Uda Balum – A Forgotten Sweet For This Sri Lankan New Year

Sri Lankan cuisine is rich with festive sweets, many of which are deeply rooted in regional traditions and family memories. Uda Balum is one such lesser-known delicacy, especially popular in the central and southern parts of Sri Lanka. Crispy on the outside and filled with a sweet, aromatic mixture, this traditional treat is a true hidden gem worth rediscovering.

At first glance, Uda Balum might look similar to the popular Indian street food Pani Puri—with its round, golden exterior—but it is entirely different in both flavor and purpose. Unlike Pani Puri, which is savory and filled with spiced water, potatoes, and chutneys, Uda Balum is a deep-fried sweet with a rich, nutty filling made from roasted flours, sesame seeds, cumin, and treacle.

What makes Uda Balum even more special is its resourcefulness—it’s a beautiful way to repurpose leftover pantry staples like rice flour, green gram (mung bean) flour, and kithul treacle into something nostalgic and delicious. If you’ve made other Avurudu treats and have extra ingredients on hand, this recipe is perfect for minimizing waste while celebrating authentic Sri Lankan flavors.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Uda Balum is more than just a sweet—it’s a story of tradition, sustainability, and flavor. Whether you’re reconnecting with your roots or exploring Sri Lankan cuisine for the first time, this recipe brings a unique texture and taste that stands out from more common Avurudu treats.

Plus, it’s a fantastic way to transform leftover ingredients into a meaningful, traditional dessert that deserves a place back on modern tables.

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Ingredients (Yield: ~25 pieces)

For the Cover (Outer Dough):

• 1 cup wet rice flour
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 cups coconut oil (for frying)

For the Filling:

• 1/4 cup green gram (mung bean) flour, roasted
• 1/4 cup rice flour, roasted
• 1/4 cup white sesame seeds, roasted
• 1/4 cup sukiri, ground
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, roasted and slightly crushed
• 1/4 cup treacle (preferably kithul treacle)

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the wet rice flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add coconut milk and mix until a soft dough forms.

Cover and rest the dough for about 30 minutes in a warm place. This helps improve texture and makes shaping easier.

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Step 2: Make the Filling

In another bowl, mix the roasted green gram flour, roasted rice flour, roasted sesame seeds, ground sukiri, and crushed cumin seeds.

Gradually add the treacle, mixing well until the mixture forms a crumbly, sand-like texture.

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Step 3: Shape and fry the Uda Balum

Take a small portion of dough and flatten it gently in your palm.

Heat the coconut oil in a deep pan over low-medium heat. Once the oil is hot, gently drop them one by one and fry, turning occasionally, until crisp and beautifully golden on the outside.

Remove and drain on paper towels.

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Step 4: Final assembly

Gently pierce a small hole in the outer shell using a toothpick.

Using a spoon, fill the cavity with the prepared filling until full. Repeat with the remaining pieces.

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Tips for Best Results

• Make sure all filling ingredients are roasted well to enhance flavor and shelf life.
• Make sure to generously oil the palms before flattening the dough balls.
• If needed, adjust the treacle quantity slightly to achieve the sand-like texture.
• Do not overcrowd the pan while frying to maintain oil temperature and even cooking.

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Serving Suggestions

Uda Balum is best enjoyed fresh and slightly warm, when the outer shell is crisp, and the filling is soft and aromatic. Here are a few ways to serve and enjoy them:

• Serve as a festive sweet alongside other traditional Sri Lankan Avurudu treats like Mukulu, Komala Wattan, and Bakini Kewum.
• Pair with a hot cup of Ceylon tea for a comforting tea-time snack.
• While serving, drizzle a little extra kithul treacle on top for added richness and sweetness.
• Lightly dust with powdered sugar for a modern twist when serving guests.

Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these bite-sized sweets bring a nostalgic touch to any celebration.

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