This study was conducted in order to investigate the antioxidant capabilities and quality characteristics of instant porridge made of foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) from different varieties with different endosperm characteristics and processing using different methods. The two foxtail millet varieties used in this study were waxy foxtail millet, ‘Samdachal’, and non-waxy foxtail millet, ‘Samdame’. The means of processing food to create instant porridge were dry cereal frying, wet cereal frying, freeze drying after steaming, popping, and no treatment. The WAI (water absorption index) of instant porridge made of waxy foxtail millet was higher than that of non-waxy foxtail millet, and popping created the highest WAI among the treatments tested. Whean we analyzed RVA characteristics of non-waxy foxtail millet instant porridge, peak viscosity and setback values were decreased in all processed foxtail millet instant porridge compared to non-waxy foxtail millet instant porridge. In waxy foxtail instant porridge, the peak and final viscosities of processed treated instant porridge increased. The viscosity just after pouring hot water into the instant porridge was higher in waxy foxtail millet porridge treated by freeze drying after steaming, popping, and wet cereal frying; the viscosity of non-waxy foxtail porridge was increased after popping as compared with the other treatments. The polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities were increased in all processed, treated-instant porridge except for freeze dried porridge after steamingnt. The popping treatment showed the highest polyphenol contents (1.5 fold), and ABTS antioxidant activity (1.2 fold), compared to no treatment. Non-waxy foxtail millet porridge produced by popping earned the highest sensory evaluation scores.