Puttu is one of South India's loveliest breakfasts — gentle cylinders of steamed grain layered with grated coconut. Made with millets, it is fragrant, filling and genuinely wholesome.
What is puttu?
Puttu is a steamed dish, traditionally made in a cylindrical mould, where moistened grain flour is layered with grated coconut and steamed until fluffy.
It is a beloved breakfast across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, light yet satisfying.
Why make it with millets
Millet puttu swaps refined flour for whole-grain goodness, adding fibre and a deeper, nuttier flavour while keeping the soft, steamed texture.
It is a simple way to bring millets into a format the whole family already loves.
ORAMIL 5-in-1 Millet Mix
17 traditional millets, grains, pulses and seeds in one mix — make Dosa, Idly, Puttu, Koozh and Kanji from a single pack, no preservatives.
Explore 5-in-1 Millet MixHow it is made
The grain flour is moistened with a little salted water until it holds together loosely when pressed but still crumbles. This moisture level is the key to good puttu.
It is then layered with grated coconut in the mould and steamed until light and cooked through.
What to serve with puttu
The classic pairings are ripe banana and a little jaggery for a sweet version, or a savoury kadala (black chickpea) curry. Both are wonderful.
Children often enjoy assembling their own plate, which makes puttu a fun, hands-on breakfast.
The easy route
If making puttu from scratch feels involved, a traditional millet mix gives you the whole-grain base ready to go, so you can focus on the steaming and the coconut.
It is a gentle, nourishing way to start the day without a long process.
Frequently asked questions
Is puttu a healthy breakfast?
Puttu is steamed with very little oil and, when made with millets, is rich in fibre. Paired with banana or a chickpea curry, it is a balanced, wholesome meal.
What do you eat with puttu?
Traditionally banana and jaggery for a sweet plate, or a savoury kadala (chickpea) curry. Both complement the mild, steamed grain beautifully.
Can I make puttu without a puttu maker?
Yes. You can steam the moistened, coconut-layered grain in any steamer or idly plates, though a puttu mould gives the classic shape.
ORAMIL 5-in-1 Millet Mix
17 traditional millets, grains, pulses and seeds in one mix — make Dosa, Idly, Puttu, Koozh and Kanji from a single pack, no preservatives.
Explore 5-in-1 Millet MixKeep reading: how to make crispy millet dosa every time, the secret to soft, fluffy millet idly, and ragi koozh: the traditional summer cooler, explained.