A fail-proof Instant Rice Idli recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes and requires no fermentation at all. These soft, and spongy steamed rice cakes are a perfect and healthy way to start your day! Gluten-free & Vegan too!
My family loves South Indian food. Once a month I try to include South Indian delicacies in my meal rotation. Among all their treats, Idlis are in constant demand in my household. Not only us, but my kids also love idlis it is their favorite finger food. Instant Rice Idli
But preparing idlis by the traditional method cannot be possible at all times. No doubt the conventional route is healthy and nutritious, but let’s admit its kind of a long.
So, what to do when your kids have a sudden urge to eat idlis? They will not wait that long. They need something instant.
This is where my Instant Rice Idli recipe comes to my rescue. No one will believe it’s INSTANT! These idlis are so gooooood!
Wondering what Instant Rice Idli is?
Idli is a staple food in South India. These soft and fluffy idlis can also be referred to as steamed rice and lentil cake.
The traditional idli is made by soaking rice and lentils for a few hours. Later, grind the duo to a fine paste and ferment overnight. Once the batter ferments, it’s steamed using idli molds and served with sambar and chutney.
They are amazingly delicious and can be enjoyed any time of the day – be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
What’s so good about Instant rice idli?
Compared to the traditional method, this instant idli is effortless! It requires
- no soaking
- no fermentation. Yeah, you heard me right – no soaking or fermentation required.
- Has no baking soda
- Soft and feathery light until the last bite.
With no soaking and fermentation, the whole process is reduced by half. Now, what more do you need in a recipe? It’s quick, simple and comes together pretty quickly. A real savior and a foolproof method that has never failed me. 🙂
How to Instant Rice Idli?
This recipe is a pretty straightforward recipe and requires no crazy ingredients.
Simply, prepare homemade idli mix by combining the flours and spices. Pour in water and make a batter of thick dropping consistency. Add eno and citric acid just before you intend to make your idlis.
This batter is now ready to be steamed in idli stand, and you will have soft idlis ready to eat in less than 30 minutes! These idlis are quite addicting, and no one can stop at one.
Pair it with a side of chutney or sambhar or just munch as it is. Either way, it tastes delicious!
My Experiment Results!
This recipe was tested and tried many times for successful results, and I am updating all the combos that I have experimented with.
- Baking Soda as a citric acid substitute – Unfortunately no, because baking soda leaves a soapy taste in these idlis.
- Vinegar – A big no. It gives a sour taste to the idlis.
- Baking Powder – Absolutely no.
- Can you avoid citric acid – Unfortunately no. It’s a must-have for this recipe. Citric acid and Eno combo results in soft and light idlis.
- Lemon Juice – Weird but it’s a no again. It should have worked, but during the experiment, it failed.
Successful Results!
I got great results with Eno and citric acid. This combo together creates a fizzy reaction which is very important for fluffy idlis.
So, next time when you are in a time crunch then give these Instant rice idli a try. Simply, mix up the ingredients and steam right away! Make a big batch and munch on them all day long.
Do give it a try and hope you enjoy it as much as we do! If you happen to make these idlis, please comment below and leave your feedback. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them. Would love to hear from you. ?
Instant Rice Idli
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup Flattened rice (poha)
- 2 cup Rice flour (store bought)
- 1 cup Urad dal flour (store bought)
- 1 teaspoon Fenugreek seeds powder
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Citric acid
- 1.5 teaspoon Eno (fruit Salt)
- 3 cup Water (may need extra)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Measure Poha..
- In a mixer, grind poha to its powdered form. Poha has to measured after grinding.
- Assemble flours. You can either use store bought flours or grind them at home.
- In a bowl, mix both the flours, grounded poha, salt and fenugreek seed powder.
- Mix it well and homemade idli mix is ready.
- Assemble rest of the ingredients.
- Add enough water to make a thick batter.For me it was appx. 4.5 cups of water. So add slowly and gradually. Too much water will make flat and sticky idlis. Batter should be of thick dropping consistency.
- Add citric acid.
- Add Eno..
- Mix it well. Batter will become frothy and bubbly.
- Heat water in a large pan. Grease idli moulds.
- Spoon batter in idli moulds.
- Cover and steam idlis for 10-12 minutes.
- Steamed idlis are ready..
- Remove from the water pan..
- Let it cool.
- Run a knife all around idlis and they will pop right out of their moulds.
- Soft and fluffy idlis.
- Beautifully cooked.
- Repeat the process with rest of the batter.
- This recipe makes 50 – 55 idlis.
- You can freeze this batter in airtight container for future use.
- Add hot sambhar to the idlis and enjoy!!
RECIPE NOTES
- Buttermilk instead of water? Yes, you can use buttermilk.
Neetu says
Thank you so much for the recipe. Tried couple of times. Idlis turned out pretty good. Btw I just use eno and no citric acid.
