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Uttapam

A thick, soft griddle cake from dosa batter, studded with onions, tomatoes, and chilies — like a savory pancake with a crisp golden skirt.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 25 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 BreakfastCategory
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Uttapam is the laid-back cousin of dosa, made from the same fermented batter but poured thick and topped with vegetables. It is a favorite of home cooks because it needs no spreading skill — just pour, top, and flip. Onions, tomatoes, and chilies are pressed right into the batter so every bite has a little of everything.

A soft pancake with a golden, crisp edge

The center stays spongy and tender, soaking up the juices of onion and tomato, while the edges turn lacy and crisp in the oil. Each bite is a mix of tangy batter, sweet softened onion, and a kick of green chili, with cilantro adding a fresh finish. Serve it with coconut chutney and sambar for a breakfast that feels both familiar and special, and generous enough to feed a hungry crowd. It is also a brilliant way to use up leftover dosa batter and whatever vegetables are sitting in the fridge.

Craving more? Explore all South Indian Kitchen recipes.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. 1. Mix the onion, tomato, chilies, cilantro, salt, and pepper into the batter.
  2. 2. Heat a griddle over medium and grease it lightly with oil.
  3. 3. Pour a ladleful of batter and spread it gently into a thick 6-inch round — do not make it thin.
  4. 4. Drizzle oil around the edges and cook until the bottom is golden and crisp, about 3 minutes.
  5. 5. Flip and cook 2 minutes more, then serve hot with chutney and sambar.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Use batter that has fermented properly — young, unfermented batter makes a dense uttapam. Press the toppings gently into the batter before flipping so they stay put.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook25 min
Servings4
CategoryBreakfast
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →