Make Kerala-Style Appam: Soft, Fluffy, And Perfect For Breakfast Or Brunch

Kerala’s traditional breakfast is adored across India for its simplicity and flavour. One such dish is appam, which resembles a pancake but is much lighter and has a unique taste. Made from fermented rice

batter and coconut, appam is slightly crispy at the edges and soft in the centre.

If you want a light, tasty, and different breakfast, try making appam at home; it’s easier than you think, and your family and friends will love it.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups white rice (Sona Masuri, Parmal, Surti Kolam, or Ponni rice)
• 2 cups water (for soaking rice)
• ½ cup fresh grated coconut
• ¼ cup poha (flattened rice) or alternatively, cooked rice / steamed rice / puffed rice
• ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Instant yeast (as needed)
• A little water (for grinding the batter)
• ½ teaspoon oil (for greasing the appam pan)

Making The Appam Batter

The key to perfect appam is its batter. To make the batter, take 1.5 cups of white rice (Sona Masuri, Parmal, or Ponni). Wash thoroughly 2-3 times. Add 2 cups of water and soak the rice for 4-5 hours, covered.

Tip: You can use half raw rice and half boiled rice for an even softer appam.

Drain the soaked rice. In a mixer, combine:

• Soaked rice
• ½ cup fresh grated coconut
• ¼ cup poha (or cooked/steamed/puffed rice as substitute)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Add a little water and grind everything into a smooth, flowing batter.

Easy Fermentation Method

• Pour the batter into a deep bowl.
• Add instant yeast as this helps the batter ferment quickly.
• Mix well until the yeast dissolves completely.
• Cover the bowl and keep it in a warm place for 1-2 hours.

Optional: You can also use an Instant Pot for faster fermentation.

The batter is ready when it appears light, fluffy, and full of bubbles.

Cooking The Appam

1. Heat an appam pan or a thick-bottomed kadhai.
2. Spread ½ teaspoon oil all around the pan (skip if using a non-stick pan).
3. Once the pan is hot, pour a ladleful of batter in the centre.
4. Gently swirl the pan so the batter spreads out, forming thin edges and a slightly thicker centre.
5. Cook on medium to medium-low heat.
6. Cover and cook for about 2 minutes, until the bottom turns light golden and the centre is soft and fluffy.
7. Carefully remove the appam and repeat with the remaining batter.

What To Serve With Appam?

• Vegetable stew, potato stew, or vegetable kurma
• For a sweet option, coconut milk pairs beautifully

This Kerala-style breakfast is light yet filling. Once you try these soft and fluffy appams, they’ll quickly become a favourite, making your morning meal feel special.