Healthy Lobia Zucchini Appe Recipe | Protein-Rich Snack Even Picky Eaters Love

AnuradhaUpdated on October 5, 2025October 5, 2025

1 Loves

1045 Views

My Story Behind This Recipe

As a mom of two, I am always on the lookout for recipes that are healthy, tasty, and fuss-free.

My kids are not the biggest fans of dal or lobia(black eyed peas) when served the regular way. One day, I had a bowl of cooked lobia in the fridge and a zucchini lying on the counter. Instead of making the usual curry, I thought of experimenting with my appe pan.

I mixed lobia with besan, rice flour, grated zucchini and some simple spices. To make it even softer and kid-approved, I added a little boiled potato for binding.

The result? Golden, crispy, bite-sized appe that my kids loved from the very first bite! They didn’t even realize they were eating zucchini and lobia and for me, that’s a total win. From that day on, appe have become my favorite way to sneak in nutrition without fuss.

🌟 Why Lobia (Black-Eyed Peas) is Great for Kids & Families

High in Protein – Perfect plant-based protein source for vegetarians.
Rich in Fiber – Keeps digestion smooth and supports gut health.
Iron Boost – Helps improve energy levels and fight fatigue.
Heart-Healthy – Low in fat and cholesterol.
Kid-Friendly – When turned into fun finger food, kids happily eat it.

🥘 Ingredients

3 tbsp besan (gram flour)
1 tbsp rice flour
1 cup cooked lobia (black-eyed peas)
1 medium zucchini, grated & squeezed
1 medium boiled potato, mashed
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp coriander powder (optional)
¼ tsp red chili powder (skip for toddlers, add more for adults)
Salt to taste
2 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp sesame seeds

👩‍🍳 Method

Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, add besan, rice flour, mashed lobia, grated zucchini, boiled potato, and all the spices. Mix into a thick batter. (squeeze out all water from zucchini)

Shape the Balls: Roll into small bite-sized balls — easy for kids to hold and eat.

Heat the Appe Pan: Add a few drops of oil in each bowl and sprinkle sesame seeds for crunch.

Cook the Appe: Place the balls in the pan, cover, and cook on medium flame until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side until crisp.

Serve: Enjoy hot with green chutney, ketchup, or even yogurt.

💛 Why I Often Make Appe😍

They taste delicious.
You can play with different healthy ingredients
They look nice & tempting on the plate
Perfect finger food for kids
Great way to sneak in veggies without fuss

✨ Final Thoughts

This Lobia Zucchini Appe recipe is one of my favorite ways to serve nutrition in a fun, kid-friendly form. Whether it’s an after-school snack, lunchbox idea, or a light dinner, these protein-packed appe fit right in.
Try this recipe and let me know how your kids liked it! 🥘💛

💛 If you try this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @fussy_mom_n_happy_kid — I would love to see your version!
📌 Save this recipe for later or share it with another mom looking for healthy snack ideas!

👩‍👧 Mom Tip:

You can prep the batter ahead and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just stir well before cooking.
🌿 Variation: Add finely grated carrot or spinach to make it more colorful and nutrient-rich.

Common Questions I get …
Q1. Can I make these appe without an appe pan?
Yes! You can shallow-fry them on a non-stick pan or bake them in a muffin tray.
Q2. Can I pack them in a lunchbox?
Absolutely — they stay soft and tasty even after cooling down.
Q3. Can I skip the potato?
You can replace it with mashed sweet potato or even paneer for extra protein.