Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (2024)

· 6 Comments

My 33rd recipe "Idli" sounds familiar and simple rite. A perfect healthy and versatile South Indian breakfast. Idli Sambar and Chutney combo for breakfast is something very common in Indian households. I would probably rate it as the number one made Indian Breakfast Recipe.

Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (1)

For me, preparing idli and preparing for exam has a relation. In both cases, we would think as though we have put our full effort while preparing, but what to do our fate will depend on things not in our control.

In case of exam, things like question paper, professor, time etc. and same way in case of idli it depends on quality of urad dal, room temperature etc. Whenever I start the process of preparing idlis, my feelings will be same as standing inside a chemistry lab.

Do not know how this urad dal will react, until we cook the idli. We will buy urad dal from store thinking its high quality, but we cant find out the truth until we finish grinding it. But as always effort never fails. When we prepare for the exam by understanding the actual concepts instead of just mugging up, we will surely win.

Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (2)

Similarly if we prepare by understanding the actual concept we will be able to adjust to the external factors and get itperfect every time. I wanted to act as the guide giving you the tips and tricks to make the perfect idlis.

Idli | How to prepare Idli batter

Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (3)

Idli

Revathi Palani

Idli - A soft and healthy south Indian breakfast recipe. Learn how to make the batter, ferment to right texture and cook.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 12 hours hrs 42 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 4 Cups Idli rice
  • 1 Cup Skinless Whole Urad dal
  • 1 tsp Fenugreek seeds
  • 3 Tbsp Salt

Instructions

  • Wash and soak the idli rice and urad dal+fenugreek seeds in clean water separately for minimum 5 Hours.

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (4)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (5)

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (6)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (7)

  • Drain the urad dal + fenugreek seeds from water and add it to the wet grinder. Grind by adding water (water used for soaking) little by little at regular intervals until you get a fluffy batter. Make sure there are no urad dal or fenugreek seeds sticking to the side wall of grinder drum. Use a plastic spatula to remove them from the sides and grind evenly. It took me about 7 minutes to grind the urad dal. Transfer the urad dal batter into a clean big container (which can hold double the quantity of total batter rice+urad dal).

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (8)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (9)

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (10)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (11)

  • Now drain the rice from water and grind it in the same wet grinder drum. You need not wash the grinder drum after grinding the urad dal. Follow the same procedure as urad dal grinding. Add enough water to get a smooth batter. It took me about 20 minutes to grind the rice. Now transfer the rice batter to the container containing urad dal batter.

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (12)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (13)

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (14)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (15)

  • Add the salt and use your hands to mix thoroughly. Both the rice and urad dal batter should mix nicely. Even mixing of batter is a must to get a best idli.

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (16)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (17)

  • Now place the container in a warm place and let it rest over night for the fermentation to take place. The next day batter would have raised and the quantity doubled. It will be spongy. Do not over beat the fermented batter, to get soft idlis.

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (18)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (19)

  • Take the idli cooker, fill it with a cup of water. Grease the idli plates with oil and fill them with the fermented batter. Place the idli trays in the idli cooker and cover it with the lid and cook. Insert a tooth pick to check if the idlis are cooked through. The toothpick should come out clean. Turn off the flame. It took me about 12 minutes. Remove the idli trays from the pot, let it cool down for a couple of minutes.

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (20)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (21)

    Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (22)Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (23)

  • Remove the idlis from the plate and enjoy hot with sambar and chutney.

Notes | FAQ

- Idlis should be spongy, soft and white in color. In case any of these three qualities are missing then there is an issue in your process or quality of the dal/rice.

- Use good quality of ural dal for idli. Quality of the urad dal matters the most. If by chance you get a low quality urad dal, you will get less quantity of batter after grinding or the urad dal batter will not be fluffy. Do increase the quantity of urad dal from next time.

- Do not use aged urad dal. Use the urad dal within a month after buying.

- Use idli rice. Do not substitute with parboiled rice, sona masoori, etc.

- Do not add more water while grinding urad dal, it will lead to watery batter instead of fluffy.

- Do not grinding the urad dal and rice in grinder for long time. The grinder will heat up and raise the temperature of the batter. We will not get the desired end result.

- Even after following all the steps, if you are not getting the perfect idli, you can try adding a handful of cooked rice or aval / poha while grinding.

- Refrigerate the remaining batter. You can use it for upto a week.

- I usually prepare idli on the first 2 days and then use the same batter to prepare dosa afterwards.

- Since it is cold out here in US, I leave my batter inside my oven for fermentation, keeping the oven light turned on for warmth.

« Birthday Special: Eggless Black Forest Cake

Kadalai Paruppu Kuzhambu (Channa Dal Gravy) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hema. Patel says

    I would like to know what grinder are you using. It's really nice

    Reply

  2. Bhumika says

    Hello! You made making idli so easy!!

    BTW if I want to use Idli Rava instead of Idli rice- what is the measurement? 3 to 1 cup?

    Reply

    • revifood says

      Thanks Bhumika 🙂 Sorry, I have not tried making idli with idli rava. I am very sure abt the quantity.

      Reply

  3. hiba says

    i love to have idlis for breakfast as it is oil free ,
    also sometimes at night.
    lovely recipe

    Reply

    • revifood says

      Thanks Hiba. I am completely with you. It is one of those healthy recipes and nice on your tummy 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Idli | Easy and Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is idli a healthy breakfast? ›

Idli is thus among the healthiest foods for your diet plan. Also, idli is no less than a miracle food as it has a lot of protein, fibre, and carbs. You would consume 2 grams of protein, 2 grams of dietary fibre, and 8 grams of carbohydrates in one idli.

What is a healthy Indian breakfast to eat every morning? ›

Rava Upma, Poha, Semiya Upma, Rava Idli, Besan Chilla, Suji Appe, Moong Dal Chilla, Rava Dosa and Omelette. These Traditional Healthy Breakfasts require preparing ahead like soaking & making the batter. These are high in protein. If the batter is ready you can make these under 30 mins.

Which is better oats or idly? ›

Oats are typically the healthiest option for breakfast due to their high fiber content and lower glycemic index. Muesli can be a good choice if it is made without added sugars or unhealthy oils. Idli, while a nutritious option, may not provide the same fiber content as oats and muesli.

Is 2 idli enough for breakfast? ›

Yes, idli can be an excellent choice for breakfast during a weight loss journey. Its low-calorie content and protein make it a filling and nutritious option that can keep you satiated till lunch.

What happens if we eat idli daily? ›

Idli is a perfect combination of urad dal and rice which make it a complete protein. It additionally is without gluten, so if you need to go gluten free, Idli would be the best option for you. It is also a low calorie recipe, thus making it a good option for people on weight loss. One Idli has only 33 Calories.

What is the world's No 1 healthy breakfast? ›

Oatmeal + fruit + nut butter.

The nut butter adds protein and healthy fats. The fruit tops it off with fiber and vitamins, plus it gives your breakfast a sweet taste. Avoid pre-packed oatmeal mixes that have added sugar and use old-fashioned oats instead.

What is the best thing to eat for breakfast everyday? ›

The best breakfast foods for health
  • Coffee.
  • Berries.
  • Flaxseed.
  • Greek yogurt.
  • Tea.
  • Cottage cheese.
  • Bananas.
  • Summary.
Aug 20, 2018

What is the healthiest South Indian breakfast? ›

1. Idli Recipe – Idli is one of the most healthiest and popular South Indian breakfast dish. These are soft, light, fluffy idlis served with Sambar and Coconut Chutney is not only tasty but very healthy as well.

Why South Indian breakfast is best? ›

“One of the hallmarks of South Indian breakfast items is their fermentation process. Fermentation enhances the bioavailability of nutrients, making these foods not only easier to digest but also beneficial for gut health,” Delhi-based dietician Anita Aggrawal told India Today.

Which is better chapati or idly? ›

However, there is 120 kcal in a 40g chapati, with 3.1g of protein, 18g of carbs, 3.7g of fat, and 3.9g of dietary fibre. As you can see, chapati is better in terms of calories, protein, fat, and fibre. It is also slightly better than idli if you want to lose weight.

Which is more healthy POHA or oats? ›

Both are better and different in Nutritional needs but both have common Nutrition is it high fiber properties. You can have poha as breakfast option and oats as lunch or dinner. No food is inherently better than the other. Oats add in some fiber, which kids favourite junks foods are usually devoid of.

Which type of oats is healthiest? ›

Steel-cut oats, also called Irish oatmeal, are the whole oat kernel that has been cut into two or three pieces using steel disks. This type of oats contains the highest amount of fiber, as it is least processed. Steel-cut oats take a little longer to cook, and result in a creamy and chewy porridge.

Can we eat idli in breakfast for weight loss? ›

It contains all the essential nutrients while staying light, making it a great breakfast alternative." Idli is a brewed food that is easily digestible. According to research, it is not only easily digestible but also an amazing addition to a weight loss plan.

Is idli healthier than rice? ›

Also the batter is left to ferment and rise. Then it is steamed and had. Fermentation process breaks down the food and makes it easier to digest. So both nutrition wise and by easier digestibility idli is superior to plain rice.

Is too much idli bad for health? ›

Idli is one of the fermented foods which is generally healthy. However, overconsumption may cause acidity in some people, triggering heartburn, burps, bloating and cramps. The excess intake of the fermented dish is an unhealthy diet option for people with diabetes.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6254

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.