Healthy Ragi Pancakes, Finger Millet Pancakes
I am obsessed with this healthy millet! I have been cooking a variety of dishes with Nachni (Marathi) / Ragi (Hindi) or Finger Millet as it is popularly known in the past few days. From savoury pancakes to porridge and using them in other recipes, I have been experimenting with them for a while now. I wanted to try using them as an alternative to regular pancakes so thought I would rustle up some sweet Ragi pancakes. But had to keep them healthy so opted for Soya Yoghurt instead of eggs which makes these vegan-friendly and then I added in oats so that makes them gluten-free too.
Nachni chya god polya
I really wanted to come up with some name for the Marathi alternative to this recipe and ‘Nachni chya god polya’ sounded like fun š
Finger Millet Blueberry Pancakes / Ragi Pancakes
Light and puffy these are just perfect when you are craving pancakes but a healthier version is what you really want!
Ragi is known to have a whole host of health benefits:
- Popular amongst diabetics due to it’s low GI
- High is dietary fiber
- Rich in calcium, iron and thiamine
- It is an aid to healthy weight loss due to it’s very low fat content
- It is a good source of GF protien
- Popular as a baby food too
Nutritional value of finger millet per 100g
- Protein 7.6g
- Fat 1.5g
- Carbohydrate 88g
- Calcium 370mg
- Vitamins – A: 0.48mg
- Thiamine (B1): 0.33mg
- Riboflavin (B2): 0.11mg
- Niacin: (B3) 1.2mg
- Fiber 3g
Beautiful fields of Ragi
Image Credit: Mikael HƤggstrƶm
Why you should make these Ragi pancakes!
As if you need any excuses for making blueberry pancakes!!! But anyway, here are some major health benefits.
- Low GI due to the finger millet flour so ideal for diabetics as it keeps blood sugar levels steady avoiding any sudden spikes and crashes.
- Gluten-free
- Ideal for vegans
- Dairy-Free
- Egg Free
- Refined sugar-free as Natvia is a great sugar substitute
- The oats ensure that this pancake keeps you fuller longer
Ragi and Blueberry Pancakes/ Finger Millet Blueberry Pancakes
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp heaped – Gluten-free Oats
- 4 tbsp heaped Ragi flour / Finger Millet Flour
- 3 tbsp Soya yoghurt – I used Alpro – it’s approved by the Vegan society
- Handful Fresh Blueberries
- As reqd Water
- 4 tsp Natvia or any sweetener – adjust quantity as per taste
- 1 tsp unsalted plant spread or low calorie cooking oil spray
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl add the oats and finger millet and then the yoghurt
- Mix well and a thick mixture will form
- Heat about 2 cups of water in a kettle and let it cool down a bit
- Slowly pour into the mixture and set aside for about 5-7 minutes
- Then mix well to form a batter ensuring that it is not runny but has a good consistency, then add the Natvia and stir well till it all dissolves, adjust as per taste
- On a non-stick pan on medium heat melt one heaped tbsp unsalted butter or if your using the 1 cal sunflower oil spray then about 6 – 8 sprays are enough
- Ladle enough of the batter in the centre of the pan enough for a mini pancake, do not spread it like a dosa as the batter will disintegrate
- Cook on each side for about one minute with a lid
- Use a wooden spatula to loosen the side done first and flip over carefully, the more the blueberries in each pancake that you ladle into the pan the more the water content as the heat will make the fruit pop and melt into gooey fruity goodness Don’t fret if the first few pancakes break especially where the fruit is at the edge
My pancake stack collapsed just as I was about to photograph it – humfph! But it was a very satisfying, delicious, and healthy breakfast which even my husband loved – win-win! Woohoo š
A word of caution though excessive consumption may lead to kidney trouble so don’t over do the consumption.
Fun-Fact about Ragi
Lastly a fun fact! Did you know that the grains are fermented to make a beer in some parts in Nepal? Cool or what?!
