In my food chart for eight month old babies, I had mentioned about giving eggs to my daughter. A mom of an 8 month old, wanted to know how to introduce eggs to her baby. This post is for for all other moms planning to start eggs for your baby with 31 easy egg recipes for babies and kids.
Apart from ways to include eggs for babies, I have also added some easy recipes that are kid friendly and easy to make.
Eggs, an excellent source of protein can be started for baby from the 8th month, when his/her tummy is matured enough to accept animal protein.
Only the yellow yolk of the egg should be given to a child till one year. This is because egg whites trigger allergies in babies.
Yellow yolk is rich in Vit. A, B12 and D. So it is a really good baby food. It also aids in weight gain.
If you haven't started giving eggs to your baby yet, you can try recipes from 1- 11.
#1. Buttery yolkHard boil 2 eggs. De-shell and cool it. Now scoop out the yolk and mash it with 1 tsp of butter using a fork.
#2. Plain yolk mashMash the yolk of a hard-boiled egg with a little salt. It is ready to be served.
#3. Scrambled yolksScramble yolks of 2 eggs in a little oil with a pinch of salt.
#4. Scrambled yolks with veggiesScramble yolks of 2 eggs in some oil. Add parboiled veggies like carrots, beans, spinach leaves and beetroots in the scramble to make it even more nutritious. Finish by adding salt to taste.
#5. Mini omelettesMix 2 tablespoons of milk to the yolk and make small omelettes out of it. The addition of milk makes the omelette fluffy and moist.
#6. Cheesy omeletteMake an omlette and grate 1 small piece of cheese to it and a yummy cheese omlette is ready.
#7. Banana omeletteMix banana puree to the beaten egg yolks and make an omelette out of it. A yummy healthy, banana omelette is ready to be served!
#8. Spinach omelette/scrambleStir fry half a bunch of spinach leaves with a bit salt in 1 tsp of oil, and add 2 egg yolks to it when the leaves are half done. Make a spinach omlette/ scramble, both taste great and score high on nutrition!
#9. Simple egg fried riceMake an egg fried rice, if you are pressed for time. Scramble 2 egg yolks and add cooked rice to it. Add salt to taste. That's it, a simple egg fried rice.
#10. Egg fried rice with veggiesChop some veggies (beans, carrots, cabbage etc) Stir fry these in some oil. Now scramble some egg yolks. Now mix the eggs and veggies and add cooked rice to it. Season according to your child's age and preference.
#11. Boiled eggOnce the child is a year old, you can start giving boiled eggs.If your child doesn't like the taste, you can add a pinch of salt and pepper to make it palatable for them.
#12. Egg puddingThis is yet another easy recipe that can be relished by kids who above an year old. The presence of the egg white might make it unsuitable for kids below one.
Check out the recipe for the egg pudding.
Egg recipes for older kids
Once the kids are older (1 year and above) and have gotten the hang of having eggs, you can try out these recipes.
#13. Egg roastThis one is for kids who have made the transition from baby food to adult food and has the same food the family eats.
Take 4-5 eggs according and hard boil it. Cool and deshell it. Make small slits, lengthwise, so that the masala can seep in.
Prepare the masala by heating oil in a kadai. Add slit green chillies and a tbsp of ginger garlic paste. Next add 2 thinly sliced onions and saute well. Add chilli powder according to your preference.
Now add ½ tbsp. of turmeric powder, 2 tbsp of coriander powder,1/2 a tsp of garam masala and saute till the raw smell goes. Next, you can add one tomato, sliced. Add water, salt and cook.
When the gravy becomes thick, add the eggs and let the masala seep in. Finish with curry leaves.
#14. Cheesy egg sandwichScramble 2 eggs and finely slice a tomato. Butter 2 slices of bread and assemble the tomato and eggs. Add a slice of cheese. Season it according to your child's preference. Top it with the other slice and put it in a sandwich maker. Serve it with sauce.
If you don't have a sandwich maker, just assemble the sandwich and hold it together with a toothpick. (Make sure the child is old enough to remove the toothpick and eat the sandwich, so as to avoid injuries.
#15. Egg rollWe are talking about the Indian variety here.
If you have leftover rotis, or parathas, then this is something you must try. Saute sliced bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes and onions. Season it with some chaat masala and salt. You can add chopped coriander and lemon juice to the veggie mix.You can add chillies, if your child likes it.
Next heat a tawa, break open an egg on it. Add salt and pepper and break the yolk and let it mix. Place the roti/ paratha before the egg is cooked and is still runny. Wait for the egg to cook well.
Take it of the stove add the veggie filling and roll it up.
#16. Egg dosaIf your child loves dosa, chances are that he/ she will love this one too!
Heat a tawa. Pour dosa batter as you would do to make a dosa. Add beaten egg mixture on top and spread. Drizzle some oil on it, cook covered. Once one side is done, turn it over.
#17. Mutta maalaThis is a delicacy from northern Kerala made with egg yolks. Whisk yolks of 5 eggs.
Place a thick bottomed, wide mouthed vessel on fire.Take a cup of sugar and make sugar syrup. Add a spoonful of egg white to this to clear out the impurities. Remove the egg white and impurities.
Take a plastic glass and make small holes at the bottom. Pour the whisked egg yolks through the glass in circular motion, into the syrup. Let it cook.
Reduce the flame and remove the egg maala carefully and serve.
