Ricotta Cheese

Dairy

Last updated July 5, 2026. The Tummi Food Team maintains this Can I Feed This safety guide guide. Supporting links appear in Sources when available.

Written By

Tummi Food Team

Food prep and safety guidance

Clinically reviewed by Andria Procopio and Arefa Mohamed

Direct answer

Can babies eat Ricotta Cheese?

Yes, babies can eat pasteurized ricotta cheese starting around 6 months when they are ready for solids.

6+months Serve Age: Most babies start solids around 6 months once they show readiness signs. Match the texture and serving size to your baby's skills.
How to serve
Allergens: Ricotta Cheese is flagged for milk. Introduce common allergens in a baby-safe form and follow your clinician's advice if your baby is higher risk.
Details
12345 1 Choking Risk: Lower choking risk when served in the right texture. Always supervise meals and adjust the shape for your baby.
Risk notes

This guide is for everyday food prep questions. Ask your pediatrician about medical concerns, feeding delays, allergy plans, or serious reactions.

How Do You Serve Ricotta Cheese?

How to serve Ricotta Cheese to babies 6 months and older

1
Spoon a few teaspoons of pasteurized ricotta into a small bowl or onto the tray and let baby self-scoop with fingers or use a pre-loaded, child-safe spoon.
2
Thin the ricotta with a little breastmilk or formula if it’s too thick, or stir in a small amount of mashed fruit or smooth nut butter for extra flavor.
3
Avoid unpasteurized ricotta and do not add honey; if using firm or salt-cured ricotta, only offer it grated and prepared for older children.
4
Start with small amounts and supervise closely to watch for gagging or any allergic reaction.

How to serve Ricotta Cheese to babies 9 months and older

1
Offer pasteurized ricotta in a shallow bowl as a soft dip with soft fruit or vegetable sticks to encourage reaching and self‑feeding.
2
Serve small portions (about 1 tsp–1 tbsp) at room temperature and use a shallow dish so the child can easily access it.
3
Mix in a touch of smooth nut butter or mashed fruit to add flavor and calories; check for nut allergy before offering nuts.
4
To introduce firmer ricotta, grate or warm it slightly until soft and mix into mashed veg or spread thinly on soft bread to match the child's chewing ability.
5
Always supervise during eating, cut sticks to appropriate size, and avoid hard pieces that could cause choking.

How to serve Ricotta Cheese to babies 12 months and older

1
Use pasteurized ricotta in family dishes (e.g., lasagna, toast, or pancakes); serve in small, soft, bite-sized pieces or scoopable portions so the child can pick up with fingers or use a fork or spoon.
2
Mix ricotta with mashed fruit or cooked vegetables to add flavor and create a smooth, spreadable texture that’s easier to eat.
3
For firmer ricotta, grate or crumble it over warm dishes so it softens, and offer it sprinkled on pasta or steamed vegetables in small amounts.
4
Supervise all meals and increase portion sizes slowly as the child shows they can manage the texture; stop feeding if coughing or persistent gagging occurs.

Is Ricotta Cheese a Common Allergen?

Dairy

Egg

Fish

Gluten

Tree Nut

Peanut

Sesame

Shellfish

Soy

Ricotta is a dairy product made from milk (typically whey or cow’s milk) and contains milk proteins and lactose, so it should be avoided by anyone with a cow’s‑milk allergy. It is not normally a peanut, tree‑nut, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, sesame or gluten allergen, but cross‑contact can occur in processing—always check the product label. Some people with lactose intolerance may tolerate small amounts; lactose‑free ricotta options exist. For infants or children with known or suspected milk allergy, consult your pediatrician or an allergist before offering ricotta.

Is Ricotta Cheese a Choking Hazard?

Very Low Choking Risk

Fresh, soft ricotta generally presents a low choking risk for babies, but firmer varieties (like ricotta salata) are more likely to pose a hazard. Parents should be aware of the cheese's texture and avoid offering firm pieces that could get lodged in a child's throat. Always stay within arm's reach and be familiar with the signs of choking and basic first-aid so you can respond quickly if needed.

Have More Questions?

Yes, ricotta cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days after opening. For longer storage, freeze small portions in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Yes, you can freeze ricotta cheese in small portions to use later. Thaw in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours to ensure freshness and safety for your baby.

It depends. When choosing ricotta for your baby, opt for organic if possible, but conventional ricotta is also safe if pasteurized, as it minimizes risk of foodborne illness.

It depends. Combining ricotta with mashed fruits or vegetables can be a nutritious way to introduce new flavors and textures, but always introduce new foods one at a time to monitor for reactions.

It depends. For portion sizes, start with a small spoonful and watch for signs of fullness; typical servings for babies range from 1 to 2 tablespoons depending on age.

Save Ricotta Cheese to your food log

Track foods, reactions, and prep notes in Tummi when you want to keep your baby's feeding history in one place.

Try For Free

Sources

Committee on Infectious Diseases; Committee on Nutrition; American Academy of Pediatrics. (2014). Consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk and milk products by pregnant women and children. pediatrics.aappublications.org
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Dangers of raw milk. fda.gov
Strazzullo P, Campanozzi A, Avallone S. (2012). Does salt intake in the first two years of life affect the development of cardiovascular disorders in adulthood? Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. doi.org
Soloway RA. (2013). Sodium: Too Much of a Good Thing. National Capital Poison Center. poison.org
Liem DG. (2017). Infants' and Children's Salt Taste Perception and Liking: A Review. Nutrients. doi.org
Yang S, Wang H. (2023). Avoidance of added salt for 6-12-month-old infants: A narrative review. Archives de pediatrie. doi.org
Warren CM et al. (2013). The epidemiology of milk allergy in US children. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. doi.org
El-Agamy E. (2007). The challenge of cow milk protein allergy. Small Ruminant Research. doi.org
North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Foundation. Cow’s milk protein allergy. GI Kids. gikids.org
Wood RA et al. (2013). The natural history of milk allergy in an observational cohort. J Allergy Clin Immunol. doi.org
Nowak-Węgrzyn A. (2015). Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome and allergic proctocolitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. doi.org
National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2019). Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome. rarediseases.org
InformedHealth.org (IQWiG). Living with lactose intolerance. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What Other Dairy Can Babies Eat?

Source-Linked Guidance

See the evidence behind the guide.

Food guides show direct links to public-health guidance and research when supporting references are available. Source inclusion does not imply endorsement.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Developmental milestones, nutrition guidelines, and allergen introduction timelines.

American Academy of Pediatrics

Evidence-based feeding recommendations from the leading pediatric authority.

National Institutes of Health

Peer-reviewed research on infant nutrition, allergies, and food safety.