Homemade ragi powder is one of the most nutritious food that is given to almost all babies in South India from 6 month onwards. For my elder one, I started with store bought ragi powder (didn’t have the patience to wait for my mother to make home made ragi powder) and he cried so much after feeding and after 2 hours his potty was full of purple undigested ragi. Oh !! my poor baby, I felt so guilty and stopped giving him.
Even after my mother made a batch and sent me, I was very dubious and reluctant to restart ragi again. But then knowing the nutritious benefits of ragi and not giving my son the nutrition he needed made me even more guilty. So I started off with just a tablespoon of ragi powder porridge. He was happily playing after that and fell to a sound sleep. Since then I gave the home made ragi powder once in every 2 days till he was a year old. After 1 year, I gave him Ragi Dosa, Ragi Biscuits as finger food.
Why Homemade Ragi Powder is the best?
The baby will not be able to digest store bought powder. Some babies might develop tummy upset too. So it is always best to make it home, or buy brands that have sprouted dried & roasted powder.
When Can I give my baby Ragi?
- Can be given from 6 months but never as first food.
- Ragi can be given after introducing the first foods.
- Homemade Ragi powder is ideal for babies.
Nutritional Benefits of Ragi Powder for Baby
- It is rich in natural Iron and calcium.
- They are one of the richest source of protein and are ideal weaning food for babies.
- It is rich in fiber and is a very filling food for babies.
- It helps in easy digestion.
How to make Homemade Ragi Powder for Babies?
Check out our video for the full step by step recipe:
Ingredients
Ragi/ Finger Millet – 1 kg
No time to prepare this powder at home? Don’t worry, we prepare it hygienically and ship it to your doorstep with Free Shipping
Method
1. Soak the Ragi for 12 hours.
2. Wash the Ragi well in running water.
3. Take the Ragi in a white cotton cloth and make a potli.
4. Keep the potli in a cool place.
5. It will take atleast 12 hours for the sprouts to grow.
6. After you see the sprouts, transfer the ragi to a plate.
7. Dry them in shade for 5 to 6 hours till they are completely dry.
8. Dry roast the sprouted ragi in a kadai.
9. Let it cool.
10. Grind them to a fine powder either with blender at home or in a commercial mill.
11. If you are using the blender at home, seive the ragi powder several times to get a fine powder.
For making a porridge, mix 2 tablespoon of ragi in water without lumps, boil over medium flame till the ragi powder is well cooked.
If your baby has recently started on solids, you might also be wondering what kind of feeding chair is best for your baby. Check out our detailed post – High Chair Vs Booster Seat: Your Ultimate Guide to Buying a Feeding Chair.
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Homemade Ragi Powder Recipe
Ingredients
- Ragi or Finger Millet 1 kg
Instructions
- Soak the Ragi for 12 hours.
- Wash the Ragi well in running water.
- Take the Ragi in a white cotton cloth and make a potli.
- Keep the potli in a cool place.
- It will take atleast 12 hours for the sprouts to grow.
- After you see the sprouts, transfer the ragi to a plate.
- Dry them in shade for 5 to 6 hours till they are completely dry.
- Dry roast the sprouted ragi in a kadai.
- Let it cool.
- Grind them to a fine powder either with blender at home or in a commercial mill.
- If you are using the blender at home, seive the ragi powder several times to get a fine powder.
- For making a porridge, mix 2 tablespoon of ragi in water without lumps, boil over medium flame till the ragi powder is well cooked. Fruit Purees can be added for sweetness.
Notes
I just followed the process. But only half of grains got sprouted and few remaining the same. Can I proceed with further steps to make its as a flour.?It’s for my baby.
Yes, you can.
Can we give sprouted ragi porridge to a 6months baby
Hi,
Yes, sprouted ragi is good to be introduced after 6 months.
Hello madam
I have prepared sprouted ragi powder at home.. they have sprouted well and also dry roasted. But somehow it turned bitter.. what could be the reason???
