Kitchen Recipe Collection
Sri Lankan Lavariya (Steamed Coconut Dumplings)
Delicate steamed rice flour dumplings filled with a sweet coconut and jaggery mixture — a simple, traditional Sri Lankan treat enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- sri lankan
Ingredients
Scaled for 12 servings
- rice flour
- water
- salt
- freshly grated coconut
- jaggery
- cardamom
Equipment
- Steamer
- Mixing bowl
Instructions
- 1
Make Dough
Bring salted water to a boil. Add to rice flour gradually and mix into a soft, pliable dough.
- 2
Make Filling
Mix freshly grated coconut with crumbled jaggery and a pinch of cardamom. Do not cook — the heat of steaming will melt the jaggery.
- 3
Shape
Take a ball of dough, flatten into a circle, place a spoonful of filling in the center, and seal the edges tightly to form a dumpling.
- 4
Steam
Place on oiled banana leaf pieces in a steamer. Steam for 12–15 minutes until the dough is cooked through and translucent.
- 5
Serve
Serve warm. The filling will be sweet and molten from the melted jaggery.
Cooking Tips
- Seal the dough edges very firmly — any gap will cause the sweet filling to leak out during steaming.
- Steam on banana leaf pieces to prevent sticking and to add a subtle fragrance.
- Eat while still warm — the filling is at its best when the jaggery is just melted.
Variations
- Savory Lavariya: Fill with a spiced grated coconut and dried fish mixture for a savory version.
- Sesame Filling: Replace coconut with a toasted sesame seed and jaggery mixture.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Lavariya is a traditional Sri Lankan sweet associated with Vesak (Buddhist festival) and everyday teatime treats.
- Storage: Best eaten fresh and warm. Can be re-steamed the next day.
Nutrition Estimate
135 calories · 2g protein · 26g carbs · 3g fat · 2g fiber per serving
