Provided is method of producing anode or cathode particulates for an alkali metal battery. The method comprises: (a) preparing a slurry containing particles of an anode or cathode active material, an electron-conducting material, and an electrolyte containing a lithium salt or sodium salt and an optional polymer dissolved in a liquid solvent; and (b) conducting a particulate-forming means to convert the slurry into multiple anode or cathode particulates, wherein an anode or a cathode particulate is composed of (i) particles of the active material, (ii) the electron-conducting material, and (iii) an electrolyte, wherein the electron-conducting material forms a 3D network of electron-conducting pathways and the electrolyte forms a 3D network of lithium ion- or sodium ion-conducting channels and wherein the anode particulate or cathode particulate has a dimension from 10 nm to 100 μm and an electrical conductivity from about 10−6 S/cm to about 300 S/cm.