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    You are here: Home / RandomPosts / Masala Seeyam Recipe

    Masala Seeyam Recipe

    Last Updated On: Oct 14, 2024 by Sharmilee J

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    Masala Seeyam is a delicious fried snack from Chettinad cuisine. Masala Seeyam is crispy on the outside with soft spongy inside. Masala Seeyam is one of the Chettinad special dishes made for breakfast or as a teatime snack and is relished with chutney. Learn to make Masala Seeyam with step by step pictures and video.

    masala seeyam served in a bamboo basket

    Masala Seeyam is one of the Chettinad special dishes we make for either breakfast or as a teatime snack. I have already posted the sweet seeyam recipe so wanted to post this savory version of seeyam. Seeyam is always made for diwali in our native both sweet and the savory versions.

    Jump to:
    • About Masala Seeyam
    • Masala Seeyam Video
    • Masala Seeyam Ingredients
    • How to make Masala Seeyam Step by Step
    • Expert Tips
    • Serving & Storage
    • FAQS
    • 📖 Recipe Card

    About Masala Seeyam

    Masala Seeyam is made by deep frying dollops of raw rice and urad dal batter along with spices, herbs until crisp and golden brown. Usually the leftover batter after making seeyam is transformed to make masala seeyam. It is traditionally called as Masala Cheeyam.

    Masala Seeyam is one of hubby’s favorite, I always love sweet seeyam. This is one of the dishes I love to have in my native Karaikudi. Whenever I visit I wish to always have this as I love seeyam so much. There are so many variations to the outer dough as many make it using maida or white flour but traditionally a special batter is made with raw rice, urad dal which I like the most.

    I have been used to eat seeyam with the traditional batter which gives crisp outside so I love this a lot. I once tried it with maida which is instant version but it was a bit soft outside so after that I prefer always the traditional way only.

    In my native Diwali is incomplete without Sweet Seeyam in the breakfast menu. To accompany the sweet in the menu and to finish off the leftover batter a simple tadka with mustard seeds, green chilies, onion, curry leaves are sauteed and added to batter. Dollops of this thick batter is deep fried to make masala seeyam.

    masala seeyam served in a bamboo basket

    Masala Seeyam Video

    Similar Recipes

    • Sweet Seeyam
    • Mysore Bonda
    • Masala Vada

    Masala Seeyam Ingredients

    • Raw Rice – Raw rice is traditionally used to make seeyam so I suggest to use the same too. It adds crisp texture to the seeyam.
    • Urad Dal – Whole white urad dal is added to give fluffiness to the batter.
    • Tempering – A simple tempering is made using oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies and onion.
    • Coconut – Grated coconut is added to the batter for taste and flavor.
    • Oil – Any cooking oil can be used to deep fry masala seeyam. Groundnut oil or Refined oil can also be used.
    • Salt – Salt is added for taste.
    ingredients needed to make masala seeyam

    How to make Masala Seeyam Step by Step

    1.Soak 1/2 cup urad dal and 1/2 cup raw rice together for 2 hours.

    soak raw rice and urad dal

    2.Rinse it well, transfer to mixer jar, add water little by little and grind.

    add,to mixer with water

    3.Grind to a thick smooth batter. Do not add more water, the batter should be thick.

    grind to a thick batter

    4.Transfer the batter to a mixing bowl. The batter should be thick at the same time in flowing consistency. Set aside.

    flowing thick batter

    5.To a pan heat 2 teaspoon oil – add 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds let it splutter.

    prepare tempering

    6.Add 1 tablespoon curry leaves finely chopped along with 1 long green chili finely chopped – give a quick saute.

    tempered spices

    7.Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion along with salt then saute until it turns transparent.

    sauteed onion

    8.Add 2 tablespoon grated coconut and give a quick saute and switch off.

    add coconut

    9.Add salt and 2 teaspoon water to the batter to adjust the consistency.

    add salt, water

    10.Add prepared tempering to the batter.

    add tempering

    11.Mix it well and set aside.

    mix it well

    12.Heat oil – check by dropping a pinch of the batter if it rises immediately then oil is ready. When the oil gets heated up pinch the batter, wipe excess at the sides and carefully drop it into the preheated oil.

    add to hot oil

    13.Turn over to other side and fry till golden brown.

    fry till golden brown

    14.Drain excess oil and remove.

    drain and remove

    15.Repeat to finish the batter.

    repeat to finish

    Expert Tips

    • Make sure you grind the batter fine and fluffy. The batter should be thick so add very less water while grinding you can add more water if needed at later stage.
    • Using grinder gives best results, but as its small amount I used mixer only.
    • Don’t bother about the exact round shapes while dropping into oil. It is ok if the shapes are irregular.
    • If by mistake you have grind the batter very runny then add 1-2 tablespoon rice flour and mix well but don’t add more.
    • I recommend adding small onion as it gives a great flavor.

    Serving & Storage

    Masala Seeyam is best when served hot with coconut chutney though it tastes great on its own along with a cup of tea. I would not suggest storing the fried masala seeyam as it may turn soft. Alternatively you can make the batter, store it and then fry whenever you want to serve it. The batter keeps well in fridge for about 2 days.

    FAQS

    1. My batter is very runny, how to rectify it?

    You can add 2-3 tablespoon(at the maximum) rice flour to the batter, mix it well to get the desired consistency.

    2.The seeyams are drinking more oil why?

