Learn how to make quick & delicious Masala Idli recipe using leftover idlis with a video tutorial and detailed step by step pictures. Use the leftover idlis to make a quick snack or meal with stir fried masala idli recipe.
Masala Idli is a quick, flavorful snack made from leftover idlis tossed in a tempering of onions, tomatoes, curry leaves, and a few basic South Indian spice powders. This recipe gives plain or leftover idlis a delicious makeover, turning something ordinary into a flavorful treat. Each bite-sized idli soaks up the masala beautifully, making it a perfect snack or light weekday meal. All it takes is a few minutes and basic pantry staples to whip up this comforting, healthy stir-fried masala idli recipe - simple, delicious, and absolutely worth a try!
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Key Ingredients
- Leftover Idlis - slightly firm day-old idlis work the best for making Masala Idli as they hold shape when stir-fried.
- Onion, Tomato, Ginger Garlic Paste - the flavorful base that gives this dish its savory, spiced masala coating.
- Spices - turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala powder for the heat, color, and warmth.
- Tempering Ingredients - mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal, hing, and curry leaves for the authentic South Indian tempering and aroma.
For full list of ingredients and exact measurements, check the recipe below.
Step by Step Instructions
In a pan heat 3 teaspoon oil and add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon urad dal. As the dal turns golden brown, add ¼ teaspoon hing/asafoetida and few curry leaves.
Add 1 finely chopped onion. Fry until they turn translucent.
Add ⅓ teaspoon ginger garlic paste and cook for 2-3 minutes on low flame until there is no raw smell.
Next add 1 tomato finely chopped along with the spice powders - ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon red chilli powder, ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder and salt as needed.
Cook the tomatoes and spice powders for a couple of minutes. Add 1-2 tablespoon water to bring it all together.
Continue cooking on low flame until the mixture has a thick consistency.
Meanwhile, cut the leftover idlis into small cubes and add it to the pan.
Sautee and mix gently until the idli pieces are coated with the masala & spices. Garnish with finely chopped fresh coriander leaves.
Serve hot immediately as a snack or light meal with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Recipe Notes
- Use leftover idlis, as fresh idlis are too soft and can break easily. Slightly firm, chilled/cold idlis work the best for this recipe.
- If the idlis feel soft, refrigerate them for 15-20 minutes before cutting them & frying to help them hold shape.
- Adjust the spice powders depending on your heat preference.
Top Tips
- Chilled idlis work the best for this recipe and even if you don't have leftover idlis, make sure to put the idlis in fridge for 15-20 minute before making this recipe.
- Cook on low flame and toss the idlis cubes as gently as possible, so that they turn crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, while retaining the shape.
- Use a heavy bottomed pan or non-stick pan to ensure even cooking and it also prevents the idlis from sticking to the pan.
Substitutions & Variations
- Spice variations: Swap red chilli powder and garam masala powder with sambar powder, idli podi or even pav bhaji masala powder for a different flavor profile.
- Add vegetables: You can add vegetables like colorful bell peppers, carrots, peas, or sweet corn to make this more nutritious and colorful.
- Street-Style Version: You can shallow-fry the idli pieces to make it crispy.
- Air fryer Healthy Version: Alternatively, you could also spray some oil on the idli cubes and put them in the air fryer for 10-15 mins at 180°C. It makes the idlis crisp but with very minimal oil usage.
Storage & Serving Suggestions
Masala Idli tastes the best when served hot or warm, straight out of the pan with a side of coconut chutney or raita. It can be served as a light meal, like a quick dinner option especially during busy week days or as a light snack during tea time. It can be packed in lunch boxes too, just ensure that it is at room temperature so that the stir-fried idli stays soft and fresh. Any further leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container and reheated in microwave or a pan before serving again.
Video Recipe
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📖 Recipe
Masala Idli | Using Leftover Idlis
MEASUREMENT
1 cup = 250ml, 1 tablespoon = 15ml, 1 teaspoon = 5ml
Ingredients
- 3 Idlis leftover, preferably chilled
- 1 Onion Finely Chopped
- 1 Tomato Finely Chopped
- ⅓ teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste
- 3 teaspoon Oil
- ½ teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- ½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- 1 teaspoon Urad Dal
- ¼ teaspoon Hing
- Fresh Curry Leaves
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- ½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Coriander Leaves Chopped
- Salt as needed
Instructions
- In a pan heat 3 teaspoon Oil and add ½ teaspoon Mustard Seeds, ½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds, 11 teaspoon Urad Dal. As the dal turns golden brown, add ¼ teaspoon Hing and Fresh Curry Leaves.
- Add 1 Onion Finely Chopped. Fry until they turn translucent.
- Add ⅓ teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste and cook for 2-3 minutes on low flame until there is no raw smell.
- Next add 1 Tomato Finely Chopped along with the spice powders - ¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder, ½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder, ¼ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder and Salt as needed.
- Cook the tomatoes and spice powders for a couple of minutes. Add 1-2 tablespoon water to bring it all together.
- Continue cooking on low flame until the mixture has a thick consistency.
- Meanwhile, cut 3 Idlis into small cubes and add it to the pan.
- Sautee, toss and mix gently until the idli pieces are coated with the masala & spices.
- Garnish with 1 tablespoon Fresh Coriander Leaves Chopped.
- Serve hot immediately as a snack or light meal with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Video
Notes
- Use leftover idlis, as fresh idlis are too soft and can break easily. Slightly firm, chilled/cold idlis work the best for this recipe.
- If the idlis feel soft, refrigerate them for 15-20 minutes before cutting them & frying to help them hold shape.
- Adjust the spice powders depending on your heat preference.
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