Light and flavorful: Traditional Kerala breakfasts you can't miss
What's the story
Kerala, with its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty, has a plethora of vegetarian breakfast options- nutritious and flavorful. The state's cuisine is marked by the use of fresh ingredients, aromatic spices and traditional cooking methods. These breakfast dishes not only make for a delightful start to the day but also represent the diverse culinary traditions of Kerala. From steamed rice cakes to savory lentil pancakes, each dish has its own taste and texture.
Steamed delight
Idli with coconut chutney
Idli is a common breakfast item in Kerala prepared from fermented rice and lentil batter. These soft, fluffy cakes are usually paired with coconut chutney or sambar. As the batter is fermented, it increases the availability of vitamins and minerals, making them more nutritious. Idlis are light on the stomach but filling, making them an amazing option for a healthy breakfast.
Fermented pancake
Appam with vegetable stew
Appam is a pancake prepared with fermented rice batter and coconut milk. The soft center and crispy edges, served with vegetable stew in Kerala, is the perfect combination. The stew is made with vegetables cooked in coconut milk seasoned with spices like cinnamon and cloves. The combination makes for a wholesome meal full of carbohydrates, proteins, and essential fats.
Layered rice cake
Puttu with kadala curry
Another staple breakfast dish in Kerala is puttu—a coarsely ground rice flour dish layered with grated coconut. It is steamed in cylindrical molds to create soft layers that melt in your mouth. Puttu is typically served with kadala curry—a spicy chickpea curry cooked with roasted coconut paste—which adds protein to this otherwise carb-heavy meal.
Crispy crepes
Dosa variations
Dosa (thin crepe made from fermented rice-and-lentil batter) is crispy outside and soft inside. From plain to masala dosa with a spiced potato filling, there's a lot you can do with it. Served with chutneys and sambar, it makes for a nutritious meal with carbs, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. This famous South Indian dish is versatile enough to suit different palates and diets.