Instant Oats Idli is a quick to make Idli (steamed cakes) made with Oats and Semolina. Served with Chutney or Sambhar for a delicious breakfast or snack
Idli is how our Monday mornings begin.
The batter is usually made over the weekend, or if I am lucky I use up the old batter. But Monday mornings seem better and easier with Idlis (much to the annoyance of the elder kid who seems to find newer excuses to duck them!). Although there are other options like dosa / Paniyaram / Adai , I fall upon my trusted Idli batter to bail me out not just on Monday mornings, but almost always 🙂
Apart from the ease of making Idlis, I personally love them for their oil-free, steaming process which can be given to infants and convalescents alike. And if its diabetic-friendly, then even better.
If you are an Idli loving family like us, check out the following recipes of Idli on the blog:
Savoury dishes with Oats that you may like on the blog
Today's dish is a no-fermentation , diabetic-friendly Idli variation with Oats and Rava (sooji) and is pretty much instant.
FAQs to make the perfect Instant Oats Idli
- I don't have eno / baking soda - Can I still make it ? Yes, it would take time for the batter to ferment naturally and then make it in a couple of hours. But if you want instant Idli you can try making it without soda / eno, but Idlis will turn out flat / soggy as there is no leavening agent.
- Can I skip the semolina to make this Gluten Free ? Oats by itself isn't GF unless its a certified GF produce. Semolina helps bind the Idli together here
- Does this Idli freeze well ? Can I make it in bulk ? Not recommended, although am sure it freezes well for any emergency, but the taste might vary and it may not be very spongy once refreigerated (and re-heated)
- Can I use Vegan curd / yogurt ? By all means, please try a plant based curd if you need. I haven't tried, so please do a comment below if it worked for you
- My Idlis turned out hard, What could have gone wrong? After adding the baking soda / Eno do not overbeat the batter. Also steam for just 12-13 minutes (again depending on the quantity). Over steaming or overbeating tends to make the idlis rubbery and hard.
Did you there is a World Idli Day? Well, there is and since 2015 its been celebrated on 30th March.
It is believed that a popular idli only caterer from Chennai, Eniyavan, made a staggering 1,328 varieties of idlis in 2015 to instate this day. A staggering 44 kg idli was also cut by a top bureaucrat to seal the deal as they say and henceforth March 30 became World Idli Day.
The FoodieMonday/Bloghop group has made a variety of Idli using different grains to replace rice.
Prep time - 15 mins, Steaming Time - 12~15 mins , Makes - 6 idlis
PIN FOR LATER
What you need to make Instant Oats Idli:
- Oats (I used Quaker) - 1 cup (use GF Oats for a GF version)
- Bombay Rava / Medium Sooji - ½ cup
- Thick slightly sour yoghurt - 1 cup + 2 tablespoon (Sub with Cashew curd / rice curd for a vegan version)
- Water - ½ cup + 2 tsp
- Baking Soda - ½ teaspoon (or sub with Eno)
- Turmeric - ½ teaspoon (opt.)
- Oil - 1 tablespoon + ½ teaspoon for greasing
- Tempering : Mustard seeds, chopped curry leaves, urad dal, asafoetida, grated ginger ½ tsp
- Salt - to taste
Optional add ons:
Grated carrot, peas , chopped coriander, chopped fresh methi leaves etc.
How to make Instant Oats Idli:
- Dry roast Oats till crisp. Cool and grind. In a pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil, splutter all tempering ingredients till urad dal turns golden brown, add rava and saute on low flame till sooji turns fragrant. Cool.
- Add this roasted , tempered sooji to the oats powder. Add the yoghurt, half the water, turmeric if using and salt. Mix well. Keep aside, closed for 15 mins.
- Meanwhile, keep the idli steamer ready, and grease the idli plates.
- Adjust the batter, and baking soda topping it with a few teaspoon of water to get a pouring Idli batter consistency.
- Mix gently so not to break the aeration.
- Take a ladleful and pour into the dimpled, greased idli plates.
- Steam for 12~15 mins till done. Cool slightly and demould.
- Serve with any chutney / Sambhar.
