Make Kerala-Style Puttu For Breakfast In Just 6 Steps

By Suprita Mitter

November 10, 2024

Puttu is a popular steamed breakfast made from rice flour and grated coconut. It pairs well with curries, bananas, or even sugar making it a comforting, mildly sweet, and filling start to the day.

Ingredients

1 cup rice flour (puttu flour or roasted rice flour) ½ cup grated coconut Salt Water

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, add rice flour and a pinch of salt. Gradually add water, a few tablespoons at a time, and mix with your fingers. 

Step 2

The flour should be crumbly but slightly moist; it should hold shape when pressed but fall apart when rubbed.

Step 3

Heat water in the base of a puttu steamer (puttu kutti). If you don’t have one, you can use a regular steamer with a cylindrical mold or an idli steamer.

Step 4

In the cylindrical steamer, start with a tablespoon of grated coconut, then add a layer of the prepared rice flour mixture. Continue layering with coconut and rice flour, ending with a final layer of coconut on top.

Step 5

Place the puttu maker on the steamer. Steam for 5–7 minutes, or until steam is escaping from the top. Carefully remove the puttu from the mould.

Step 6

Slide the puttu onto a plate and enjoy hot with banana, sugar, or curry.