Masala Idli Recipe is a popular and delicious South Indian dish made by steaming a mixture of rice and lentils that has been fermented with a starter culture. It is then sautéed with a variety of spices and herbs, making it a flavorful and satisfying dish. The basic ingredient for making Masala Idli is Idli batter which is made by soaking and grinding a mixture of rice and lentils. The batter is then fermented with a starter culture for about 8-10 hours. Once the batter is ready, it is poured into greased idli plates and steamed until cooked through. The steamed idlis are then cut into small cubes and sautéed with a variety of spices and herbs, such as mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, cumin seeds, ginger, green chilies, onions, tomatoes, turmeric powder, sambar powder, and salt. Masala Idli is a popular and delicious South Indian dish that is often served as a breakfast or evening snack. It is a healthy and nutritious option as it is made with fermented batter of rice and lentils and sautéed with a variety of spices and herbs. You can also add vegetables like peas, carrots, or capsicum to the masala for added nutrition and flavor.
Here’s a recipe for a simple and delicious Masala Idli Recipe

Masala Idli Recipe Ingredients
- 4 cups idli batter
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon urad dal
- 1 teaspoon chana dal
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon broken cashews
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
- 1/4 cup finely chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons sambar powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup finely chopped coriander leaves
Read also: Moong Dal Chilla Recipe
Masala Idli Recipe Steps
- Grease the idli plates with oil and pour the idli batter into them. Steam the idlis for about 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
- Remove the idlis from the plates and cut them into small cubes.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add the urad dal, chana dal, cumin seeds, and broken cashews. Cook until the dals turn golden brown.
- Add the ginger and green chilies and sauté for a few seconds.
- Add the onions and cook until they turn translucent.
- Add the tomatoes, turmeric powder, sambar powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy.
- Add the idli cubes and toss gently to coat the idlis with the masala. Cook for a few minutes.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
Enjoy your delicious and flavorful Masala Idli!
Note: You can also add vegetables like peas, carrots, or capsicum to the masala for added nutrition and flavor.
Masala Idli Recipe Nutrition
Masala Idli Recipe, being a traditional South Indian dish, can have a range of nutritional values depending on the ingredients and methods used. Here is a rough estimate of the nutritional value per serving (based on 2 idlis serving) of the recipe I provided earlier:
Calories: 250-300 calories Fat: 10-12 grams Protein: 8-10 grams Carbohydrates: 40-45 grams Fiber: 2-3 grams
It’s important to note that these values can vary depending on the ingredients used, the size of the idlis, and the amount of oil used.
Keep in mind that Idli batter is made by soaking and grinding a mixture of rice and lentils, which are both good sources of carbohydrates and protein, and that the sautéed with a variety of spices and herbs provide an array of vitamins and minerals. Lentils are also a good source of fiber and iron.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the portion size, If you’re watching your calorie intake. Adding more veggies to the masala will boost the nutritional value even more.
Masala Idli is a healthy and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as breakfast or evening snack and can be enjoyed with chutney or sambar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Masala Idli Recipe is a popular and delicious South Indian dish made by steaming a mixture of rice and lentils that has been fermented with a starter culture. It is then sautéed with a variety of spices and herbs, making it a flavorful and satisfying dish. The basic ingredient for making Masala Idli is Idli batter which is made by soaking and grinding a mixture of rice and lentils. The steamed idlis are then cut into small cubes and sautéed with a variety of spices and herbs, such as mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, cumin seeds, ginger, green chilies, onions, tomatoes, turmeric powder, sambar powder, and salt. Masala Idli is a healthy and nutritious option as it is made with fermented batter of rice and lentils and sautéed with a variety of spices and herbs. You can also add vegetables like peas, carrots, or capsicum to the masala for added nutrition and flavor. It’s important to keep an eye on the portion size, If you’re watching your calorie intake.
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