Kerala Coconut Pancakes (Appams)
Indulge in the rich flavors of Kerala with these delightful Coconut Pancakes, famously known as Appams. This traditional breakfast dish combines the unique taste of fermented rice with freshly grated coconut and a hint of jaggery, making it a wholesome morning treat. Perfectly high in carbs to fuel your day, these pancakes are light, fluffy, and will melt in your mouth. Serve them warm with a drizzle of sweetened coconut milk for an authentic Keralite experience or enjoy them plain after your morning jog in the sun!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
idli rice
4 cups (Soaked in water for 4-6 hours)
jaggery
3/4 cup (Grated)
freshly grated coconut
1/2 cup (Grated)
boiled sona masoori rice
1/2 cup (Boiled)
white sugar
1/4 cup (Granulated)
water
400 ml (For grinding the mixture, plus a little more for proofing the yeast)
sunflower oil
to taste (For cooking the pancakes)
dry yeast
1 teaspoon (Active dry yeast)
salt
1 teaspoon (To taste)
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the idli rice in water for 4 to 6 hours until soft.
2
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in a little lukewarm water. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
3
In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked rice, freshly grated coconut, and jaggery. Add a portion of the 400 ml of water to help blend the mixture into a smooth, pourable batter.
4
Once the yeast mixture is frothy, mix in the salt until dissolved. Then, gently add this yeast mixture to your rice batter and stir well to combine.
5
Cover the batter and place it in a warm area of your kitchen to ferment overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
6
In the morning, preheat a skillet over medium heat and add half a teaspoon of sunflower oil, coating the bottom of the skillet.
7
Pour a ladleful of the fermented batter into the center of the skillet, swirling the pan to spread the batter into a circular shape. You will notice holes forming in the pancake almost immediately, indicating it’s cooking perfectly.
8
Cook until the edges begin to brown; then, carefully flip the pancake and let it cook for an additional minute on the other side.
9
Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding more oil as necessary for each pancake.
10
Serve warm, either with sweetened coconut milk or enjoy them fresh off the skillet. Savor each bite!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Kerala Coconut Pancakes?
Kerala Coconut Pancakes, famously known as Appams, are a traditional breakfast dish from Kerala that combines fermented rice, freshly grated coconut, and a hint of jaggery.
What is the local name for these pancakes?
In South Indian cuisine, especially in Kerala, these pancakes are known as Appams.
How long should I soak the idli rice?
The idli rice should be soaked in water for 4 to 6 hours until it becomes soft.
How do I proof the dry yeast?
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of dry yeast and 1/4 cup of sugar in a little lukewarm water and let it sit for 15 minutes until it becomes frothy.
What ingredients are blended together for the batter?
You should blend the soaked rice, freshly grated coconut, jaggery, and water into a smooth, pourable batter.
How much water is needed for the Appam batter?
The recipe calls for 400 ml of water to help blend the mixture and a small additional amount for proofing the yeast.
When should salt be added to the recipe?
Salt should be dissolved into the frothy yeast mixture before the mixture is added to the rice batter.
How long does the fermentation process take?
The batter should be covered and placed in a warm area to ferment overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
What type of skillet heat is best for cooking Appams?
A skillet should be preheated over medium heat before adding the batter.
What type of oil is used for cooking Kerala Coconut Pancakes?
Sunflower oil is used to coat the bottom of the skillet for cooking the pancakes.
How do I form the pancake shape in the pan?
Pour a ladleful of batter into the center of the skillet and swirl the pan to spread it into a circular shape.
How can I tell if the Appam is cooking correctly?
You will notice holes forming in the pancake almost immediately, which indicates it is cooking perfectly.
Do Appams need to be flipped while cooking?
Yes, cook until the edges begin to brown, then carefully flip the pancake and cook for an additional minute on the other side.
What is the traditional way to serve Appams?
They are best served warm, often with a drizzle of sweetened coconut milk.
Are Kerala Coconut Pancakes vegan?
Yes, this recipe is considered vegan-friendly as it uses plant-based ingredients like rice, coconut, and sunflower oil.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, Appams are naturally gluten-free because they are made primarily from rice.
How much jaggery is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of grated jaggery.
What kind of rice is used besides idli rice?
The recipe also uses 1/2 cup of boiled sona masoori rice.
What is the texture of these pancakes?
The pancakes are described as light, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth.
Are Appams high in carbohydrates?
Yes, they are high in carbs, making them a great wholesome morning treat to fuel your day.
Can I use freshly grated coconut?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of freshly grated coconut for an authentic flavor.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are a total of 9 ingredients: idli rice, jaggery, coconut, sona masoori rice, sugar, water, sunflower oil, dry yeast, and salt.
Does the recipe use white sugar?
Yes, 1/4 cup of white sugar is used, primarily to help proof the yeast.
Can I enjoy Appams plain?
Yes, you can enjoy them plain, especially fresh off the skillet or after a morning jog.
What is the purpose of jaggery in Appams?
Jaggery adds a unique traditional sweetness and depth of flavor to the rice and coconut mixture.
What cuisine does this dish belong to?
This dish belongs to South Indian cuisine, specifically from the state of Kerala.
How much salt should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt, though it can be adjusted to taste.
Why is the batter fermented overnight?
Overnight fermentation allows the flavors to meld and develop, and helps the batter rise to create a fluffy texture.
What type of yeast is used?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast.
Can Appams be a healthy breakfast option?
Yes, they are tagged as a healthy, traditional, and wholesome breakfast option.