3 Ragi Kozhukattai Recipes for Babies and Kids

Today's post is all about the ragi kozhukattai recipes for babies and kids, one of the healthy traditional recipes of Tamil Nadu, usually prepared during festive days.

Who doesn't like kozhukattai or steamed dumplings?

I remember the days whenever if it was idli for breakfast, my mom used to make kozhukattai or kolukattai especially for me on that 'boring idli-breakfast day' as I used to feel so yuck yuck to idli.

You can also refer to the step by step recipe for making sprouted ragi flour at home.

3 Simple ragi kozhukattai recipes for babies and kids:

Ragi kozhukkatai or steamed ragi dumplings can be served to babies above 11 months if you have already introduced ragi and coconut separately. For older kids, these dumplings can be an excellent breakfast or evening snack options.

You can prepare this ragi kozhukattai in two ways. I am going to explain to you both sweet and savory version here. Savory version is very good for diabetic patients. So pregnant moms who are diabetic, this recipe is for you. Also if your kiddo hates sweet dishes, savory ragi dumplings are for him/her.

What are we waiting for? Come on let's start

#1. Sweet ragi kozhukattai using melted jaggery Ingredients:

• Ragi powder (sprouted or normal) - 1 cup
• Grated coconut -1/4 cup
• Jaggery syrup - 3/4 cup from 1/2 cup powdered jaggery
• Cardamom powder - 1/2 tablespoon
• Salt -1/4 teaspoon
• Oil - 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

1. Heat a pan, dry roast ragi for 2 to 3 minutes on medium flame and keep it aside.
2. Heat a pan, add jaggery and melt it by adding half cup water
3. Once jaggery is completely melted, strain it
4. Measure the jaggery syrup, if it's not 3/4^th cup add water and make it to 3/4^{th of a} cup
5. Now pour this jaggery syrup in a pan on low flame and bring it to boil by adding salt and oil
6. Once it starts to boil, add ragi flour, grated coconut, and cardamom powder
7. Mix everything well and stir until the water is completely absorbed and switch off the flame
8. Let it cool for a while
9. Take small lemon sized mixture from the dough when it's still warm and roll them into dumplings with your hands.
10. Steam the dumplings in idli cooker or steamer for at least 10 - 15 mins
11. Serve hot

#2. Sweet ragi kozhukattai using powdered jaggery Ingredients:

• Ragi powder (sprouted or normal one) - 1 cup
• Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
• Powdered jaggery - 1/2 cup (use good quality jaggery)
• Cardamom powder- 1/2 tablespoon
• Sugar - 1/2 tablespoon
• Warm water - 3 to 4 tablespoon
• Salt -1/4 teaspoon

Instructions:

1. Heat a pan, dry roast ragi for 2 to 3 minutes on medium flame and let it cool partially
2. Take ragi flour, salt, sugar, grated coconut, powdered jaggery and cardamom powder in a bowl and mix well
3. Sprinkle water and make dough as you prepare dough for 'puttu'
4. Take small lemon sized mixture from the dough when it's still warm and roll them into dumplings with your hands.
5. Steam the dumplings in idli cooker or steamer for at least 10 - 15 mins
6. You can also use this dough to prepare "puttu" using puttu maker
7. Serve hot

#3. Savory ragi kozhukattai Ingredients:

• Ragi powder (sprouted or normal one) - 1 cup
• Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
• Warm water - 3 to 4 tbsp
• Salt - 1/4 teaspoon

For seasoning:

• Mustard seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
• Green chilli - 1
• Curry leaves - a few

Instructions:

1. Heat a pan, dry roast ragi for 2 to 3 minutes on medium flame and let it cool partially
2. Take ragi flour, salt, grated coconut in a bowl and mix well
3. Sprinkle water & make dough as you prepare dough for 'puttu'
4. Take small lemon sized mixture from the dough when it's still warm and roll them into dumplings with your hands
5. Steam the dumplings in idli cooker or steamer for at least 10 - 15 mins
6. Season with mustard seeds, green chilli and curry leaves
7. Serve hot

What to do with left over ragi dumplings or ragi kozhukattai for kids?

I used to prepare ragi kozhukattai using jaggery syrup as evening snacks for my kid. I use the left over dumplings as breakfast for him next day. Here is how:

• Keep the left over dumplings in fridge
• Next morning cut the dumplings into small pieces
• Boil half a cup of milk or sufficient milk with a little sugar
• Add the cut pieces into the boiling milk and let it boil for 1 or 2 minutes while keeping the flame on low
• Serve warm

Notes: Always make kozhukattai when the dough mixture is warm and steam it quickly once you finish rolling them into dumplings

This is the most loved ragi recipe for kids and I'm sure every one in the family would crave for.

If you are looking for ragi recipes you can also try the ragi puttu, ragi dosa, ragi idli, ragi cake, stuffed ragi paratha and ragi porridge recipes.

Do try these ragi kozhukkatai recipes and let me know in comments the response of your little one.

Do share your innovative and healthy kozhakattai recipes with me in comments.