This pancake goes by many names “Vellappam”,” Appam”, “Palappam” and so on. Growing up, we called it “Vellappam” at my home. It probably got its name due to the white color of the pancake, “Vella” translates to white in my native language, and “appam” is pancake. These pancakes are made out of fermented rice batter by grinding soaked rice, cooked rice, grated coconut, and yeast. In earlier days, they usually used palm toddy instead of yeast for fermentation.
This pancake is usually made in a pan which resembles a small flat wok called “Appa Chatti” and I have a picture below if you are interested. A ladle full of the fermented batter is poured into the center. The pan with the batter is turned around in a full circle to get its unique shape. It is then covered with a lid and cooked till done. The appam is fluffy in the center and crisp around the edges with many pores. It appears almost like a laced “dosa”. This is usually had as breakfast but can be a good dinner as well. It best goes with vegetable or chicken stew curry, egg curry, or even simply with sweetened freshly squeezed coconut milk. Read on for the instructions on how to make it. Enjoy!

Rice Pancake made with fermented rice batter by grinding soaked rice,cooked rice ,grated coconut and yeast.
- 2 cups rice soaked in water
- 3/4 cup grated coconut
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1/4 tsp yeast soaked in luke warm water
- 3 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Wash and soak 2 cups of rice in enough water for about 6 hours
Grind the soaked rice with little water
Add the grated coconut , cooked rice and continue to grind till you get a smooth batter
Add yeast to luke warm water with the sugar dissolved in it.
Add salt to taste.
Keep in a warm place and wait for the batter to ferment.
After about 4 to 6 hours (depending on the humidity of the place you live in) the batter would have risen up.
Use immediately or store in the refrigerator to use later.
To make the pancake, heat up the Vellapam pan.
Pour a ladle of batter in the center.
Turn around the pan in a full circle so that it gets it's unique shape.
Reduce heat ,cover with a lid and cook until done.
The appam will have a fluffy center with many pores and a crispy edge around it.
Serve with stew or egg curry or coconut milk. Enjoy!