    If the batter is too runny then it may drink a lot of oil so prepare the batter consistency thick so that the seeyams will not drink more oil.

    3.Masala seeyam and Mysore bonda are they same?

    No they both are different. Masala seeyam uses both raw rice and urad dal which makes it more crispy but mysore bonda is made using only urad dal for batter.

    masala seeyam served in a bamboo basket

    If you have any more questions about this Masala Seeyam Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook,  Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .

    Tried this Masala Seeyam Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

    📖 Recipe Card

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    Masala Seeyam Recipe

    Masala Seeyam is a delicious fried snack from Chettinad cuisine. Masala Seeyam is crispy on the outside with soft spongy inside. Masala Seeyam is one of the Chettinad special dishes made for breakfast or as a teatime snack and is relished with chutney. Learn to make Masala Seeyam with step by step pictures and video.
    Prep Time2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Servings3 people
    AuthorSharmilee J

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup raw rice
    • 1/2 cup urad dal
    • 1/4 cup small onion finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoon grated coconut
    • salt to taste
    • oil to deep fry

    To temper:

    • 2 teaspoon oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1 tablespoon curry leaves finely chopped
    • 1 big green chili finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Soak 1/2 cup urad dal and 1/2 cup raw rice together for 2 hours.
    • Rinse it well, transfer to mixer jar, add water little by little and grind.
    • Grind to a thick smooth batter. Do not add more water, the batter should be thick.
    • Transfer the batter to a mixing bowl add required salt along with little water to thin the batter if needed. The batter should be thick at the same time in flowing consistency. Set aside.
    • To a pan heat 2 teaspoon oil – add 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds let it splutter.
    • Add 1 tablespoon torn curry leaves along with 1 long green chili chopped finely give a quick saute.
    • Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion along with salt then saute until it turns transparent.
    • Add 2 tablespoon grated coconut and give a quick saute and switch off.
    • Add salt and 2 teaspoon water to the batter to adjust the consistency.
    • Add prepared tempering to the batter.
    • Mix it well and set aside.
    • Heat oil – check by dropping a pinch of the batter if it rises immediately then oil is ready. When the oil gets heated up pinch the batter, wipe excess at the sides and carefully drop it into the preheated oil.
    • Turn over to other side and fry till golden brown.
    • Drain excess oil and remove.
    • Repeat to finish the batter.

    Video

    Notes

    Make sure you grind the batter fine and fluffy. The batter should be thick so add very less water while grinding you can add more water if needed at later stage.
    Using grinder gives best results, but as its small amount I used mixer only.
    Don’t bother about the exact round shapes while dropping into oil. It is ok if the shapes are irregular.
    If by mistake you have grind the batter very runny then add 1-3 tablespoon rice flour and mix well but don’t add more.
    I recommend adding small onion as it gives a great flavor.
    Nutrition Facts
    Masala Seeyam Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (75 g)
    Calories 290 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Trans Fat 0.02g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 4g
    Sodium 32mg1%
    Potassium 80mg2%
    Carbohydrates 44g15%
    Fiber 8g33%
    Sugar 1g1%
    Protein 11g22%
    Vitamin A 53IU1%
    Vitamin C 30mg36%
    Calcium 41mg4%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sharmispassions or tag #sharmispassions
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    Filed Under: Diwali, Diwali Savoury Snacks, RandomPosts, Vadai / Bajji / Bonda

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. nithi

      October 29, 2013 at 11:49 am

      looks so yummy…

      Reply
    2. sindhu ja

      October 29, 2013 at 11:52 am

      Thanks for posting this recipe..Lookin yummy… will try dis…

      Reply
    3. AparnaRajeshkumar

      October 29, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      awesome sharmi ! look stunning

      Reply
    4. Yes Cook

      October 29, 2013 at 1:04 pm

      Love the clicks. Nice recipe.
      Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. jeyashri suresh

      October 29, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      Wonderful seeyams, me too posting a similar recipe , but it is with arisi kurunai

      Reply
    6. Nivedhanams Sowmya

      October 29, 2013 at 5:13 pm

      delicious and drool worthy clicks!! so festive and beautiful!!

      Reply
    7. Gayathri Ramanan

      October 29, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      fabulous….looks tempting..lovely clicks

      Reply
    8. Hasna Hamza Layin

      October 29, 2013 at 9:25 pm

      Yumm .. I wanna try this.. No need of fermenting the dough,right?

      Reply
      • SHARMILEE J

        October 30, 2013 at 1:56 am

        No fermenting is needed for this….

        Reply
    9. Wer SAHM

      October 30, 2013 at 2:05 am

      so delicious Seeyam….

      Reply
    10. Tinku Ji

      October 30, 2013 at 4:51 am

      Looks so yumm

      Reply
    11. Uma Shankar

      October 30, 2013 at 5:47 am

      never heard of this it looks super

      Reply
    12. dentist

      November 02, 2013 at 9:45 pm

      We tried today and came out well….thanks for sharing

      Reply
    13. banafeshah ali

      January 06, 2014 at 10:19 am

      perfect

      Reply
    14. Sangeetha Ganeshbabu

      May 31, 2014 at 9:45 am

      Going to try this out will update soon

      Reply
    15. Sangeetha Ganeshbabu

      May 31, 2014 at 9:46 am

      Going to try this will update soon

      Reply
    16. Sangeetha Ganeshbabu

      May 31, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      Tried it came out good. Thx eating for more treats

      Reply
    5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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