Ragi Manni, also known as Ragi Halwa or Finger Millet Pudding, is a traditional South Indian sweet that’s as wholesome as it is delicious. Made with just a few simple ingredients like ragi flour, jaggery, and coconut milk, this dish is a beautiful blend of earthy flavors and creamy texture. It’s a healthy dessert option packed with calcium, iron, and fiber. Whether you’re looking for a guilt-free snack or a nourishing one for kids and adults alike, Ragi Manni is a comforting choice rooted in our culinary heritage.
Ingredients Required For This Recipe:
- Whole Ragi – 2 cup
- Coconut scraped – 2 cup
- Jaggery – 1 cup
- Cardamom – 3
- Salt – 2 pinch
- Ghee – 1 tbsp
Recipe Steps With Pictures:
- Soak 2 cups of whole ragi in a vessel with water overnight. You can also soak it 5 hours before cooking, but I prefer soaking it overnight.
2. Scrape coconut to the measure of approx. 2 cups, same as Ragi.
3. n a blender jar add the soaked Ragi and the scraped coconut. We need to make a smooth paste. A quick tip to make a smooth paste between two ingredients is to add a coarse piece of rock salt to the mix. The salt facilitates the grinding process along with the blades in the blender.
4. Once you have a smooth paste, using a sieve separate the liquid mixture from the solids.
5. Into the liquid mixture add powdered jaggery and cardamom and 2 pinch of salt. The salt enhances the sweetness of the jaggery.
6. Transfer this mixture to a pan on the stove and stir it slowly and consistently. The mixture will slowly start to thicken. Once this happens, add 1 tbsp of ghee (clarified butter) to further smoothen the texture of the paste like ragi manni.
7. When you have a smooth paste texture transfer the mixture onto a plate coated with ghee (clarified butter). Let the mixture cool. Touch the surface to check if it has solidified. Once solidified or in a semi-solid texture you can now cut the ragi manni into shapes of your choice.
8. Refrigerate it and have a cool and healthy ragi pudding any time.
Ragi Manni is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a taste of tradition, health, and nostalgia all in one. Whether you’re making it for a festive occasion or as a wholesome dessert for your family, this humble dish never fails to comfort and nourish. With the goodness of ragi and the richness of coconut milk and jaggery, it’s a perfect example of how our grandmothers turned everyday ingredients into timeless treasures. Give it a try, and let your kitchen fill with the warmth of this age-old South Indian delight.