Idli Recipe (Soft Idli)

Idli is a popular South Indian recipe that is soft, fluffy, and very easy to cook. It is a healthy rice recipe made with fermented rice and urad dal (black gram) and is perfect for breakfast. Idlis are tasty and nutritious because it is steamed instead of fried. This dish is served with sambar (a lentil soup) and coconut chutney. The fermentation process makes them idli soft and airy. If you want to try an easy and healthy rice recipe, idli is a great choice. Follow this step by step Soft Idli recipe instructions.

Ingredients You Will Need:

2 cups idli rice
1 cup urad dal (black gram)
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon salt
Water as needed
Oil (for greasing the idli molds)

Idli Recipe Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Soak the Ingredients

Take a large bowl, add 2 cups of rice, fill it with water, and rinse it a few times until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Then, soak the washed rice in fresh water.

soaking rice in glass bowl for making South Indian Idli recipe

To soak the rice, place the washed rice in a bowl, fill the bowl with fresh water, and let it soak for at least 6 hours or overnight to prepare for making the idli batter.

soaked rice in glass bowl for making idli recipe

Now, take 1 cup of urad dal, wash it thoroughly under running water, then soak it in a bowl with enough water along with fenugreek seeds for at least 6 hours or overnight.

soak urad dal lin glass bowl for making idli batter

Step 2: Grind Dal to Make Smooth Idli Batter

Drain the soaked urad dal and transfer it to a wet grinder or blender, then add water gradually while grinding until you get a smooth, fluffy, and light batter.

Grinding soaked urad dal in a wet grinder with water being added gradually to make smooth, fluffy, and light idli batter.

Drain the soaked rice and grind it separately with a little water to a slightly coarse consistency, then transfer both the rice and urad dal batters into a large mixing bowl and mix them well using your hands to aid better fermentation.

Grinding soaked rice in a wet grinder with water being added gradually to make smooth, and light idli batter.

Then transfer both the rice and urad dal batters into a large mixing bowl and mix them well using your hands to aid better fermentation.

Step 3: Ferment the Batter

Once the batter is well mixed, add 1 teaspoon salt and stir thoroughly, then cover the bowl with a lid and leave it in a warm place to ferment for 8 to 12 hours or overnight until the batter rises and becomes light and airy.

Salt being added to idli batter in a bowl, then covered and left in a warm place to ferment overnight until it rises and becomes light and airy.

After fermentation, open the lid to check if the batter has risen and become light and airy, and if you’re fermenting in cold weather, keep the bowl in a warm spot like an oven with the light on or a cozy corner of the kitchen to ensure proper fermentation.

A bowl of fermented idli batter that has risen, appearing light, airy, and fluffy perfectly ready for steaming into soft idlis.

Step 4: Prepare the Idli Steamer

To steam the idlis in a steamer, lightly grease the idli molds with oil to prevent the batter from sticking during steaming.

Now, fill the base of a steamer or idli cooker with about 2-3 cups of water and bring it to a boil before placing the idli molds inside, ensuring there’s enough water to create steam for cooking the idlis.

Step 5: Steam Idli in Steamer

Stir the fermented batter gently to ensure an even consistency, then carefully pour a ladleful of batter into each idli mold, making sure not to overfill them, as the idlis will expand while steaming and need some space to rise properly.

Now steam the idlis by placing the idli stand inside the steamer, cover with a lid, and steam for 10–12 minutes on medium heat. To check if the idlis are cooked, insert a toothpick or knife into an idli. If it comes out clean, the idlis are ready; if not, steam them for a few more minutes.

Put idli batter into steamer stay to steam Idlis

Step 6: Remove and Serve Soft Idli

Turn off the heat, open the steamer, and let the steamer cool off. Allow the idlis to cool slightly for about 2 minutes before removing them from the molds.

Steaming idli in steamer for making south Indian idli recipe

Gently scoop out the idlis from the molds using a spoon or butter knife, and if they stick, lightly wet the spoon with water to make it easier to release them without breaking their shape.

A hand gently scooping out soft steamed idlis from the molds using a knief, with a few idlis already removed and placed on a plate.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve Hot South Indian Idli

Garnish the freshly steamed idlis with a few curry leaves. Serve hot with 1-2 servings of traditional South Indian sambar, coconut chutney, or tomato chutney. For extra flavor, you can drizzle a little ghee (about 1 teaspoon) over the top before serving.

Garnish steamed idlis with cury leaves and serve hot with traditional south Indian sambar, coconut chutney

After Cooking Serve Soft Idlis

Enjoy this easy-to-cook rice recipe at home. This easy-to-cook Indian rice recipe is not just delicious but also healthy and filling. Perfect for breakfast or a light meal, idlis are a staple in South Indian cuisine. Serve them with your favorite chutneys and enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal!

Ingredients You Will Need: