October 19, 2026
Vellai Adai
Servings:
4
Difficulty:
This steamed rice-flour sweet tastes like the indian version of the viral mochi donut but with a deeper caramel flavor from the jaggery and pops of crunch from the dried lentils.
Why you will love this recipe
Fun, bouncy texture and soft interior adds a unique element not found in many desserts
Ingredients
1 cup finely ground jaggery
1 cup water
1 cup white rice flour
1 tbsp dried coconut
1 tbsp dry-roasted chana dal
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
Method
MAKE SUGAR SYRUP. Add jaggery and water to a pot. Stir well to dissolve jaggery. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat.
MAKE RICE FLOUR DOUGH. Add rice flour 1/4 at a time to the jaggery syrup. Mix well until completely combined. Repeat with remaining flour in 1/4 increments. When all the flour is used, the mixture should be thick and slightly sticky. Add coconut, chana dal, and cardamom and mix well.
SHAPE. Remove mixture from the pot. Let rest until it is cool enough to handle. Divide into 16 balls. Roll each ball into a sphere, then use your thumb and first finger to create a hole in the center of each ball and flatten into a donut-shape. Repeat with remainder of the dough.
COOK. Place onto a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and let cook until no longer sticky, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
SERVE. Plate as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vellai adai? Vellai adai is a jaggery and rice flour based sweet from south india that is traditionally made by steaming a rice-flour paste into rings.
What sweetener can I use instead of jaggery? Use a powdered sweetener, such as brown sugar or coconut sugar.
Why is vellai adai healthy? Vellai adai is steamed which reduces its saturated fat content, which is harmful for heart health if consumed in large amounts.