Creamy millet porridge is a healthy, delicious breakfast alternative to other hot cereals. It's very easy to make, naturally gluten free and can be customized to your flavor preferences or what's in season!
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If you're looking to try something different for a healthy breakfast and want to add some new whole grains to your diet, this is a great recipe to try.
Millet is very nutritious and is as easy to make as oatmeal. You can flavor it with all your favorite toppings and add-ins, as you would with other hot cereals.
I love this blended-up version that's very reminiscent of cream of wheat, which I SO enjoyed as a child (and I'm not being sarcastic). It's thick, smooth and creamy texture is so satisfying and it's also very nutrient-dense, which is so important to me!
Why you'll love this recipe
Healthy - Millet is full of fantastic vitamins, minerals and protein, which are made available to the body through the soaking process. Plus, you have complete control over what kind of sweetener and how much you use, so you can choose better options like honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar.
Easy to make - Simply soak the night before, blend with a few ingredients and simmer until thick and creamy!
Versatile - You can truly flavor this porridge in any way, adding different fruits or berries, jams, nuts, seeds, nut butter, spices or whatever you fancy!
Ingredients
Millet - A whole grain that is high in protein, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and folate! It contains more essential amino acids than most cereals.
Filtered water - Of course you can use tap water, but filtered water is best. This way you aren't ingesting nasty chemicals, viruses or bacteria as you enjoy your porridge. We use the Berkey water filter and I have a full review of it if you're interested.
Apple cider vinegar - You can use this or lemon juice. It just adds some acidity to the soaking water to help break down the phytic acid in the millet. See the FAQ section below for more details on that.
Salt - Brings out the other flavors, adds minerals and balances the sweetness. Use pure sea salt.
Vanilla - Adds a warm flavor. Leave out if you're adding savory toppings to the bowl.
FAQ
Millet grains are soaked in acidic water overnight, then rinsed and blended with filtered water or milk. This mixture is cooked until a thick, creamy "cream of wheat" consistency is achieved. Then any number of toppings and flavorings can be added!
This millet porridge recipe is made with simple, wholesome ingredients with an array of health benefits and you have complete control of how much sweetener you add.
Millet is high in protein and many vitamins and minerals and is also gluten-free!
It's also high in phytic acid, an anti-nutrient, but this is neutralized in the soaking process.
Two reasons!
First, this grain is high in phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that blocks the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the body. In other words, if you eat foods with a lot of phytic acid, you won't actually gain much nutritional value from them. Soaking the grain in water with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for 8+ hours neutralizes the phytic acid, so your body can use all those good vitamins and minerals in the millet.
Second, soaking the millet makes it easier to blend and achieve a creamy porridge consistency. It also reduces the cooking time.
Millet has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor that's pretty mild, so it's a perfect base for creating your own customized morning porridge. Some people say it has a corn-like flavor.
Yes, millet is a gluten-free grain, so millet porridge is a great option for people who are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease.
The base recipe uses just millet and water, so it is dairy-free. To give it an even creamier consistency, you can use dairy-free milk instead of water or stir in some coconut cream after cooking.
Yes! Cook and allow to cool fully before storing in an airtight container in the fridge. You can easily reheat the porridge on the stovetop or in the microwave whenever you'd like to eat it. Great for breakfast meal prep!
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 3 months, just allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
It's likely available at your local grocery store (often in the health food section) or natural food store. If not, you can easily find millet online. There are many different varieties of millet available. I use Bob's Red Mill brand, which is proso millet, but you can use any kind in this recipe.
Tips for making millet porridge
- Use filtered water - This will ensure there aren't any unwelcome bacteria, viruses, or chemicals present in the oatmeal. We use the Berkey and love it! I have a full review of the Berkey water filter if you want to learn more.
- Stir regularly - Try to give it a stir at least every 2 minutes and keep the heat low, or the millet will stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Make ahead - For an easy grab-and-go option you can make this ahead and eat it cold, or heat it up quickly in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk or water.
Serving ideas
Serve the millet porridge as is, or use some of the following serving suggestions for inspiration:
- Top with fresh berries, fresh fruit, chopped nuts or chia seeds for added flavor and texture.
- Add your favorite sweetener such as maple syrup, honey or brown sugar.
- Add a pat of butter, a dollop of yogurt or a splash of milk or coconut milk for a creamier texture.
- Stir in some jam (we use homemade low sugar chia jam).
- Stir in mashed banana or cooked and mashed sweet potatoes or pumpkin in the fall.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, comforting flavor.
- Drizzle with your favorite nut butter.
- Mix in dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, shredded coconut or chopped dates.
- Serve with a side of eggs, bacon or sausage for a hearty breakfast.
- Use millet porridge as a base for a savory bowl, adding in sautéed veggies, roasted sweet potato, or a poached egg on top.
Tools you may need
High-speed blender (we love this one and it's very affordable)
Medium saucepan
Wooden spoon
How to make millet porridge
Ingredients:
- 1 cup millet
- 2 cups water (for soaking)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (for soaking)
- 2½ cups filtered water, separated (for blending)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- sweetener and toppings of choice
Instructions:
Soak 1 cup of millet with 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar overnight.
The next day, thoroughly rinse the millet and pour it into a high-speed blender.
Add 1½ cups filtered water and salt.
Blend on high until smooth. Add the remaining 1 cup water and blend for a second to combine.
Pour the millet mixture into pot and cook over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Turn down to medium-low heat and stir frequently.
It will look quite lumpy at first, but as you continue to stir, it will smooth out. Cook for 10-15 minutes, until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Pour the cooked millet porridge into bowls, add your favorite toppings and serve!
How to store
Keep leftover millet porridge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Alternatively, store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. You may wish to freeze in smaller portions for quicker thawing. For example, you could freeze in silicone muffin cups, and once frozen, transfer all the "muffins" to a freezer bag for storage. This way you can easily take out only the amount you need.
How to reheat
If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight. Add a splash of milk or water and cook on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming and smooth. Or microwave until warmed through.
Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!
More healthy breakfasts
- Vegan Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Bread
- How to Make Nitrite Free Bacon
- Vegan Sourdough English Muffins
- Strawberry Poptarts
- Protein Pancake Mix
📖 Recipe
Creamy Millet Porridge
Creamy millet porridge is a healthy, delicious breakfast alternative to other hot cereals. It's very easy to make, naturally gluten free and can be customized to your flavor preferences or what's in season!
Ingredients
- 1 cup millet
- 2 cups water (for soaking)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (for soaking)
- 2½ cups filtered water, separated (for blending)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- sweetener and toppings of choice
Instructions
- Soak 1 cup of millet with 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar overnight.
- The next day, thoroughly rinse the millet and pour it into a high-speed blender. Add 1½ cups filtered water and salt. Blend on high until smooth. Add the remaining 1 cup water and blend for a second to combine.
- Pour the millet mixture into pot and cook over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Turn down to medium-low heat and stir frequently. It will look quite lumpy at first, but as you continue to stir, it will smooth out. Cook for 10-15 minutes, until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour the cooked millet porridge into bowls, add your favorite toppings and serve!
Notes
Fridge: Keep leftover millet porridge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. You may wish to freeze in smaller portions for quicker thawing. For example, you could freeze in silicone muffin cups, and once frozen, transfer all the "muffins" to a freezer bag for storage. This way you can easily take out only the amount you need.
To Reheat: If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight. Add a splash of milk or water and cook on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming and smooth. Or microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 113Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 315mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g
This nutrient calculation is done by an automated calculator and may not be accurate.
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