Are you looking for a step-by-step guide on how to make idli at home? Look no more.
One of the most popular and healthy South Indian breakfast foods is the idli. These steamed round cakes are produced from a batter of crushed, fermented rice and lentils. They are delicate, light, and fluffy. Here, I offer you my tried-and-true recipe, complete with a video and illustrated step-by-step instructions, to make the tastiest idli. One of the first recipes on the blog, this idli recipe has been tried and tested many times by our readers with excellent success. Idli recipe typically calls for a combination of rice and lentils, which are soaked, ground, and fermented overnight.
About Idli Recipe
Idli recipe is a popular South Indian breakfast item that is easy to make and healthy to eat. If you’re wondering how to make idli, it’s actually quite simple. The rice and lentils are first soaked and then ground separately. The batters are combined, then salt is added. Until the batter’s volume grows, it is left to ferment. Later, the batter is steamed in a unique and specific pan that is often used to make idli. Every South Indian home, including mine, makes idli as a customary breakfast food. Idli is well-liked not only in all of India but also outside of India. It offers one of the healthiest breakfast options when served with Sambar and Coconut Chutney and is naturally vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. This easy idli recipe can also be used to make other dishes like dosas or uttapams, which are variations of the traditional idli. Some variations of the idli recipe call for adding spices, vegetables, or even cheese to the batter.
How To Make Instant Idli at home (Step Wise)
Worried how to make idlis ? Worry no more with these simple steps
Here is a step wise guide to an easy idli recipe
Step 1: First step in how to make idli is to Put the rice and dal in water, then blend them into a paste.
Step 2: Add salt after allowing the batter to ferment.
Step 3: Idli batter should be placed in the idli stand.
Step 4: When scooping the idlis out, let the spoon cool a little.
Step 5: To add some extra flavor to your easy idli recipe, try adding grated coconut, cilantro, or green chilies to the batter.
To get the perfect shape and texture for your idlis, it’s important to use the right ratio of rice and lentils in your easy idli recipe.
Preperation for Idli Recipe
- Rinse the idli rice and urad dal separately and soak them in water for about 4-5 hours.
- Soak fenugreek seeds along with urad dal.
- Drain the water from rice and grind it to a smooth batter using a wet grinder. Add water as required.
- Similarly, grind the urad dal and fenugreek seeds to a smooth batter.
- Mix both the batters together, add salt and mix well. The batter should be thick in consistency.
- Keep the batter in a warm place and let it ferment overnight for about 8-10 hours.
- After fermentation, mix the batter gently.
Ingredients for Idli
Method/Steps to cook Idli
Step 1: Wash the rice and urad dal separately with water and soak them in separate bowls overnight. Soak fenugreek seeds with urad dal.
Step 2: Drain the water and grind urad dal, fenugreek seeds with enough water to make a smooth paste. Transfer it to a large bowl.
Step 3: Grind the rice with water to make a smooth paste. The consistency of the batter should be slightly coarse. Transfer it to the same bowl as the urad dal paste.
Step 4: Mix the two pastes together and add salt. Mix well and allow the batter to ferment for 8-10 hours or overnight.
Step 5: After the fermentation process is complete, mix the batter gently. If the batter is too thick, you can add a little water to thin it out.
Step 6: Grease the idli plates with oil or cooking spray. Pour a spoonful of batter into each mould and place it in a steamer.
Step 7: Steam the idlis for 10-12 minutes on medium flame or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 8: Turn off the flame and remove the idli plates from the steamer. Allow it to cool for 1-2 minutes.
Step 9: Using a spoon or knife, remove the idlis from the moulds and serve hot with chutney or sambar.
Any Alternate Way to make idli
Here is a unique idli recipe that uses oats and carrots:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup semolina (rava/sooji)
- 1/2 cup curd (yogurt)
- 1/2 tsp ginger paste
- 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- Few curry leaves
- 1 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
- Water as required
Instructions:
- Dry roast the oats in a pan on low flame for 3-4 minutes or until they turn slightly brown. Grind the roasted oats into a fine powder.
- In a separate pan, heat the oil and add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves.
- Once the mustard seeds start to splutter, add the grated carrots, ginger paste, and green chilies and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, add the roasted oats powder, semolina, curd, sautéed carrots, and salt. Mix well.
