Chilli idli recipe, how to make chilli idli (2024)

Chilli idli recipe is a delicious street style snack you can do with leftover idli. This spicy and crispy snack is all you need on a cold winter evening. Serve with coffee for that perfect evening snack. Here is how to make chilli idli recipe with step by step photos.

Chilli idli or kaima idli as it is called in few restaurants like Saravana bhavan is a very tasty and flavorful snack or quick dinner. I am not sure what sorts of food colors and other stuff go into the making of chilli idli in restaurants. At home we can make tasty and colorful chilli idli with our regular ingredients.

This would be a very attractive snack for toddlers and kids too. While making for them we can easily reduce the spice and make it sublime.

Idli is such a versatile dish that leftovers never go waste. You can make so many quick snacks with leftover idli along with this chilli idli likefried idli, tadka idli, podi idli, sambar idli and many more.

This chilli idli is a delicious and flavorful snack where deep fried idlis are tossed in a very flavorful onion-tomato based masala along with bell pepper cubes.

This is somewhat similar to Indo chinese chilli potato, chilli paneer etc but no sauce is used in this recipe. For an indo chinese version you can try idli manchurian recipe.

How To Make Chilli Idli Recipe At Home?

To make chilli idli or kaima idli you first need to deep fry the idli. Cold leftover idli suits best for deep frying. If the idli is hot you can refrigerate it for few hours.

You have to batter coat the idli and deep fry in hot oil. Drain excess oil and set aside.

Next we will prepare a quick masala to coat the fried idlies. The masala consists of onion, capsic*ms and green chilies.

Finally toss the idlies in the prepared masala and serve immediately.

Tips For Making Chilli Idli

Try to use cold idlis for this recipe. If the idli is hot it will dissolve in hot oil while frying.

You can adjust the spice levels while making for toddler and kids

Instead of deep frying you can shallow fry or even toast the idli cubes. While toasting you can leave out the flours. The taste will differ though.

If you are looking for m0re easy snack recipes do try kuzhi paniyaram, instant rava paniyarm, oats paniyaram, medhu vadai, chilli baby corn

How To Make Chilli Idli Recipe Step by Step

1. Cut the cold idlis into bite sized cubes. Mix cornflour,rice flour and little salt in a bowl and toss the idlis. Set aside for 5 minutes.

2. In the meantime finely chop the onion,tomatoes,cube the bell pepper, slit or finely chop the green chillies and crush the ginger garlic.

3. Heat oil for deep frying and fry the idli cubes in hot oil in medium high flame. They should become golden brown and crisp. Remove to a kitchen towel and set aside.

4. Remove the oil from the pan leaving about 3 teaspoons. Temper with cumin,green chillies,ginger garlic and saute well for 4-5 minutes. Add curry leaves and saute well.

5. Add the finely chopped onions and saute till they become translucent.

6. Add the chopped tomatoes and mix well and saute till it turns mushy.

7. Add the cubed bell peppers,salt,sugar,chilli powder,turmeric powder and tomato sauce (if using). Mix well and cook till the masala leaves out oil.

8. Add the fried idlis and mix gently.

9. Remove from flame and add lemon juice. Serve chilli idli hot with more chopped onions and lemon wedges.

Chilli Idli Recipe