Hi Usha,
It has to be roasted carefully, because it would taste bitter if the ingredients are burnt while roasting.
Hi mam i prepared this sprout ragi to my baby.. I did all the step, bt i skip to roast the sprout ragi directly i grind the powder.. It is ok to give the baby
Hi Prabhavathy,
Yes, but please make sure to cook it well before feeding the baby. The shelf life might be less as it’s not roasted, so please keep it refrigerated in an airtight container and use dry spoon.
I did not roasted spurted ragi and I make it into a floor is it ok
Roasting can improve shelf life. You can use it but please make sure to cook it well.
Thanks a lot madam.. we love and adore all your recipes and tips. I followed them for my first son and now for my second child too.
Hi Madhavi,
Thank you dear. It’s really great to know that you loved our recipes. Thanks a lot for your love and support dear.
Can dates be added as sweetener to porridge for 6 months baby?
How to add it?
Hi Madhavi,
Dates can be added in baby foods after 8 months completion dear.
Can we oven roast the grain.. Instead of pan
Yes you can Daya. Just make sure you check the ingredients at regular intervals.
Can we eat ragi without removing husk
Shamnas, You can but it would be best if it is removed.
My ragi didnt sprouted
Hi,
Please follow the sprouting procedure mentioned in the above recipe dear.
Hi…
Thank you for the recipe….
I am in the process of doing it…
But the ragi got soaked for more than 12 hrs …. almost for 17 hrs….
Is it ok…or I shall have to do the recipe again….
Hi Mythri,
You can use the same ragi dear.
What are the first foods to start
Hi Kishori,
Barley, rice, oatmeal, banana, avocado, apple, green beans, pear, sweet potato, carrots, squash, pumpkin etc can be given as first food. Please find link below with different first food recipes to help you with. Link – https://goo.gl/nU9y2i
Hi ,
I have store bought ragi atta. Can I use that to make ragi porridge for feeding my 9 mo ?
Hi Aparna,
Yes dear, but please make sure that it’s clean and from the trusted source.
The ragi kanji becomes very watery after sometime. Can you please advise why that could be ? It is thick in consistency after cooking. But after 10 minutes or so , it turns very watery.
Hi Lalitha,
That’s the nature of ragi porridge. It’s consistency change a bit after some time.
Hi mam..I gave my son sprouted ragi powder which i prepared at home..first 2 days he accepted nicely..third day he passed motions which showed undigested ragi..after a week i gave him again and same thing happened..is he not able to digest it…since i read it is one of the most easily digestable food for babies..please help.
Hi Sanju,
In some babies this problem do arises or they get constipated after eating ragi. The best solution for this keeping your baby hydrated.
For each spoonful of ragi, 2 sips of water should be fed to your child. Baby should always be hydrated made to drink water/juice as much as possible.
Hello dr….My mom sent me sprouted and dried ragi…Am dry roasting it and grinding it to a fine powder every week…While preparing porridge, I take out two spoons, add water and filter it..then preparing the porridge with the filtered ragi, by adding some more water to it…Is this the right procedure to do? Pl advise
This is fine dear.
Hi, Loved your website and recepies . I have started ragi porridge for my little one past 5-6 days . As per your recepie I first dissolve the powder in water and then cook it. But still it becomes watery and not as thick as shown in your pics. please guide .
Thanks a lot.
You can try to keep water quantity a little less and also boil till the expected consistency is achieved.
hello hema
just wanted to know my 6months old baby got cold is it ok to give raagi ?
Yes it is fine dear.
My baby is one year old and his weight is only 8kg.He is achieving his mild stone properly. Is There is need to worry about his weight.
Hi thanks a lot for this ragi ceri recipe.. May I ask why you mention that ragi must not be the first food for the baby ?
Hi can we give ragi twice a day for 8 months old baby?
Hi doctor, I have started 1st bites ragi to my 5.5 months baby. After that she green stool later yellow, but it contains ragi in it. Is it normal??
