Uttapam Waffles Dosa Waffles

Uttapam and dosa are popular south-Indian crepes made from fermented rice and lentil batter and are typically topped or filled with a variety of vegetables. The batter is cooked much the same way as pancakes and waffles.

Today’s recipe is a fusion between two of my family’s favorite brunch dishes - classic American waffles and dosa, or uttapam. This recipe takes the already delicious south-Indian crepes to another notch and creates a crispy, craggily golden-brown crust topped with onion, tomato, chili, and chaat masala. These waffles are a regular in my home for Sunday brunch or a quick lunch on weekdays when I have the idli dosa batter prepped and ready to go. We love to pair it with coconut chutney or tamarind chutney and enjoy this colorful, filling, plant-based meal that’s ready in under 25 minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This healthy Indian waffle recipe is a hit for many reasons, including:

The lentils and rice batter provide a complete plant-based protein. The naturally fermented batter is good for our gut flora. It’s completely customizable based on your choice of veggies. The waffles can be made ahead for a portable lunch or snack throughout the week. Waffles add that special touch of luxury to your regular Uttapams. It makes a healthy, nutritious, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian meal! It’s a super hit with kids and adults alike!

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

The ingredients include idli dosa batter, a mix of fresh veggies, and a touch of Indian spices.

Idli Dosa Batter: Whenever I have the chance, I make a batch of idli dosa batter at home and keep it in the fridge (one week) or freezer (up to a month). The store-ready batter is another great option when I am short on time - I like the Shashta Foods brand. This way, I have the batter ready and waiting whenever the waffle craving strikes. Simply adjust the Idli-dosa batter to a pourable consistency by adding 1-2 tablespoons of water. Vegetables: My family and I love the combination of onions, tomatoes, green chili, and cilantro, but this is when you can get creative. Our other favorite add-ins include bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and corn. Shredded cheddar cheese is another good addition. Chaat Masala: Chaat masala is a mix of amchur (dry mango powder), cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, asafoetida (thing), and chili powder, and it adds a unique zing factor.

Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Uttapam Waffles / Dosa Waffles

This Indian waffle recipe is so incredibly easy to make with homemade or store-bought dosa batter. All it takes is a few fresh veggies, your favorite waffle maker and you have fluffy, golden-brown waffles ready in 25 minutes!

Serving Suggestions

Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, or lunch, I always pair these savory waffles with coconut green chutney, cilantro chutney, ketchup, or chili sauce. My girls like it with tamarind chutney for a savory-sweet combo that is absolute heaven!

How to Store

These waffles are an absolute hit with my family and they make a fun cooking project any day of the week. The waffles will keep well for up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Plus, the waffles are just as delicious cold or room temperature. This makes them great for a quick lunch or afternoon snack. Wrapped in parchment with your choice of condiment on the side makes them a quick grab-and-go treat, too! To reheat them, simply pop them in your toaster for a few minutes at a low setting.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Add a few tablespoons of water to reach the right batter consistency. You’re looking for the consistency of a traditional waffle batter (not too thin, not too thick). I use about 1-2 tablespoons of water. Each square waffle needs ¼ cup batter or ½ cup total at one time. My waffle iron has two square waffle cavities, so I pour ¼ cup batter into each. This comes out to ½ cup batter total. However, since waffle makers come in different shapes and sizes, adjust the quantity accordingly. Cook time will depend on your waffle maker. It takes 4 minutes, 30 seconds for my waffles to fully cook. Adjust the time based on your waffle maker. If the waffles are golden-brown and spring back to the touch, they’re ready! Keep the waffles hot in a warm oven. Place the cooked waffles on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and keep them in a 200 degrees F oven while you prepare the remaining batter. Meal prep for a quick lunch or snack throughout the week. The waffles will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy cold, room temperature or re-warmed for a few minutes in the toaster.