Are you looking for a delicious and easy recipe for traditional idlis? Look no further! Here's the scoop on the process of making crispy and flavorful crispy fried idlis.
Whether you have leftover idlis or are making fresh ones, this recipe will surely make for a great South Indian breakfast that will satisfy your taste buds.
What is Fried Idli?
Fried masala idli or idly is a steamed rice cake, popular South Indian dish made by frying idli.
In this dish, leftover or fresh idlis are cut into bite-sized pieces and then shallow-fried in oil.
They are typically seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs such as mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt.
Along with many South Indian spices, fresh idli sometimes includes chopped onions, tomatoes, and green chilies to enhance the flavor.
This dish is popular in Indian cuisine and can be a favorite in many South Indian homes.
Served as a snack or as a main course, traditional idli has a side of chutney or sambar.
Fried Idli Recipe
This recipe you can make with leftover idlis but to make fresh idlis follow this deep fried idli recipe.
Ingredients:
- Coriander leaves (optional)
- ¼ cup rice flour
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Oil to fry
Instructions for Fried Idli
Preparation
- Start by preparing the idlis. If you have leftover idlis from the previous day, it is best to use leftovers to make the most crispy fried idli. Break out your leftover idlis to make your regular idli dish made with leftovers that will be just as delicious.
- If you don't have leftover idli, you can use fresh ones by following the instructions on the idli packet or using your preferred idli recipe.
- To start, cut the idli into bite-sized pieces. You can cut them into halves or quarters, depending on your preference.
- Mix gram flour (besan), rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, baking soda, and salt to taste in a bowl.
- Gradually add water to the mixture and whisk until you achieve a smooth batter with a consistency similar to a pancake batter.
Cooking
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadai over medium heat. Make sure there is enough oil to deep fry the idlis.
- Once the oil is hot enough (around 180-190°C or 350-375°F), dip each idli piece into the idli batter, making sure it is well-coated. Shake off any excess batter.
- Then these idlis are deep fried. Carefully drop the coated idlis into the hot oil. Fry them in batches, if necessary in order to not overcrowd them.
- Fry the idlis for about 3-4 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Flip them occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the idlis are crispy and golden brown, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining idlis until they are all fried.
Serving
Serve your fried idlis hot with your choice of chutney or sauce, such as coconut chutney, tomato chutney, or ketchup.
Enjoy it as a snack or a delicious side dish!
Store the leftover idlis in an airtight container and refrigerate until next use.
Alternate Methods to this Fried Idli Recipe
Using Air Fryer
If you are conscious about consuming too much oil, you can stray from the deep fried version and make fried idli using an air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to the recommended temperature.
Spray or brush some oil on the idlis and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook them for a few minutes until they become crispy and golden brown.
Enjoy your healthy version of fried idlis!
Using Leftover Idlis
You can make delicious masala idlis if you have a batch of leftover idlis and want to give them a new life.
Cut the idlis into bite-sized pieces and follow the same process of preparing the masala as mentioned earlier.
Add the idli pieces to the masala and toss them gently to coat them evenly. Cook them for a few minutes until the masala coats the idlis and they become slightly crispy.
Serve them hot as an evening snack or as a side dish with your favorite chutney.
Creating Different Popular Idli Dishes
Masala Idli
Masala idli is a popular South Indian dish that is made from leftover idlis.
Make masala idlis by, cutting your idlis into bite-sized pieces and stir-frying with a mix of spices, and vegetables, and sometimes added with chutneys or sauces.
It uses all the ingredients for fried idly but is different from this traditional idli fry recipe because it typically means they are filled with vegetable stuffing and has an added kick of spice from pav bhaji masala powder as well as garam masala powder.
Rava idli
Rava idli is a popular Indian dish made with semolina (rava or sooji), yogurt, and other ingredients such as vegetables, herbs, and spices.
It is a variation of the traditional South Indian idli, but instead of using fermented lentil and rice batter, it uses a batter made with semolina.
Idli Manchurian
Idli Manchurian is a fusion dish that combines South Indian idli with Chinese flavors.
In this dish, leftover or steamed idlis are cut into small pieces and then cooked with a sauce made from soy sauce, tomato ketchup, and other seasonings.
It is typically garnished with spring onions and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a main course.
Idli Upma
Idli Upma is a dish made by crumbling leftover idlis and sautéing them with spices, vegetables, and sometimes black lentils.
It is a quick and easy way to repurpose leftover idlis and turn them into a delicious and flavorful breakfast or snack.
Upma is a popular South Indian dish that you can make with various ingredients of your choice.
Final Thoughts
This simple and quick recipe can be easily made at home and enjoyed by many.
The fried idli is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it a perfect snack, appetizer, or side dish option.
The addition of spices and vegetables enhances the flavor and adds a unique taste to the dish.
Overall, the fried idli recipe is a tasty and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone.
Fried Idli
Whether you have leftover idlis or are making fresh ones, this recipe will surely make for a great South Indian breakfast that will satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients
- Coriander leaves (optional)
- ¼ cup rice flour
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Oil to fry
Instructions
- Start by preparing the idlis. Cut the idli into bite-sized pieces. You can cut them into halves or quarters, depending on your preference.
- Mix gram flour (besan), rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, baking soda, and salt to taste in a bowl.
- Gradually add water to the mixture and whisk until you achieve a smooth batter with a consistency similar to a pancake batter.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadai over medium heat. Make sure there is enough oil to deep fry the idlis.
- Once the oil is hot enough (around 180-190°C or 350-375°F), dip each idli piece into the idli batter, making sure it is well-coated. Shake off any excess batter.
- Then these idlis are deep fried. Carefully drop the coated idlis into the hot oil, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Fry them in batches, if necessary.
- Fry the idlis for about 3-4 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Flip them occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the idlis are crispy and golden brown, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining idlis until they are all fried.
- Serve your fried idlis hot with your choice of chutney or sauce, such as coconut chutney, tomato chutney, or ketchup.
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