Hello Dr, I followed your website and made sprouted ragi powder at home . As I live in uk , I Grinded in mixie and sieved two times to fine powder . Whenever I cook porridge, it becomes runny. I adjusted water level several times but once it cools it becomes watery . Please advise the cause . Thank you
Hi… even i faced this problem earlier. U need to add the water only while cooking it. If u add later it will get runny. If u feel it is too thick add hot water as required n stur vigorously.
How to add water while cooking it can you explain? Won’t the lumps form? Thought we should make a paste separately with water then slowly add it to boiling water in a pot? I too get very runny watery ragi. You don’t feel full from it.
Can someone suggest which dals and vegetables go well with it?
Hey Munmun,
As you have stated you can make a paste of the ragi with small amount of water. And then can be added into the boiling water and can cook. And when you keep the water in a pan then you can add the mix and can continuously stir it to avoid the lumps.
The quantity of the food will depend upon your baby’s consumption of food. If you are taking 1 tbsp of the Ragi Powder, then you can take 100-150 ml of water needs to be taken for the food to cook.
Whereas which vegetables goes with Ragi, you can add carrot,Capsicum,peas,cauliflower,moongdal,Egg Yolk etc can be added made.
Hair mam,
my daughter is 11 month old.her birth weight is 3.2kg.now she is 6.8 kg.please suggest me how to increase her body weight.but she is very active.and she is not eat properly.
Hi dr Hema, thanks for the recipe. Your website is so helpful in critical phase of babies..i.e., starting solids..with your guidance it became easy..I have one doubt that…I don’t prepare jaggery syrup. I have organic jaggery powder at home and I just add 1tbs powder to any of porridge per day…is it ok to use powder or do I need to make the syrup..n daily how much quantity we can add to baby food.
Hi Doctor,
My daughter aged 7 years suffers from Asthma after an attack of cold everytime . We r trying Homeo medicines. She has to use ventolin and axotide as treatment options
Could you send me some links/information on remedies/ diet etc for children with Asthma?
I really wish to include Ragi in her diet,but unfortunately it causes cold. Can you help please?
Thanks,
Veena
Dear Veena,
I haven’t written a post on this topic, will write it soon, meanwhile you can check this article Top Foods to boost immune system for Kids
When we can start giving sweet potato ???
Hello doc, i recently bought 24mantra organic ragi powder. I want to know is it ok for my 15months old daughter .
Dear Payal
Yes you can use Organic Ragi Powder for your toddler
Hello hema
One more doubt ….can we add soaked badam paste stored in fridge to ragi or any other porridge ..not exceeding its content more than 1tsp ….please help.
My baby is now 7 months old.
Thanks a lot for your recipes as they are of immense help.
Waiting for your response
Dear Shabana,
Thanks for your appreciation and feedback, instead of soaked badam paste, you can make badam powder and add to the porridges
My son is 2years just completed..he do not drink any juices or any health food he eat..only rice and curry or dal and in tiffins lo he eat only dosa..idly ..ukma..nothing more he eat I am tensed abt his healthy and I am worried he is not getting all the nutrition…plz suggest me any food which he love to eat
Hello hema,
I have bought ragi powder from store n sieved it and My baby is 6 n half months old .can you please suggest me if I have to roast it and add water with Jaggery syrup or no need to roast n continue.
Thanks in advance
Dear shabana,
You will have to roast it as we dont know whether it is roasted , you can buy homemade roasted sprouted ragi powder which will digest more easily
Hi Dr. Hema,
With ur advice i have started givng my 6m old rice kanji.
Wanted to try ragi but hv a few queries-
1. Shuld i start ragi aftr she cmplts 7m?
2. Can i skip the sprouting part n make the pwdr? If done so shuld i soak ragi for 12hrs?
3. Can i use a normal seeve for seeving?
4. Can i add normal jaggery to my lo’s porridge? She is 6m+
5. If yes can i jst dilute it in water n add by straining it or boiling is reqd?
Hello, I have just started giving Ragi seera made with jaggery water to my 7 mo old. Her poo has hardened. IS it ok. Can I give her daily and how much quantity to give?
