Unniyappam is a popular South Indian snack or sweet treat, especially in the state of Kerala. These small, deep-fried rice and jaggery fritters have a crispy outer layer and a soft, fluffy inside. Here’s a basic recipe to make delicious unniyappam at home:

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup of Raw Rice (preferably Kerala Matta Rice or Parboiled Rice)
2. 1/4 cup of Black Gram/Urad Dal
3. 1/4 cup of Jaggery (adjust to taste)
4. 2-3 ripe Bananas (small to medium-sized)
5. 1/4 teaspoon of Cardamom Powder
6. A pinch of Baking Soda
7. 1/4 cup of Grated Coconut (optional)
8. Ghee or Coconut Oil for frying
9. Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice and urad dal thoroughly, and soak them in water separately for about 4-5 hours.

2. After soaking, drain the water from the rice and grind it into a smooth batter using as little water as possible. Transfer the batter to a large mixing bowl.

3. Drain the water from the urad dal and grind it into a smooth batter separately. Add this urad dal batter to the rice batter.

4. In a pan, melt the jaggery with a little water to make a syrup. Once it’s completely melted, strain it to remove any impurities and add it to the rice and urad dal batter.

5. Mash the ripe bananas and add them to the batter as well.

6. Add cardamom powder, a pinch of baking soda, and a pinch of salt to the batter. Mix everything well to form a thick, smooth batter. You can also add grated coconut for added flavor if you like.

7. Heat the unniyappam pan (a special pan with multiple small, round cavities) and add a little ghee or coconut oil in each cavity.

8. Once the oil is hot, pour spoonfuls of the batter into each cavity, filling them up to about 3/4 full. The batter will sizzle when you add it to the hot oil.

9. Cook the unniyappams on medium-low heat. Use a wooden stick or a skewer to flip them over and cook them evenly. They should turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.

10. Remove the cooked unniyappams from the pan and place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

11. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding more ghee or coconut oil to the pan as needed.

12. Serve the hot unniyappams as a snack or dessert. They taste best when freshly made.

Enjoy your homemade unniyappams! They are a delightful treat, especially during festivals or special occasions.