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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Last Updated: July 17, 2021 | First Published on: July 17, 2021 by Hari Chandana Ponnaluri

    Instant Oats Idli

    203 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Oats Idli Recipe – Super soft, fluffy, healthy and delicious South Indian steamed cakes made with oats, yogurt and idly rava. Perfect for breakfast with chutney or sambar.

    three soft instant oats idli served along with south indian chutneys

    What is oats idli?

    Idli is a traditional South Indian steamed cake, typically made by grinding and fermenting the soaked lentils. But there are plenty of instant versions of idli recipes with or without urad dal or lentils, oats Idly is one of the easy and quick versions of making idly.

    Oats idly is one of the healthy and easiest South Indian breakfast or dinner recipes. These are puffy and super soft and made with just a couple of ingredients. The best part is they are instant and require no fermentation.

    Why you’ll love oats idli?

    Super easy and quick to make

    Remain soft for a longer time of period.

    Even a beginner cook can make them.

    They are instant and require no fermentation.

    soft south indian oats idli served on a white plate and topped with ghee.

    Ingredients

    Oats: I have used quick cooking oats here but they can be replaced with rolled oats as well.

    Idli Rava: I made these idlys without sooji or semolina and have used idly rava which is made of parboiled rice. You can get it from any Indian or South Indian store or online.

    Yogurt / Curd: I love to use fresh yogurt in my instant idli recipes, but you can also use sour curd if you want.

    Eno fruit salt: It helps to make the idlis super fluffy. If you don’t have fruit salt, replace it with half amount of baking soda/cooking soda.

    Water: The amount of water completely depends on the thickness of the yogurt. Add more or less.

    Can I substitute idli rava with sooji?

    Yes! you can replace it with the same amount of sooji or semolina. I have tried both versions and personally love the ones made with idly rava more.

    Can I use buttermilk instead of curd?

    Yes! you can make it with buttermilk. But add just enough to get the right consistency.

    ghee topped instant oats idli served on a white plate along with south indian chutneys

    Can I make the batter before hand?

    Yes! you can. If you are planning to make oats idly the next morning, make the batter before night and keep it in the fridge overnight. But DO NOT forget to mix the fruit salt just before steaming idlis. The batter will thicken more, so you will need to add a little water to adjust the consistency.

    Tips:

    Make sure the batter is thick. Watch the video below for a better understanding.

    Always add fruit salt just before you steam the idlis. Don’t let the batter sit for a long time after mixing it with fruit salt.

    Do not fill the idli molds full. Just filling it ¾th is enough.

    I would recommend following the exact recipe for the best results. However, you can reduce the amount of yogurt by half and add more water to get the right consistency.

    To check the doneness, touch the top of the idly with wet fingers. If it doesn’t stick to your fingers, it is done. Alternatively, insert a toothpick or knife in the middle of the idly, it should come out clean.

    Serving suggestions:

    Serve them hot or warm with coconut chutney, carrot peanut chutney, Peanut Coriander Chutney, Idli Podi, or Sambar.

    They are perfect for breakfast or lunch or at any time of the day.

    Storage:

    If there are any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to a day.

    Re-heat them in steamer or microwave before serving.

    FAQs

    What is oats idli?

    Oats idli is an instant version of classic South Indian idli which is made with oats, yogurt, idli rava or semolina, fruit salt, or baking soda.

    Can I reduce the amount of yogurt?

    Yes! I have used two cups of yogurt for every cup of oats. You can also use a 1:1 ratio and add more water to adjust the consistency.

    What kind of oats should I use for oats idli?

    Quick-cooking / Instant oats or rolled oats can be used. You will need to grind them to a powder.

    How long should I steam idli?

    They should be cooked in 12 -15 minutes over a high flame.

    How long does cooked idli last?

    They can be stored for a day in the refrigerator.

    How to make idli without idli stand?

    You can fill a bowl, vessel or can pan with the batter and steam using a big pot or vessel. Once it is cooked, cut into desired shapes. Muffins molds and jelly molds can be used as well. The cook time will depend on the size of the pan you use.

    Can I skip eno or baking soda?

    You can skip them if you don’t have them. But the texture of the idlis won’t be the same. They won’t be fluffy.

    Can I use baking powder?

    No, eno or baking soda can not be replaced with baking powder.

    Step by step instructions:

    Grind one cup of oats into a powder using a mixie or blender jar.

    Transfer the ground oats to a mixing bowl and add idly rava.

    Add two cups of yogurt to the bowl and mix everything well. Add a little water if needed. The batter should be thick.

    Cover it with a lid and let it sit for 15-30 minutes.

    Meanwhile, grease idly plates with some ghee or oil and keep them ready.

    Once the batter rests well, give it a stir and little more water to adjust the consistency if needed. The batter should be thick like idli batter.

    Add eno fruit salt to the batter and mix until well combined. The batter will be bubbling at this stage. Immediately fill ¾th of the greased idli plates with the batter

    Pour 1.5-2 cups of water into the steamer and insert the idly plates. Cover the pot with a lid.

    Steam cook them over a high flame for about 12-15 minutes.

    To check the doneness, touch the top of the idli with wet fingers and if it doesn’t stick to your fingers, it is done. Alternatively, insert a toothpick or knife in the middle of the idly, it should come out clean.

    Instant Oats Idli

    Hari Chandana Ponnaluri
    Soft, fluffy and healthy South Indian steamed rice cakes/idli made with oats, yogurt and idli rava.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Resting Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Snack
    Cuisine Indian, South Indian
    Servings 20 idlis

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Cup Oats (quick cooking or rolled)
    • 1 Cup Idli Rava
    • 2 Cups Yogurt
    • 1 Teaspoon Eno Fruit Salt
    • Salt to taste
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    Instructions
     

    • Grind one cup of oats into a fine powder.
    • Combine ground oats, idli rava, yogurt and salt in a mixing bowl and mix well. Add a little water if needed. The batter should be thick.
    • Cover it with a lid and let it sit for 15-30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, grease idli plates with some ghee or oil and keep them ready.
    • Once the batter rests well, give it a stir and little more water to adjust the consistency if needed. The batter should be thick like idli batter.
    • Add eno fruit salt to the batter and mix until well combined. The batter will be bubbling at this stage. Immediately fill ¾th of the greased idli plates with the batter.
    • Steam cook them over a high flame for about 12-15 minutes.
    • To check the doneness, touch the top of the idli with wet fingers and if it doesn’t stick to your fingers, it is done. Alternatively, insert a toothpick or knife in the middle of the idly, it should come out clean.
    • Serve hot or warm with chutney or sambar.

    Video

    Nutrition values are estimates only.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @iamharichandana or tag #blendwithspices!

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    203 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paulin says

      October 01, 2021 at 7:26 am

      If I don’t have Eno frukt salt, can I use normal salt?

      Reply
      • Hari Chandana Ponnaluri says

        October 01, 2021 at 5:32 pm

        NO. Replace eno salt with half amount of baking soda/cooking soda

        Reply
    2. Sandra says

      October 14, 2021 at 11:01 pm

      What if I don’t have idli plates ?

      Reply
      • Hari Chandana Ponnaluri says

        October 21, 2021 at 9:40 pm

        You can use any small cups or muffin cups

        Reply

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    Hi!
    Glad you’re here!. I am Hari Chandana Ponnaluri, an Indian food blogger currently living in Spain. Blogging and photography have been my world for about 13 years now and all I need are – a camera, some ingredients & props, and an internet connection to make your while worth on my website!☺ .. Read More…

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