Allergen note
Chili pepper allergy is rare, but capsaicin, the compound that makes chilies hot, can irritate a baby's mouth, skin and eyes and sometimes upset the tummy or redden the diaper area. Start with a tiny amount of a mild variety mixed into food.
How to serve
Once your baby eats a range of solids, a hint of mild chili can be part of family meals: cook a little mild chili into a big pot of beans, stew or curry, and scoop out your baby's portion before adding salt. Save very hot varieties such as habanero or bird's eye for older children who enjoy them.
Preparation
Wear gloves or wash your hands well after cutting chilies, and keep them away from your baby's eyes. Remove the seeds and white membranes, where most of the heat sits, then cook the chili until soft and blend or finely mince it into the dish.
Texture and choking risk
Raw chili has thin, tough skin that is hard for babies to chew, and whole small chilies are both a choking risk and very hot. Finely mince or blend cooked chili into soft foods, never serve it whole, and always supervise meals.
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries chili pepper, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
More Vegetables
🥬 Celeriac
Celeriac is a form of celery, which is on the EU list of major allergens and can occasionally cause serious…
🥬 Celery
Celery is on the EU list of major allergens and can cause reactions ranging from an itchy mouth to, rarely…
🥬 Cherry tomato
Tomato allergy is uncommon, but juice from raw cherry tomatoes often leaves red blotches on the cheeks and…
🥬 Coleslaw mix
Coleslaw mix is usually shredded cabbage and carrot, neither of which is a common allergen. Check the bag for…
🥬 Corn
Corn is not a common allergen, and true corn allergy is rare. Start with a spoonful of smooth corn purée and…
🥬 Cucumber
Cucumber is not a common allergen. Rarely, older children with ragweed pollen allergy get an itchy mouth from…