Various implementations disclosed herein enable malleable routing for data packets. For example, in various implementations, a method of routing a type of data packets is performed by a device. In some implementations, the device includes a non-transitory memory and one or more processors coupled with the non-transitory memory. In some implementations, the method includes determining a routing criterion to transmit a set of data packets across a network. In some implementations, the method includes identifying network nodes and communication links in the network that satisfy the routing criterion. In some implementations, the method includes determining a route for the set of data packets through the network nodes and the communication links that satisfy the routing criterion. In some implementations, the method includes configuring the network nodes that are on the route with configuration information that allows the set of data packets to propagate along the route.