Baked Idli Fry is a low calorie, Gluten Free + Vegan, baked snack with leftover Idlis - a snack that is irresistible and addictive in taste and flavour.
My husband has strongly believed that anything packaged well, sells. Even for the humble Idli. For a South Indian family, there’s hardly a week that goes by without dishing out Idli (or any of its batter offspirings like dosa / Paniyaram / Adai / Idli upma etc).
However, my elder one strongly believes that Idli is ONLY for breakfast with her favourite Darshini Sambhar (never for evening snacks / lunch / dinner) and is considered not worthy of consumption at other times. Contrast this with the younger one who HAS to eat her Idli-Vada -sambhar "whenever" we go out for a quick treat in the udupi restaurants that dot our city or ensures it’s on her weekly breakfast ! (I think she favours the Idli ONLY coz of the crispy Vada).
Be it as it may, I had to find ways of making the elder one eat idlis (moms don’t give up, do they!?)
No one would touch idlis made that morning and Idli upma (scrambled idli) was anyways out of the question (no wonder it’s not on the blog, and perhaps will never be-we all dislike it with equal gusto).
And so when the baked chilli Idli appeared as a snack, the elder picked up one piece grudgingly , ate it ...... and pretty much polished the plate with yummmm, oohs and aahs. That’s saying a lot for 'disliking' Idli for snacks. And ratifying that marketing theory that my husband believes in : packaging !
Amma also liked it so that evening I made two batches back to back and yay !! no more left over idlis (secretly speaking, I think I will make and store extra idlis ONLY to Bake this honest- to-addictive snack) Gluten free. Vegan. Spicy. Low cal. Crunchy. Crispy. tasty - checks all the boxes . If you are an Idli lover (or not), check out this yummy n quick snack.
PS - I am told the deep fry version tastes good too. But who’s gonna try when we have so many baked-not-fried dishes on this blog.
Tips to make delicious Baked Idli fry
- Day old idlis (refrigerated of course) works best. If using fresh idlis, chill for an hour atleast.
- Spice levels is totally your preference . For the first batch I used red chilli and garam masala.
- Second batch has Idli molagapudi and black pepper powder. Both tasted equally yum.
Other Baked / healthy finger food on the blog that you may like:
PIN FOR LATER
Baked Idly Fry - GF and Vegan Snack
Prep time - 10 mins, bake time - 12-15 mins per batch. Serves - 2~3
Ingredients to make Baked Idli Fry:
- 10 nos Idlis I used the Toor Dal Idli or Thuvaram Paruppu Idli
- 2 tbsp Oil any neutral oil / sesame oil + 1 teaspoon for basting
- 1 tsp Red chilli powder
- ¼ tsp salt or to taste, see notes
- 1 tsp garam masala optional,see notes
- ½ tsp pepper powder opt., see notes
- 2 tsp Idli Molagapudi fiery lentil spice powder (gunpowder)
- 1 tsp thecha garlicky spice powder- optional, see notes
How to make Baked Idli Fry
- Pre-heat oven to 180c / 365F. Line a baking tray.
- Cut the Chilled idlis with a sharp knife into thick wedges. Make equal sized wedges
- In a bowl, add the Idli wedges, salt, oil , mix of whatever spice powders you want. Mix and Marinate for 1-2 mins (over marinating makes them soft and soggy quickly)
- Place the wedges in a baking tray. Spray some Oil over the top.
- bake for 8-9 mins, flip over and crank up the oven by 5 degrees more and bake for an extra 3-4 mins or until crispy. Keep an eye lest they burn or turn brittle.
- Take out from oven and serve warm and crispy, as is with some ketchup or sauce.
Baked Idli Fry | Gluten Free and Vegan Snacks
Equipment
- Baking Tray
- Oven
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 10 nos Idlis I used the Toor Dal Idli or Thuvaram Paruppu Idli
- 2 tablespoon Oil any neutral oil / sesame oil + 1 teaspoon for basting
- 1 teaspoon Red chilli powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste, see notes
- 1 teaspoon garam masala optional,see notes
- ½ teaspoon pepper powder opt., see notes
- 2 teaspoon Idli Molagapudi fiery lentil spice powder (gunpowder)
- 1 teaspoon thecha garlicky spice powder- optional, see notes
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 180c / 365F. Line a baking tray.
- Cut the Chilled idlis with a sharp knife into thick wedges. Make equal sized wedges
- In a bowl, add the Idli wedges, salt, oil , mix of whatever spice powders you want. Mix and Marinate for 1-2 mins (over marinating makes them soft and soggy quickly)
- Place the wedges in a baking tray. Spray some Oil over the top.
- bake for 8-9 mins, flip over and crank up the oven by 5 degrees more and bake for an extra 3-4 mins or until crispy. Keep an eye lest they burn or turn brittle.
- Take out from oven and serve warm and crispy, as is with some ketchup or sauce.
Notes
- Day old idlis (refrigerated of course) works best. If using fresh idlis, chill for an hour at least (preferably with marination).
- Spice levels is totally your preference . For the first batch I used red chilli and garam masala.
- Second batch has Idli molagapudi and black pepper powder. Both tasted equally yum.
vaishali sabnani says
What a great idea ! Somehow my thought process doesn’t go beyond sweet bakes ! This baked idli fry is absolutely fantastic .
Srivalli says
Sounds fantastic to reuse like this! While I never have leftover idlis, this dish surely makes me want to do that..
Priya Suresh says
Seriously this baked idli fries rocks, omg am drooling over those prefectly baked idli fries.
Rafeeda AR says
I am surprised you have a idli hater at home! It is one of the most well accepted meals in the whole world I feel... the idea of baking it with a coating of spices on it... nice finger food...
Chef Mireille says
oh wow these baked idly fries look so good - scrumptious
cookingwithsapana says
Baked idli fries looks so delicious and perfect snacking idea.
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
ha ha my lil one is like your elder ones, he despises idly!!! Love this idly fry, looks perfect for snacking!!!
Neha (My Culinary Expressions) says
I adore this interesting makeover for leftover idli. Infact more than steamed white idli, the spices-sautéed idli are preferred in my family. This time I shall make this baked idli recipe. Looking forward to making it.
Kalyani says
Awesome Neha. Do try !
Mayuri Patel says
I do love the deep fried idli. My MIL would always deep fry them us whenever we had leftover idli. Now I need to try the baked version. Will definitely have to prepare extra idlis.
Kalyani says
Glad to know you like these too.