Pillowy-Soft, healthy, quick & easy breakfast (or lunch) recipe – Instant Oats Idli. No overnight soaking or fermenting is needed to make this delicious South Indian delicacy. For a quick breakfast, pair it with some South Indian Chutneys, and to enjoy it over lunch or dinner, I think you will need some steaming hot Sambar too. So Make It, Dip It, or Dunk It!
When you add some Oats to the recipe, you add some more nutrition to it. And it is one of the tastiest ways to include oats in your regular diet. Even the fussy eaters or those who don’t like oats can very easily give this recipe a try.
You must try our other South Indian recipes too – Instant Masala Dosa, Ragi Dosa, Spinach and Beetroot Idli, Oats Appe, and Tawa Masala Idli.
Story Time
My husband never liked the taste of Oats. He always found oats porridge soggy and slimy and never had it at all. On the other hand, I love oats. I can eat creamy oats porridge every day. That is what I used to do when I was living alone. It makes such an easy and nourishing breakfast.
When we got married, I tried to make him eat oats but he couldn’t. That is when I decided to create different recipes using oats so that we can include this gem of the ingredients in our diet. Moreover, I wanted to finish the packet of oats too. I started adding oats to all kinds of recipes I made and he did not even notice them. I tried oats cookies, chocolate brownie, oats appe (savory mini pancakes or puffer), oats energy bars, granola, etc. And now we eat oats almost every day and the best thing is that Jatin loves it. I do not need to tell him to eat granola, he would make a bowl when he is hungry. Yippie!
Moral of the story – Keep experimenting and you may end up liking the things that you always hated 🙂
What is Idli?
Idli is a savory and steamed cake made out of a paste (or batter) of soaked lentils and rice. It is a popular South Indian delicacy that is loved by almost every Indian person. The classic recipe is made by soaking urad dal and rice overnight. Then you need to grind them using some water and a couple of other ingredients. This prepared batter is then fermented for a few hours. Once the batter is well fermented, it is poured into an Idli stand and steamed.
It is paired with some South Indian Chutneys or dips and Sambar. The combination is heavenly. You will fall in love with the simplicity of this recipe.
When is the best time to eat Idli?
Idli is a popular Indian breakfast recipe. Most people enjoy it over breakfast with a hot cup of filter coffee or chai. But because it is a light and filling recipe, you can even serve it over lunch or dinner.
How to serve Oats Idli?
Oats Idli can be served with the following for ultimate pleasure:
- Sambar
- South Indian Chutneys
- Raw mango Dal Rasam
- Filter Coffee or Indian Chai
To have the best experience, serve it hot.
Tips to make it right
- Batter Consistency: You need to have the right consistency of the batter. It should be thick but easily pourable. If it is thin, the texture of the idli doesn’t come right.
- Resting Time: You need to let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes. Oats & Sooji will absorb the liquid and become softer. After resting time, adjust the consistency of the batter as needed. Just make sure that the consistency is on the thicker side. Thick but easily pourable.
- Baking Soda: Add baking soda 5 minutes before you start making the idlis. Do not add it while making the batter because it loses all the bubble formation and you won’t get nice fluffy idlis. Avoid adding too much baking soda because that also ruins the taste and the texture of idlis. Make sure that the baking soda is not expired. Test it before use (refer to FAQs below).
- Use Instant Oats – Instant Oats become soft very easily. That is why it is preferred for this recipe.
What can ruin your Idli?
Two things that can really ruin your idli-making experience are Curd and Baking Soda.
If your curd or yogurt is sitting in the fridge for a long time, chances are that your idlis will not get the right texture – fluffy and soft. It happens. They might become soggy from the inside or maybe come out hard and tough. So, use fresh curd or yogurt. Why take chances while making such a delicious recipe 🙂
Also, if the baking soda has expired, you won’t get a light, airy batter. The texture of idli also changes because of that. But you can check the quality of baking soda. Just add a little bit of lemon juice to it. If it forms bubbles, it means your baking soda is just perfect. If not, it is time to buy a new pack.
Tools and equipment needed
Instead of using two different things, you can even buy an Idli Maker.
Is this recipe Vegan?
To make this recipe vegan or plant-based, use any plant-based or vegan curd or yogurt. The rest of the ingredients used in this recipe are plant-based. You can use coconut curd, soy curd, or any curd of your choice. I have a vegan idli recipe. You can check that out for reference.
Easy Swaps
- Curd or Yogurt: Use any plant-based curd instead like coconut curd, soy curd, or any other plant-based curd of choice. Check the Vegan Idli recipe for reference.
More Recipes – just as good
More Oats Recipes
- Banana Walnut Muffins
- Oats Thumbprint Cookies
- Oats Appe (savory mini pancakes)
- Chocolate Cinnamon Granola
- Fruit & Nut Granola
- Vegan Fudgy Chocolate Brownie
- Strawberry Mini Cheesecake
- Oats Poha
Now grab all the ingredients because you are ready to make this nutrient-dense and wholesome meal at home. By adding some oats to the classic idli, you include a nutrient-dense ingredient in your diet. So, next time you make idlis, just try it with some oats too. You won’t notice much difference. In fact, I am sure that you and your family will enjoy it.
If you try this recipe & like it too, please share the photo of your creation on Instagram and tag us @thefearlesscooking. We just love to see your recreation of our recipes.
Happy Cooking 🙂
Love from us
Richa & Jatin
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