- Add water as required to make a smooth batter. The batter should be of pouring consistency.
- Cover the batter and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Grease the idli plates and pour the batter into each mold.
- Steam the idlis for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the idlis from the molds and serve hot with some chutney or sambar.
Enjoy your healthy and delicious oats and carrot idlis!
Nutritional Value in Idli
serving size | 4 idlis |
Calories | 232 Kcal |
Fat | 1.8 g |
Carbohydrates | 48 g |
Protein | 6.4 g |
Pro Tips to make the best Idli at home
Use idli rice or parboiled rice, sometimes referred to as ukda chawal, to make fluffy idlis. Use short-grain rice instead. Rice and dal are split in half, 2:1. This indicates that one cup of dal should be used for every two cups of rice.
Health Benefits of Idli
- When compared to a 2,000-calorie daily diet that is considered healthy, each idli has a meager 39 calories
- Idlis don’t have any cholesterol, saturated fat, or fat at all.
- Your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke decreases if you consume fewer than 16 grams of saturated fat and 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day.
- The fermentation process in this easy idli recipe helps to improve the bioavailability of nutrients in the rice and lentils, making them more easily digestible.
- Since Idlis have low-calorie content, they are great to consume if you are on a weight-loss diet. Check our weight loss diet plans.
Tips to limit the calorie in idli
Idlis are naturally low in calories and a healthy breakfast option. However, here are some tips to further limit the calorie intake:
- Use only a small amount of oil while making the batter.
- Use less rice and more dal in the batter.
- Use a non-stick idli plate or steam them in an Instant Pot instead of using oil greased molds.
FAQs
What’s different in the Idli Recipe by Livofy?
Ingredients, cooking methods, and flavor profiles might differ between Idli recipes. For instance, Livofy’s Idli recipe can use a particular combination of spices or unique vegetables. In order to produce a specific texture or flavor, they could also recommend a different cooking method or technique.
The degree of complexity, the length of cooking time, and the number of components needed can all differ among recipes. Certain recipes can be better suited for novice cooks, while others might be more complicated and call for more effort and expertise.
Hence, it’s crucial to select a recipe that adheres to your preferences, level of expertise, and dietary restrictions.
What is the cooking time for Idli?
It takes 30 minutes to make idli in total. It takes around 10- 15 minutes to cook them
Is Idli healthy?
Idli is a great complement to a heart-healthy diet because of its low calorie and fat content. Peptides found in fermented foods, including idli, can lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It is a meal with anti-diabetic qualities that also contains antioxidants. One of the benefits of the idli recipe is that it is a low-fat, low-calorie, and high-protein breakfast option.
To make this easy idli recipe gluten-free, you can substitute the rice in the recipe with quinoa or millet.
Are there any side effects of eating Idli?
One of the fermented foods that are often nutritious is the idli. Overindulgence, however, may result in acidity in some individuals, bringing on heartburn, burps, bloating, and cramps.
For diabetics, consuming this fermented food in excess is a bad diet choice. Check our diabetes plans.
How many calories does idli have?
What is the right time to have idli?
There are several tips and tricks that you can follow to make softer idlis:
- Use good quality ingredients: Use fresh and good quality rice and urad dal to make the idli batter.
- Soaking and grinding: Soak the rice and urad dal for at least 4-5 hours before grinding them. Grind the batter to a smooth consistency using enough water.
- Fermentation: Allow the batter to ferment for at least 8-10 hours. Fermentation helps to make the idlis softer and fluffier.
How to make idli without a steamer?
If you do not have a steamer, you can still make idlis using a few alternatives:
- Idli Cooker: If you have an idli cooker, you can use it to make idlis. Pour the batter into the greased idli moulds and place them in the cooker. Add water to the bottom of the cooker and steam the idlis for 10-12 minutes.
- Pressure Cooker: You can use a pressure cooker to make idlis. Grease a steel plate or idli moulds with oil and pour the batter into them. Add water to the pressure cooker and place the steel plate or idli moulds in the cooker. Remove the whistle and steam the idlis for 10-12 minutes.
- Microwave: You can also make idlis in the microwave. Grease a microwave-safe bowl or idli moulds with oil and pour the batter into them. Cover the bowl with a lid or microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes.
What is the best chutney to serve with your idli recipe?
Idlis are traditionally served with a variety of chutneys in Indian cuisine. Some popular chutneys that go well with idlis are:
- Coconut Chutney: A classic South Indian chutney made with coconut, roasted chana dal, green chillies, ginger, and tempered with mustard seeds, urad dal, and curry leaves.
- Tomato Chutney: A tangy and spicy chutney made with ripe tomatoes, onions, garlic, and red chilli powder, tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves.
- Mint Chutney: A refreshing and flavorful chutney made with fresh mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chillies, ginger, and lemon juice.
how to make idli without fermenting the batter?
How to make idli more nutritious?
To make your idli recipe more nutritious, you can add sprouted lentils or beans to the batter.
How to make good idlis as beginners?
If you’re new to making idlis, it’s important to follow the recipe carefully and take your time to ensure that the batter is properly fermented.
What are the ingredients needed for an idli recipe?
The ingredients needed for an idli recipe typically include:
- Idli rice or parboiled rice
- Urad dal (skinned black lentils)
- Fenugreek seeds
- Water
- Salt
Sometimes, flattened rice (poha) is also added to the idli batter for a softer texture. Additionally, some variations of idli recipe may also include other ingredients such as semolina, ragi flour, or grated coconut.
What is the ratio of rice to dal in an idli recipe?
he ratio of rice to dal in an idli recipe is usually 2:1 or 3:1, depending on personal preference.
For a 2:1 ratio, you would use two cups of rice for every one cup of urad dal.
For a 3:1 ratio, you would use three cups of rice for every one cup of urad dal.
Some recipes may also call for a small amount of fenugreek seeds, which are usually added to the dal before soaking and grinding. The exact ratio may vary depending on the recipe and personal preference.
How to make idlis with grated coconut?
- Wash the idli rice and urad dal separately and soak them in water for at least 4-5 hours.
- Grind the urad dal in a mixer or grinder until it becomes smooth and fluffy.
- Remove the urad dal batter in a bowl and set it aside.
- Now grind the soaked rice along with grated coconut to a smooth batter.
- Combine the rice batter with the urad dal batter and mix well.
- Add salt to the batter and mix it again.
- Cover the batter and keep it in a warm place for at least 6-7 hours for fermentation.
- After fermentation, the batter will rise and become fluffy.
- Grease the idli plates with oil and pour the batter into the idli plates.
- Steam the idlis for 10-12 minutes or until cooked.
- Once done, remove the idlis from the plates with the help of a spoon and serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
Enjoy your delicious idlis with grated coconut!
How to make idli batter at home?
- Wash the idli rice and urad dal separately a few times until the water runs clear. Soak them in water separately for about 4-5 hours.
- In a separate bowl, soak fenugreek seeds along with urad dal.
- After the soaking time, drain the water from both the rice and urad dal.
- In a wet grinder, grind the urad dal with fenugreek seeds to a smooth paste by adding little water at a time. It may take 20-30 minutes of grinding to get the right consistency.
- Transfer the urad dal batter to a large bowl.
- Now, grind the soaked rice into a smooth batter. You can add water as required while grinding. The consistency of the rice batter should be similar to that of the urad dal batter.
- Mix the rice batter with urad dal batter thoroughly using your hand. Add salt and mix again.
- Cover the bowl with a lid and let it ferment for 8-10 hours or overnight. Make sure to keep it in a warm place. The batter will rise and double in size after fermentation.
- After fermentation, the idli batter is ready to be used. You can now make soft and fluffy idlis.
how to make idli attractive?
Here are some tips on how to make idlis look more attractive:
- Use a unique idli mould: Instead of using the traditional idli mould, you can try using a heart-shaped or flower-shaped mould to give your idlis a unique shape.
- Add natural food coloring: You can add natural food coloring to the idli batter to make it more attractive. For example, you can add beetroot juice to make pink idlis or spinach puree to make green idlis.
- Garnish with herbs: After steaming the idlis, you can garnish them with finely chopped cilantro, mint leaves, or curry leaves to add some color and flavor.