Quince
Hard and sour raw, sweet and fragrant once it's cooked. Always cook it soft.
Checked against official guidance on October 18, 2026 · How we review
Quick answer
Babies can eat quince from around 6 months, once they show signs of being ready for solids. Prepare it as shown below.
How to serve quince by age
6 months+
Soft-cooked peeled wedges or mash
Peel and core the quince, cutting out every seed and the hard, gritty flesh around the core. Simmer or bake thick wedges until very soft. Quince takes much longer to soften than apple or pear, so keep cooking until it passes the squash test. Offer the wedges as finger food, or mash them with a fork and serve on a pre-loaded spoon. Never give raw quince.
- Size
- Peeled wedges about the size of an adult finger, roughly 6–8 cm long and 2 cm wide (2½–3 × ¾ in), or mashed.
- Check before serving
- Squash a wedge between your thumb and finger. It should flatten easily. If you have to press hard, cook it longer.
US and UK advice differ here. The AAP suggests mashed food or soft pieces no larger than ½ inch; the NHS suggests soft finger-sized pieces your baby can hold in their fist. Both agree the food must squash easily.
9 months+
Small soft-cooked pieces
Cut soft-cooked, peeled quince into small pieces for pincer-grasp practice, or stir mashed quince into oatmeal or plain full-fat yogurt (once dairy has been introduced on its own).
- Size
- Pieces no bigger than about 1 cm (just under ½ inch).
- Check before serving
- Each piece should squash flat between your thumb and finger.
12 months+
Soft-cooked pieces or in dishes
Serve soft stewed or baked quince in small pieces, on its own or mixed with stewed apple or pear. It's still cooked, never raw. Cook it without sugar.
- Size
- Soft-cooked pieces about 1 cm (just under ½ inch), or mashed.
- Check before serving
- Still do the squash test: every piece soft enough to flatten with gentle pressure.
18 months+
Cooked pieces or in family dishes
Keep serving quince cooked until soft: baked, stewed, or simmered into family dishes such as stews and oatmeal. Make sure your toddler sits down to eat, and stay with them.
- Size
- Bite-sized soft pieces about 1 cm (just under ½ inch).
- Check before serving
- Still do the squash test with cooked quince, especially near the core end.
Always have your child sit upright in a high chair or at the table, and stay with them the whole time they eat. Keep to the size and texture for their stage. Every baby develops on their own timeline.
How to prepare quince
- 1
Rinse the quince under running water, gently rubbing off the soft fuzz on the skin, before you peel it.
- 2
Peel it, cut it into quarters, and cut out the core, every seed and the hard flesh around the core. Quince is very hard, so use a sharp knife and a steady board.
- 3
Cut it into thick wedges (6 months) and simmer in a little water, or bake covered, until a knife slides in with no resistance. This can take much longer than apple. Don't add sugar.
- 4
Do the squash test, then let it cool before serving. Cut into small pieces from 9 months, or mash.
How much to offer
Start with one or two soft wedges, or a teaspoon or two of mash. Your baby decides how much to eat: stop when they turn away or close their mouth. Lots of squashing and dropping is normal at first.
Common mistakes
Serving raw quince
Raw quince is very hard and sour. Hard raw fruit is a choking hazard for babies and young children, so always cook quince until it squashes easily.
Stopping the cooking too soon
Quince softens slowly. If a wedge doesn't flatten with gentle pressure, keep cooking it. The squash test matters more than the clock.
Missing seeds or the hard core
Cut out the whole core with its seeds and the gritty flesh around it. The NHS says to always remove hard pips from fruit.
Giving quince paste or quince jelly
These are made with a lot of sugar. The NHS says to avoid foods with added sugar for children aged 4 and under. Cook plain quince instead.
Questions parents ask
Can quince be a choking hazard for babies?
Raw quince is hard, and the CDC lists pieces of hard raw fruit, such as apples, as a choking hazard for young children. The NHS says to steam or simmer firm fruit for very young children and to always remove hard pips. Always cook quince until it squashes easily between your fingers, peel it, take out the core and seeds, and stay with your child during meals.
Can babies be allergic to quince?
Quince is not a common allergen.
Is quince healthy for babies?
Quince has some vitamin C (about 15 mg per 100 g of raw fruit) and a little fiber (about 1.9 g per 100 g). It is not a major source of iron.
Can babies eat raw quince?
No. Raw quince is very hard, and hard raw fruit is a choking hazard. Cook it until it squashes easily between your fingers, at every age on this page.
How do I cook quince for a baby?
Peel it, cut out the core and seeds, and cut it into thick wedges. Simmer the wedges in a little water, or bake them covered, until a knife slides in with no resistance and a wedge flattens with gentle pressure. It takes longer than apple. Don't add sugar. Mash it, or serve soft wedges or small pieces for your baby's stage.
Can babies have quince paste or membrillo?
It's best avoided. Quince paste and quince jelly are made with a lot of sugar, and the NHS says to avoid foods with added sugar for children aged 4 and under. Plain cooked quince gives the same flavor without the sugar.
If your baby refuses quince
- Many babies need 10 or more tries before they accept a new food. Keep offering it alongside foods they already like.
- Quince can taste a little sour. Try mixing mashed quince with stewed apple or pear your baby already likes.
- Eat some yourself at the same meal. Babies copy what they see.
- Funny faces don't mean they dislike it. They're getting used to a new taste and texture.
Never force or pressure your baby to eat. Some days they'll eat more, some days less, and that's normal.
Buying and storing quince
- Keep whole quinces in a cool place or in the fridge.
- Cooked quince keeps for 3 to 4 days in a covered container in the fridge.
- Stewed or mashed quince can be frozen and used within 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge, use it within 24 hours of thawing, and reheat it only once, to 165°F (74°C), until steaming hot, then let it cool before serving.
- Throw away any food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it's hotter than 90°F / 32°C).
When to talk to your doctor
Contact your pediatrician, GP or health visitor if:
- You notice mild signs of an allergic reaction after eating, such as a few hives or a little vomiting. See signs of a reaction.
- You're worried about how much your baby eats, their growth, or they refuse most solid food for weeks.
Call 911999your local emergency number (such as 112 in Europe or 000 in Australia) now if your baby has trouble breathing, wheezing, can't cough or cry, has lips, mouth, tongue or throat that suddenly swell, or becomes pale, bluish, floppy or unresponsive. Also call if hives come with repeated vomiting.
Add a note (likes, dislikes, any reaction)
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Helpful guides
Sources
- CDC: Choking hazards
- AAP: Choking prevention for babies and children
- AAP: When can babies start solid foods?
- NHS: Your baby's first solid foods
- NHS: Preparing food safely for babies
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
- USDA FoodData Central: Quinces, raw
- FDA: 7 tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety
- AAP: Is it OK to make my own baby food?
- NHS Best Start in Life: Storing and reheating food
More first foods
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