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Idli podi recipe | How to make idli podi

By swasthi , on August 19, 2019, 42 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Idli podi is a flavorful condiment made of lentils,seeds and spices. It is known by different names such as milagai podi, gun powder, idli karam podi or chutney podi. Pudi or podi is a generic south Indian term that refers to powder. Since it is eaten with idli, it is known as idli podi.

idli podi

The recipe shared here will yield you idli podi that has a unique flavor and taste. It is a good addition to serve with idli topped with sesame oil or hot ghee.

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Most people love to enjoy their idli with idli sambar & coconut chutney. But this podi is great to have if you have fussy kids at home.

Preparation

1. Dry roast red chilies till they turn crisp. Set this aside. Dry roast urad dal and chana dal on a medium flame till lightly golden and aromatic. Transfer these to the plate. I did them together. The red chilies didn’t crisp well this way.

If you are making idli podi in more quantity then you will need to roast the chana dal and urad dal separately as each dal has different roast timing.

roasting dal chilies spices in pan for idli podi

2. Add curry leaves. I prefer to dry roast instead of using oil. If you prefer you can fry them in oil but the podi may not blend well with oil.

dry roasting curry leaves until crisp to make idli podi

3. Dry roast on a low flame till they turn crisp. Set these aside as well.

crisp fried curry leaves

4. Add sesame seeds, cumin and coconut. Fry until the sesame seeds begin to crackle. You can also roast them separately. Using copra gives the best taste and flavor instead of using ready desiccated coconut.

You can also replace sesame with peanuts. Fry until peanuts turn aromatic and light brown.

adding sesame seeds cumin and coconut

5. If using garlic add it now. Then toss for a while. You can skip garlic but it adds a good flavor. Cool all these ingredients.

adding garlic for idli podi recipe
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How to make idli podi

6. Powder finely red chilies and dals first. Scrape off the sides of the blender jar, then add sesame seeds, coconut, cumin, garlic and salt.

blending ingredients

7. Powder them. If you try to blend all the roasted ingredients together, it may yield a very coarse powder unless you have a powerful blender.

made a coarse powder

Serve idli podi with idli & ghee.

idli podi milagai podi
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Store idli podi in an airtight glass or steel jar. It keeps good for several months.

Different regions made idli podi in different ways. Here are some variations:

idli podi swasthis recipes

Variations of idli podi

1. Traditional Tamil style milagai podi is made of only 6 ingredients – urad dal, chana dal, sesame seeds, red chilies, hing & salt. However ingredients like jeera, tamarind, jaggery & garlic are also included by many.

2. Andhra style idli karam podi is made in so many different ways. Each region has their own variations. The ingredients are the same as shared in the recipe card below. But includes coriander seeds and excludes sesame seeds.

I make idli podi only few times a year. I make the peanut podi or flaxseed podi more often since my kids love both of those. They are also more healthy than the basic one.

To make idli podi, I use chana dal, urad dal, dried coconut and sesame seeds in equal quantities. Dried coconut is optional but I prefer to use since it is high in calcium. It gives a nice nutty aroma but ensure to use fresh and good quality copra. Do not use rancid smelling coconut.

Red chilies are used to spice up the idli podi. To add flavor cumin and garlic are used. For health benefits curry leaves or flax seeds can also be added. These proportions work well to make a flavorful milagai podi.

I do not use tamarind and jaggery, only reason there is no way to filter and use them for this recipe, so i skip them. idli podi remains fresh for a couple of months if handled with moist free spoons.

I make idli podi with so many variations, you can try with peanuts, flax seeds or even with some almonds. This was another time I made with some peanuts instead of sesame.

For more South Indian recipes, you may like to check
Dosa recipe
Poori recipe
Restaurant style masala dosa
Uttapam
Paniyaram

You can also use this podi for other breakfasts like upma, idli, semiya upma and even with rice. During winters, you can also add a bit of dry ginger or ginger powder.

Idli podi recipe

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idli podi milagai podi

Idli podi recipe | How to make idli podi

Idli podi is a flavorful condiment from south Indian cuisine served with idli & dosa. This homemade Idli podi is full of flavors and is healthy. You can tweak the recipe with healthy ingredients like roasted flax seeds or peanuts.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time7 minutes
Total Time12 minutes
Servings12
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

Ingredients to make idli podi

  • ¼ cup chana dal or bengal gram
  • ¼ cup urad dal or urad dal
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds or peanuts
  • salt as needed
  • 6 to 8 red chilies (adjust to suit your taste)
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cumin or jeera

optional ingredients

  • ¼ cup dried coconut (copra) or desiccated coconut
  • 2 sprigs curry leaves
  • 2 teaspoon flax seeds
  • tamarind as needed, cleaned
  • jaggery as needed
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Instructions

Preparation for idli podi

  • Wash curry leaves and pat dry.
  • Clean all the ingredients, pick debris and discard.
  • Dry roast chana dal and urad dal on a low to medium flame until golden and aromatic. 
  • Set them aside to cool in a plate. Next dry roast red chilies till crisp & remove to the plate. 
  • To the same pan, add curry leaves and roast on a low flame till they turn crisp. 
  • Set these aside as well.
  • Add sesame seeds and cumin to the hot pan. Roast till the sesame seeds begin to splutter. 
  • If using peanuts, then dry roast the until deep golden and aromatic. 
  • Next add coconut,garlic and toss. Set this aside as well to cool.

