How To Make Traditional South Indian Appam At Home In 5 Easy Steps

By Shreya Sarpal

September 15, 2025

Appam recipe, a traditional South Indian delight, is prepared with fermented rice and coconut. Light, fluffy at the centre, and crisp around the edges, appam pairs beautifully with curries, stews, or chutneys for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

2 cups raw rice ½ cup grated coconut 2 tbsp cooked rice 1 tbsp sugar ½ tsp active dry yeast Salt to taste Water as required Oil for greasing

Step 1

Soak raw rice in water for 4-5 hours.

Step 2

Drain and grind with grated coconut and cooked rice, add water as required, to make a smooth batter.

Step 3

Dissolve the yeast and sugar in lukewarm water and let it rest until it becomes frothy.

Step 4

Mix this yeast solution into the batter, add salt, then cover and keep overnight to ferment.

Step 5

Heat an appachatti (appam pan), grease lightly with oil, pour a ladle of batter in the centre and swirl the pan to spread it thin on the sides.

Step 6

Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crisp and the centre is soft.

Step 7

Lift carefully and serve hot with vegetable stew, egg curry, or chicken curry.