If you’re craving something crispy, flavorful, and healthy for breakfast, then Matar Ke Appe is just the recipe you need! These soft yet crunchy appe made with green peas (matar) are a delightful twist to the traditional South Indian paniyaram or appe recipe. Loaded with protein-rich green peas, a mix of spices, and a touch of semolina (rava) or rice flour, these bite-sized treats make a perfect tea-time snack, healthy tiffin recipe, or even a quick evening snack for kids.
What makes Matar Ke Appe so special is their balance of taste and nutrition. They’re non-fried, easy to make in an appe pan, and require no fancy ingredients. Whether you serve them with coconut chutney, mint chutney, or tomato ketchup, these little delights never fail to impress. Perfect for those who love South Indian recipes with a North Indian touch, Matar Appe will soon become your go-to breakfast or snack option.
So, if you’re searching for a healthy Indian snack, easy breakfast idea, or low-oil evening snack recipe, this Matar Ke Appe recipe will definitely win your heart and taste buds alike.
Matar Ke Appe is a delicious and wholesome twist to the classic South Indian appe recipe — also known as paniyaram in Tamil Nadu or paddu in Karnataka. Traditionally, appe is made from a fermented idli or dosa batter, cooked in a special appe pan until golden and crispy on the outside yet soft inside. But in this version, we’re adding a North Indian touch by blending in fresh green peas (matar), creating a flavorful fusion that celebrates both taste and nutrition.
Historically, the concept of appe or paniyaram dates back centuries in South Indian kitchens. It was born as a clever way to use leftover fermented batter, ensuring no food went to waste. Over time, this humble dish evolved into countless regional variations — from spicy to sweet, stuffed to plain. The Matar Ke Appe is a modern adaptation that captures the same comforting essence while introducing the goodness of protein-rich green peas, making it a perfect choice for today’s health-conscious generation.
Light, crispy, and made with minimal oil, Matar Appe is not just a healthy breakfast recipe but also an ideal snack for kids’ lunchboxes, tea-time cravings, or a quick dinner side. It’s one of those rare recipes that’s tasty, nutritious, and easy to prepare — all at once! Pair it with coconut chutney, green chutney, or even tomato ketchup, and you’ve got a wholesome, flavor-packed dish that everyone will love.
Whether you’re exploring South Indian breakfast recipes, looking for healthy Indian snacks, or simply want to try something new, Matar Ke Appe brings the best of both worlds — the traditional charm of appe and the vibrant freshness of green peas.
Ingredients – South Indian breakfast recipe
Sooji / Rawa (Semolina) – 2 cups
Curd (Yogurt / Dahi) – 1 cup
Water – 1 cup
Salt – 1½ tsp
Eno (Fruit Salt) / Leavening Agent – 1 tsp
Oil (for tempering) – 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas) – 1 tsp
Urad Dal (Split Black Gram) – 1 tsp
Curry Leaves (Kadi Patta) – 5-7 leaves
Green peas (matar) – 1 cup
Ginger – 1 inch piece
Green Chillies (Adjust to spice) – 5
Besan (Gram Flour) – ¼ cup
Red Chilli Powder – 1 tsp
Chaat Masala (Key Flavor) – 1 tsp
Salt – 1 tsp
Oil for greasing the appe pan
How to Make Appe with green peas Step by Step
Preparing the Batter
1. Start by adding 2 cups of semolina (sooji) to a large mixing bowl.
2. Add 1 cup curd.
3. Add 1½ tsp salt.
4. Pour in 1 cup of water.
5. Mix everything well until you get a smooth, lump-free batter.
Prepare the Tadka (Tempering)
6. Heat a little oil in a small pan.
7. Once hot, add mustard seeds.
8. Add chana dal and urad dal.
9. Add a few fresh curry leaves.
10. Let them crackle and turn aromatic — this flavorful tadka adds a beautiful South Indian touch to your appe. Pour this tadka into the prepared batter.
11. Mix well so the flavors are evenly combined.
12. Let it rest for about 15 minutes while you prepare the filling.
Make the Matar Filling
13. In a grinder, add 1 cup green peas.
14. Add 1-inch ginger.
15. Add 5-6 green chillies.
16. Grind to a coarse paste — this gives your filling a nice texture and a punch of spice.
Cook the Filling
17. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan.
18. Add ¼ cup gram flour (besan).
19. Roast it slightly until fragrant.
20. Now, add the ground matar paste.
21. Add red chilli powder.
22. Add chaat masala.
23. Add salt.
24. Mix everything well and cook until the mixture thickens.
25. Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly. Once cool, shape small balls from the mixture — these will be your delicious matar fillings.
Cook the Appe
26. Add 1 tsp ENO in batter,this helps make the appe fluffy and soft.
27. Heat the appe pan (appa patra) and grease each cavity lightly with oil. Pour a spoonful of batter into each section.
28. Place one matar ball in the center.
29. Then cover it with a little more batter.
Flip and Cook
30. Flip carefully.
31. cook the other side until crisp and golden.
Serve and Enjoy
32. Your hot and crispy Matar Ke Appe are ready.
33. Serve them with coconut chutney for a perfect breakfast or tea-time snack.
Recipe by Sonali KalaCourse: SnacksCuisine: SouthernDifficulty: Medium
Servings
30
servings
Prep time
15
minutes
Cooking time
15
minutes
Total time
30
minutes
If you’re bored of your usual breakfast options, it’s time to try something that’s crispy outside, soft inside, and absolutely irresistible — Matar Ke Appe! This easy and healthy South Indian-style snack combines the goodness of green peas (matar) with semolina (sooji) and a flavorful spice tempering (tadka) to create a mouthwatering dish perfect for any time of the day.
Ingredients
2 cups semolina (sooji/rava)
1 cup curd (yogurt)
1½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1 cup water
1 tsp ENO fruit salt
2 tbsp oil (for tempering)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp chana dal
1 tsp urad dal
A few curry leaves
1 cup green peas (matar)
1-inch piece ginger
5 green chillies
¼ cup gram flour (besan)
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp chaat masala
Oil for greasing the appe pan
Directions
Part 1: Preparing the Fluffy Sooji Batter
Prep the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sooji (rawa), curd (yogurt), and salt.
Add Liquid: Gradually pour in 1 cup of water, mixing continuously to ensure there are no lumps. You want a smooth, thick, pourable consistency, similar to an idli batter.
The Essential Rest: Cover the bowl and let the batter rest for 15 minutes. This crucial step allows the sooji grains to fully absorb the liquid and soften, making your appams light and fluffy.
Ready the Tadka (Tempering): While the batter rests, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a small pan. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then, add the chana dal and urad dal and sauté until they turn light golden brown. Finally, toss in the curry leaves (be careful, they might splutter!).
Mix & Aerate: Pour the entire hot tadka mixture into the rested batter. Just before you're ready to cook, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of Eno (Fruit Salt) over the batter. Quickly and gently mix it in one direction until the batter becomes frothy and bubbly. Do not overmix!
Part 2: Making the Spicy Green Pea Stuffing
Prep the Peas: Start by shelling and cleaning 1 cup of fresh peas (matar).
Grind the Mixture: Transfer the shelled peas to a grinder or food processor. Add the ginger and green chilies. Grind everything into a coarse, slightly chunky paste. Do not add water.
Roast the Besan: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan. Lower the heat and add 1/4 cup of besan (gram flour). Roast the besan slowly, stirring constantly, until it turns a light nutty brown and smells fragrant—about 2-3 minutes. This step prevents the filling from becoming sticky.
Cook the Filling: Add the ground pea mixture to the roasted besan. Stir well.
Seasoning: Mix in the red chili powder, chaat masala, and the required salt. Cook on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the moisture evaporates and the mixture thickens into a firm, non-sticky dough.
Shape the Balls: Once the mixture has cooled slightly, roll it into small, marble-sized balls. These will be your stuffing.
Part 3: Cooking the Stuffed Appams
Heat the Pan: Place the Appam Pan (Appe Saancha) on medium heat and brush all the cavities lightly with oil.
Layer the Batter: Pour a spoonful of the aerated sooji batter into each cavity, filling it about halfway.
Place the Stuffing: Gently place one of the prepared green pea stuffing balls right in the center of the batter in each cavity.
Cover & Cook: Spoon a little more batter over the stuffing ball to completely cover it.
Cook to Perfection: Cover the pan with a lid and let the appams cook on low-medium heat for about 3-4 minutes until the base turns a beautiful golden brown.
Flip & Finish: Using a skewer or a wooden stick, gently flip each appam. Cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until it's equally golden brown and cooked through.
Serve & Enjoy: Your piping hot Stuffed Sooji Appams are ready! Serve them immediately with coconut chutney, tomato ketchup, or a spicy mint chutney.
Always rest the batter for at least 10–15 minutes for softer appe.
Don’t add ENO too early; add it just before cooking for best fluffiness.
You can use frozen green peas if fresh ones aren’t available.
Grease the appe pan well to prevent sticking.
Adjust the spice level as per your taste — reduce chillies for kids.
These appe taste best when served hot and crisp straight from the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I make Matar Ke Appe without ENO? A: Yes! You can substitute ENO with ½ tsp baking soda and 1 tsp lemon juice for similar fluffiness.
Q2: Can I make this recipe without curd? A: If you’re vegan or avoiding curd, you can use buttermilk or plant-based yogurt as an alternative.
Q3: How can I make Matar Appe healthier? A: Use multigrain rava, less oil, and add finely chopped vegetables like carrots or spinach to boost nutrition.
Q4: Can I store leftover appe? A: Yes, store them in an airtight container and reheat in a pan or air fryer. However, freshly made appe taste the best.
Q5: What can I serve with Matar Ke Appe? A: They pair perfectly with coconut chutney, green coriander chutney, or even spicy tomato chutney.
Q6: Is Matar Ke Appe good for kids? A: Absolutely! These are soft, flavorful, and packed with protein from peas and lentils — ideal for a lunchbox snack.