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Nutrition is an estimate per serving. Body-type guidance is general information, not medical advice. Videos belong to their creators on YouTube.

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Soft Idli

VegetarianBreakfastSouth India

Soft Idli

Soft Idli is a vegetarian breakfast from South India. It is made with rice, urad dal and fenugreek. This recipe serves 4 and takes about 35 min. One serving has about 50 kcal, 2 g protein, 10 g carbs and 0 g fat.

Did you know? The batter must ferment overnight for fluffiness. Steamed, not fried—naturally gluten-free. Serve with sambar or chutney. A breakfast staple across South India!

Updated 15 June 2025 · nutrition is an estimate per serving

S

Diet: Vegetarian
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: South India
Calories: 50 kcal
Protein: 2 g
Style: Healthy
Serves: 4
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 15 min
Level: Medium

Ingredients (serves 4)

2 cups idli rice
¾ cup urad dal
½ tsp fenugreek seeds
1 tsp salt
1 cup water
1 tsp sesame oil

Contains: sesame.

Main ingredients

rice
urad dal
fenugreek

Nutrition per serving

S

50kcal / serving

Protein: 2 g 17%
Carbs: 10 g 83%
Fat: 0 g 0%
Fibre: 1 g

Vitamins and minerals (approx.)
Iron	1mg
Folate	50mcg

How to make Soft Idli

Wash the rice and urad dal separately, then soak them with the fenugreek seeds for 4 to 6 hours.
Drain the urad dal and grind it with a little water into a very smooth, fluffy batter.
Drain the rice and grind it into a slightly coarse batter.
Mix both batters together with salt and leave to ferment overnight in a warm place until it rises and smells sour.
Grease the idli moulds lightly with the oil.
Pour the batter into the moulds, filling each about three quarters full.
Steam the idlis in a pressure cooker or steamer for 10 to 12 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Rest for 2 minutes, then loosen the idlis and serve hot.

Serves 4 · prep 20 min · cook 15 min. Taste and adjust salt and spice to your family.

How to make Soft Idli: videos

इडली के इस बेटर से इडली बनेगी स्पंजी व सफ़ेद | Soft & Spongy Idli Recipe | Idli Batter Recipe |Masala Kitchen · 53.4 lakh views · 10 min

दाल चावल से नरम मुलायम फूली फूली इडली बनाने का सही तरीका | Healthy Breakfast | South Indian RecipeFresh Flavours by Neelam · 30.5 lakh views

चावल की सबसे नरम मुलायम इडली बनाने की विधि/ Rice Idli Recipe/ How to make Chawal ki Idli by FoodshipFoodship · 24.0 lakh views

Idli recipe | अब बनेंगी बिना सांचे के झटपट सूजी इडली | Sooji idli recipe | Rava idli recipe | IdliKhansa Khansama · 3.6 lakh views

Colourful Idli Recipe | रवा इडली रेसिपी | how to make soft idli at home | Coconut ChutneyVee Kitchen · 1,174 views

Quick answers

Is Soft Idli vegetarian?

Yes. Soft Idli is vegetarian: none of its main ingredients is meat, fish or egg.

How many calories are in Soft Idli?

About 50 kcal per serving, with 2 g protein, 10 g carbohydrates and 0 g fat. This is an estimate; oil, ghee and portion size change it.

Where is Soft Idli from?

Soft Idli comes from South India.

What is Soft Idli made of?

The main ingredients are rice, urad dal and fenugreek.

How long does Soft Idli take to make?

About 35 min in all: 20 min to prepare and 15 min to cook, plus any soaking, fermenting or marinating time in the steps.

How many people does this Soft Idli recipe serve?

The quantities on this page serve 4. For more people, multiply every ingredient by the same amount.

When do you eat Soft Idli?

Soft Idli is usually eaten as a breakfast.

Explore more

South India recipes Recipes with rice Recipes with urad dal Recipes with fenugreek Healthy Kids Snacks Gluten Free Low Fat Diet

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