Paniyaram Recipe | Kuzhi paniyaram (Gunta ponganalu)

Paniyaram Recipe – Kuzhi paniyaram are ball shaped dumplings made with fermented urad dal and rice batter. These are one of the everyday breakfast food from South Indian Cuisine. In most homes paniyaram are usually made with left over or over fermented Idli or dosa batter.

These are known by different names paddu, gundu pongala, gunta ponganalu, guliyappa and masala paniyaram.

To make these, fermented batter is poured to the cavities of a special pan called as paniyaram pan also known as Aebleskiver pan.

Most traditional South Indian homes do own these pans made of cast iron. In the modern days, many women prefer the non stick pans as they are light to handle & maintain.

Paniyaram turn out crispy on the outside and soft inside. The batter is usually seasoned with basic ingredients and onions which adds a good flavor and a bit of nutrition.

Masala paniyaram are usually eaten with a chutney like coconut chutney or tomato chutney. However we do love these with the tiffin sambar or idli sambar & Idli podi.

My mom always used to make gunta ponganalu with the slightly sour dosa batter from the previous day. So I follow the same and make whenever my kids ask for it.

I am sharing the savory version here, you can find the sweet paniyaram here and Instant sweet paniyaram here.

Preparation

1. Seasoning adds flavor to the paniyaram and they keep fresh for few hours. If you are not going to eat them right away I suggest this step. You can skip this and the next step if it is for immediate consumption.

Add 1 tbsp oil to a hot pan. Allow mustard to crackle and add chopped curry leaves.

2. Saute onion, green chilies and carrot (optional) until the raw smell of onions has gone or till they turn pink. Switch off. Add hing and coriander leaves. Allow this to cool.

3. Take idli / dosa batter in a bowl.  I used this sada dosa batter. If you are following 1:2 idli recipe from this blog, you can add 1 to 2 tbsp rice flour per cup of fermented batter. Mix well.

4. Add the cooled seasoning along with very little salt if needed. Stir it well. The consistency must be thick batter, not very thick or runny. If needed you may sprinkle little water and stir.

How to make paniyaram recipe

5. Heat the paniyaram pan with few drops of oil in each mold. If using a cast iron pan, you will have to season it either the previous night or in the morning. If using non stick pan, just grease it and then use.

6. When the pan is hot enough, fill each mold to 3/4. They will puff and raise.

7. Lower the heat. Partially cover and cook for 1 to 2 mins. I do this to ensure they cook well inside. You can also skip this. I also make sure to cook for a while after the lid is open to get a crust.

8. When they are fried to golden, flip them to the other side using a wooden spoon or a chop stick.

9. Cook on the other side until done.

Serve paniyaram with chutney. The color of the paniyaram may vary based on the proportions of rice and dal used for making the batter.

Paniyaram recipe

I also have a paniyaram recipe from Chef Jayalakshmi Rajkumar, who works in Taj Savoy, Ooty. When I tasted these soft, fluffy and delicious paniyaram made by her, I had to ask for the recipe.

She was generous enough to share her recipe. If you prefer to make the batter from scratch then this may be useful.

Ingredients
1/4 cup urad dal
1 cup rice
1 cup beaten rice or poha
pinch of methi seeds.

Method
Wash and soak dal, methi and rice separately for 6 hours. Soak beaten rice 15 mins before blending. Drain and blend poha along with little water dal,methi and salt until frothy.

Blend rice with little water until smooth. Mix all together and set aside for fermentation for at least 6 to 8 hours. Use the batter as mentioned below.

The recipe shared below in the recipe card is the way we make at home using the left over idli or dosa batter.

Kuzhi paniyaram with dosa batter