Pesarattu (Andhra Green Gram Crepes)
Local name: పెసరట్టు
In short: Crisp, protein-rich crepes of whole green gram ground with ginger, green chili and cumin, topped with onion. No fermentation needed. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 6 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Pesarattu are the crisp, green crepes of Andhra Pradesh, made from whole green gram soaked and ground with ginger, green chili and cumin. Unlike dosa batter, there is no fermentation, so the batter goes from the blender to the pan in minutes. The crepes are topped with chopped onion and eaten hot with ginger or coconut chutney. They are high in plant protein and one of the easiest South Indian breakfasts.
Instructions
- Rinse the green gram and rice and soak them together in plenty of water for 6 hours or overnight.
- Drain and grind them in a blender with the ginger, green chilies, cumin, salt and about 150 ml water until completely smooth. The batter should pour more thickly than regular crepe batter. Thin with a splash of water if needed.
- Mix the onion and coriander in a small bowl for the topping.
- Heat a non-stick or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and wipe it with an oiled paper towel. Pour about 80 ml (1/3 cup) of batter into the center and spread it outward into a thin 20 cm (8 in) round.
- Sprinkle a spoonful of the onion mixture over the top and drizzle 1 tsp oil around the edge.
- Cook for about 2 minutes, until the edges lift and the underside is crisp and golden. Fold and serve hot with chutney, repeating with the remaining batter.
Tips
- If the crepe tears as you spread it, the batter is too thick, so loosen it with a spoonful of water. If it spreads too thin and breaks, stir in 1 tbsp rice flour.
- Spoon a little cooked upma into the center before folding for a more filling breakfast.
Questions and answers
Do I need to ferment pesarattu batter?
No. Pesarattu batter is used straight after grinding, which makes it much quicker than dosa.
Is pesarattu high in protein?
Whole green gram is a good source of plant protein. Two crepes as written provide about 12 grams.
Why does my pesarattu stick to the pan?
The pan may not be hot enough or well seasoned. Heat it thoroughly, wipe it with oil and wait until the edges lift before moving the crepe.
How long does it take to make Pesarattu (Andhra Green Gram Crepes)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pesarattu (Andhra Green Gram Crepes)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 37 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
