Name: Healthy Sabudana Appe (Tapioca Pearl Balls) - Gluten-Free & Vegan Recipe
Prep time: 480 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 500 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Tapioca Pearl (tapioca pearls); 3 cup Water (for soaking); 1/2 cup Groundnuts (peanuts, ground into powder); 1 tsp Cumin Seeds (ground into powder); 1/2 tsp Himalayan Salt (or to taste, pink); 2 Potatoes (boiled and peeled, medium-sized); 2 tbsp Oil (for greasing hands and appe pan)

Healthy Sabudana Appe (Tapioca Pearl Balls) – Gluten-Free & Vegan Recipe

Kirti Misra

UpdatedJuly, 2025

8 hours 20 minutes

1214 reads

4.72 from 7 votes

Homestyle Cooking Indian North Indian

About Healthy Sabudana Appe (Tapioca Pearl Balls) - Gluten-Free & Vegan Recipe

Discover a delightful twist on traditional Sabudana Khichdi with these easy-to-make Sabudana Appe (Tapioca Pearl Balls)! This recipe combines the nutritional goodness of tapioca pearls with groundnuts, potatoes, and a touch of cumin, creating a wholesome and satisfying gluten-free, vegan snack or light meal. Perfect for a quick breakfast or a healthy midday treat, these savory balls are surprisingly simple to prepare.

Inspired by my blogger friend Richa Gupta from Healthy Kadai, this recipe avoids deep-frying, making it a lighter and healthier alternative to many Indian snacks. The balanced blend of carbohydrates and protein ensures a complete and fulfilling culinary experience. Get ready to enjoy a guilt-free, flavorful delight!

These non-fried Sabudana Appe are quick, easy, and packed with deliciousness – a guaranteed new favorite!

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Recipe Time & More

Prep8

Cook20

Total8 20

Calories116 kcal

Serves

Served AsBreakfast Snacks

Recipe TasteCrunchy Salty

Ingredients

Tapioca Pearls & Soaking

▢ 1 cup Tapioca Pearl tapioca pearls
▢ 3 cup Water for soaking

Dry Ingredients

▢ 1/2 cup Groundnuts peanuts, ground into powder
▢ 1 tsp Cumin Seeds ground into powder
▢ 1/2 tsp Himalayan Salt or to taste, pink

Other Ingredients

▢ 2 Potatoes boiled and peeled, medium-sized
▢ 2 tbsp Oil for greasing hands and appe pan

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Instructions

Preparing the Tapioca Pearls

Soak 1 cup of sabudana (tapioca pearls) in 3 cups of water for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight. The pearls should be fully submerged.
Drain the water completely and let the sabudana sit in a colander for another 2-3 hours to allow excess moisture to drain. The pearls should be plump and separate.

Making the Appe Mixture

Dry roast 1/2 cup of groundnuts in a pan until lightly browned. Let cool completely, then grind into a fine powder using a food processor.
Grind 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds into a powder.
In a bowl, combine the groundnut powder, cumin powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt (or to taste).
Peel and mash 2 boiled potatoes. Add them to the dry ingredient mixture.
Gently mix in the prepared sabudana (tapioca pearls). Be careful not to overmix.

Shaping and Cooking the Appe

Lightly grease your hands with oil. Take small portions of the mixture (approximately 1 tablespoon each) and roll them into small balls.
Heat a little oil in each cavity of an appe pan (or a non-stick pan). Alternatively, shallow fry in a pan.
Carefully place the sabudana appe balls in the hot oil. Cover the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden brown and cooked through.
Continue cooking the remaining appe balls in batches.
Serve hot and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Expert Tips for Perfect Sabudana Appe:

Soaking is Key: Properly soaking the sabudana is crucial for achieving the right texture. Insufficient soaking will result in hard, uncooked balls.
Don't Overmix: Gently mix the ingredients. Overmixing can make the appe become sticky and difficult to shape.
Adjust Spices: Feel free to adjust the amount of salt and cumin to your liking. You can also experiment with other spices such as green chilies or black pepper.
Serving Suggestions: Serve your Sabudana Appe warm with a side of chutney or yogurt for an enhanced flavor profile.