Ragi Porridge for Babies-Homemade Ragi Porridge Powder Recipes-Finger Millet Porridge-Baby and Toddler Recipes

Ragi is very nutritious and healthy food for babies. It is rich in calcium, protein and iron. In addition to mother’s milk, you can start introducing other foods slowly after the baby completes 6 months. First you start with plain rice porridge as it is easy to digest. (I will post this later). Once the baby gets used to it, then you can slowly introduce plain ragi porridge. These recipes were handwritten by our pediatrician in my notebook when my kids were young. I have given these porridge to my children when they were young. Though all the baby recipes are posted after consulting our pediatrician, I suggest you to kindly consult your baby’s pediatrician before starting any new food.

photo credit: jessicafm via photopin cc

Homemade food is best for babies because – 1.We can be sure that we have used fresh ingredients 2. No preservatives are added to increase its self life. 3. Lot of love goes into the preparation. I suggest that you buy organic ingredients for babies. If you have not read my basic Porridge Recipes for Babies, kindly check that post and come back here.

1#Plain Ragi Porridge for babies 

Ragi porridge does not suit all babies. So start with less quantity. Initially you can give plain diluted ragi porridge for a week, once the baby is comfortable with it, you can give semi solid porridge. If your baby has problems with it, leave a gap of few days and then start again. I do not want to elaborate on this as a mother knows best about her baby.

Introduce only 1 new food at a time.

Always consult your pediatrician before starting any new food for babies.

Sterilize all the utensils, spoons before feeding the baby.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before feeding the baby.

How to prepare porridge powder 

Clean and wash finger millet well.Drain the water completely and dry it well in the shade/sunlight spreading it on a clean cloth.

After it is dried well, dry roast it on medium flame until you get an aroma of roasted ragi.

Remove from flame and transfer to a plate to cool. Get it powdered finely in the flour mill.

Store it in an air tight container. This is the plain ragi porridge powder.

How to prepare porridge

Take 1 cup of water, add 1 ½ tsp of porridge powder, cook on low flame until it thickens. Add little jaggery to taste. Jaggery should be dissolved in little water and then filtered.

You can add 1/4 cup of cow’s milk for added taste but optional.

2#Ragi Porridge (for babies above 12 months/1 Year)

Ingredients needed

Ragi Porridge for babies


Prep Time : 20 mins | Cook Time : 30 Mins |

   Ingredients needed

   Finger millet/ragi -200 grams
   Cracked wheat/samba godhumai-200 grams
   Pottu kadalai/Roasted gram – 200 grams
   Ground nuts -100 grams (without the skin)
   White sesame seeds – 50 grams
   Omam/Ajwain -1/2 tsp

Recipe Instructions


Clean and wash ragi well. Drain the water completely and dry it in the shade/sunlight well. Then dry roast it on medium flame until you get an aroma of roasted ragi. Remove from flame and spread it on a plate to cool.


Clean the other ingredients and dry roast each separately on medium flame. Leave it to cool.

Get it powdered in the flour mill. Store it in an air tight container and use when required.

It is a bit difficult to powder it in a mixer grinder but if you do not have a flour mill near your place, prepare it in less quantity and powder it finely and sieve it. Do not operate the mixie at a stretch. Leave a gap of 10-15 minutes in between to prevent the mixer from getting heated.

How to prepare ragi porridge for babies

Ingredients needed 

   Ragi Porridge powder -1 1/2-2 tsp
   Jaggery/palm jaggery water

Method

Take 1 cup of water, add 2 tsp of porridge powder and mix well making sure that there are no lumps.

Cook on low flame until it thickens.

Then add jaggery/palm jaggery water to taste. Add very less jaggery. Heat a little water, add jaggery/palm jaggery to it, stir it over low flame. When the jaggery dissolves, filter it and use it.You can add 1/4 cup fresh boiled cow’s milk to the porridge for added taste.

Note – All the above recipes are not only for babies, adults can also drink it. For adults- you can add almonds, 2 cardamom and soya in addition to the above ingredients.

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View Comments (30)

    • Am regular visitor to your site and your ideas has influenced my cooking a lot.
      Just want to check, Can babies digest the skin of the ragi grain?
      Though its time consuming,for my baby,daily i used to follow this method-clean thoroughly, soak ragi for 3-4 hours, wet grind using a little water, sieve using a tea strainer, throw away the ragi skin and use the milk obtained to make the porridge. Just wanted to share this alternative way.
      Thanks..

  • I like your post. Its really useful for me.. Thanks for sharing this:)
    I am waiting for homemade healthmix post...

  • Though initially some babies may find it bit difficult to digest, this whole/sprouted ragi porridge is healthier than preparing from filtered ragi milk.bcos the fibre and nutrient content is gud in this

  • Great post.. Just want to know ..is it okay to use readymade ragi flour.. N which one to go for.

    • You can use readymade ragi flour. But make sure the quality is good and it is organic. You will get sprouted ragi flour in health stores.

    • Check the ingredients before using it for your baby. Also consult your pediatrician as your baby is just 5 months old.

  • How long ragi should be cooked, my mother has given me ragi flour which she made it at home and my baby is 10 months old?

    • It should be cooked well until it thickens. When you touch it with wet fingers, it should not stick to your fingers.

  • hi my baby is 6 months old ..should I sieve the powder..if yes then to be sieved in a Muslim cloth or normal fine sieve ..pls answer