Sweet, aromatic, and deeply satisfying, Unni Appam is a beloved Indian dessert with centuries of tradition. This family celebration staple adds sweetness to festivals, weddings, and everyday moments of joy.
Melt jaggery with ⅓ cup water over low heat, stirring until fully dissolved. Strain to remove impurities and let cool.
In a mixing bowl, mash the banana until smooth. Add rice flour, cooled jaggery syrup, cardamom powder, and salt. Mix into a thick, pourable batter.
Stir in coconut pieces and black sesame seeds. Rest the batter for 30–60 minutes for optimal texture.
Heat an appe (paniyaram) pan over medium heat. Grease each cavity generously with ghee.
Fill each cavity about ¾ full with batter. Fry over medium-low heat for 4–5 minutes per side, turning gently with a skewer until dark golden and cooked through.
Drain Unni Appam on paper towels. Repeat process with remaining batter, adding more ghee or oil as needed. Serve warm.