Ragi Laddu (Finger Millet and Nut Balls)
Wholesome little balls of roasted finger millet, peanuts, almonds, and coconut, sweetened with jaggery. A warm, lightly spiced snack for older kids and grown-ups alike.
Ingredients
- 240 ml ragi flour1.01 cup ragi flour
- 60 ml peanuts, skins removed4.06 tbsp peanuts, skins removed
- 60 ml almonds4.06 tbsp almonds
- 60 ml desiccated coconut4.06 tbsp desiccated coconut
- 4 each green cardamom, pods opened, seeds only
- 150 g jaggery, grated or crumbled5.29 oz jaggery, grated or crumbled
- 30 ml ghee2.03 tbsp ghee
Steps
Roast
- Heat the ghee in a pan over low heat, add the ragi flour, and roast for 4 to 5 minutes until it smells nutty. Set aside to cool.
- Dry roast the peanuts in the same pan until fragrant, let them cool, then rub off the loose skins.
- Dry roast the almonds over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly toasted, then set aside to cool.
- Dry roast the desiccated coconut over low heat for about 1 minute until lightly golden, then let it cool.
Grind and Mix
- Peel the cardamom pods and add the seeds, cooled peanuts, almonds, and coconut to a grinder. Blend to a fine powder.
- Add the cooled ragi flour and the jaggery to the grinder with the nut powder.
- Blend for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture warms slightly and the natural oils start to bind it together.
Shape and Store
- Scoop small portions and roll firmly into balls while the mixture is still warm, adding a little warm melted ghee if it feels too dry to hold.
- Let the laddu cool fully, then store them in an airtight jar for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Calories
- 204
- Protein
- 3g
- Fat
- 10g
- Carbs
- 25g
Tips by age
Offer a small piece broken off a laddu rather than a whole ball, and crumble it slightly so it is soft and easy to manage. Sit with your child and offer water alongside.
Choking safety: Whole firm balls and ground nuts are a choking risk at this age. Always crumble into small soft pieces, never offer a whole laddu, and supervise closely.
Serve a small whole laddu or one halved into pieces, with water alongside. Make the balls bite-size for this age so they are easy to chew.
Choking safety: The dense ball shape can be a choking risk. Keep portions small, encourage slow chewing, and stay nearby while your child eats.
Serve one or two laddu as written as a snack or lunchbox treat. These are rich, so one is usually plenty.
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