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    Home » Drinks

    Ragi Malt or Weight Loss Finger Millet Drink (Salty and Sweet)

    By Rachna Published: Mar 14, 2019 · Modified: Jun 17, 2021 12 Comments

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    Ragi malt is a weight loss millet drink that is very healthy. It is gluten free and very energising.

    You can have it in place of breakfast as it will keep you full. It is also known to have a cooling effect on your body.

    Ragi is finger millet that is a supergrain. It has multiple health benefits and is widely used here in South Indian cuisine.

    You can check out my recipes of Ragi Rotti, Ragi Dosa. Ragi malt is also called Ragi Ambli here in Karnataka.

    It is made two ways -- either salty or sweet.

    ragi malt

    Benefits of Ragi or Finger Millet

    Ragi or finger millet is a wonderfood excellent for your health.

    1. It is one of the highest non-dairy sources of Calcium, excellent for our bones and teeth.

    2. It is rich in iron and hence is very useful in battling anemia.

    It is also high in Vitamin C, dietary fibre and protein.

    3. It keeps you full for longer as it has low glycemic index hence is useful in weight management.

    4. It is a natural source of Vitamin D and along with amino acids, it helps in keeping your skin healthy.

    5. It is also known to help prevent diabetes and regulate blood sugar effectively.

    6. It is high in antioxidants and amino acids that helps with battling anxiety and insomnia.

    Hence it makes sense to include ragi or finger millet in your daily diet.

    I am in awe of Karnataka food where ragi is included in multiple ways in the daily diet.

    how to make ragi malt

    Here's how to make ragi malt or weight loss millet drink:

    Prep Time 5 minutes 

    Cook Time 5 minutes 

    Total Time 10 minutes 

    Servings 2 people 

    Calories 203 kcal 

    Ingredients

    • 3 tbsp ragi or finger millet powder
    • 2 cups water

    For Salty version

    • 1.5 cups buttermilk
    • ½ onion finely chopped
    • 1 green chilli finely chopped
    • 1 tbsp. cilantro chopped
    • salt as per taste
    • few curry leaves chopped

    For Sweet version

    • 1.5 cups milk
    • 2 tbsp. jaggery
    • ½ tsp. cardamom powder

    Instructions

    First dissolve finger millet or ragi powder in some water to make a thin paste.

    Heat 1.5 cups water. When it comes to a boil, add ragi mixed in water.

    Cook on low heat for about 3-4 minutes till you get a smooth, glossy, cooked finger millet mix. It turns dark brown in colour.

    Keep it aside to cool down a bit.

    For Salty ragi malt

    Add 1.5 cups buttermilk to the cooked ragi and mix well.

    It should be a smooth, runny consistency and not with lumps.

    Add salt, chopped onions, chilli, cilantro and curry leaves. Mix well and taste.

    You can consume it right away or you can chill in the fridge and have. Ragi malt is ready to have.

    For sweet ragi malt

    Add 1.5 cups cold milk to the cooked ragi. Mix well so that there are no lumps.

    Now add powdered jaggery/sugar and cardamom powder. Serve cold.

    Ragi malt is ready to serve.

    Recipe Notes

    1. As ragi or finger millet does not have any taste of its own, the savoury ragi malt tastes similar to buttermilk and the sweet one similar to a milk drink.

    2. This method of making ragi malt helps you eat this wonderful millet in a very delectable manner.

    Your kids will enjoy having this. 

    3. You can prepare cooked ragi and keep in the fridge. That way you can quickly make sweet or savoury ragi malt when needed.

    4. You can skip any ingredient you don't like eg. curry leaves or onions.

    You can also add other seasoning that you like eg. chopped mint leaves etc. 

    5. You can also add chopped nuts to your sweet version if you like.

    Step-by-step Pictures

    ragi malt

    Dissolve ragi or finger millet powder in some water.

    how to make ragi malt

    Boil 1.5 cups of water.

    ragi malt for weight loss

    Add ragi mixed in water to the boiled water and cook till finger millet mix is well cooked.

    Ragi malt

    Mix buttermilk for savoury version (or cold milk for sweet version) to form a smooth beverage.

    ragi malt for weight loss

    Add curry leaves, cilantro, green chilli, onions with salt and serve ragi malt (Add jaggery and cardamom powder to the milk version for sweet ragi malt).

    ragi malt for weight loss

    Do make this wonderful and super healthy ragi malt done two ways. Your kids and family will enjoy it.