Ruchi says
Pleasure is all mine, Neetu!
So glad you liked the recipe. 😊
Bharati says
Hello – can you kindly help me with a substitute for ENO please.
Ruchi says
Bharati, I wish I could help you more here. But I have never tried this recipe without Eno, so I have no idea how it can be adapted.
Neha says
Hi maam
Apne 50idli ki receipe share ki 12 15 idli means fr 2 person k liye kaise rice n urad daal ka ratio rakhu.
Ruchi says
Neha, there is a slider on top of the SERVINGS. Slide it to the left, and it will scale down the recipe for you.
Amrita Sharma says
Hi Ruchi
Can you avoid fenugreek seeds in recipe?
Ruchi says
Amrita, fenugreek seeds produce soft and fluffy idlis.
So, I would not advise skipping that.
Neha Bora says
Hi, my mom tried your recipe and she loved it. The idli’s came out fluffy but YELLOW. My mom wants to send it across to my sister, who lives in Australia. She wants to add everything in the premix itself so she added baking soda instead of ENO. My question to you is
How can we make it white?
Ruchi says
Thank you for the feedback Neha! Happy to hear that your mom liked the recipe.
The possible reason for yellow idlis could be the dal. Did you grind the lentils at home? Idlis can turn yellow if urad dal is not of good quality. Even if extra fenugreek seeds were added, Idlis would turn yellow.
I hope that helps.
Laysha says
Hi dear, ur recipe is amazing!!! I have a query here can I use curd to make the batter…and rest adjust the consistency with water… And just add eno… I have observed that if we add curd the Idli’s come out soft as compared to the times when we don’t add curd… Also I have never tried it by adding Poha… Does adding Poha makes the Idli soft in this reciepe…?
Please suggest
Ruchi says
Thank you, Laysha!
Sure, you can dilute curd with water and use it as a substitute.
Addition of poha results in fluffy idlis.
SJ says
Can this batter be used for making dosa?
Ruchi says
Yes, you can use this batter to make dosa.
Kevin says
I have tried without citric acid but used eno alone and it still came soft n fluffy itali.
Ruchi says
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Kevin!
Glad it turned out perfect for you without the citric acid.
sree says
Hello Madam,
Just have one question. What happens if we add Citrix acid and Eno to the dry mix and store.
Ruchi says
Hello Sree,
If eno is added the dry mix, then you will end up in flat idlis. I would suggest saving eno for the last.
Padma says
A very good recipe for first timer like me. Cant thank you enough for this recipe and for taking the trouble to experiment with all the alternatives and providing the best options.
As you mentioned in 1 of your comments that if it is previously opened packet of Eno will result in sticky and flat idlis. Even though the eno is kept in an airtight box.
Ruchi says
Pleasure is all mine, Padma!
Happy to hear that you found the recipe and pictures helpful.
A single packet (sachet 5 gms. each) once opened for sure cannot be used again but if it’s in a bottle packaging and tightly sealed then you are all good.
Mandakini says
Hello mam
Intstant idali primix kartni dry ingredients madhe C.A.aai Eno mix karun thevle tar result kasa yeil.
Ruchi says
Hello Mandakini,
Please translate this for me. 🙂
uma says
Awesome idles! couldn’t believe this is instant. I actually didn’t have citric acid but used 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, worked very well no unpleasant flavor but still soft and fluffy! thank you for this awesome recipe.
Ruchi says
Pleasure is all mine, Uma!
Glad you liked the recipe and thank you for the update. 🙂
Sushma Sharma says
Hi Ruchi..Saw your instant idli recipe. I couldn’t get citric acid powder..so I added lemon juice as substitute n eno as per your recipe…It worked dear…idlies came out very nice..pluffy n spongy…!!( My daughter is a big fussy one n critric if things don’t turn up perfect…she liked these very much..!!) Thanks. I also kept that left over paste, (without eno n lemon juice) for few hours ,it fermented…then I kept it in fridge..Next day I made idlies without adding eno n lemon juice n again those turned out perfect…!!! Thanks Ruchi.
Ruchi says
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. 🙂
Happy to hear that you and your lovely daughter enjoyed this recipe. 😍😍
Sushma Sharma says
Thanks Ruchi..credit goes to you.☺️
Ruchi says
😊😊
Manasa says
Hey Sushma , how much of lemon juice can be used ??
Sushma Sharma says
I just used double the quantity of citric acid..I mean, in place of half spoon of citric acid I used one spoon of lemon juice.
Sourav says
Very nice recipe you are great..😍😍
Ruchi says
Thank you!
Kiran says
Can get ferment instead of citric. Also, can we use idli rava, as it makes the idli grainy.
Ruchi says
Kiran, as mentioned in the recipe haven’t tried this recipe without citric acid.
Also, can we use idli rava, as it makes the idli grainy.
You can surely give it a try.