Banana Appo
Sweet, fluffy dumplings made with ripe bananas, rice flour, and jaggery. These golden-brown treats, fragrant with cardamom, are a beloved South Indian snack perfect with a cup of chai.
For 4 servings
5 steps. 20 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare Jaggery Syrup & Banana Mash
- b.In a small saucepan, combine the grated jaggery and 1/4 cup of water. Heat on a low flame, stirring continuously until the jaggery dissolves completely. Do not bring it to a boil.
- c.Once dissolved, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove any impurities. Set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- d.In a separate large mixing bowl, peel and mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until they form a smooth, lump-free pulp.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Mix and Rest the Batter
- b.To the mashed bananas, add the rice flour, grated coconut, cardamom powder, baking soda, and salt.
- c.Pour in the slightly cooled jaggery syrup. Mix everything together with a whisk or spatula until you have a thick, smooth batter, similar in consistency to idli batter. Ensure there are no dry flour pockets.
- d.Cover the bowl and let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for allowing the flavors to meld and results in softer, fluffier appos.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Cook the Banana Appos
- b.Place an appo pan (also known as a paniyaram or aebleskiver pan) over medium heat.
- c.Add approximately 1/2 teaspoon of ghee into each mold of the pan and allow it to heat up.
- d.Once the ghee is hot, reduce the heat to low-medium. Carefully pour the prepared batter into each mold, filling it up to about 3/4 full to allow room for it to puff up.
- e.Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes. The edges will start to look set and the bottom will be golden brown.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Flip and Finish Cooking
- b.Uncover the pan. Using a wooden skewer, chopstick, or a small spoon, gently flip each appo over to cook the other side.
- c.If the molds appear dry, you can drizzle a few more drops of ghee around the appos.
- d.Cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes until the second side is also golden brown and cooked through.
- e.To check for doneness, insert a skewer into the center of an appo; it should come out clean.
- f.Carefully remove the cooked appos from the pan and transfer them to a serving plate. Repeat the process with any remaining batter.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Serve
- b.Serve the Banana Appo warm, either on their own or with a drizzle of honey or extra ghee. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use overripe bananas with black spots on the peel for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- 2The batter consistency is key. If it's too runny, add a tablespoon of rice flour. If too thick, add a splash of milk or water.
- 3Maintain a consistent low to medium flame to ensure the appos cook evenly from the inside out without burning.
- 4The 30-minute resting period for the batter is highly recommended for a softer, more flavorful result.
- 5A wooden skewer or a chopstick is the perfect tool for flipping the appos cleanly in the pan.
- 6For a richer flavor, use fresh coconut instead of desiccated.
Adapt it for your goals.
Add-ins
Mix in 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cashews, almonds, or raisins into the batter for extra texture and crunch.
Flour AlternativeFlour Alternative
For a different texture, you can make this recipe using half rice flour and half whole wheat flour (atta).
Flavor BoostFlavor Boost
Add a pinch of dry ginger powder (sonth) or a tiny pinch of nutmeg powder to the batter for a warm, spicy note.
Vegan VersionVegan Version
To make this recipe vegan, simply substitute the ghee with coconut oil or any neutral vegetable oil.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Natural Energy Boost
The combination of natural sugars from bananas and complex carbohydrates from rice flour provides a quick and sustained release of energy, making it an excellent snack.
Rich in Potassium
Bananas are a well-known source of potassium, an essential mineral that helps maintain fluid balance, regulate nerve signals, and support healthy blood pressure levels.
Source of Iron
Jaggery is an unrefined sugar that retains more of its natural minerals, including iron, which is vital for forming hemoglobin and preventing anemia.
Frequently asked questions
A serving of 5 Banana Appos contains approximately 280-320 calories, depending on the amount of ghee absorbed during cooking and the size of the bananas used.