#18. PinjanathappamIf you make mutta maala, you have to make this one! Not a necessity, but what else will you do with the leftover sugar syrup and egg whites?
Whisk the egg white and add some sugar syrup to this. Add a pinch of cardamom powder and the batter is ready. Steam it in a greased cake tin/ suitable vessel. Once it cools, cut it into cubes ad serve it with mutta maala.
Serve it to kids above a year old only.
#19. Egg bonda / egg pakoraBoil some eggs. Make a thick pakora batter. Dip the eggs in the batter and deep fry it.
#20. Egg samosaPrepare puff pastry or if you are unsure, get some puff pastry sheets.
Prepare the filling by either scrambling the eggs and adding onion and tomato masala (like we did for egg roast- omit the chillies though). Or you can make the masala separately and slice some boiled eggs in half. Add the filling in the pastry and seal it well, deep fry and serve.
#21. Egg cutletThis is made just like your normal cutlet, except that you add beaten egg while you are adding the masalas to the mashed potato. Then wait for the egg to cook. Take out a bit of this mixture, Shape it like a small patty. Dip it in egg and breadcrumbs and fry.
#22. Egg parathaSpiff up the boring paratha by whisking two eggs and adding it to the flour while making the dough. Make the paratha, like you normally do.
#23. Egg drop soupBring some vegetable/ chicken stock to boil with some ginger juliennes, lemongrass (a small piece), a tsp of soya sauce.Add cubed vegetables if you like. Once it is almost done, whisk two eggs well. Now slowly add it into the hot soup whisking quickly.
Simmer for a minute and take it off the stove. Season it and serve immediately.
#24. FrittataWhat can you do with eggs and some milk? A lot! The frittata is one such thing.
Whisk four eggs with some milk or stock (about 1/4 cup will do) with enough salt and pepper. You can add herbs like thyme, basil etc. Add sauteed vegetables (optional- add any cooked meat of your choice).
Grease a deep pan. Pour the mixture and let it cook on a low flame till it sets. It takes around 10 minutes. Once it has cooked well, let it rest for another 10 minutes. Make sure the egg has become solid.
#25. French toastThis is a favorite across ages. Whisk together an egg, some milk, sugar. Dip the bread in the mixture and wait till it is fully coated on both sides.
Heat a pan and add some butter. Cook the bread till golden brown on both sides.
#26. Egg muffinI love this one!
Whisk 6-8 large eggs, with some milk, salt and pepper. Line a greased muffin tray. Add some finely chopped tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach and pour the egg mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes till the egg is cooked. Wait for it to cool. You can top with grated cheese if you are feeling indulgent.
#27. Devilled eggsHard boil eggs.
Once it cools, remove the shell. Slice it in half and remove the yolks carefully. The whites should not break. Put the yolks in a mixing bowl. Mash it and add mayonnaise, salt and pepper.
Add some mustard (not the seeds) too. Be careful not to add too much. Now carefully put it in the egg white. You can also pipe it in.
#28. Egg burjiThis one is a classic that needs no explanation. It is the savior of hostelites and chances are it will be your kids favourite as well. Saute chopped onions, ginger, chillies and tomatoes.
Whisk eggs with some salt. Add this to the sautéed mix and scramble well. Top with chopped coriander.
#29. Mutta thoranThis one is like the one above. But here we will be using grated coconut.
Saute onions and sliced green chilli, add a pinch of turmeric. Beat eggs with some salt. Scramble it and when it is almost done add the coconut and curry leaves.
#30. Poached eggTake some water in a deep container.
Add some vinegar and salt, and bring it to a boil. Using a spoon stir the water so that it swirls fast enough to make a whirlpool. Crack an egg and carefully drop it into the centre of the whirlpool. If you aren't confident, crack the egg into a small cup and then pour it in. Now let it sit for 5 minutes. Do not disturb the egg or vessel.
Remove it with a slotted spoon and serve immediately.
#31. Caramel custardLet us end with a sweet dish. Find the recipe for an easy caramel custard here.
6 FAQs about introducing and giving eggs to your child:
Eggs are nutritious but when it comes to giving them to your kids, there are a lot of doubts. Here are some questions moms would have :
1. Can I give eggs everyday to my baby ?The answer is YESS... Haven't you heard Sunday ho ya Monday, Roz Khaaye Ande!!
Eggs can be given everyday to the baby inspite of the season change. But in scorching hot weather, you can limit eggs to twice a week or every alternate days
2. How many egg yolks can be given to my 8 month old baby ?You can start with 1 egg and if your baby is comfortable eating more after a few days, 2 egg yolks can be given.
3. What if my baby doesn't like egg yolks ?If your baby doesn't like egg yolks in any form, he can be given protein in the form of cheese/beans/lentils/meat/pulses etc.
4. When can I start with egg whites / whole eggs for my baby ?Egg whites/whole egg can be introduced only when your child turns 1 to reduce the possibility of allergens.
5. How can I know if my baby is allergic to eggs ?If a baby is allergic to eggs, he may develop rashes in his body and bottom. He might vomit soon after the intake of egg yolks.
6. Can I give soft boiled /runny yolks to my baby?No, not until he is one year old, as raw eggs / soft boiled eggs contain salmonella bacteria which could upset baby's tummy.
When you start with eggs for your child? How did you introduce it to your child? Which is your child's favorite egg recipe? Tell me in the comments.