Quick & Easy Instant Idli: A South Indian Breakfast Ready in Minutes

35 minutes

894 reads

4.41 from 5 votes

About Quick & Easy Instant Idli: A South Indian Breakfast Ready in Minutes

Imagine sinking your teeth into pillowy-soft, fluffy idlis, a taste of South India in every bite. And guess what? No overnight soaking required! This Instant Idli recipe is your secret weapon for a quick and delicious breakfast.
Made with simple pantry staples like semolina (rava/sooji) and creamy yogurt (curd), these idlis come together in a flash. They're perfect for busy mornings or whenever that idli craving strikes.
Enjoy them hot off the steamer, drizzled with fragrant sambar and a dollop of cool coconut chutney. It's a truly satisfying meal that's ready in minutes!
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Recipe Time & More

Prep15 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Total35 minutes
Calories337 kcal
Serves2
Served AsBreakfast
Recipe TasteSalty

Ingredients
 

Wet Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

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Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the semolina, yogurt, and water. Whisk until a smooth batter forms, similar to pancake batter. Let the batter rest for 10-20 minutes to allow the semolina to absorb the water. This resting period is crucial for soft idlis.
    Quick & Easy Instant Idli: A South Indian Breakfast Ready in Minutes - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers
  • Just before steaming, whisk in the baking soda. The baking soda reacts with the acidic yogurt to create air bubbles, resulting in light and airy idlis. Grease an idli mold and pour the batter into the molds, filling each about ¾ full.
  • Steam the idlis in a steamer or pressure cooker for 10-12 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of an idli; it should come out clean. The idlis will be light, fluffy, and cooked through.
    Quick & Easy Instant Idli: A South Indian Breakfast Ready in Minutes - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers
  • Carefully remove the idlis from the mold and serve hot with sambar and coconut chutney. For an extra nutritional boost, sprinkle some Moringa masala on top.
    Quick & Easy Instant Idli: A South Indian Breakfast Ready in Minutes - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers

Recipe Notes

Good To Know

  • For a softer texture, let the semolina and yogurt mixture rest for 10-15 minutes before adding baking soda; this allows the semolina to hydrate fully and results in fluffier idlis.
  • If you like a bit of crunch and extra flavor, temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, chopped green chilies, and a pinch of asafoetida in a little oil and mix this into the batter before steaming.
  • To make these idlis vegan, substitute yogurt with unsweetened plant-based yogurt (like coconut or soy) and add a squeeze of lemon juice to help with the rise.
  • Leftover instant idlis can be sliced and pan-fried with a sprinkle of gunpowder masala or tossed into sambhar for a quick upma-style snack.

Expert Tips

  • Don't overmix the batter after adding the baking soda, as this can make the idlis dense.
  • Ensure the steamer is hot and producing steam before placing the idli molds inside. This helps the idlis cook evenly and rise properly.
  • Use a toothpick or skewer to check if the idlis are cooked. If it comes out clean, they're ready.

Storage Instructions

  • Store leftover idlis in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat by steaming or microwaving.

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4.41 from 5 votes

Recipe Nutrition

Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 13gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.2gSodium: 1710mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3g

Geeta Biswas
Geeta Biswas

Are you missing old, traditional recipes? I, Geeta Biswas would love to share all those different tasty and traditional recipes. Most of my recipes are simple and very creative as I try to add twist and easy steps to prepare each and every recipe.

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