Vapatta

Transport your taste buds to the heart of traditional South Indian cuisine with Vapatta—a moist and fragrant banana and jaggery steamed cake that bursts with tropical flavors and warm spices. Made with ripe bananas, freshly grated coconut, and aromatic cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, this wholesome treat is naturally sweetened with rich, caramel-like jaggery for an authentic flavor profile. Rice flour gives it a tender, gluten-free texture, while the gentle steaming process ensures every bite is perfectly soft and indulgent. Finished with a hint of ghee for added richness, Vapatta is a delightful snack or dessert that pairs beautifully with a cup of chai. Easy to prepare and steamed to perfection, this traditional recipe is a satisfying way to enjoy the goodness of bananas and coconut in a healthy, homemade dessert.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 large Ripe bananas
• 150 g Jaggery
• 1 cup Freshly grated coconut
• 1.5 cups Rice flour
• 4 pods Cardamom pods
• 2 whole Cloves
• 1 inch piece Cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons Ghee
• 1 pinch Salt

Directions

Step 1

Peel the ripe bananas and mash them thoroughly in a large mixing bowl until smooth.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, melt the jaggery with 2 tablespoons of water on low heat, stirring constantly, until it forms a syrup. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 3

Finely crush the cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon stick using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to make a fragrant spice mix.

Step 4

Add the grated coconut, jaggery syrup, and crushed spice mix to the mashed bananas. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Gradually fold in the rice flour and a pinch of salt into the banana mixture to form a smooth, thick batter. Ensure there are no lumps.

Step 6

Grease a steaming pan or bowl with a tablespoon of ghee to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the greased pan, spreading it evenly.

Step 8

Heat a steamer with enough water and bring it to a gentle boil. Place the steaming pan with the batter into the steamer.

Step 9

Cover the steamer and steam the cake over medium heat for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10

Once cooked, carefully remove the pan from the steamer and let the cake cool for 10 minutes.

Step 11

Run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen the cake, then invert it onto a plate.

Step 12

Brush the surface with the remaining tablespoon of ghee for added flavor and shine.

Step 13

Slice the Vapatta into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1205.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3050.3

Total Fat 112.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 80mg	0%
Sodium 279.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 503.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.0g	0%
Total Sugars 231.4g
Protein 32.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 424.3mg	0%
Iron 18.5mg	0%
Potassium 3789.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.1%

Protein: 4.2%

Carbs: 63.8%