LEARN HOW TO MAKE INDIAN FOOD FROM SCRATCH WITH MY EASY TO FOLLOW RECIPES
- Fresh dill and yellow moong daal recipe
- Goda sheera/ sooji ka halwa/ Indian dessert
- CKP Surmai curry
- Pompfret fry
- Konbichi khichadi ā Prawn khichadi
- Vaangayche Bharit/ Smoked stuffed Aubergine ( Eggplant/Brinjal) in a thick gravy/ Baingan ka bharta
- Valache Birdhe ā (ą¤µą¤¾ą¤²ą¤¾ą¤ą„ ą¤¬ą¤æą¤°ą¤”ą„) ā MADE IN A TYPICAL C.K.P WAY
- Kairi Panhe/ Aam ka panha ā Raw mango summer drink
- Cauliflower- vatana bhaji ā cauliflower and green peas vegetarian side dish
- Podhnichi khichadi
- Akkha masoor aamti CKP style / Whole red lentils with skin curry recipe
- Achari Mutton curry
- Spicy Chicken curry
- Egg curry
- Kadhi ā fusion of Punjabi and Gujrati kadhi recipes with vadiās
- Upma
- Gujrati Kadhi
- Shahi Khichadi
- Sweetcorn and paneer bhaji/sabzi (vegetable side dish)
- Tomato and coconut chutney
- Steamed Idli batter
- Masala egg omlette
- Chicken tikka masala
- Tikka masala curry paste
- Tawa chicken Frankie roll
- Chai concentrate
- Grated carrot salad
- Strawberry flavoured shrikhand
References:
- Wiki
- Supra Organics
- Veg Weight Loss Diets
These look great and healthy too, I like the sound of the finger millet in them.I will book mark and try for sure.
Please do try them Nayna am sure you would love them!
I could just dig into these right now Manjiri.
hehe I know they look so tempting, don’t they!
Mmm these do sound rather lovely! I must experiment more with alternative flours.
They are so good Elizabeth, yes I am in that phase right now and am very excited to report that have come up with more delicious combinations like this one.
Is finger millet the same as millet Manjiri? Your pancakes look fun and I love trying different flours, but I’m not too keen on millet.
Millet is the generic name and there are many varieties including maize, back in India the 2 varieties that I have consumed earlier are of course maize, finger millet (nachni/ragi) and pearl millet or bajra. You would have to check exactly which type of millet it is that you have used in the past – am hoping it is not finger millet!
Great post-Manjiri, you really taught me something as I knew nothing about finger millet before today, aside from as an ingredient in birdseed! Apparently, British-grown quinoa was only used in bird feed until recently? Mad when you think how trendy it is now. Really must give these a go as I’m looking for healthy treats to make for my daughter.
Thanks, Chloe, am so glad you liked it, actually, finger millet and pearl millet have been used for centuries in India as a staple food for the poor, it’s only now in the past few years that they have become all trendy that’s to all the fitness and health-conscious folks around. Hope you and your daughter like the taste of this brilliant grain!
I love vegan pancakes. I usually make savoury ones but I keep meaning to make sweet ones and these ones look fab.
I love vegan pancakes too! Nowadays am really obsessed with savoury ones, hoepfully will share more of those recipes soon! Thank you, I haven’t made these in a while now!
What a lovely recipe – they look so pretty!! I’ve not used finger millet before, but looking at all those health benefits I think I should have a go!!!
Thanks so much Katie, I loved these and haven’t made these in a while! I hope you managed to give finger millet a go!
I’m really keen to try these, loving that they are vegan and totally intrigued by finger millet, I must track it down!
Thanks so much Chris, I love using alternate flours and creating fusion recipes. I hope you tracked it down and created some cool recipes with it!
Wow those are some healthy pancakes! Now I know what to try next with my ragi flour.
Thanks Mireille! Do let me know if you like how they turn out!
wow a combination of Ragi, Oats and Blueberry..Such a healthy breakfast or a main meal. I would love to try this one. 1 Question, What is Natvia, a sugar alternative?
Thank you Renu! It is indeed a very healthy meal recipe. yes it is a sugar replacement.
Wouldn’t mind having these healthy pancakes everyday. A great way to get kids and adults to enjoy the health benefits of ragi.
Thanks Mayuri, that’s so true, I love making this for friends and their toddlers love it too.