Back to All Recipes

Appe Recipe | South Indian Appe | Kunal Kapur Recipes

Chef Kunal Kapur Snacks & Street Food 40 Mins 4 Servings 277.6K views Mar 10, 2026
Crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy inside - these masala cheese appe are my kind of perfect breakfast / chai-time snack. Light, flavourful, and packed with little bursts of spice, they’re the kind of bite-sized treats that disappear the moment they hit the table. Masala cheese Appe (makes 36 appe)

Ingredients & Measurements

Carefully curated and proportioned for authentic flavor balance. Adjust chillies and salt to your personal taste.

Main Ingredients

  • Semolina - 1 cup
  • Curd - ¾ cup
  • Salt - 1 tsp (to taste)
  • Water - 1 cup
  • Peppercorn - 15 nos
  • Oil - 2 tbsp
  • Drty red chillies - 2 nos
  • Asafoetida - ½ tsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
  • Cumin - 1 tsp
  • Channa dal - 2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1 tsp
  • Ginger, chopped - 2 tsp
  • Green chilli, chopped - 2 nos
  • Curry leaves - a sprig
  • Carrot, grated - ½ cup
  • Onion, chopped - ½ cup
  • Coriander, chopped - handful
  • Baking powder/Eno - 1 tsp
  • Oil - gentle spray
  • Cheese cubes - few (optional)
  • Oil - gentle spray

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

  1. 1
    In a bowl, combine semolina, curd, salt and water to make a smooth batter. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes so the semolina softens.
  2. 2
    Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan. Add peppercorns and dry red chillies and sauté briefly.
  3. 3
    Add asafoetida, mustard seeds, cumin, chana dal and urad dal. Let them crackle and turn lightly golden.
  4. 4
    Add chopped ginger, green chilli and curry leaves. Sauté until fragrant.
  5. 5
    Add grated carrot and chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened. Turn off the heat and mix in chopped coriander.
  6. 6
    Add this tempering to the rested batter and mix well.
  7. 7
    Just before cooking, add baking powder/eno and gently mix.
  8. 8
    Heat an appe pan and lightly spray oil in each cavity. Pour some batter, place a small cube of cheese in the centre (optional), and cover with a little more batter.
  9. 9
    Cook on medium heat, turning occasionally, until the appe are golden and crisp on all sides.
  10. 10
    Serve hot with green chutney or ketchup.
  11. 11
    (Kunal kapur, appe recipe, rava appe recipe, masala appe, cheese appe recipe, South Indian snacks, easy breakfast recipe, tea time snacks, vegetarian snack recipes, appe pan recipes, quick Indian snacks, kuzhi paniyaram, south indian appe, paddu, how to make appe, easy breakfast recipes, how to make breakfast in 10 mins)

Chef Kunal's Pro Secret Tip

For ultra-crispy snacks and street-food pakoras, add 1 tablespoon of rice flour or hot oil to the gram flour (besan) batter. Fry in oil maintained at medium-high heat—never overcrowd the kadhai to keep the temperature consistent.

Recipe FAQs & Expert Advice

How long can I store leftover Appe Recipe?

You can store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When reheating, warm on medium-low heat on the stovetop and add 2–3 tablespoons of warm water if the gravy has thickened in the fridge.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Simply substitute dairy ghee/butter with mustard oil or neutral cooking oil, and replace milk/curd with coconut milk or cashew cream where applicable.

What is the key technique to get restaurant-style flavor in this dish?

Focus on blooming whole spices in hot oil first, patiently sautéing the onion-tomato masala until oil separates, and finishing with a pinch of crushed roasted kasoori methi and freshly ground garam masala right before serving.