Kitchen Recipe Collection
Sri Lankan Pittu (Steamed Rice & Coconut Cylinders)
Cylindrical steamed dumplings made from layers of roasted rice flour and freshly grated coconut — a classic Sri Lankan breakfast served with coconut milk, banana, or curry.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- sri lankan
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- roasted rice flour
- freshly grated coconut
- salt
- water
- coconut milk
- banana
- dhal curry
Equipment
- Pittu maker (bamboo or steel cylinder mold)
- Steamer pot
- Mixing bowl
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Flour
In a bowl, mix the roasted rice flour with salt. Sprinkle water little by little, rubbing the flour between your hands until it resembles coarse, moist breadcrumbs. It should hold its shape when pressed but crumble easily.
- 2
Layer in Mold
Fill the pittu mold by alternating layers: first a layer of grated coconut, then a layer of the moist rice flour. Repeat until the mold is full, ending with a coconut layer.
- 3
Steam
Attach the mold to the steamer pot (with boiling water). The steam from the pot will cook the pittu through the perforated base. Steam for 5-8 minutes.
- 4
Push Out & Serve
Using a thin stick or skewer, push the pittu cylinder out onto a plate. Serve immediately with warm coconut milk poured over, a banana, or a side of dhal or fish curry.
Cooking Tips
- The moisture level of the flour is critical. If it is too wet, pittu becomes dense; if too dry, it crumbles and falls apart. Aim for a texture like wet sand.
- Fresh grated coconut is essential for the authentic flavor and texture.
- You can use a mix of rice flour and wheat flour (50/50) for a softer texture.
Variations
- Kurakkan Pittu: Use finger millet (kurakkan) flour instead of rice flour for a dark, nutritious, and earthy version.
- Wheat Pittu: Use whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Pittu must be eaten fresh as it hardens and becomes dry very quickly once it cools.
- The traditional eating style is to crumble the pittu by hand and mix it with coconut milk and banana on your plate.
Nutrition Estimate
260 calories · 5g protein · 48g carbs · 8g fat · 3g fiber per serving