Dear Aekta,
Yes it is ok, babies react to new foods in different ways and this might be one of the effect, so dont worry about it, you can give daily about a cup (150-250ml)
Can we add cooked raagi with canatapoule or muskmelon purée?
Yes it can be added
Hi,
1. I have bought Organic sprouted Ragi powder from organic store. In that it is labelled we can give that for 6months baby. Shall i give that to my baby or do i need to prepare at home .
2. While preparing instant mixes like Ragi mix, Rice mix , Rice dal mixes, etc is it always need to toast the grains ?. My mom told toasted powder is not advisable for babies since it may cause bloating, stomach pains etc .
Hi manimalar,
Answering your questions
1. Yes you can give the organic ragi powder
2. I am not sure why your mom said like that, roasting helps to cook these ingredients and thus they can cook well when hot water is added, if they are not roasted then there is high chance of them causing indigestion
Hi Hema,
I would like to start Ragi porridge for my baby . She is 6 months old. But How can i make it sweeten. Usually i ll add apple or banana to other foods, but how can i give ragi porridge. Can i add Rock sugar or organic jaggary powder.
Please help me to sweeten other foods like mashed rice , khitchdi, etc. Because my child spiitting out if the food is not sweet . Shall i always add fruits to these foods to make it sweeten or any other way. please help me .Because am in great confusion .some ppl around me telling can give sugar little amount no problem. Iam very conscious not to give sugar.
If you can mail in detail to my mail id
[email protected]
Dear Manimalar,
Yes you have made the right decision in not giving sugar to your baby, you can check the below links to know how to add fruits to baby food
1. You can add apple puree to ragi porridge to sweeten it
2. Apple Rice Khichdi
Read why no sugar and salt for babies below 1 year
Hope it helps
Cheers
Hema
Hi Hema,
How long can we store this homemade ragi powder? My daughter is going to complete 6months soon. I intend to make it before joining work.
Hi Joyce,
It can be stored for 2 months if kept outside or 6 months if kept in refrigerator
Hi hema, if we keep in air tight container outside freedge can it be stored for longer time than 2 months
Dear Priya,
If you place in an airtight container in safe place then it will last for 4-5 months, take care that there is no moisture inside the container
Cheers
hema
Hi Dr.Hema,
My 9 month old loves ragi. She’s been having ragi since she was 6 months old. I prepared it then by sieving the flour through cloth. I am wondering if using just a sieve (instead of cloth) will be enough now that she is 9 months old?
Yes seiving through seive would be good
Hi Dr.Hema,
My 9month old loves ragi
Hello Doctor,
Thanx for immediate reply. As my baby stay in day care for whole day It is not possible to add fruits for sweetness. Can I give her porridge without any sweetness. I give her ragi, broken wheat and rice flex porridge. Shall I feed her by adding just a hot water
Hi varsha,
Yes you can give without sweet, only if they are instant mixes they can be made into porridge by adding water, or else they have to be cooked over stove
Hello Doctor,
I give 1 tbsp jaggery syrup to my 6.5 month baby twice a day. Is it fine to give syrup 2-3 time a day?
Hi Varsha,
1 tablespoon twice a day is not at all advisable for a 6.5 month old baby.Please stop it
Hello doctor,
Then what should I use in porridge for sweetness instead of jaggery syrup to my 6.5 month baby?In porridge I use 1 tbsp jaggery syrup twice in a day. Pls reply soon.
You can use sweet fruits like apple or banana instead of jaggery
Hi hema i tried this ragi receipe as ur guideness in this post..
when i feed my baby ragii porridge she is not getting digestion..in her stool ragi is coming as it is…shall i continue ragi for baby or is there any problem in her digestive system..she is 9 monthss old
Hi Meena,
It is ok, it is normal for the ragi to be in stools, do sieve the powder twice or thrice, maybe it helps
Thanks hema for ur quick reply
Hi hema shall i add saffron threads in porridges..ll it give fairness to babies?