Vellappam Rice Pancake

The flat rounded wok like pan to make vellappam

Vellapam is a great combination with Egg curry

Vellapam – Rice Pancakes

A delicious breakfast made with fermented rice batter
44 Comments
Lace n Plaid
May 2, 2018 at 2:18 pmI loved this so much as a child! Thanks for posting!
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 2:20 pmThat’s wonderful to know that you have had it! Thank you for stopping by!
Lace n Plaid
May 2, 2018 at 2:29 pmYes, I used to have it more as a dessert with sweetened coconut milk. Thanks for bringing back sweet memories.
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 2:39 pmI love that combination as well , am so glad it brought back sweet memories 🙂
Dippy Dotty Girl
May 2, 2018 at 2:37 pmYou know, nothing better than an appam and stew for a meal. I have been wondering about how to make them and getting that particular wok. I shall have to try your recipe. Looks fabulous and perfect! xx
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 2:47 pmThank you for stopping by Dippy, nice to hear from you!The Vellappam stew/egg curry combination is very popular especially at get-togethers or occasions back in my home town. The wok should be available online or even in Indian groceries.It’s very easy to make once you have that and hope you try it sometime 🙂
Dippy Dotty Girl
May 2, 2018 at 2:56 pmI will have to 🙂 I love appams. It is healthy too. xx
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 3:01 pmLovely to hear that, yes it does not use much oil and fills you up quickly so healthy indeed 🙂
Megala
May 2, 2018 at 2:54 pmLove this beautiful spongy appam, thanks for sharing the recipe !
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 3:02 pmThank you Megala, it is spongy in the center and the pores soak up all the curry making it even tastier!
Invisibly Me
May 2, 2018 at 3:50 pmI’ve never had rice pancakes, but they look so delicate. Will have to give them a go as they look simple enough for even me (disaster in the kitchen) to try. x
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 4:12 pmThey taste good , the process of soaking, grinding and fermenting may sound like a bit of work. I know it took me a while to make it myself when I moved out of home and I had the excuse of not having a pan in the beginning :). But once I figured it and got good results, there was no looking back 🙂
The Karavali Wok
May 2, 2018 at 3:56 pmSuch spongy and perfect vellappams 😋 Will try them soon!
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 4:13 pmThank you Smitha, I’m sure you will love this dish!
F for Flavour
May 2, 2018 at 4:05 pmThis is my Hubby’s favourite.. He loves to have it with coconut milk..
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 4:19 pmYes indeed coconut milk is a great combination. Glad to hear and Thank you for stopping by!
jenniferguerrero1
May 2, 2018 at 5:06 pmGah! They’re so pretty! 😀
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 5:11 pmThanks a lot for the lovely comment and stopping by!
PlantsandBeyond
May 2, 2018 at 6:30 pmOr blini in our language ;))) looks amazing💐
InspiresNish
May 2, 2018 at 6:41 pmAh! I see that’s nice to know .Thank you for the lovely comment!
iScriblr
May 2, 2018 at 9:48 pmWow.. A beautiful spongy appam! Love it! 🙂
InspiresNish
May 3, 2018 at 12:02 amThank you so much , it was indeed spongy .
authenticsimplifiedrecipes
May 3, 2018 at 12:44 amLooks amazing!!!….though I too make these and is relished by all my family…courtsey one of my friend from kerala 😃
InspiresN
May 3, 2018 at 12:50 pmWonderful to know that you got introduced to it by your Keralite friend and that you enjoy it! Thank you for stopping by and the comments.
a mindful traveler
May 3, 2018 at 5:56 amOh I love these, we call them hoppers. Just delicious dipped with curry. They look great Nisha. Also I have participated in the Quote challenge. Thanks again for the nomination my friend. Check it out here. Xx
https://amindfultraveler.com/2018/05/02/three-day-quote-challenge-day-1/
InspiresNish
May 3, 2018 at 1:01 pmThank you dear Lorelle , absolutely right dipped in curry it’s just awesome . Happy to hear you participated in the quote challenge tag and I loved your post 🙂
a mindful traveler
May 3, 2018 at 1:03 pm👍🏼❤️
joshi daniel
May 3, 2018 at 2:11 pmThat looks yummy 🙂
InspiresNish
May 3, 2018 at 3:18 pmThank you Joshi, appreciate your comments!
Neetha
May 3, 2018 at 8:20 pmThe appam looks mouth watering. I have had it with sweet coconut milk/korma, egg curry sounds amazing with it too .. Beautiful pics
InspiresNish
May 3, 2018 at 8:25 pmThank you Neetha, they are all excellent combinations .I love them all 🙂
indianeskitchen
May 8, 2018 at 2:42 pmWow I have never heard of this before and it sounds and looks amazing!
InspiresNish
May 8, 2018 at 3:21 pmThank you Diane, I’m pretty sure you will like it it’s almost like a soft bread or pancake !
Ramyarecipes
May 8, 2018 at 4:29 pmLovely texture and Clicks 😍
InspiresNish
May 8, 2018 at 6:23 pmThanks a lot Ramya!
Vidya Narayan
May 12, 2018 at 4:21 pmThis visual treat for any south indian is amazing! Perfectly made and I bet it tasted super delicious.
InspiresNish
May 12, 2018 at 4:25 pmYes indeed seeing a fluffy and crispy appam with those nice pores is a pride for any south Indian I guess 🙂 especially for a foodie like me LoL .Thank you Vidya!
Vidya Narayan
May 14, 2018 at 4:52 amOh absolutely true.. we foodies live for such golden moments of pleasure. My pleasure dear.
Christy B
April 22, 2019 at 6:38 pmThey look so dainty! This is a new dish for me and I liked reading how to make it 🙂
InspiresNish
April 23, 2019 at 12:18 amThank you Christy! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Pavani
September 24, 2020 at 12:28 pmAppam looks so delicious and fluffy. It has been a long time I made them. Thanks for sharing.
InspiresNish
September 24, 2020 at 1:27 pmThank you dear, wonderful to know you make it as well!
Lathiya
September 29, 2020 at 9:08 pmI love vellapam for breakfast. Appam with stew or chicken curry is something I always look forward.
InspiresNish
September 29, 2020 at 9:20 pmYes that is the best combination indeed . I also love it dipped in with plain fresh coconut milk and sugar . Thank you Lathiya!