Uttapam Recipe South India’s Savory Breakfast Pancake

Uttapam is a traditional South Indian breakfast dish that's often described as a "thick dosa topped like a pizza." But don’t mistake it for a sidekick to dosa—this soft, hearty pancake is a star in its own right. Made with fermented rice and lentil batter, uttapam is soft, slightly tangy, and studded with colorful vegetables like onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and sometimes even cheese or paneer.

Served hot off the tawa with coconut chutney and sambar, uttapam is comfort food that feels like home.

🌟 Why You’ll Love Uttapam

1. Naturally gluten-free and vegan
2. Made with fermented batter for gut-friendly benefits
3. Crisp on the outside, soft inside
4. Customizable with your favorite toppings
5. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or even a quick dinner

🕒 Prep & Cook Time

Active cooking time is less than 30 minutes. The rest is passive soaking/fermenting.

🧾 Ingredients

For the Batter (Makes 6–8 uttapams)

1. 1½ cups raw rice (or idli rice)
2. ½ cup urad dal (skinned black gram)
3. 2 tbsp poha (flattened rice)
4. ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds
5. Salt, to taste
6. Water, as needed

💡 You can also use store-bought idli/dosa batter.

For the Toppings

1. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
2. 1 small tomato, finely chopped
3. 1 green chili, chopped (optional)
4. ¼ cup coriander leaves, chopped
5. 1–2 tbsp grated carrot (optional)
6. Salt, to sprinkle
7. Oil or ghee, for cooking

👨‍🍳 How to Make Uttapam at Home

🔸 Step 1: Prepare the Batter

1. Wash and soak rice, urad dal, fenugreek seeds, and poha for 6–8 hours.
2. Grind into a smooth batter, adding water as needed.
3. Add salt and allow the batter to ferment in a warm place overnight or for 8–12 hours.
4. After fermentation, the batter should be airy and slightly tangy. Stir gently and adjust the consistency if too thick.

🔸 Step 2: Prep Your Toppings

Chop all vegetables finely. You can mix them in a bowl or keep them separate to sprinkle directly.

🔸 Step 3: Cook the Uttapam

1. Heat a cast iron tawa or non-stick pan over medium heat. Grease lightly with oil.
2. Pour a ladleful of batter onto the tawa and spread slightly (not as thin as a dosa).
3. Sprinkle a mix of onions, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander, and carrots on top.
4. Press the toppings gently with the back of a spatula.
5. Drizzle oil around the edges and on top.
6. Cover and cook for 2–3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
7. Flip and cook the other side for 1–2 minutes.
8. Serve hot with coconut chutney, tomato chutney, or sambar.

🔁 Variations You Can Try

📌 Recipe Summary

1. Cuisine: South Indian
2. Course: Breakfast / Brunch / Light Dinner
3. Prep Time: 10 minutes (+ fermentation)
4. Cook Time: 20 minutes
5. Difficulty: Easy
6. Servings: 4–5
7. Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan-friendly, Gluten-Free

💬 Tips for Perfect Uttapam

1. Use a well-fermented batter for the best flavor and fluff.
2. Do not spread the batter too thin—thickness is key for a soft center.
3. Always cook on medium flame for even browning.
4. Grease the tawa well before pouring batter for a crispy base.
5. Keep toppings chopped small so they cook quickly.

🌱 Serving Suggestions

Serve your uttapam with:

1. Coconut chutney
2. Tomato garlic chutney
3. Sambar
4. Gunpowder (milagai podi) + sesame oil

Pair with a hot cup of South Indian filter coffee for the full experience!

📌 Tags

#UttapamRecipe #SouthIndianBreakfast #FermentedFoods #VeganRecipes #GlutenFreeIndian #HealthyBrunchIdeas

❤️ Final Thoughts

Uttapam is where health meets flavor and tradition. With its crisp edges, tangy batter, and colorful toppings, this dish will surely become a regular in your breakfast or brunch routine. It’s comforting, filling, and endlessly customizable.

Want to turn your kitchen into a South Indian tiffin center? Just make some uttapams, whip up a few chutneys, and enjoy the symphony of flavors.