Hi meena,
Yes you cna add saffron threads, but it has no relation to fairness as per me
Hi dr.
Is it advisable to give ragi porridge daily to my 9 month old baby .
Hi Suga,
You can give thrice a week and alternate it with sathu maavu porridge
IS Ragi is safe in rainy and winter season for 6 month baby?
Yes you can give ragi in winter Varsha, check this article Can I give ragi to my baby during winter
Hi Dr,
We didn’t roasted the sprouted ragi but we have made it as a fine powder giving it in the commercial mill. Will it harm my kid if i giv without roasting sprouted rage and can we add any fruits puree for sweetener instead jaggery syrup. Kindly advice.
Hi Shylaja,
It is ok if you don’t sprout, but how did you powder it without roasting as the ragi will get powdered finely only when we roast it,yes you cna add fruit puree
Hello Dr,
Thank you. No I sprouted the ragi dried it then only gave it to commercial mill and it has come as a fine powder. Only I didn’t roast it.
Then it is ok
Thank u dr.
Thank u Dr. for sharing this recipe wt us. I’m going to be trying this asap. Bt just wanted to know for how long can I store this powder and should it be refrigerated?
Hi Anissa,
Yes it can be refrigerated, outside can be kept for 2 to 3 months, in refrigerator can be kept for 6-8 months
Hi Dr Hema,
We finally were able to get ragi grains that my mom will be sprouting and grinding and sending from India. Just had a few questions:
1. For how long does the sprouted ragi need to be roasted?
2. For how long can I store the ragi powder that has sprouted and ground? Do I need to store it in the fridge?
3. Once I make the porridge, can I refrigerate the portion thats not been eaten by the baby
4. I am looking at the nutritional content of ragi and just browsing the internet, there are quite a few articles that indicate ragi os for weight loss (articles about weight in adults). If this is accurate then how does it work to help with weight gain in babies?
Thanks,
Bosky
Hi Bosky,
1. The ragi should be roasted till it emanates a good smell and slightly gets dark
2. Yes you can store in fridge, it can last for 4 to 6 months if inside fridge
3. No, I wouldn’t advice that, as after some time of preparation, you can see the ragi getting diluted and will not serve the nutrition purpose
4. How it helps in weight loss for adults is as described below
A special amino acid, Tryptophan present in Ragi helps in curbing appetite. It has a higher rate of fiber compared to any other grain or rice. The high amount of dietary fiber combines with water and keeps the stomach fuller for a longer period of time. It is low in unsaturated fats that make it the ideal cereal for those looking to lose weight. The heaviness of the dietary fiber slows down the rate of digestion thereby keeping us fuller for longer with very less calories.
5. Ragi is highly rich in calcium, iron and proteins which helps in healthy weight gain
Thanks Dr Hema!
Will let you know how my little one does
Thank you 🙂
Hi mam,how long should I dry roast???
Hi karthika,
Till it browns a bit and you will get a roasted smell
I tried this powder. It came out well, Thanks but how to know if Ragi is cooked well?
You can taste and check or there will be a definite aroma for cooked ragi
Hello Dr Hema,my daughter is 7 month old. I want to know that how much quantity my baby needed in 1 serving as she only eats 1 or more over 2 spoons. N then starts denying to eat. I’m worrying bat her health.plz suggest me.
Hi Shweta,
Do not force feed her, just leave her be, solids during these months are only complementary of breast feeding so as long as he takes breastmilk well you don’t have to worry
Please suggest a baby friendly Ragi cookies recepie.
Hi Pragati, I will be posting soon a recipe for ragi cookie
Hi Dr Hema,
I am wanting to try giving ragi to our 8 month old baby and unfortunately I am unable to find whole ragi or finger millet in grocery stores here in San Francisco. I did find millet hulled in an organic grocery store (WholeFoods) but thats about it.
