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Nei appam

Nei Appam

Serves 4

20 mins

119 Kcal

Nei Appam is a very popular South Indian food, especially favoured in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is a sweet, deep-fried rice cake that can be very rich, soft, and aromatic. Traditionally used as an offering during festivals or celebrations and as a snack, the term "nei" means ghee, which gives these appams their flavour and richness. The perfect sweetened and fragrant candy for all ages, nei appam, is prepared with rice flour, jaggery, and coconut. The traditional recipe for making nei appam involves a batter of grated coconut, jaggery, and rice flour with a touch of cardamom. Some variations add a ripe banana to the batter, thus sweetening it and providing a moist texture. The batter is mixed well with ghee and a pinch of baking soda to give it a light, fluffy feel. The appams are fried in a small, round mould to get cooked perfectly, developing a golden-brown crust on the outside and remaining soft and spongy. Nei appam can usually be enjoyed as breakfast or an evening snack with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The ghee's richness makes the appams melt in your mouth, whereas the jaggery provides the sweetness gracefully. It is meant to share the joy of festivals and family gatherings or to satiate the sweet tooth with this delicacy, which brings joy to any occasion. The nei appam recipe combines rice flour, jaggery, coconut, and ghee to create a soft, sweet, and aromatic South Indian treat.

Ingredients required for Nei Appam

1 cup raw rice
1 cup jaggery
4 tbsp coconut grated
1 cardamom powdered
1/8 tsp cooking soda
1/8 tsp salt
Ghee

Cooking steps for Nei Appam

1
Nei Appam is like that friend who's always the life of the party—soft, golden, and loaded with sweet charm.
2
A classic South Indian treat, these little bundles of joy are made with raw rice, jaggery, coconut, and a sprinkle of cardamom, delivering a burst of nostalgia in every bite.
3
Whether you're celebrating a festival or just feel like indulging, Nei Appam is here to make your day sweeter.
4
To get started, soak 1 cup of raw rice for 3–4 hours.
5
This is the backbone of your appam, giving it the signature soft yet slightly chewy texture.
6
Once soaked, rinse it thoroughly to remove excess starch, and blend it into a smooth batter.
7
Add just enough water to make it thick yet pourable—think pancake batter vibes.
8
Set it aside, and let the anticipation build.
9
Meanwhile, melt 1 cup of jaggery with a splash of water over low heat.
10
Stir until it becomes a silky syrup, then strain it to get rid of any sneaky impurities.
11
This is where the appam's earthy sweetness comes from, so take a moment to admire its golden glory before mixing it into the rice batter.
12
Now, let's level up the flavor game.
13
Add 4 tablespoons of grated coconut for texture and sweetness, plus 1 powdered cardamom for that warm, aromatic magic.
14
To make the appams fluffier than your favorite pillow, stir in ⅛ teaspoon of cooking soda.
15
Don't forget a pinch of salt—it's the unsung hero that balances the sweetness and makes everything pop.
16
Give the batter a good mix and let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
17
Time to bring out the Nei Appam pan (or a Paniyaram pan if you're improvising).
18
Heat it over medium flame and add a dollop of ghee to each mold.
19
Trust me, ghee is the secret to that golden crust and luscious aroma.
20
Once the pan is hot, pour the batter into the molds, filling them three-quarters full.
21
Let them cook for about 3–4 minutes on one side until they puff up and turn golden.
22
Flip them gently and cook for another 2–3 minutes until they're perfectly browned.
23
Transfer these golden gems onto a paper towel to soak up any excess ghee (not that you'll mind a little extra richness).
24
Serve them warm and watch them disappear faster than you can say “Nei Appam.”
25
This nei appam recipe is perfect for festive occasions or as a post-meal dessert.
26
Try this recipe of nei appam for a treat that's irresistibly fluffy, caramelized, and downright delightful.

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FAQs

What are the key ingredients in Nei Appam?

The primary materials for preparing Nei Appam include rice flour, jaggery, grated coconut, and ghee. It is all mixed together to make a smooth batter, which is then fried in ghee to make the appams. The jaggery adds sweetness and rich flavour, with grated coconut providing texture and a subtle smell. Sometimes, people like to add bananas, cardamom, or a pinch of baking soda to the recipe to enhance its flavour and fluffiness.

Can I replace jaggery with anything else in Nei Appam?

You may use sugar or coconut sugar as an alternative, but it slightly changes the flavour. Jaggery lends a distinct flavour richness, an intense caramel sweetness, and a deeper colour to Nei Appam that may not be evenly matched by white sugar. If you're using sugar, it's better to melt it with water before mixing it with the batter. Authenticity is obtained with jaggery; besides, this gives a very varied flavouring that goes exceptionally well with other ingredients.

How would I achieve that crispy outside yet soft inside for Nei Appam?

It helps to get the ultimate crispy outside and soft inside Nei Appam by ensuring that the oil or ghee for frying is hot but not smoking hot. Cooking on medium heat ensures that it gets done on all sides rather than getting burnt on the outside; also, one thing about the batter- it should be thick enough to hold its shape, pourable as well, but neither too thick nor runny. If runny, it will not crisp up at all.