Can Babies Have Spices? A Guide to Flavorful First Foods

👶 The Short Answer

Yes! Babies can have spices. In fact, they should. Introducing mild, natural flavors early on helps your little one develop a healthy relationship with food and a more adventurous palate down the road.

At Pepita, we believe mealtime should be simple, safe, and (most importantly) delicious.

💛 Why Flavor Matters From the Start

You might be surprised to learn that babies are born ready to explore flavor. Research shows that early exposure to herbs and spices helps shape lifelong food preferences.
In other words, when you season your baby’s meals, you’re helping them become a confident little eater who’s open to trying new things.

Think of it like building their flavor library: every new herb or spice adds another “word” to their vocabulary of taste.

🍴 What to Avoid

Before sprinkling away, keep these simple rules in mind:

Skip sugars. Babies’ taste buds aren’t ready for added sweeteners.

Avoid spicy heat. Save chili flakes and cayenne for your plate. Warm spices like cinnamon or cumin are perfectly fine.

Go slow. Introduce one new flavor at a time to keep track of allergies and preferences.

🌸 Spices and Herbs Babies Can Enjoy

Here are some gentle, baby-friendly seasonings you can safely use from around 6 months (once your pediatrician gives the go-ahead):

Cinnamon – great in oatmeal, apples, or yogurt
Garlic & onion powder – adds depth to veggies and eggs
Paprika – mild and slightly sweet, perfect for potatoes or chicken
Cumin – cozy and earthy, great for beans or lentils
Oregano & basil – bright and familiar, perfect for pasta or tomato dishes
Ginger – a warm way to introduce global flavor, delicious in carrots or rice

🧂 How to Start Adding Flavor

If you’ve ever paused mid-meal prep and Googled “Can babies have garlic powder?” — we made Pepita for you.

Start small — a light sprinkle, a little stir, or a dash on whatever’s already on your family’s menu.

Some easy starting points:

Mashed sweet potatoes or cauliflower — with Veggie Basket
Salmon or white fish — with Sunny Salmon
Chicken or tofu — with BBQ Party
Oatmeal or yogurt — with Gimme S’mores

With Pepita blends, you don’t have to second-guess what’s safe — we’ve done the research, so you can focus on enjoying the meal.

🌈 Why We Made Pepita

We’re parents too. We were tired of wondering what was okay to season our baby’s food with. So we created spice blends that are:

✅ Low sodium
✅ No added sugar or heat
✅ Free from major allergens
✅ Made to make life easier for parents (and tastier for kids)

💬 Final Sprinkle of Advice

Introducing spices is about connection — it’s how babies learn to love the foods your family already eats. You don’t need to make separate meals — just make it flavorful and safe. Because confident eaters start with confident parents — and a pinch of Pepita.