10-Minute Oats Unni Appam / Nei Appam Recipe – A Delightful Twist on a Classic Kerala Snack
If you’re looking to indulge in a healthy, easy-to-make snack that’s both delicious and rich in flavor, look no further than the 10-Minute Oats Unni Appam / Nei Appam! This recipe is a fantastic variation of the traditional Kerala Unni Appam, a beloved sweet dumpling typically made with rice flour, jaggery, banana, and a touch of coconut and cardamom for added flavor. The usual deep-fried treat gets an exciting twist with the use of instant oats, making it a perfect snack for health-conscious foodies without compromising on taste.
What makes this recipe even more appealing is its incredibly quick preparation time—just 10 minutes! The soft and fluffy interior contrasts beautifully with the crispy exterior, making it a delightful snack for both kids and adults alike. With a handful of wholesome ingredients, this Oats Unni Appam is sure to be a hit at your next gathering or even as part of a special Kerala meal. Best served as a weekend snack or as an Onam special treat, these appams are irresistibly tasty.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Instant Oats (Oatmeal) | 1 cup |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 1/8 cup |
| Rice Flour | 1/8 cup |
| Jaggery (powdered) | 3/4 cup |
| Ripe Bananas (mashed) | 1 |
| Water | 1/4 cup |
| Baking Soda | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Ghee | 4 tablespoons |
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Instructions
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Prepare the Oats: Begin by grinding the instant oats into a fine powder. This is a quick and easy step that ensures the oats blend seamlessly into the batter.
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Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered oats, rice flour, whole wheat flour, and powdered jaggery. The jaggery will add a lovely natural sweetness to the appams.
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Add the Wet Ingredients: Mash the ripe banana and add it to the dry ingredients. Then, add the water and baking soda, and blend everything together to form a smooth batter. The consistency should be similar to that of idli batter—thick but pourable.
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Heat the Paniyaram Pan: Heat a kuzhi paniyaram pan (appa-karal) over medium heat. Add a small amount of ghee (about 1/4 teaspoon) in each of the appam cups. Allow the ghee to melt and the pan to heat up thoroughly.
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Fry the Appams: Once the ghee is hot, drop a spoonful of the batter into each appam cup. Fill each cup about halfway to allow the appam to cook evenly. Fry until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
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Flip and Cook the Other Side: Using a greased spoon, carefully flip the appams over to cook the other side. Fry for another minute or so until the appams are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
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Repeat the Process: Continue frying the remaining appams in batches. You may use less ghee for the second batch as the pan will already be well-greased from the first batch.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once all the appams are fried to a crisp, remove them from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess ghee. These 10-Minute Oats Unni Appam / Nei Appams are ready to serve!
Enjoy your delicious Oats Unni Appams as a delightful snack or as a part of a traditional Kerala meal. Their crispy exterior and soft, aromatic interior make them the perfect treat for any occasion, and with the added health benefits of oats, they’re sure to become a family favorite!
Allergen Information
- Gluten: Contains wheat flour, which may not be suitable for those with gluten intolerance.
- Dairy: Contains ghee, which is a dairy product. A non-dairy alternative can be used for those following a vegan or dairy-free diet.
- Nuts: This recipe is nut-free, making it safe for those with nut allergies.
Dietary Preferences
- Vegetarian: This recipe is vegetarian-friendly and can be enjoyed by individuals following a vegetarian diet.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the whole wheat flour and rice flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version, replace ghee with coconut oil or any other plant-based oil of your choice.
Tips for the Perfect Oats Unni Appam / Nei Appam
- Adjust Sweetness: Depending on your preference for sweetness, you can adjust the amount of jaggery used in the recipe. If you prefer a more intense sweetness, you can even add a little extra jaggery.
- Consistency: If the batter seems too thick, you can add a little more water to reach the desired consistency. It should be thick but still pourable to fill the appam cups.
- Crispiness: The key to a perfect Oats Unni Appam is the crispy exterior. Ensure that the ghee is hot enough before adding the batter and fry the appams until the edges are golden brown and crispy.
- Alternate Flavoring: For a flavor variation, you can add a pinch of cardamom powder to the batter for that signature Kerala flavor.
Conclusion
The 10-Minute Oats Unni Appam / Nei Appam is a modern twist on a traditional Kerala favorite that combines the goodness of oats with the classic flavors of banana, jaggery, and ghee. It’s quick to prepare, making it a perfect snack for busy days or festive occasions like Onam. With its crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior, it’s sure to satisfy your sweet cravings in no time. This kid-friendly treat is both delicious and nutritious, making it the ideal choice for a wholesome snack or as part of a special Kerala meal. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the goodness of oats in a delicious new way!
