Patishapta (Bengali Rice Crêpes with Coconut and Jaggery Filling)
Why this recipe works
- Soft crêpe, rich filling: The thin rice-flour crêpes stay tender around a moist coconut and jaggery centre.
- Warm, rounded sweetness: Jaggery gives the filling a deeper caramel note than refined sugar, while ghee adds nutty richness.
- Classic filling method: Cooking the coconut with melted jaggery helps the mixture bind together, making the crêpes easier to roll neatly.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- Keep the crêpes pliable: Cook the crêpes only until set and lightly golden; too much colour can make them brittle and harder to roll.
- Adjust the batter if needed: If the batter thickens as it rests, loosen it gradually with a little more milk until it pours easily.
- Keep the filling cohesive: Cook the coconut and jaggery until moist but not wet, so the filling holds its shape inside the crêpe.
Ingredient notes
- Jaggery brings depth: Jaggery gives Patishapta its characteristic warm sweetness and darker colour; light brown sugar works, but the flavour will be cleaner and less complex.
- Fresh or desiccated coconut: Desiccated coconut gives a firmer, more concentrated filling, while fresh coconut makes it softer and more aromatic.
- Why ghee matters: Ghee adds a nutty richness to both the filling and the pan, helping the crêpes brown gently without overwhelming the coconut.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the filling first: The coconut and jaggery filling can be prepared ahead and gently rewarmed before rolling so it spreads neatly.
- Best texture before serving: For the softest result, keep cooked crêpes covered and fill them shortly before serving.
- Reheat gently: Warm leftovers in a nonstick pan over low heat or in short microwave bursts to avoid drying out the crêpes.
Authenticity notes
- Bengali home-style sweet: Patishapta are a Bengali-style sweet crêpe, recognised by their thin rolled shape and coconut-jaggery filling.
- Filling variations: Some versions use fresh coconut for a softer centre, while others keep the filling denser with desiccated coconut.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Coconut filling
Rice crêpes
Instructions
- Make the filling: warm 1 tbsp ghee in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the desiccated coconut and jaggery and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until the jaggery melts and the mixture looks moist and cohesive. Stir in the ground cardamom, then keep the filling warm on the lowest heat.
- Make the batter: in a mixing bowl, whisk together the rice flour, plain flour and fine sea salt. Whisk in the egg, then gradually whisk in the whole milk until you have a smooth, pourable batter with the consistency of single cream. Rest the batter for 10 minutes so the flours hydrate.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium-low heat and lightly grease it with a little of the remaining ghee. Pour in a small ladle of batter and quickly swirl to coat the base in a thin layer. Cook for 60 to 90 seconds until the surface looks set and the edges begin to lift.
- Flip the crêpe and cook for 20 to 30 seconds, just until the underside is lightly golden. Slide onto a plate and repeat with the remaining batter, greasing the pan lightly with ghee as needed. Keep the crêpes covered so they stay pliable.
- To fill, place a warm crêpe on a board and spoon a line of the warm coconut mixture across the lower third. Roll up snugly into a neat cylinder. Serve warm, with any extra filling spooned alongside.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the pan on medium-low heat so the crêpes cook through without becoming brittle; adjust the heat if they colour too quickly.
- If the batter thickens as it stands, whisk in a splash more whole milk to return it to a pourable consistency.
- Food safety: if serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use a pasteurised egg.
Substitutions
- Replace ghee with unsalted butter for a similar richness, though the flavour will be less nutty.
- Replace desiccated coconut with fresh coconut for a softer, more fragrant filling; cook it a little longer to drive off excess moisture.
- Replace jaggery with light brown sugar for a cleaner sweetness and paler colour.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat gently in a nonstick pan over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or in a microwave in short bursts until warmed through.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 1h (45min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Indian
-
Allergens:
Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
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