Sharing this with Sunday Funday
Air Fryer Sweet Potato and Oats Smiley from Cook with Renu
Beef and Oat Sliders from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Egg Muffins with Savory Oatmeal Crust from Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Instant Oats Rava Idli from Sizzling Tastebuds
Keto Cabbage Egg Toast from Sneha’s Recipe
Instant Oats Idli | No Fermentation Required
Equipment
- Steamer
- Idli Mould / Idli Maker
- Bowl
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quick Cooking Oats I used Quaker - use GF Oats for a GF version
- ½ cup Semolina Bombay Rava / Medium Sooji
- 1 cup Yoghurt may need 3 tablespoon more, Sub with plant based curd for a vegan version
- ½ cup Water - ½ cup may need 2 teaspoon more
- Baking Soda - ½ tsp or sub with Eno
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric opt.
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Tempering:
- 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon Oil
- ½ teaspoon Bengal Gram Channa dal
- 1 sprig Curry Leaves
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon Cilantro Kothmir , finely chopped
Optional add ons:
- ¼ cup Grated carrot
- 2 tablespoon blanched peas
Instructions
- Dry roast Oats till crisp. Cool and grind. In a pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil, splutter all tempering ingredients till urad dal turns golden brown, add rava and saute on low flame till sooji turns fragrant. Cool.
- Add this roasted , tempered sooji to the oats powder. Add the yoghurt, half the water, turmeric if using and salt. Mix well. Keep aside, closed for 15 mins.
- Meanwhile, keep the idli steamer ready, and grease the idli plates.
- Adjust the batter, and baking soda topping it with a few teaspoon of water to get a pouring Idli batter consistency.
- Mix gently so not to break the aeration.
- Take a ladleful and pour into the dimpled, greased idli plates.
- Steam for 12~15 mins till done. Cool slightly and de mould.
- Serve with any chutney / Sambhar.
Video
Notes
FAQs to make the perfect Instant Oats Idli
- I don't have eno / baking soda - Can I still make it ? Yes, it would take time for the batter to ferment naturally and then make it in a couple of hours. But if you want instant Idli you can try making it without soda / eno, but Idlis will turn out flat / soggy as there is no leavening agent.
- Can I skip the semolina to make this Gluten Free ? Oats by itself isn't GF unless its a certified GF produce. Semolina helps bind the Idli together here
- Does this Idli freeze well ? Can I make it in bulk ? Not recommended, although am sure it freezes well for any emergency, but the taste might vary and it may not be very spongy once refreigerated (and re-heated)
- Can I use Vegan curd / yogurt ? By all means, please try a plant based curd if you need. I haven't tried, so please do a comment below if it worked for you
- My Idlis turned out hard, What could have gone wrong? After adding the baking soda / Eno do not overbeat the batter. Also steam for just 12-13 minutes (again depending on the quantity). Over steaming or overbeating tends to make the idlis rubbery and hard/
Priya Iyer says
This is such a healthy version of idli! It looks super soft and delicious. I'll surely be trying this out pretty soon. 🙂
Kalyani says
Thanks Priya. They are indeed fluffy and healthy. not to forget almost oil free
Mayuri Patel says
I've wanted to try making oat idlis for quite a while but have not got done to it as yet. Such a healthy way to begin the day. How versatile idlis are as one can make them with any healthy grain. What is rice curd?
Kalyani says
Thanks Mayuri - they are indeed healthy ! Rice Curd is vegan yoghurt made from soaked , ground rice with a little yoghurt culture added in..
Sujata Roy says
Loved this easy, quick and healthy recipe. I am sure this idli taste delicious. Lovely share.
Poonam Bachhav says
I like such fuss free breakfast recipes, especially for kids lunch boxes. Healthy, comforting and soulful !
Swati says
Loved this quick recipe with healthy ingredients.. Also I am amazed with your Idli collection.. will come back soon to check out this!! The idlis look so soft and spongy..never used the rice curd or cashew curd, interesting to know about these vegan curd options.
preethi'scuisine says
Love this instant idli recipe. Serving with badnekayi gojju is sounds so good. I can have this yummy combo anytime.Interesting to know the substitutes for Vegan Version. Fabulous share.
Archana says
Delicious n fluffy idlis. I do agree having this batter in the fridge makes Monday bearable. I love these diabetic friendly idli. You know who will not know what hit him.
veena says
Wow Kal. you have got an amzing collection of idli's. These oats idli's look so spongy. I am seeing the vegan option. Lovely
Renu says
Love Idlis and am always on the lookout for more. Would love to try this and especially when it is instant.
Kalyani says
Thanks Renu. This is quick and delish too, hope you make them sometime soon
Wendy Klik says
I had never heard of Idli's. I'm going to have to try them.
Kalyani says
Am sure you would love them, Wendy !