BabyJoy
Couscous for babies
When and how to serve couscous at every stage of starting solids.
- Introduce from
- 6–9 months
- Safety notes
- Common allergen: Wheat
How to prepare couscous by age
6–9 months
Soak in boiling water or homemade unsalted stock until soft and fluffy. Mix with a little oil or mashed vegetable so it clumps, then offer on a pre-loaded spoon or pressed into soft flat patties or fingers baby can squash.
9–12 months
Offer loose or mixed with finely chopped soft vegetables; the small grains are good pincer-grasp practice.
12 months+
Serve as a side or salad base; wholewheat couscous adds fibre.
Common allergen
Contains wheat , one of the 9 common food allergens.
Made from wheat (contains gluten), a common allergen.
First time with wheat: Offer wheat-based foods such as toast fingers, soft pasta or wheat cereal.
If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, talk to your pediatrician before introducing allergens.
Nutrition highlights
- B vitamins
- High fiber
- Selenium
Serving ideas
- Mixed with mashed roasted vegetables
- Pressed into soft flat patties with lentils
- Rainbow couscous with peas and peppers
Prepare these as described above for your baby’s age.
Choosing and storing
Storage: Dry: airtight in the cupboard. Cooked: cool quickly, refrigerate and use within 24 hours.
Recipes with couscous
Sources
This guide is based on published guidance from:
