Rice cake
Usually introduced around 6 months
Prep warning
Choose plain, unsalted rice cakes and avoid flavored or salted varieties made for adults. Rice cakes are made from rice, so serve a variety of other grains across the week rather than relying on rice every day. Always offer them seated and closely supervised because of the choking risk.
Choking notes
Rice cakes are hard and dry and can break into firm, sharp pieces or form a dry ball in the mouth, so they are a choking risk. Choose thin cakes or baby rusks that soften with saliva, spread a thin moist topping, break them into small pieces, and always keep your baby seated upright and supervised.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
Choose thin, low-salt rice cakes or baby rice rusks that soften quickly with saliva. Spread a very thin layer of a smooth food like mashed avocado, full-fat plain yogurt, or thinned nut or seed butter on top to add moisture and nutrition. Let your baby hold a piece and always supervise closely while they eat.
A thin rice cake or rusk that softens easily, topped with a thin smear of soft food. Avoid large, hard, dry pieces.
9-12 months
Offer thin rice cakes broken into pieces your baby can hold, topped with a smooth spread. As your baby gets better at chewing they can manage more, but rice cakes stay hard and can break into firm shards, so keep pieces small and stay close.
Small pieces of a thin rice cake with a soft topping; never a whole hard cake.
12-18 months
A rice cake with a thin layer of a soft topping makes an easy snack for a toddler. Keep offering it seated and supervised, choose unsalted versions, and remember rice cakes are made from rice, so offer a range of different grains across the week too.
Broken into toddler-sized pieces with a soft topping; sit upright and supervise.
Key nutrients
Common questions
When can my baby eat Rice cake?
Most babies can try Rice cake from around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness. Check the prep and cut-size notes above before you start.
Is Rice cake a choking hazard for babies?
Rice cake carries a moderate choking risk for babies. Follow the age-appropriate cut sizes and textures above, and always stay close during meals.
Is Rice cake a common allergen?
Rice cake is not one of the major food allergens. Any new food can still cause a reaction, so keep an eye on your baby the first few times.
General informational content, not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician about introducing new foods, especially if your baby has any medical conditions or family history of allergies.
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