Sri Lanka Hoppers Recipe: A Must-Try Dish
If you've ever visited Sri Lanka or dined at a Sri Lankan restaurant, you’ve probably fallen in love with hoppers—a crispy, bowl-shaped pancake that’s both savory and slightly sweet. These delicious treats, known locally as appa, are a staple in Sri Lankan cuisine and make for a perfect breakfast, snack, or even dinner.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Sri Lanka hoppers recipe, from ingredients to step-by-step cooking tips.
Hoppers are thin, crispy pancakes made from a fermented rice flour and coconut milk batter. They’re cooked in a small wok-like pan, giving them their signature bowl shape. There are two main types:
Plain hoppers – Crispy edges with a soft center.
Egg hoppers – The same batter but with an egg cracked into the center.
They’re often served with spicy lunu miris (onion sambal), coconut sambal, or curry.
Ingredients for Authentic Sri Lanka Hoppers
To make the perfect hoppers, you’ll need:
1 cup rice flour (fine texture)
½ cup coconut milk (fresh or canned)
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp active dry yeast
¼ tsp baking soda
½ cup warm water
Salt to taste
(Optional: Eggs for egg hoppers)
Step-by-Step Sri Lanka Hoppers Recipe
1. Prepare the Batter
Mix rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, yeast, and warm water in a bowl.
Cover and let it ferment for 6-8 hours (or overnight) for the best flavor.
Before cooking, add baking soda and salt, then mix well.
2. Heat the Hoppers Pan
Use a small hoppers pan or a small non-stick wok.
Lightly grease it with oil and heat on medium flame.
3. Cook the Hoppers
Pour a ladle of batter into the pan, swirl to coat the sides evenly.
Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until edges turn golden and crispy.
(For egg hoppers, crack an egg in the center after swirling the batter.)
4. Serve Hot
Gently remove the hopper from the pan.
Serve with coconut sambal, spicy curry, or lunu miris.
Tips for Perfect Hoppers
✔ Fermentation is key – The longer it ferments, the better the taste.
✔ Keep the pan well-greased to avoid sticking.
✔ Swirl quickly to get an even, thin layer.
Why You’ll Love Sri Lanka Hoppers
Versatile – Eat them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Gluten-free – Made with rice flour.
Crispy & Soft – The perfect texture combination.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the Sri Lanka hoppers recipe might take a few tries, but once you get it right, you’ll be hooked! Whether you enjoy them plain or with an egg, hoppers are a delicious way to experience Sri Lankan flavors at home.
Have you tried making hoppers before? Share your experience in the comments! 🍽️
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