Baby Dal Khichdi (Lentils for Baby)
Baby dal recipe - Make the easiest, healthiest and delicious Lentil dish for your baby. This Gluten-free and vegetarian baby dahl is easy ...
Dish: Baby Dal Khichdi
Variant: Baby Dal Khichdi (Lentils for Baby)
- Total time
- 25 min
- Active time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1
- Difficulty
- Medium

Ingredients and Constraints
Ingredients
- Optional
- Optional
- Optional
- Optional
- Optional
Ingredient watchpoints7 watchpoints
Short requirements and tradeoffs to check while gathering ingredients; detailed source notes stay expandable.
Drop Ghee
1 drop ghee ((optional))
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Carrot
3 inch carrot ((3 tbsps chopped) or pumpkin, ridge gourd, bottle gourd)
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Drop Ghee
2 drops ghee ((optional))
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Ghee
⅛ teaspoon ghee (melted )
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Turmeric
1 pinch turmeric ((optional))
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Black Pepper
1 pinch black pepper ((optional))
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Ajwain Powder
⅛ teaspoon ajwain powder ((optional))
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Additional ingredient notes
Which Dal to use for Baby
Moong Dal is the most commonly used lentil for babies in North India and Toor dal is most commonly used in South India.
A lot of South Indians following the ayurvedic diet also use moong dal. Because Moong dal is considered to be Tri-doshic meaning it can balance any kind of imbalances in the body and improve the health. Moong dal is also considered easy for digestion. If you are new to identifying the lentils, I have a picture here. Moong dal are known as yellow split and skinned petite lentils or yellow mung dal. Here is a picture of the toor dal known as split pigeon peas or tuvar dal. Red lentils, chana dal and black dal are not used for babies as a first food because they can easily cause stomach gas.


Method Overview
Structured method notes that are separate from the step timeline.
How to Introduce Dahl to Baby? (Stage 0 to 4)
Please consult your pediatrician before you introduce your baby to solids.
The best time to introduce is different across the globe and depends on the region and culture. Stage 0 Lentil Baby Food: A lot of homes, cook lentils and strain the stock (lentil cooked water). This is cooled and fed to the baby before noon, without adding anything. This works in 2 ways – one is to check if the baby does well with lentils and the second is to get the baby used to the flavor of lentils. For this a 3 day wait rule is followed to make sure the baby does not have any reaction, colic or indigestion.
Ways to cook Lentil Baby Food
The easiest way to make dal for your baby is in a pressure cooker – stovetop or electric cooker as this gives you the option to go hand-free.
In the step by step pictures I have shown how to make it in a cooker. Here is how to cook in a pot without a cooker. Soak half cup lentils for at least 1 hour up to overnight, as this helps in cooking them faster. You are free to skip this but your baby will be able to digest the soaked and cooked lentils easily. Rinse the lentils well after soaking and pour 2 cups of fresh water.
How to Make Stage 4 Lentil Baby Food
Babies over an year tend to become picky or choosy and love textured foods rather than smooth purees.
So you can slowly move to veggies like onion, green peas, cauliflower, carrots, capsicum, methi, palak, beets etc. You can also make this moong dal recipe and serve with plain mashed rice. Soak rice and dal for at least 30 minutes. Heat ghee and saute cumin. Add grated ginger and saute.



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Method Timeline
Prep
ActivePrep
5 min
Prep time from the source recipe card.
Cook
ActiveCook
20 min
Cook time from the source recipe card.
Total
PassiveTotal
25 min
Total time from the source recipe card.
Step 1
Wash rice and dal together at least twice in lot of water. Optionally soak them for at least 30 to 60 minutes with 1 cup water in a small pressure cooker or pot. I use a 3lts pressure cooker.
Step 2
Just before you cook, chop or grate veggies freshly and add to the soaked rice and dal.
Step 3
On a medium heat pressure cook for 2 whistles. If you do not have a cooker, bring the water to a rolling boil and turn down the heat to low. Simmer until the lentils and rice are tender. If you find any froth, discard that with a slotted spoon.
medium heatStep 4
When the pressure reduces , open the lid and check. The rice, lentils and veggies must be soft and mushy. While the rice is still hot, mash it to smooth with a spoon or a masher.

Image detailssoak dal rice to make Khichdi recipe for babiesSwasthis Recipes · Baby Dal Khichdi (Lentils for Baby)Dev reference 
Image detailsmashed rice in Khichdi recipe for babiesSwasthis Recipes · Baby Dal Khichdi (Lentils for Baby)Dev reference Step 5
Add ghee, a pinch of crushed pepper and turmeric if you want. Babies need healthy fat, we use ghee. You can add salt after 1 year.

Image detailschopped veggies in Khichdi recipe for babiesSwasthis Recipes · Baby Dal Khichdi (Lentils for Baby)Dev reference 
Image detailsaddition of ghee in Khichdi recipe for babiesSwasthis Recipes · Baby Dal Khichdi (Lentils for Baby)Dev reference Inputs and tools5
Uses
- 1 drop ghee ((optional))
- 2 drops ghee ((optional))
- ⅛ teaspoon ghee (melted )
- 1 pinch turmeric ((optional))
- 1 pinch black pepper ((optional))
Step 6
Mix everything well. If the consistency is too thick, pour some boiling hot water. Avoid adding cold water. Serve lentil rice warm. Warm foods digest better.

Image detailspressure cook rice dal to make Khichdi recipe for babies-3Swasthis Recipes · Baby Dal Khichdi (Lentils for Baby)Dev reference Checks1
ServiceMain recipeSource service instruction
Mix everything well. If the consistency is too thick, pour some boiling hot water. Avoid adding cold water. Serve lentil rice warm. Warm foods digest better.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
Handling and Storage
Reviewed hold, storage, make-ahead, and service-timing guidance.
Pro Tips
Never introduce your baby to lentils in the later part of the day.
According to Ayurveda, it is believed that digestion is best during the first half of the day (before noon) and it is sluggish in the later part. So we always feed lentils for breakfast or lunch. This clears up the lentils in the tummy by night, before you get your baby to bed. Avoid introducing any other new food to your baby while you introduce the lentils. The reason being you won’t know which food has caused the trouble (in case).
Learn More
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Recipe structure
Components and intermediate outputs created by the method.
Main recipe
Recipe card ingredients and steps.
1
Extra useful notes
Short source-backed recommendations and facts that do not need a step.
You can also make stage 1 to 4 baby food if you have precooked rice, lentils and vegetables ready separately from other meal.
You can also make stage 1 to 4 baby food if you have precooked rice, lentils and vegetables ready separately from other meal. Simply use the quantities mentioned in the ingredient notes and combine them – puree or mash or mix well. But use hot foods and not cold.
All the recipes are tried and tested for my babies.
All the recipes are tried and tested for my babies.
Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!
Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!
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Baby Dal Khichdi (Lentils for Baby)
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