Ragi is a gluten-free whole grain that is rich in nutrients and minerals. We can use ragi to make many types of dishes suitable for all ages, be it babies, kids, youngsters, or elderly. A list of ragi recipes is already on our blog and here I am presenting to you the recipe for ragi milk shake in three unique flavors.
When my daughter was seven months of age, I used to soak the whole ragi and grind it in a mixer jar, squeeze the milk out and cook it to make halwa. I would add pure wood pressed sesame oil to the halwa at the end of cooking. The reason for adding sesame oil is that for some babies and even adults, ragi may produce extra body heat, and adding milk, ghee/oil, or buttermilk to ragi helped reduce the heat. Ragi halwa was one of her favorite foods and she used to finish the full bowl without any fuss.
I so well understood her preference for ragi dishes and would try different ragi recipes. Our menu included ragi dosa, ragi idli, ragi kozhukattai, and so on.
Milk is not recommended by pediatricians for babies below the age of one year. For the same reason, I waited for my girls to finish 12 months to try ragi milk shakes. Believe me, out of all the ragi recipes I have tried, ragi milk shake remains our favorite.
Ragi Health Benefits
Ragi, also known as finger millet, nachni, kora, or kezhvaragu, is one of the healthiest whole grains available to us. The immense health benefits of ragi make it a superfood for all age groups.
- Ragi is rich in fiber and calcium.
- It also contains a lot of vitamins and minerals.
- It is also a good source of iron
- Ragi is a filling food that also digests easily.
- Being gluten-free, it helps maintain a healthy weight.
- Ragi helps your baby to improve strength, rather than gaining weight.
- Helps improve bone strength.
- Consumption of ragi also controls bad cholesterol.
Being a versatile grain, we use ragi to make recipes in different flavors and textures. Parathas, idli, chapattis, dosa, cakes, porridge, kozhukattai, etc, can be made from ragi. Ragi is also one of the preferred first foods for babies.
Here I am sharing with you 3 yummy ragi milkshake recipes that can be made with ragi powder. You can use store-bought ragi powder or can make sprouted ragi powder at home.
1.Ragi Milkshake for toddlers
This ragi milkshake recipe is ideal for kids below 1 year of age too as you can substitute the milk in this recipe with formula milk. You can add a few raisins or dates for sweetness. If you prefer to keep it bland, skip adding dates or raisins.
- Ragi flour - 2 tablespoons
- Water - half-cup to cook ragi (or adjust accordingly)
- Milk or formula milk - as needed
- Dates/raisins - as per sweetness(optional)
In a saucepan add two tablespoons of ragi flour, add a little water and mix it without any lumps.
Now add half-cup of water and start cooking in a low flame.
You can notice a color change once you cook ragi well. Switch off the stove when you see this color change.
Let it cool down. Once cooled, add raisins/dates, cooked ragi, and very little boiled cooled milk( formula milk for kids below 1 year) into a mixer jar. Blend it well.
Make sure the raisins or dates added are ground well.
Now add more milk and just pulse the mixer to make it to a smooth milkshake consistency.
Ragi milkshake is ready.
2.Ragi Chocolate Milkshake
This ragi milk shake recipe is my girl's favorite. During busy school days, when we are pressed for time, this ragi chocolate milkshake is our go-to breakfast. I serve this in a tall glass and the girls guzzle it in one go. It is kinda cute to see a chocolate mustache in school uniform. This ragi milk shake also makes a good snack idea for kids. So here goes the recipe for my easy peasy ragi milkshake for kids.
Ingredients- Ragi flour - 2 tablespoons
- Water - half-cup (adjust accordingly)
- Milk- 1 glass
- Cocoa powder - 2 tablespoon
- Jaggery powder/ sugar - 3 tablespoons
- Dry ginger powder - a pinch
In a saucepan add two tablespoons of ragi flour, add a little water and mix it without any lumps. Add half-cup of water.
Now start cooking in a low flame. You can notice a color change when the ragi is cooked well. Add cocoa powder and dry ginger at this stage and mix well. Switch off the stove.
Once ragi cools add it in the mixer jar. Add milk to this. Then to this add jaggery powder or sugar according to your taste preference.
Just run the mixer for a couple of minutes until everything is blended well.
Your ragi chocolate milkshake is ready. Serve it in a tall glass. If you want, can top it with ice cream or sprinkles.
In case you have no time to wait for the cooked ragi to cool down, you can add a few ice cubes to the mixer to cool it. Adding a pinch of ginger powder is completely optional, but I strongly recommend it.
♦ Read: Milk for Kids in 8 Unique Flavors
3. Dates and Nuts Ragi Milk Shake
This ragi milkshake recipe contains dates, nuts, millet, and milk making it a super-energy drink. What else can be perfect for a fussy eater?
This ragi milkshake for kids is easy-peasy to make. Just add soaked dates and nuts, cooked ragi and milk, and blend everything to make a milkshake.
My youngest girl hated dates as a toddler and this ragi milkshake for toddlers was my way to make her have dates.
Ingredients- Ragi flour - 2 tablespoons
- Water - half-cup (adjust accordingly)
- Milk- 1 glass
- Cocoa powder - 1/2 teaspoon
- Jaggery powder/ sugar - 1 tablespoon
- Dry ginger powder - a pinch
- Dates - 3 nos
- Nut - 1 tablespoon or as preferred
Firstly, soak the dates and nuts of your choice(I have taken cashew and almonds) in water for a minimum of half an hour.
Then, in a saucepan add two tablespoons of ragi flour. Add a little water and mix it until there are no lumps left. To this add half-cup of water and mix again.
Crush the soaked nuts. Add the nuts and soaked dates to the saucepan.
Now start cooking in a low flame till ragi changes color. Cooked ragi changes color slightly. To this add dry ginger and cocoa powder and mix everything well. Switch off the stove.
Once ragi cools, add it in the mixer jar and add milk and jaggery powder/sugar too to it.
Blend well till you get a creamy smooth texture. Make sure the nuts and dates are ground completely.
Your dates nuts ragi milkshake is ready. Serve it in a tall glass.
You can add a few cubes of ice to the ragi while grinding if you don't have time to wait for the cooked ragi to cool down.
So these are the 3 tried and true ragi milkshake recipes I recommend to you all as a very healthy drink. Do try this ragi milk shake recipe for kids. Also, if you have any variations to this ragi milkshake recipe do write in the comments because sharing is caring.