, they’re perfect for both purees and baby-led weaning.

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

Pink baby plate with different ways to serve chickpeas to baby, including a puree and finger foods.

Ready to go beyond the usual baby food picks? Chickpeas might not be the first food that comes to mind, but they’re mild in flavor, easy to prepare, and surprisingly baby-friendly.

Once you’ve introduced some of the classic first foods – apple, green beans, or broccoli – chickpeas are a great way to keep expanding your baby’s palate.

One of my baby’s favorite ways to enjoy chickpeas was in a simple puree made with chickpeas, paprika, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. I spoon-fed this to my oldest, and for my youngest, I preloaded a self-feeding spoon and let her take the lead.

For baby-led weaning, start with mashed or blended chickpeas. As your baby’s pincer grasp develops, you can offer fully cooked chickpeas that have been gently flattened for easy grasping.

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How to Make Chickpea Puree

Clear blender with chickpeas on a white countertop.
Place the chickpeas into a blender, along with any spices.
Clear blender on a white countertop full of chickpea puree.
Adding a little water, puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
Pink baby plate and bowl with chickpea puree inside.
Serve to baby or store for a later meal.

Rinse your chickpeas well in a mesh strainer, whether using canned or pre-soaked. Place chickpeas in a blender or food processor and blend to desired consistency, adding 1 tablespoon of water at a time as needed to thin puree. You can also add 1 teaspoon of fresh-squeezed lemon juice or other spices.

graphic for post - chickpeas for baby-led weaning, with an image of a pink baby plate full of different ways to serve chickpeas to baby with ages in text.

Chickpea for Baby-Led Weaning

Chickpeas are a great food for your baby to self-feed, whether for baby-led weaning, which happens around 6 months of age, or during the finger foods stage at 9 months.

Mashed or Hummus – 6+ months: great for babies 6+ months or just starting on solid foods. It’s best to start your baby with mashed chickpeas that baby can scoop or in hummus (make sure sesame is not an allergen) and spread on toast, teething crackers, or soft veggies so baby can self-feed.

Flattened- 9+ months: Fully cooked and flattened chickpeas will allow your baby to practice using their pincer grasp, which is developing at this age. You can still offer hummus and mashed chickpeas, too.

Combination Purees

While Chickpea Baby Food is great by itself, it’s also super easy to mix and match with other baby food purees. Give these fun flavor combos a try!

Pink baby plate and bowl with chickpea puree inside.

Get the recipe: Chickpea & Paprika Baby Food (purees & baby-led weaning)

5 stars (2 ratings)
Chickpeas for baby? Yes, please! We all know that introducing a variety of foods in your baby’s first year is super important, and chickpeas are an underrated gem. With their mild, slightly nutty flavor and soft, creamy texture, they’re perfect for both purees and baby-led weaning.
Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Michele Olivier
Course: baby food
Print Recipe

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup canned chickpeas (or cooked from dried) rinsed
  • pinch paprika (optional)

Instructions 

Chickpea Puree

  • Rinse your canned chickpeas well in a mesh strainer. Place chickpeas in a blender or food processor. Add in paprika (if using).
  • Blend to desired consistency, adding 1 tablespoon of water at a time as needed to thin puree. You can also add 1 teaspoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice.
  • Serve to baby or store for later.

Chickpea for Baby-Led Weaning

  • Serve according to your baby's age and eating abilities.
    Mashed or Hummus – 6+ months: great for babies 6+ months or just starting on solid foods. It’s best to start your baby with mashed chickpeas that baby can scoop or in hummus (make sure sesame is not an allergen) and spread on toast, teething crackers, or soft veggies so baby can self-feed. Add a pinch of paprkia to mashed chickpeas or hummus.
    Flattened- 9+ months: Fully cooked and flattened chickpeas will allow your baby to practice using their pincer grasp, which is developing at this age. You can still offer hummus and mashed chickpeas, too.
    graphic for post - chickpeas for baby-led weaning, with an image of a pink baby plate full of different ways to serve chickpeas to baby with ages in text.

Notes

Age: 6+ months
Storage: you can store the chickpea 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 chickpeas in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 
Spices/Herbs: If you want savory chickpeas, you can add garlic, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, paprika, turmeric, red pepper flakes, or Italian seasoning to your chickpeas. If you’re in the mood for sweet chickpeas, add a little cinnamon or cloves.
How to Cook Chickpeas
There are all sorts of ways you can prepare chickpeas, from warming to roasting to blending.
From a Can: Canned chickpeas do not have to be cooked but if you’d like to, just rinse and drain them, and heat them up until warmed through, either on the stove or in the microwave.
Dried: Soaking chickpeas overnight will reduce cooking time. Make sure you sort through the chickpeas to remove any unwanted debris and rinse them. Put one cup of chickpeas in a pan with 3 cups of water, or broth for more flavor, and bring to a boil. Then let simmer for 60-90 minutes or until they reach your desired consistency.

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