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Garri for Babies: Cassava Granules, Cooked Soft

Fermented, roasted cassava granules, a West African staple. Cooked into a soft porridge (pap) it is a gentle, filling food for babies.

When to introduce: Around 6 months
Common allergen?: No (not a common allergen)
Texture: Cooked into a soft porridge
Key nutrients: Carbohydrate (energy)

When can babies eat garri?

Garri is cassava that has been grated, fermented, and roasted into fine granules, a everyday West African staple. For babies, cook it into a soft, smooth porridge rather than the stiff eba adults eat. It makes a gentle, filling food from around 6 months.

How to prepare garri for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées, by age

6 monthsStir garri into hot water to make a soft, smooth porridge (like a thin pap), and thin it further for younger babies.

9 monthsOffer soft garri porridge that baby can scoop, with mashed vegetables or soup mixed in.

12 months+Serve soft garri-based dishes, still avoiding the stiff, sticky eba texture for young children.

Is garri safe? Choking & prep

For babies, cook garri into a soft, smooth porridge rather than the stiff, sticky form, which is hard to swallow. It is low in protein, so pair it with protein and vegetables. Not a common allergen.

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Nutrition

Garri is mostly carbohydrate, a good source of energy but low in protein, so serve it alongside beans, egusi, or vegetables across the day.

Goes well with

Egusi · Spinach · Beans

Storage & freezing

Keep dry garri sealed in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate cooked porridge and use within a day.

More grains to explore

🥣

GranolaAround 12 months, softened

🌽

HominyAround 9 months

🌾

Job's tearsAround 6 months

🌾

KamutAround 8 months

🌾

MilletAround 9 months

🍡

MochiNot before school age

Frequently asked questions

When can babies have garri?

From around 6 months, cooked into a soft, smooth porridge and thinned for younger babies.

What is garri?

Grated, fermented, and roasted cassava granules, a West African staple. For babies it is best as a soft porridge.

Is garri a common allergen?

No, it is not a top-9 allergen. Cook it soft and introduce like any new food.

Sources

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Last updated July 2026. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.

This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.

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