🌟 Vellai Appam | Crispy Evening Snack

“From morning prep to evening bliss - Vellai Appam makes every bite worth the wait!”

A beloved traditional South Indian snack that’s perfect for festivals like Diwali and Karthika Deepam, or just an irresistible evening treat. Crispy, spicy, and golden, these appams are a crunchy delight in every bite. Simple ingredients, traditional technique, extraordinary taste — that’s the magic of Vellai Appam. Enjoy this crispy delight anytime, not just festivals!

Ingredients

For the Batter

• 1.5 cups rice
• 1/2 cups urad dal
• Salt to taste
• 1-inch piece ginger, finely chopped
• 3-4 green chillies, finely chopped
• Few curry leaves, finely chopped
• 1 to 2 tsp crushed black pepper
• 2 to 3 tbsp thick curd/yogurt
• Water as needed for grinding

For Tempering

• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp urad dal
• Pinch of asafoetida (hing)

For Frying

• Oil for deep frying

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Base

• Wash rice and urad dal thoroughly.
• Soak together for 1 hour.
• Drain completely.

Step 2: Grind the Batter

• Grind rice and dal to a thick paste in mixer.
• Add salt while grinding.
• Use minimal water (1 tbsp max) to keep batter thick — crucial for crispiness.

Step 3: Season and Rest

• Mix in chopped ginger, green chillies, curry leaves, and crushed black pepper.
• Add thick curd, mix well.
• Let batter rest — prepare in morning for evening frying or night before for morning.
• Cover and set aside to ferment and develop flavor.

Step 4: Prepare Tempering

• Heat ghee in small pan.
• Add mustard seeds; let splutter.
• Add urad dal; fry golden.
• Add asafoetida; fry few seconds.
• Pour tempering into rested batter and mix well.

Step 5: Frying Process

• Heat oil for deep frying.
• Stir batter well before each use.
• Drop ladlefuls of batter directly into hot oil (no shaping).
• Pour hot oil over the appams while frying for quick, even cooking and extra crispiness.

Step 6: Perfect the Cooking

• Flip appams when bottom is golden brown.
• Keep turning until both sides are evenly golden and crispy.
• Remove and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

📝 Pro Tips

• ⭐ Keep batter thick — don’t add too much water.
• ⭐ Resting time is key for fermentation and flavor.
• ⭐ Pour hot oil over frying appams to enhance crispiness.
• ⭐ Fry 2-3 appams at a time — avoid overcrowding.
• ⭐ Serve immediately for best taste and crunch.

🌟 Health Benefits

• Probiotic benefits from fermented batter and curd.
• Immunity booster spices: pepper and ginger.

🎉 Perfect For

• 🪔 Festival celebrations like Diwali & Karthika Deepam
• 🌅 Evening tea-time snacks
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family gatherings and special occasions

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with coconut chutney, tomato chutney, or simply enjoy alongside a cup of tea or coffee. The perfectly spiced batter shines even on its own!

🏆 “Master this recipe once, and Vellai Appam will become your go-to evening delight!”

Video Tutorial