Uttapam Recipe: A Quick 10-Minute Breakfast Recipe

I still remember when I first had Uttapam from a roadside stall in Chennai. I wasn’t fond of South Indian food until the time I tasted masala dosa, idli, and of course Uttapam. With crispiness from the outside and softness from the inside with a punch of masala and fresh vegetables, Uttapam is definitely a dish to try out. The Uttapam recipe is so simple that I mastered it in the first go.

With bare minimum ingredients (most of which are available in your pantry) requirement, Uttapam is not just delicious but a healthy breakfast option, especially for bachelors. Although preparation for this dish may take time, the cooking takes less than 10 minutes.

So, today I will share my secret Rava Uttapam recipe that will make it hard for your family to decide whether you have made it at home or ordered it from an authentic South Indian restaurant. So, let’s get started!

What is Uttapam?

Uttapam is a savory pancake made from rava (suji) batter, some even use idli dosa batter, with a punch of masala and the addition of onion, tomatoes, capsicum, and other fresh vegetables.

It is a popular breakfast option for South Indians; however, it is getting famous in North Indian cities too. The main ingredients of Uttapam include urad and channa daal, rice flour, methi seeds, water, salt, masala, and fresh vegetables.

Just like other South Indian dishes, Uttapam is a low-calorie, healthy breakfast option for people who love to eat something fancy on weekends and for those who want a quick breakfast.

Before we look into the steps to make Uttapam at home, here are the nutritional values of this dish:

Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Pc Serving)
Nutrients	Daily Value (%)
Calories	290
Total fat	39 gm
Sodium	596 mg
Potassium	148 mg
Total carbohydrates	43 gm (3%)
Dietary fibre	4 gm (13%)
Sugar	25 gm
Protein	16 gm
Calcium	324 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Magnesium	7.6 mg
Phosphorus	6.9 mg
Zinc	0.95 mg
Vitamin K	4 µg
Vitamin B (Folate)	12µg

Ingredients for Uttapam Recipe

1 cup suji/rava 175 grams
½ cup yogurt 120 grams
½ cup water
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon eno fruit salt or use a pinch of baking soda
2 & ½ teaspoon oil
2 teaspoons chopped onion
2 teaspoons chopped bell peppers
1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
Chopped green chili to taste
Chopped curry leaves

Cooking Time for Uttapam

Although Uttapam is a quick breakfast option, the time it takes to cook one depends on the individual’s way of making it. Here’s an average time to cook Uttapam:

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes

How to Make Uttapam?

If you are convinced to make Uttapam at home, this detailed step-by-step masala uttapam recipe will guide you to make the perfect one just like street style.

Take rava (semolina) in a large bowl and mix yogurt. Whisk it well and gradually add ½ cup of water and mix until the batter is combined well. Cover it with a plate and rest it for over 30 minutes.
The rava will absorb the additional water and the mixture will become thicker. After that, add 2-3 tbsp of water to maintain the pouring consistency. (remember, it shouldn’t be thick or runny).
Now, add ¼ tsp of baking soda or eno. Meanwhile, heat a skillet on medium heat and brush a little oil on it. It is better to use the cast iron pan for extra taste.
Next, take a ladle full of Uttapam batter and pour it into the middle of the skillet. Using the same ladle, spread the batter evenly to around 5 to 5 in diameter. Don’t spread it too much as it will become thinner like dosa. Keep it thicker only.
Top the batter with chopped onions, and fresh vegetables until it crisps on medium heat. Meanwhile, drizzle some oil on the edges and on the top of the uttapam.
Cover the uttapam with a lid and cook it for 2 extra minutes on medium heat.
After that, flip the uttapam and cook the other side for another 2 minutes. You can press it with the spatula so that it gets a crispy brown texture.
Make all the uttapams with the same procedure and serve them hot with sambhar, tomato and coconut chutney.

Serving Suggestion for Uttapam

Well, if you ask me, I would recommend serving Uttapam authentically with sambhar, tomato, and coconut chutneys. However, if you don’t have time to make sambhar or chutneys, you can have it with tomato ketchup. You can also add extra spiciness with masala so you don’t need any chutney.

Tips and Suggestions for Uttapam Recipe

If you are using Eno, make uttapams immediately as you can’t store this batter.
Cook uttapams on medium heat to ensure even cooking. High heat may cause the outer layer to crisp up too quickly while leaving the inside undercooked.
You need to preheat the pan before adding the batter. You can use a cast iron skillet.
You can add podi masala on uttapams for extra spiciness and a punch of flavors.

FAQs

What is the Uttapam Batter Made of?

Uttapam batter is made by soaking rice and urad dal (a type of lentil) in water for 4-8 hours. Then, they’re ground into a thick paste and mixed together. You let it sit overnight to ferment, which makes it fluffy. Some add a pinch of salt or fenugreek seeds to help it ferment better.

Is Uttapam Healthy or Not?

Uttapam can be healthy because it’s made from rice and lentils, which give protein and carbs. The fermentation adds good bacteria to your gut. Adding veggies like onions or tomatoes brings vitamins. But if you use too much oil or eat a lot, it might not be as healthy.

How is Uttapam for Weight Loss?

Uttapam can help with weight loss since it’s low in fat and has fiber, especially with veggies or oats. It keeps you full longer, so you don’t snack. A plain one is better than one with lots of oil. Pair it with light chutney, not heavy sambar, to keep calories down.

Does Uttapam Spike Blood Sugar?

Uttapam might spike blood sugar because rice has a high glycemic index. But fermentation and adding veggies or protein like paneer can slow sugar absorption. Using brown rice or ragi in the batter helps too. It’s better for blood sugar if you eat it with low-carb chutney and don’t overdo the portion.