Masala Idli And 5 Other Idli Recipes That You Can Make In A Jiffy

In today’s day and age, with our fast-paced lifestyles, eating healthy has become more important than ever. Whether it is the three main meals, or the snacks that we sneak in between those, the priority is to keep them healthy and easy to make. One such dish that comes together rather quickly, makes use of leftovers in the fridge, and is finger-licking good happens to be masala idli.

Masala Idli Recipe

Using humble ingredients like leftover idlis, chopped vegetables, and pav bhaji spices, a masala idli recipe is a great option for snacks and tiffin boxes alike. To make masala idli, finely chop onions, and tomatoes and keep aside. In addition to these, you’ll also need ginger garlic paste and chopped green chillies as aromatics in this masala idli recipe. 
In a pan, add oil, and cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Add to this, the ginger garlic paste and let it saute till it cooks and doesn’t smell raw. After this, add the finely chopped onions and saute till translucent. In this add the finely chopped tomatoes, and let it cook. Once the tomatoes have softened, in this masala idli recipe, add salt, a little turmeric powder, and pav bhaji masala. The pav bhaji masala is the key ingredient to easily elevate the taste of this masala idli recipe. Mix well and add some water. 
Let this cook for a while, and add leftover idlis to the mix. If your leftover idlis are full-size idlis, chop them into 4 pieces. If you have mini idlis, you can add them as it is for a masala idli dish like no other. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve fresh.

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Apart from the classic masala idli, here are some other masala idli recipe variants you can try

1. Podi masala idli 

One of the tastiest in the lot, this masala idli recipe is also quite easy to make. To make podi masala idli, pour some oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and curry leaves to it, and let them splutter. Add podi masala to the pan, and mix well with oil. Quickly add your leftover mini idlis and saute. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves, and serve.

2. Idli manchurian

If you’re bored of the regular desi flavours of masala idli, you need to try idli manchurian. This masala idli recipe is quick and yummy. Chop onion and bell peppers in big chunks, and stir fry on high flame with ginger garlic paste. Add your leftover idlis, and saute. To this mix, add soya sauce, schezwan sauce, vinegar, and green chilli sauce. Garnish with chopped spring onions, and serve hot.

3. Colourful idli

This idli recipe is fun, great to look at, and packs the punch of veggie goodness. All you have to do for this idli recipe is add a puree of desired vegetables to the idli batter. You can use beetroots for pink, spinach for green, tomatoes for red, and so on. Once cooked, stirfry these colourful idlis with mustard seeds, and curry leaves for a masala idli recipe that makes for perfect snacks.

4. Stuffed thinai idli 

Made with foxtail millets, this spicy idli recipe is as healthy as it is yummy. You can choose from a variety of fillings for this spicy idli. From the most basic masala potato to protein-packed paneer bhurji filling, this idli can be customised according to your taste buds.

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5. Fried idli 

Though not as healthy as many other options on this list, fried masala idli is definitely the tastiest. Crisp from deep frying, idlis are then dusted with masala, and served hot with your choice of chutneys. Fried masala idli can also be used as a base for a scrumptious idli chaat. Pour some fresh curd over the fried idlis, and drizzle tamarind and coriander chutneys, Top with finely chopped onions, pomegranate seeds, and boondi for a fried masala idli chaat like no other.