Millet Flour

Millet flour is a versatile and healthy ingredient useful in a variety of recipes. It is slightly sweet and nutty and works in sweet and savory dishes. Millet flour is also gluten-free, making it an excellent option for people with dietary restrictions.

Millet is a versatile grain that has been consumed for thousands of years in various cultures. It works well in many dishes, including salads, soups, pilafs, and breads, and is useful to make alcoholic beverages, such as beer and other spirits. Millet can act as a good substitute for other grains, such as rice or quinoa, and millet flour is great for gluten-free baking. Millet is still an important crop in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, where it is a staple food for millions of people. Its versatility and nutritional benefits make it an excellent healthy addition to any diet.

Amazon Millet Flour

Amazon Gluten Free Flour

Millet Plant

Millet refers to small-seeded grasses cultivated in many different parts of the world for their edible seeds. The millet plant is highly adaptable and grows in a variety of soil types and weather conditions, making it a popular global crop. It is an annual plant that can reach a height of up to four meters, and has a slender stem with long, narrow leaves. The plant produces a seed head that can contain hundreds of small, round seeds. The seeds range in color from white to yellow, red, or brown, depending on the species. There are several species of millet, including pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail, and proso millet, each with its own unique characteristics and uses.

Bob's red mill whole grain millet ordered from Amazon — Millet Seed

Whole grain millet bob's red mill — Millet Seed

Millet Seed

Millet seed is the small, round, and nutritious grain produced by the millet plant. The seeds come in a range of colors (white, yellow, red, brown) depending on the species. They are a rich source of:

protein
dietary fiber
essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

Millet seeds are gluten-free, making them a popular ingredient in gluten-free diets. In many cultures, millet seeds are a staple food and are used in a variety of dishes, including porridges, bread, and couscous. Millet seeds have a mild, slightly nutty flavor that can complement both sweet and savory dishes. Additionally, millet seeds are easy to digest, which makes them an excellent option for people with sensitive stomachs.

What is Millet Flour?

Millet flour is a versatile gluten-free flour that is made from millet seeds. Like the seeds, it has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor and a fine texture, making it an excellent substitute for wheat flour in many recipes. It is nutritious, containing a range of vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber and protein, making it a healthy addition to a balanced diet.

Getting Millet Flour

Making Millet Flour from Whole Seeds

If you have a home mill, making your own millet flour at home is the way to go (see here about getting a home mill). Buy the whole millet, and mill it right before using. You could also use a high speed blender to mill the millet (though you need to be careful about it getting too hot). Blend the grain, and then sift it through a fine mesh sieve to get your flour (read more about this process). Whatever doesn’t pass through the fine mesh strainer goes back into the blender and blended again.

Millet seeds about to become millet flour — Ready to Mill Millet Flour

Millet Seeds in mill — Ready to Mill Millet Flour

Buy Amazon Millet Flour

Or you can just buy the flour on amazon. Bob’s Red Mill Millet flour is a good choice

Proso Millet Flour

The Bobs Red Mill millet that I use here is proso millet. There are many varieties of millet – read more about different types of millet here.

PROSO FLOUR ON AMAZON

MILLET FLOUR ON AMAZON

Foxtail Millet Flour

Foxtail Flour

Foxtail Millet Flour

Finger Millet Flour

Ragi Flour

Finger Millet Flour

Is Millet Flour Gluten Free?

Yes, millet flour is gluten-free and is a good option for people who wish to avoid gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, but millet is not related to these grains and does not contain gluten. Since millet is slightly nutty, it can be a good substitute for wheat in many recipes. It is commonly used in gluten-free baking to make bread, pancakes, and other baked goods.

Millet Flour Substitute

If you’re looking for a millet flour substitute, there are several options available that can work well in a range of recipes. One option is to use another gluten-free flour, such as rice flour, almond flour, or coconut flour. These flours have different textures and flavors, but can still be used in many of the same recipes. Another option is to use a grain-based flour, such as wheat flour or spelt flour, if you don’t have a gluten sensitivity. However, it’s important to note that these flours contain gluten, so they are not a suitable substitute for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. You can also try using cornmeal or polenta as a substitute, particularly in recipes that call for a coarser texture.