Is ragi just plain millet or is Finger Millet something different? Do you know if anyone had any success buying it in the US?
Thanks,
Bosky
Hi Bosky, Millet is a general name for all types of millet like finger millet, foxtail millet, kodu millet etc, Try the millet porridge with the millet flour you get there, will enquire to know where to get millet in san francisco
Thanks Dr Hema! As you recommended I do want to try to sprout and then grind millet at home instead of buying the flour directly. So in this case I should just look to buy whole millet grains and then use your method of getting the flour?
Thanks,
Bosky
Hai bosky, yes you can do the same process for making the flour, before starting do send a photo of the millet to [email protected] so that I can see what type of millet it is and guide you to make the flour
Thanks Dr Hema – Will do.
Regards,
Bosky
🙂
Hi Can we use nattuu chakarai as a sweetner.thanks for the receipe
Yes you can
Hi Helen, the following links may help you in your queries
When to start solids – https://www.mylittlemoppet.com/weaning/
How and When to give Cow’s milk for babies – https://www.mylittlemoppet.com/why-no-cow-milk-for-babies-below-1-year/
When you start solids you can offer your baby a few sips of water.
You can register for weekly mails wherein you will be receiving food charts and recipes every month tailored to your baby’s age, click this link to register – http://eepurl.com/ZOtYX
Hope this helped
Cheers
Hema
Dear Dr Hemapriya,
This page is really help us for my baby.
but i am bangladeshi for this reason we can not finding the ragi.
please help me whats name are introduce ragi in bangladesh .
In bangladesh, you speak Bengali na?
Hi Helen, yes you can store the jaggery syrup in the fridge for a month, I use cooker only for steaming the purees, just place the vegetable in a katori inside a cooker filled with water and leave for 2 to 3 whistles depending upon the vegetable or fruit
Thanks for your quick reply. I hav few queries still.my baby rakshith would be completing 5 months in A week
1. Should I start solids on completion of 6 months or on starting of 6th month
2. While giving solids is it necessary to give water. If so how much. Actually from which month it is advisable to start giving water
3. Also from which year it is advisable to giv cow milk. Some say 1 year and sum say 2 years. Can v giv avin pal. Also which colour packet and should v mix equal amount of water r just pure milk alone.
4. Since its boy baby few say to feed till 2 years. Is this fine. Or what do you suggest.
Thanks for your patience and help.
Best website have ever seen. May God bless u. We can see thousands of blogs but can’t believe everything but yours I had a feel of trust and got the feeling that I can confidently go ahead and feed my baby after completion of 6 months. He is 4 and a half months now. How do we make jaggery syrup and how much should we add. Is that ” panai Vellam ” u r talking abt mam.
Hi Helen, thank you 🙂 For making jaggery syrup, grate jaggery adn in mix it in a cup of water and heat it till it comes to a syrup consistency. Then sieve the syrup and you can use 1 teaspoon for 100 to 150 ml of porridge
Thank u mam. Can v save this syrup in fridge for a month .also Is steaming and cuking in pressure cuker the same. By using cuker can we steam fud for babies. R buying a separate steamer is best
Hi Hema
pls let me know if i can use any other ingredients with ragi to make a porridge like whole wheat or any other dal.
Hi Bindu,
You can check these links for adding dal to ragi, https://www.mylittlemoppet.com/instant-ragi-porridge-powder-recipe/, https://www.mylittlemoppet.com/moongdal-ragi-powder-mix-recipe/
Thank you Dr.Hema… your blog changed the whole diet of my LO… I could feed solids to my LO with confidence just because of your blog… and I could actually see the result in his weight… Thank You so much!!!
Thank you for your kind comments, your words are the encouragement I need to push further 🙂
Hi doc hema. Plz suggest my 9 month baby food.she s not eating any food except cerelac.if I feed her rice with dal.or rice with mutton soup.she s not eating.plz tell me how can I make my child to eat
Hi Sudha,
I have dealt with issue in specific in this Page, do check