Sri Lankan Egg Hoppers
Idiyappam Muttai
Delicate, lacy bowls made from fermented rice flour batter, often topped with a perfectly cooked egg. A popular breakfast or snack item.

๐ง Ingredients
- 200 g Rice flour
- 1/2 tsp Yeast(instant or active dry)
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 300 ml Coconut milk(warm)
- 4 large Eggs(for topping)
- as needed Oil or Ghee(for greasing the pan)
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and 1/4 cup warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together rice flour and salt.
๐ก Pro Tips: Ensure no lumps in the flour. - 3
Gradually add the warm coconut milk to the flour mixture, whisking continuously until a smooth, thin batter forms. It should have the consistency of thin pancake batter.
๐ก Pro Tips: The batter should be pourable. - 4
Stir in the activated yeast mixture into the batter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let it ferment in a warm place for at least 8 hours, or until bubbly and slightly sour.
๐ก Pro Tips: Fermentation time can vary based on room temperature. - 5
Heat a non-stick hopper pan or a small, lightly-oiled skillet over medium heat. Swirl the pan to coat the bottom and sides.
๐ก Pro Tips: A well-seasoned pan is crucial for easy release. - 6
Pour a ladleful of batter into the hot pan and immediately swirl the pan to spread the batter thinly in a circular motion, creating a bowl shape.
๐ก Pro Tips: Work quickly to create thin, lacy edges. - 7
Once the edges start to crisp, crack an egg into the center of the hopper. Cover the pan and cook until the egg is set to your liking.
๐ก Pro Tips: You can also cook the hopper without an egg. - 8
Gently fold the sides of the hopper inwards to form a bowl shape around the egg. Cook for another minute until the egg is done.
- 9
Carefully remove the hopper from the pan and serve immediately.
๐ก Pro Tips: Serve with sambols, curries, or seeni sambol.
๐ก Pro Tips
- โEnsure your batter is the right consistency โ too thick and it won't be lacy, too thin and it will be fragile.
- โThe fermentation is key to the unique flavor and texture of hoppers.
- โUsing a dedicated hopper pan makes the process much easier.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Plain hoppers (without egg) are also common.
- Add a pinch of turmeric to the batter for a yellow hue.
- Serve with a spicy onion relish (seeni sambol) or a coconut sambol.