5 Minute Millet Porridge (GF, Easy)

Learn how to make creamy, 5 minute millet porridge using millet flakes! You can make the porridge on the stovetop or in the microwave, both in under 5 minutes. Top the porridge in countless ways!

Make Creamy Millet Porridge in Minutes

Welcome your new favorite alternative to oatmeal: 5 minute millet porridge! 

This nutritious breakfast is rich in nutrients, gluten-free, has a creamy texture, and is a cinch to make. I love eating the porridge with a drizzle or milk and some coconut sugar, or topped with nut butter, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds…you name it.

Do not get me wrong, I LOVE oatmeal. But variety is the spice of life, yes? And millet is a powerhouse grain that needs more time in the limelight. Moreover, this porridge allows me to introduce many of you to a remarkable ingredient: millet flakes.

Recipe Benefits

• Gluten-free
• Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
• Oil-free
• Low in lectins
• Fast & easy to make (on the stovetop or in the microwave)
• Super creamy (despite the short cooking time)

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post. Toggle between US Customary (volume) and Metric (weights) for preferred measurement option.

• millet flakes (not whole millet grains)
• nondairy milk (e.g., soy milk, almond milk, hemp milk, coconut milk, cashew milk)
• water
• Optional: pinch of salt

I use filtered tap water for the water in the recipe. I add salt, too, but it is always adjustable/ optional according to your needs and tastes.

Instruction for Making Millet Breakfast Porridge (Stovetop)

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

Step One: Heat the Liquids

Combine the milk and water in a medium size saucepan or pot set over medium heat. Heat the mixture for one to two minutes until very hot and beginning to simmer (watch carefully so it does not boil or bubble over).

Step Two: Add the Millet Flakes

Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the millet flakes, and optional salt, until combined.

Step Three: Cook the Porridge

Cook, stirring occasionally for two to three minutes until thickened. That’s it!

Step Four: Serve

Spoon the porridge into bowls and serve with your favorite toppings!

Microwave Instructions

If you prefer, you can make millet porridge in the microwave.

1. Combine the milk, water, millet flakes, and optional salt in a deep, microwave-safe medium mixing bowl. Do not cover the bowl (it can cause the porridge to bubble over when the liquid boils). 
2. Microwave for 90 seconds, then remove the millet porridge from the microwave and stir.
3. Microwave for another 30 seconds to 90 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the millet flakes have absorbed most of the liquid. The exact timing will depend on your microwave. Keep an eye on the millet flakes porridge so that it does not overflow.
4. Let stand for a minute before serving with desired toppings.

Millet Porridge Flavor Variations

• Dried Fruit: If you like, add some chopped dried fruit to the porridge when you add the dried millet flakes. The dried fruit will plump up as the porridge cooks. Raisins are a classic, or try dried cranberries, dried blueberries, dried cherries, chopped dried apricots, or chopped
• Spices: Use any combination of spices to create unique flavor blends (add a pinch up to 1/2 teaspoon, depending on your preference). For example, cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, allspice or cardamom.
• Extracts: Add a 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or a few drops of almond extract after cooking.

Topping Ideas

• Sweetener (e.g., maple syrup, agave nectar, date sugar, honey (if not strictly vegan) or coconut sugar)
• Fresh fruit (e.g., raspberries, blueberries, sliced apples, diced strawberries, chopped mangoes, diced banana)
• Dried fruit (e.g., raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, chopped dates, diced apricots)
• Chopped nuts (e.g., pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds)
• Seeds (e.g., sunflower seed kernels, hemp hearts, green pumpkin seeds / pepitas)
• Nut butter or seed butter (e.g., a spoonful of almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter)
• Unsweetened coconut flakes or shreds (plain or toasted)
• Chocolate (e.g., a spoonful of dark chocolate chips, grated chocolate, or a sprinkle of cacao nibs)

Millet Porridge Recipe Tips

• Buy millet flakes labeled gluten-free. If you follow a strict gluten-free diet, make sure to buy certified gluten-free millet flakes. Millet is a gluten-free grain, but may be processed in facilities that also handle wheat  or other gluten-containing products. If you have strict gluten-free needs, be sure to seek out certified gluten-free millet flakes, which are processed in wheat-free facilities to make sure they do not contain trace amounts of gluten.
• Add a pinch of salt. Adding a small amount of salt does not make the hot cereal salty, but it will bring out the subtle nutty-corn flavor of the millet. 
• Add a touch of sweetness. You can add a teaspoon or more of sweetener directly to the porridge, or sprinkle / drizzle on top of the finished porridge. 
• Make it creamier. Replace some, or all, of the water with more milk, and/or increase the overall amount of liquid for a looser, creamier texture.

Related Recipes

• Quinoa Porridge
• Coconut Flax Porridge (2 Ingredients)
• Quinoa Flake Granola (V, GF, High Protein)
• Grain-Free Blueberry Baked Porridge (Vegan)
• 3 Ingredient Millet Flax Bread