Here's a drink that can double up as a meal if you are looking to cut calories! Ragi Malt or ragi porridge is a drink made using Ragi Flour (Finger Millet flour). It's one nutritious drink packed with protein, fiber, and flavors. With just the amount of sweetness you like, you can customize this drink to taste just like how you like it. The recipe is fairly simple and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare from scratch.
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About this Ragi drink
If you are a protein shake fanatic, I don't have to tell you how expensive they can be. Even more so, when you choose a vegan option. I do have some favorites when it comes to protein shakes like the berry banana smoothie, but coming up with other options that are rich in protein can be challenging. Well, I have a solution for that... Ragi Malt. You don't need to add any protein powder or fruit...
Don't let this tricky name cause you to pass by...I recently posted this recipe for Ragi Cookies and among all the comments and feedback I got, I noticed that not many people were familiar with this Superfood.
So I decided to share the ragi malt recipe and shed some light on Finger Millet. Just type in "Finger Millet flour " on Amazon and you will find that it is not that difficult to buy. If you looking to lose weight quickly, this is one good option for healthy results.
If you have given up dairy foods (Like I have), this grain will provide all the calcium you will need. Not only will you save time by making this delicious Ragi malt recipe and you will lose weight, but you will also spend less on finger millets than you will on protein powder all the while doing a lot more good to the planet by switching to this Vegan alternative.
Ingredients note
Ragi flour: Millets generally have a long shelf life, but ground millets can go rancid if it is left open for a long time. Look for millet flour that's sealed well and store it in an airtight container for longer shelf life.
Jaggery: This is to sweeten the drink. I used Jaggery but if you don't find this, you could also go with brown sugar or any other sweetener that you are comfortable with. Jaggery is used in the traditional method.
Plant-based milk: I recommend you go with almond milk for the best tasting Ragi Malt. But the choice is yours. Soy milk and Oat milk also go well with this recipe.
How to make this recipe
Saute the ¼ cup Ragi flour in a pan for 2-3 minutes and then add 1 ½ cup water. Stir well to avoid lumps.
As it thickens, add 2 tablespoon jaggery, 1 cup of almond milk, or your favorite milk alternative and continue to stir.
As the mixture boils, add salt and ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder(optional). Remove from heat and allow it to cool down a little. The Ragi malt recipe is ready! Serve hot or chilled.
Ragi malt thickens quickly and has to be served immediately. if you are serving it later, make sure to add almond milk to reduce the thickness.
Recipe FAQ's
Preferably in the morning for breakfast. With a low-medium glycemic index, Ragi malt would keep you fuller for a longer time and help you maintain weight.
Yes! With no prep work associated, you can prepare this in under 10 minutes! A healthy serving of calcium is yet another reason to drink this daily.
Yes, you can feed this to babies. It is quite common in India to feed babies with the unsweetened version of Ragi Malt.
Yes, you can prepare this drink by substituting milk with curd or yogurt at the end, after switching off the heat.
This ragi malt recipe is made with ragi flour. Be sure not to confuse this with store-bought ragi malt powder. They are two different recipes. Store-bought ragi malt recipes can be too sweet and have a lot lesser millet content.
Expert tips
- Use a good quality brand of finger millet flour.
- Instead of jaggery, you can also use brown sugar and rock sugar, or candy sugar.
- Plain almond milk is the best alternative to the original recipe.
- Serve this ragi porridge cold or warm.
- You can make this ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- you could also ragi powder in the hot water before cooking. this helps to remove any lumps and can easily mix with hot water to form a smooth paste.
- Once the ragi mixture is mixed with hot water, it has to be stirred continuously until it forms a thick mixture.
- Ragi malt thickens quickly and has to be served immediately. if you are serving it later, make sure to add almond milk to reduce the thickness.
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📖 Recipe
Ragi Malt Recipe
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Ragi flour
- 1 ½ cup water
- 1 cup Almond milk - use any dairy free milk
- 2 tablespoon jaggery
- Pinch of Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Cardamom powder - optional
Instructions
- Saute the Ragi flour in a pan for 2-3 minutes and then add water. Stir well to avoid lumps.
- As it thickens, add jaggery, almond milk, or your favorite milk alternative and continue to stir.
- As the mixture boils, add salt and cardamom powder(optional). Remove from heat and allow it to cool down a little. The Ragi malt recipe is ready! Serve hot or chilled.
- Ragi malt thickens quickly and has to be served immediately. if you are serving it later, make sure to add almond milk to reduce the thickness.
Video
Notes
- Use a good quality brand of finger millet flour.
- Instead of jaggery, you can also use brown sugar and rock sugar, or candy sugar.
- Plain almond milk is the best alternative to the original recipe.
- Serve this ragi porridge cold or warm.
- You can make this ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- you could also ragi powder in the hot water before cooking. this helps to remove any lumps and can easily mix with hot water to form a smooth paste.
- Once the ragi mixture is mixed with hot water, it has to be stirred continuously until it forms a thick mixture.
- Ragi malt thickens quickly and has to be served immediately. if you are serving it later, make sure to add almond milk to reduce the thickness.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Priya Srinivasan says
Love ragi malt! Brilliant idea to make it vegan with almond milk! Such a healthy and hearty drink!
Pavani says
This is such a nutritious and delicious drink. Thanks for the detailed recipe, will definitely try it out soon.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
What a nutritious kanji to begin the day and making it at home is definitely way healthier than the store bought ready mix. I have some sprouted ragi flour in the pantry and I will be making this for my boys tomorrow morning.
Poonam bachhav says
We love ragi and I look for ways to include it in our daily diet. This ragi malt with almond milk sounds so delicious and healthy!
Sapana says
I have heard a lot about ragi malt but never tried this drink. Love the idea of using plant based milk to make it vegan. I will make sur to try it the next time I buy ragi flour.
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says
This ragi malt sounds so delicious and packed with goodness. Love to have it before bedtime. Thanks for sharing.
Mayuri Patel says
Uma do you know that ragi malt is a famous breakfast dish in Kenya? It is called Uji. I love it as it is not only filling but healthy too. I also love adding the malt to smoothies especially when the weather is really hot.
Uma Raghupathi says
Wow! good to know that Mayuri. Thanks for sharing that this is also famous in Kenya.
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth says
I love that the ragi malt is made in almond milk to make it vegan. I used to make it long back ago since HD loves it, and I am telling myself maybe I should make some soon...
Howie Fox @ HurryTheFoodUp says
Exciting drink that is! Never tried nor heard of it. You definitely got me curious, Uma 😀
Cool video as well!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Howie.:)
Maria Doss says
Yum Uma!! The good old ragi is always the best.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Maria 🙂
Lata Lala says
Making ragi malt is a brilliant idea Uma. Ragi is my favorite too. You said it right it's much better than readymade Protien powders and shakes.
Lovely share.
The Vegan 8 says
I'm not familiar with any of these ingredients, haha! So, I have no idea of the flavor...what kind of flavor is it? Sounds very interesting!
Uma Raghupathi says
I like your curiousness!! This tastes like wheat flour but more healthier:)
MaryEllen@VNutrition says
Such a cool idea! I'm going to have to find some ragi flour so I can try this soon!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thanks Mary!
Strength and Sunshine says
I bet that tastes super interesting!
Uma Raghupathi says
Yes it is 🙂 Thanks!