Abstract: A process for the preparation fuel kernels for coated particle fuels for use in a high temperature gas-cooled reactor comprising granulating a blend of .beta.-1,4-glucan powder, a fissile metal compound such as a thorium, uranium or plutonium compound and a dispersion medium such as water or an organic solvent; and subjecting the resulting granules to drying-firing to produce small spheres. The firing operation in this invention can be easily done as compared with that in the conventional process, for example the ion exchange resin process. By the process of this invention it is easily possible to control the fissile metal content and the bulk density of the fuel kernel.