How to Make Millet Porridge (Vegan)

Jan 15, 2024 (Last updated Mar 22, 2024) by Hannah Sunderani

How to Make Millet Porridge (Vegan)

Boost your vegan breakfast game with this Creamy Millet Porridge Recipe! It’s filled with plant-based nutrition, healthy fats, and dietary fiber to keep you feeling satisfied all morning long. Top with my caramelized bananas and a drizzle of maple syrup, and get ready to reap the health benefits that this gluten-free superfood has to offer!

You know I can’t resist a creamy oat porridge – guilty! But it’s hard to stick with just oats as my morning porridge when there are so many wholesome and nutritious grain and gluten-free porridges that a plant-based diet has to offer! After mastering Barley Porridge, Buckwheat Porridge, Quinoa Porridge, and Amaranth Porridge, I knew it was time to share a “How to Guide” for my favourite millet porridge.

This millet porridge is just as luxurious, creamy, and pleasantly chewy as traditional porridge. It’s just as satisfying as the classic oat porridge and has quickly become a household favourite. All in all, it’s another 30 minute vegan breakfast recipe that’s guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family.

Why You’ll Love My Recipe

Most millet porridges are inspired by the traditional Chinese Millet Congee. These porridges are typically savoury and made with ingredients like vegetable broth, pickled vegetables, tofu, sweet potato, and other savoury plant-based ingredients. 

And while I love a savoury porridge, this millet porridge recipe is for my sweet breakfast lovers. It’s made simply with coconut sugar and cinnamon, then topped with decadent caramelized bananas to make this breakfast recipe restaurant-worthy! If you love my Homemade Rice Pudding recipe, I know you will love this breakfast porridge! 

This Millet Porridge is….

• Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Rich and creamy
• Easy to digest
• Kid-friendly
• Husband-approved
• Made with 4 ingredients
• Perfect oatmeal substitute

The Health Benefits

Millet is a protein-rich whole grain that’s packed with nutrition! Like barley, this ancient grain is apart of the grass family, Poaceae, but unlike barley, is 100% gluten-free! 

It’s also naturally rich in nutrients, a good source of fiber, high in antioxidants, and easy to digest (perfect for my fellow foodies with IBS!). It’s also said to have potential anti-inflammatory and blood sugar regulation abilities, making it an ingredient we should all be incorporating in a healthy plant-based diet. 

In addition to using it as a base for this delicious oatmeal substitute, millet is a great grain to incorporate into veggie burgers, salads, soups and stews.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Millet – For this porridge recipe, you’ll need whole grain, hulled millet. Pearl millet, foxtail millet, and finger millet all work well in homemade porridge recipes! If you are searching for millet in your local grocery store, check near the other whole grains such as rice, quinoa, barley, buckwheat, etc. If it is not there, you may need to purchase your millet online or visit a local health food store. 
• Coconut milk – Just like my creamy quinoa porridge, I prefer the rich, creaminess of full-fat coconut milk in this porridge. If you want a lighter porridge, you can reduce the full-fat coconut milk to 1/2 cup and increase the water to 3 1/2 cups. Or, replace the coconut milk with another plant-based milk of choice such as Almond Milk, cashew milk, or soy milk. 
• Coconut sugar – Lightly sweetens the porridge without being overpowering or adding refined sugars. If desired, replace the coconut sugar with maple syrup, brown sugar, cane sugar, or another sweetener of choice. 
• Cinnamon – Adds warmth, a hint of sweetness, and a rich flavour that enhances the flavour in the millet. 

How to Make Millet Porridge

If you’ve made my popular Quinoa Porridge, then rest assured that process for making this millet porridge is very similar! 

Add 1 cup of millet and 2 cups of water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the millet starts to puff and water is reduced by half, about 10 minutes on my stovetop. 

After 10 minutes, pour in the coconut milk and 1 additional cup of water. Stir in the coconut sugar and cinnamon until well combined, then simmer the porridge until thickened and the millet is soft and pleasantly chewy, about another 10 minutes. 

While the porridge cooks, prepare the Caramelized Bananas (my personal favourite) or other toppings of choice. 

​Lastly, scoop the cooked porridge into individual bowls and top, as desired. Drizzle with peanut butter or pure maple syrup and enjoy immediately while warm and creamy! 

Porridge Toppings

This millet porridge can be topped just as you would a bowl of hot cereal like creamy Instant Pot steel cut oats, overnight oats, or chia pudding. Below are a few of my favourite toppings, but substitute in your family’s preferred toppings! 

• Caramelized bananas
• Drizzle of pure maple syrup
• Nut butter, like peanut butter or almond butter
• Fresh fruits, like fresh berries, sliced banana, or chopped mango
• Nuts and seeds
• Toasted coconut
• Coconut yogurt
• Raspberry Chia Jam or Strawberry Chia Jam
• Chocolate chips or cacao nibs
• Extra cinnamon or a cinnamon stick for garnish

Recipe FAQs

How long does this porridge keep?

Once prepared, leftover porridge will keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For ultimate freshness, store leftovers in glass over plastic! 

How do I reheat leftover millet porridge?

This porridge can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. 

To microwave, add an individual serving of porridge to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30 second increments until warmed through. If the porridge is too thick for your liking, add a splash of extra almond milk, coconut milk, or water until thinned to your liking. 

To heat on the stove, transfer the porridge to a small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until warm. Add a splash of plant-milk or water, stirring often, until creamy again.

​Can I make this millet breakfast porridge in the Instant Pot or slow cooker?

Unfortunately, I haven’t tested a slow cooker or Instant Pot millet porridge recipe yet. For best results, follow the recipe instructions as written. 

More Morning Oatmeal Substitutes You Might Like:

• Barley Porridge
• Buckwheat Breakfast Porridge
• Quinoa Porridge
• Amaranth Porridge
• The Best Chia Pudding Recipe

I hope you love this healthy grain porridge as much as I do! If you do make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think and check out The Two Spoons App for more wholesome vegan recipes like this! I truly love hearing from you, and I’m always here to answer any questions you might have. 

And of course, tag me on Instagram with your pictures using the hashtag #twospoons. Nothing makes me happier than to see your recreations. 

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• Winter
• 10 ingredients or less
• 30 mins or less