Paniyaram Recipe (Kuzhi Paniyaram)

Paniyaram also known as Kuzhi Paniyaram are savory, spiced dumplings made from rice and urad dal batter or Idli Batter, onions, spices and herbs with an occasional addition of fresh coconut. It is a delicacy from South Indian cuisine and makes for a good way to utilize leftover idli batter. They are vegan and can be made gluten-free by skipping the asafoetida in the recipe.

About Paniyaram

Paniyaram is also known as kulu paniyaram, gunta ponganalu, paddu, guliyappa in other South Indian languages. They can be made plain, spiced or sweet. They are crisp from out and soft from within.

My first introduction to paniyaram was when a friend would get these in her tiffin box sprinkled with Idli Podi (dry idli chutney powder). One bite and I was hooked.

They were so much like idli and unlike idli for me. Soft like idlis from within but crisp from out. That is what I like about kuzhi paniyaram.

All you need to make these delicious and soft dumplings is some idli batter. You can either use leftover idli batter or make the batter from scratch. In this paniyaram recipe, these dumplings are made with leftover idli batter.

Kuzhi paniyaram are a breeze to make, if you have leftover idli or dosa batter. You only need to add some chopped onions, herbs and spices to the batter and then cook the dumplings.

There are also variations where the spices are tempered or bloomed and then added to the idli batter.

The paniyaram is not deep fried or steamed. So you may be wondering how it is cooked?

A special pan is used to make them and it is called as Paniyaram chatti or appe pan in South Indian languages. This special cookware has moulds in it and is similar to the æbleskiver pan used in European cooking. In the Indian market, you will find both non-stick as well metal appe pans.

You will see in the photo below, the Paniyaram chatti I use at home. I have a traditional one and I got it from an antique shop in Goa. It is very heavy and the batter does not stick at all in this one. I have made them many times in this traditional Chatti.

These are also a South Indian tiffin or breakfast snack and they are healthy like most South Indian food. You can serve them with Sambar or Coconut Chutney or any chutney of your preference.

From the leftover batter I had, I made this masala paniyaram as well as sweet paniyaram. Given a choice, I liked the Sweet Paniyaram more than the masala ones.

How to Make Paniyaram Recipe

1: In a bowl take 2 cups of idli batter and then add the following ingredients:

• ⅓ to ½ cup chopped onions
• 1 to 2 finely chopped green chilies
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
• ⅓ cup grated coconut (optional and can skip if you don’t have)
• 1 pinch of asafoetida (hing) – for a gluten free dish skip asafoetida
• ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon crushed black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped curry leaves
• salt if needed (if you have not added salt to the idli batter, then add salt according to taste)

2: Stir to combine and mix well thoroughly with a spoon. If the batter looks thin then add 1 to 2 tablespoons rice flour. If the batter looks thick then add some water as needed.

For a no onion version you can easily skip adding onions to the batter. The addition of onions gives a good flavor and taste. But even without onions these dumplings taste good. Just remember to add the remaining spices and herbs.

You can also add grated veggies like carrots, cabbage, beetroot or finely chopped greens like spinach, fenugreek leaves, amaranth leaves.

3: Heat the Paniyaram chatti on the stovetop. Add a few drops of oil or 1 teaspoon of oil if you prefer in each mould.

The appe pan shown in the below photo makes for large dumplings. Depending upon the size and depth of the moulds the cooking time will vary. Also add oil accordingly. Smaller moulds will need less oil.

The quality and the make of the pan will also determine the cooking time. A lighter weight pan will cook the paniyaram as compared to a heavy pan.

4: Pour the spiced paniyaram batter in the moulds up to ¾ of the volume.

5: Allow to cook for a few minutes on low to medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Regulate the heat as needed depending upon the quality and make of the pan.

When you see the sides have become golden then turn over carefully with a wooden skewer or spoon and let the other side cook until golden.

You can also add some more oil if required while cooking the other side. You can use any neutral flavored oil or coconut oil or ghee.

6: You can flip them once or twice more so that they get cooked evenly. When the paniyarams are golden from all sides, remove them in a casserole. So that they stay warm. Cook in batches this way.

7: You can serve kuzhi paniyaram hot or warm with idli podi or coconut chutney or peanut chutney or onion chutney or ginger chutney or tomato chutney.

In the below photo, I have served them with coconut chutney.

They make for a good breakfast or evening snack or after school snack. These are best enjoyed when eaten hot or warm. They can also be packed for tiffin box or for short journeys.

Few more snacks recipes for you!

• Murukku
• Ribbon pakoda
• Unniyappam

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This Paniyaram Recipe post is from the archives (January 2013) and has been republished and updated on 11 September 2021.