    Here's the recipe card:

    📖 Recipe Card

    Ragi Malt | Weight Loss Pearl Millet Drink

    Rachna Parmar
    Ragi malt is also known as ragi ambli in Karnataka. It is a super healthy drink that is easy to make. It helps in keeping the body cool and helps in weight loss.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Beverage, Drinks
    Cuisine Indian, Karnataka | South Indian
    Servings 2 people
    Calories 203 kcal
    people

    Ingredients
     

    • 3 tablespoon ragi finger millet powder
    • 2 cups water

    For Salty version

    • 1.5 cups buttermilk
    • ½ onion finely chopped
    • 1 green chilli finely chopped
    • 1 tbsp. cilantro chopped
    • salt as per taste
    • few curry leaves chopped

    For Sweet version

    • 1.5 cups milk
    • 2 tbsp. jaggery
    • ½ tsp. cardamom powder

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    Instructions
     

    • First dissolve finger millet or ragi powder in some water to make a thin paste.
    • Heat 1.5 cups water. When it comes to a boil, add ragi mixed in water. Cook on low heat for about 3-4 minutes till you get a smooth, glossy, cooked finger millet mix. It turns dark brown in colour. Keep it aside to cool down a bit.

    For Salty ragi malt

    • Add 1.5 cups buttermilk to the cooked ragi and mix well. It should be a smooth, runny consistency and not with lumps. Add salt, chopped onions, chilli, cilantro and curry leaves. Mix well and taste. You can consume it right away or you can chill in the fridge and have. Ragi malt is ready to have.

    For sweet ragi malt

    • Add 1.5 cups cold milk to the cooked ragi. Mix well so that there are no lumps. Now add powdered jaggery/sugar and cardamom powder. Serve cold. Ragi malt is ready to serve.

    Notes

    1. As ragi or finger millet does not have any taste of its own, the savoury ragi malt tastes similar to buttermilk and the sweet one similar to a milk drink.
    2. This method of making ragi malt helps you eat this wonderful millet in a very delectable manner.
    3. Your kids will enjoy having this. 
    4. You can prepare cooked ragi and keep in the fridge. That way you can quickly make sweet or savory ragi malt when needed.
    5. You can skip any ingredient you don't like eg. curry leaves or onions. You can also add other seasoning that you like eg. chopped mint leaves etc. 
    6. You can also add chopped nuts to your sweet version if you like.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 283mgPotassium: 412mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 795IUVitamin C: 6.8mgCalcium: 297mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
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    If you liked this ragi malt recipe, request you to give it * rating either on the recipe or along with your comment. Thanks.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shailaja Vishwanath says

      March 14, 2019 at 11:33 am

      Been having ragi malt since childhood ? Growing up in Chennai, it was one of the best ways to beat the heat, especially the savoury version. Even in college, in Anantapur, in Andhra Pradesh, it was a welcome drink we’d have every day once January began. Our hostel would make a HUGE vat of this and dole out innumerable cups to all the students. Bliss!

      I’ve started having ragi malt (jaggery and milk version almost daily ) for the last month now. Such a welcome and refreshing drink.

      Your post reminded me of the savoury variety which my grandmother used to make and then my mom continued to make. Shall make it soon.

      Agree with you on the sheer variety of ragi dishes in Karnataka.

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        March 14, 2019 at 11:48 am

        I have only started having it regularly, of late. I love it. Kids are also having it now. I do make ragi dosa and rotti regularly. But now I am making this daily. Really loving it. ?

        Reply
    2. Image Earth Travel says

      March 18, 2019 at 2:45 pm

      Never heard of this one Rachna! Your recipes always make me hangry!

      Reply
    3. Obsessivemom says

      March 18, 2019 at 9:40 pm

      Never heard of this but I'll go looking for Ragi powder now. Seems like a good change from my regular buttermilk.

      Reply
    4. Rajlakshmi says

      March 19, 2019 at 12:13 pm

      the last time I tried this, it was a disaster. Maybe because I got the measurement wrong. But this time I will follow your recipe for the sweet malt. It looks so good.

      Reply
    5. Sanch @ Sanch Writes says

      March 20, 2019 at 11:07 am

      I'm not sure if we get this here. Will keep an eye out for it as it does seem simple to make

      Reply
    6. Neeraja says

      June 17, 2021 at 3:54 pm

      Can we have this at night for weight loss ?

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        June 17, 2021 at 6:37 pm

        It is generally recommended in the morning or afternoon.

        Reply
    7. Neeraja says

      June 17, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      It is easy to prepare

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        June 17, 2021 at 6:36 pm

        Thank you! It is.

        Reply
    8. Sonali says

      March 13, 2023 at 7:26 am

      Hi, I have never tried the savoury version of ragi and am excited to try out your recipe. I was wondering if the same can be done for the multi millet mix where ragi is the main ingredient? I got this ready pack sometime back and don’t enjoy the sweet version. I also would like to know how to make the ragi ahead and preserve it? How many days can be kept in fridge?

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        March 13, 2023 at 7:59 am

        Hi Sonali, If your multi millet mix is well roasted, you can definitely try this recipe. Hope, your mix does not have some whole lentils etc. because they will not get cooked in the short cooking time. You can cook the ragi mix in water and store in air tight jar for upto 2 days in the fridge. Before consuming heat on pan, add buttermilk and garnishes and consume. This way will be faster. Do not add buttermilk when storing in fridge.

        Reply
    5 from 10 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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