Masala idli fry is an easy, kids friendly recipe that can be made using leftover idli.We can prepare this idli fry with fresh mini idli too. It can be served as breakfast, dinner or as an evening snack for kids. Usually I make South Indian, Tamilnadu style masala idli fry. This time I prepared it in North Indian style adding Pav bhaji masala powder.Actually speaking, recipe of masala idli varies from place to place.It can also be prepared in a simple way adding garam masala powder or fennel powder.

As this is my first attempt in North Indian style, I followed this recipe from Spice up the curry & Red Chilly and tried for our breakfast. I adjusted the spice level as per my family’s taste. It came out really well.  Sendhil & myself loved it a lot. I hope Raksha will like it too. If making for kids, you can try the same with deep fried idli pieces. This recipe is a great way to use the leftover idli. You can also add vegetables like finely chopped carrot, cooked peas along with capsicum  to make this dish more healthy and colorful ! Now lets see how to make Indian style masala idli at home using leftover idli with step by step photos & video.

Do check out my other leftover idli recipes like Chilli Idi, Idli manchurian, South Indian style masala idli, Pepper idli and Idli upma recipe.

Masala idli – How to make masala idli – Leftover Idli recipes

How to make masala idli recipe using leftover idli

Author: Chitra Ganapathy

Cuisine:Indian

Category:Main

Serves: 2

Prep time: 5 Minutes

Cook time: 10 Minutes

Ingredients  (1 cup = 250ml)

• Idli – 5 nos
• Big onion – 1 no (Finely chopped)
• Capsicum – 1/4 no (Finely chopped)
• Ginger – 1/2 tsp (-do-)
• Garlic – 1/2 tsp (-do-)
• Ripe tomato – 2 nos
• Salt & water – as needed
• Cooking oil – 2 tbsp
• Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder – 1/2 tsp
• Pav bhaji masala powder – 3/4 tsp to 1 tsp
• Coriander leaves – to garnish
• Lemon juice – If needed
• Sugar – a pinch (optional)
• Ghee – 2 tsp

How to make the recipe

1. Chop the leftover idli into big cubes.
2. Heat oil in a kadai. Temper cumin seeds. Saute onion, ginger, garlic and tomato.
3. Add all the spice powders, salt and mix well.
4. Add 1/4 cup of water to the masala and boil for a minute.
5. Lastly add the idli cubes, mix gently to coat the masala.
6. Garnish with coriander leaves. Sprinkle ghee & lemon juice if needed.Serve hot !

Masala idli recipe – How to make masala idli fry – Step by step pictures

• Take the leftover idli and chop into big cubes. You can chop each idli into 8 or 9 pieces.Set aside.
  

  

• Heat oil in a kadai. Splutter cumin seeds. Saute onion, capsicum, garlic and ginger pieces. After onion becomes transparent,add tomato and saute for a minute.
  

  

• Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, pav bhaji masala powder, sugar and mix well. Saute till tomato becomes mushy. Add 1/4 cup of water and boil for 2 minutes till masala becomes semi dry.
  

  

• Lastly add the idli cubes, mix gently without breaking.Coat the idli with masala. If masala has more water content, idli will break. So make sure masala is almost dry. Mix idli & cook for a minute.Switch off the flame. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves, few tsp of ghee and sprinkle some lemon juice. Mix well and serve hot!
  

  

• Mash few banana pieces and cook for 2 minutes in low flame. Switch off the flame, sprinkle lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves if desired.I did not add it.Remove and serve with rice.

Note:

• Adjust the quantity of pav bhaji masala powder as per your spice level.
• Make sure the tomato masala mixture is semi dry before adding idli pieces.