The Art of Making Perfect Puttu: A Timeless Kerala Tradition

If there’s one dish that captures the warmth of a South Indian morning, it’s puttu. Soft, steamed, and beautifully layered with coconut, this humble delicacy has fed generations with its simple charm. Today, we’ll walk you through an easy, tasty, and authentic Puttu Recipe that carries the comfort of home and the flavour of tradition — brought to you by JVL, where good food begins with good ingredients.

Why Puttu Is More Than Just a Breakfast Dish

Before we jump into the how-to, let’s appreciate what makes this dish so loved. Puttu isn’t just food — it’s a ritual. The gentle steam, the aroma of coconut, and the first bite with curry or banana has a way of making even an ordinary morning feel special.

No wonder this classic has taken many forms across regions. While some love the earthy taste of ragi puttu, others enjoy the crunchier and lighter touch of aval puttu. But at its heart, puttu remains a soulful Kerala dish puttu that comforts, nourishes, and never disappoints.

What You Need to Make Soft, Fluffy Puttu

You don’t need chef-level skills — only patience, good-quality ingredients, and the right technique. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Ingredients

• Rice flour (roasted), 2 cups
  
• Grated coconut, fresh
  
• Warm water, as required
  
• Salt, a pinch
  
• Jaggery syrup or curries of your choice (optional)
  
• Puttu kudam (puttu maker)
  
  

Using high-quality rice flour is key. If you want even better aroma and texture, lightly warm the flour before starting — it makes a world of difference.

How to Prepare Puttu the Right Way

1. Moistening the Flour

This is the soul of your puttu. Add warm water little by little to your rice flour. Don’t pour—sprinkle. Your mixture should feel like wet sand. When you press it, it should hold shape but crumble instantly when touched.

Many first-timers add too much water, resulting in dough instead of coarse grains. Keeping the texture right is what gives puttu its signature fluffiness.

2. Layering the Puttu Steamer

Now comes the fun part. Take your puttu chamber and add one spoon of grated coconut at the bottom. Then add a few scoops of your prepared flour. Repeat the layers until the cylinder is full, ending with coconut on top.

The coconut isn’t just for taste, by the way — it keeps the steam balanced and adds moisture naturally.

3. Steaming to Perfection

Place the chamber on the puttu pot (where the water is boiling). Steam for around 5–7 minutes. When you see steam escaping continuously from the top, it’s almost done.

Once ready, gently push the steamed log out using a wooden stick or ladle. And there it is — soft, steamy, and perfect.

What to Serve Puttu With

Puttu is incredibly versatile. Depending on your mood, you can pair it with almost anything:

• Black chana curry
  
• Kadala gravy
  
• Vegetable stew
  
• Banana and sugar
  
• Jaggery coconut mix
  
• Even Ghee for extra richness (JVL ghee takes this to another level!)
  
  

Whether you like sweet, spicy, or mild flavours, puttu adjusts effortlessly.

Variations You Can Try at Home

One of the best things about puttu is how easily it adapts. Here are some delicious twists you can explore:

1. Multi-Grain or Millet Puttu

Add millets or multi-grain flour for a healthier version without losing the authentic taste.

2. Jackfruit Puttu

During jackfruit season, this version becomes a superstar in Kerala kitchens. A little fruit and a little steam — that’s all.

3. Coconut Jaggery Puttu

A favourite among kids, this slightly sweet variation feels like a festival in every bite.

4. Rava (Sooji) Puttu

Made with semolina, this one is softer and cooks faster — perfect for busy mornings.

Experimenting is half the joy. Every household has its own style, its own trick, and its own memories attached to this dish.

Why JVL Completes Your Puttu Experience

Great food starts with purity — and that’s exactly what JVL stands for. From oils to ghee, JVL ensures quality that enhances traditional dishes without changing their essence.

Here’s how JVL makes your puttu taste even better:

• Pure, high-quality oils enhance frying, seasoning, or side dishes.
  
• Clean processing ensures natural aroma is preserved.
  
• Consistent quality means your recipes stay the same every time.
  
  Whether you're making breakfast for the family or preparing something special for guests, JVL brings reliability and flavour you can trust.

A Breakfast Tradition That Never Gets Old

Puttu is more than a recipe — it’s a story. A story of families gathering around steaming plates, of simple food that fills the heart, and of flavours that never fade with time. With every bite, you taste heritage.

So the next time you steam that soft cylinder of joy, remember — you’re not just cooking. You’re carrying forward a piece of South Indian tradition.

And with JVL by your side, every morning can be a little more delicious.