The arrival of the monsoon season turns Kerala into a terrain of dense greenery, hills that get covered with mist and rain-washed backwaters. Apart from this, it is also the time when homes and roadside tea stalls serve a variety of traditional snacks that flawlessly go with the cool, rainy weather. These Kerala monsoon snacks are not dishes that were created just for festivals but are the ones that are incorporated into everyday life, made using local ingredients and methods that have been passed down through the years.
Some of them are crisp and savoury, whereas others are steamed and have a sweet taste profile, delivering a variety of textures and tastes. Whether you enjoy them alone or over a cup of hot, steaming chai or filter coffee, these monsoon snacks from Kerala showcase a rich culinary legacy. If you want to try the state's rainy-season food culture beyond its already known staples, these timeless choices are the perfect start.
Pazham Pori
Golden and aromatic, pazham pori is one of the most loved monsoon treats in Kerala. Ripe nendran bananas are sliced lengthwise, dipped in a batter that is prepared with all-purpose flour, turmeric and a hint of sugar, then fried until it turns golden. The soft outer layer gives way to the sweet, soft centre, giving a delightful contrast of crunch and sweetness in every bite.
Freshly made pazham pori is generally found at roadside tea stalls in the region. The fact that it uses everyday simple ingredients and also the delightful taste have made it a rainy-day favourite for generations.
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Parippu Vada
Loved for its hearty bite and aromatic spices, parippu vada is a scrumptious savoury snack that has evolved as synonymous with the evening food culture of Kerala. Chana dal is coarsely ground and mixed with shallots, curry leaves, green chillies and whole spices to make a smooth, soft dough. The dough is then shaped into flat patties and fried until it turns deeply golden.
Unlike other soft fritters, parippu vada has a firm texture that feels pleasant in every bite and is perfectly balanced by the earthy taste of lentils and the freshness of herbs. It tastes best when eaten fresh off the kadai, as its satisfying crunch makes it a perfect companion to pair over a cup of kadak masala chai.
Unniyappam
Soft, fragrant and lightly sweet, unniyappam is prepared by using some of the most treasured pantry ingredients in Kerala. A batter is prepared by mixing rice flour, ripe banana, grated coconut and jaggery and is flavoured with cardamom. This batter is then cooked in a traditional appe pan until each piece gets a caramelised shell, while remaining soft from within.
Small pieces of coconut give a light texture, whereas the jaggery gives a mellow sweetness that does not overpower the original taste. Often prepared for gatherings and for special occasions, unniyappam also has its place during the rainy season, where its warm taste and pillowy soft texture make it a tempting indulgence.
Ela Ada
Covered within fresh banana leaves, ela ada represents Kerala's love for steamed dishes. A thin rice dough is prepared, which is filled with a mixture prepared of grated coconut and melted jaggery, then folded and steamed until it is cooked perfectly. As the banana leaves get heated up, they give an earthy aroma that slightly aromatises the filling, giving ela ada its signature taste.
Every bite delivers a light balance of soft rice, moist coconut and jaggery, making it feel satisfying. Its mild preparation and natural flavours have enabled preserve its spot in Kerala's culinary traditions for years.
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Ulli Pakoda
Ulli pakoda is the Kerala version of onion pakodas. Thinly sliced onions are covered with besan, rice flour, curry leaves and simple spices and then fried in small batches. This makes beautiful lacy edges around that stay crisp while the onions within turn soft and flavourful.
The natural sweetness of the onions pairs perfectly with the mild sharpness of green chillies and the aroma of curry leaves. Paired with homemade chutney and fondly paired over filter coffee, ulli pakoda feels warm, flavourful and extremely comforting in every way possible.