How to make idli podi

  • Powder red chilies and dal first in a blender jar. 
  • To the same jar, add the curry leaves, sesame, cumin, coconut and garlic. 
  • Also add in salt and blend to a powder. Store idli podi in an airtight dry jar.
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Notes

  1. I have not used oil completely in this recipe. However you can fry the red chilies and curry leaves in hot oil. If you prefer to store the idli podi for a few months then avoid oil and coconut too in the recipe.
  2. I always use sesame and coconut in my idli podi as they are high in calcium & other nutrients. You may skip if you do not like or have them.
  3. Adjust the amount of red chilies. The number of chilies mentioned in the recipe will give you a moderately spiced idli podi.
  4. For variations you can also use roasted peanuts or flax seeds.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Idli podi recipe | How to make idli podi
Amount Per Serving
Calories 70 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 5mg0%
Potassium 136mg4%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 170IU3%
Vitamin C 28.7mg35%
Calcium 51mg5%
Iron 2.1mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Reader Interactions

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Comments

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  2. Devi says

    November 25, 2020

    5 stars
    Made it. Very tasty authentic and tasty. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 27, 2020

      Welcome Devi

      Reply
  3. swami says

    September 28, 2020

    5 stars
    good

    Reply
  4. Hithaishy says

    September 3, 2020

    5 stars
    I made it today and came out really well. Liked the taste.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 5, 2020

      Welcome!
      Glad to know! Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Sindhu says

    June 18, 2020

    5 stars
    Very nice.. Tried and loved the taste.. I added salt..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 5, 2020

      Thanks Sindhu

      Reply
  6. Kavitha says

    May 26, 2020

    5 stars
    Hi Ma’m,

    How are you? Hoping to see many more recipes from your end during this lockdown.

    I tripled this recipe and followed the procedure to the T and it came out perfect. Mainly my MIL loved it.

    I have tried many of your recipes simple ones to complex ones, vada to Biryani, sweets to cake, podis to ice cream and almost all of them turned good.

    As per my family, my culinary skills improved a lot during the last few years. All thanks to you for presenting each recipe clearly along with pictures. Keep continuing your excellent work.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 29, 2020

      Hello Kavitha
      I am doing good. Thank you! Haha! I was hoping the same. But unable to since the entire family is home all the time. Glad to see your comment after a long time. I replied your comment on vada as well.
      Thanks for the comment!
      🙂

      Reply
  7. Sunila P. says

    April 16, 2020

    5 stars
    Hi Swasthi,

    Perfect Podi. Tried many of your dishes, all superb. THANKS!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 18, 2020

      Welcome Sunila

      Reply
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  9. Appu says

    September 23, 2019

    5 stars
    Hi Swasthi,

    Fist of all thank you for all the recipes. Your blog is the bible for My cooking. The site is very presentable and I feel comfortable going through it. Thanks for it.

    Need one help,

    I tried the above powder and it came out very spicy for me , is there any way i can tweak it. Please let me know , thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 29, 2019

      Hi Appu,
      Sorry for the delay. You comment was in spam. Thank you so much for trying the recipes.The easiest way to bring down the heat is by making another small batch of the same without chilies and then mixing them.I know by now your podi may have finished. Sorry again!

      Reply
  10. Padma says

    August 22, 2019

    5 stars
    This is padma from vizag. I like your recipes. Please give me the recipe for endu kobbari podi.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 22, 2019

      Hi Padma
      Thank you. Yes I will try to share the recipe.

      Reply
  11. K. J. Umalakshmi says

    May 4, 2019

    To be very honest, all your recipes are simple & good. I have been following your recipes & my cooking skill has been found to be improved which is acknowledge too by family members. I am obliged to you for this. Thank you very much.
    I request you to mail me some more podi recipe than sambar, Rasam, parpuu, peanut, milagai, flaxseed, garam masala. I wish to try some new podi with your recipe guidance. Thanks once again.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 5, 2019

      Hi Umalakshmi
      You are welcome. Thank you so much for trying the recipes. Makes me very happy. Please check this curry leaves podi. I haven’t posted other podi recipes like coconut podi and sesame podi. I will try to share them sometime soon. Thanks again
      🙂

      Reply
  12. Rani says

    January 21, 2019

    5 stars
    Love your recipes very much. This idli podi is my gals favorite with hot ghee and idli, uttapam, dosa, rice. The addition of peanuts enhances the taste. Thank you very much for such good recipes.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 25, 2019

      Hi Rani,
      Sorry forgot to reply you. you are welcome. Thanks for trying

      Reply
  13. Sangita says

    October 29, 2018

    5 stars
    My daughter loves idly podi
    U r receipe great. It comes very good

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 29, 2018

      Thank you so much Sangita
      Glad your kid loved it
      🙂

      Reply
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  15. Jhansi says

    October 14, 2018

    5 stars
    Very good. My kids liked it with idli and dosa

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 14, 2018

      Thank you

      Reply
  16. Visa says

    April 12, 2018

    4 stars
    Hi…i alrdy made tis podi twice. 1st for my family & 2nd time for my parents last wk. It was a quick & simple recipe. All like it very much. I dont hv flax seed, so i didnt add. Tq.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 12, 2018

      Welcome Visa
      Thanks for trying the idli podi recipe. Happy to know it turned out good.
      🙂

      Reply
  17. Sangeetha says

    March 27, 2018

    5 stars
    Thank you the recipe Swasti. My daughter loves idli podi and this is a keeper.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 28, 2018

      Welcome Sangeetha,
      Thanks for the comment

      Reply
  18. Swathi says

    July 13, 2017

    5 stars
    Tamarind add chesara Swasthi Garu?? Ingredients lo mention chesaru kani I don’t see the same used in the preparation steps… Pls let me know if we should add tamarind or not

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 13, 2017

      Hi Swathi
      I have not added tamarind because it is difficult to clean it and add. But if you like you can add very little..

      Reply
  19. C.V.Geetha says

    April 22, 2017

    5 stars
    very gud

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 22, 2017

      Thanks Geetha

      Reply
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  21. Zainab says

    January 12, 2017

    5 stars
    Hi

    Can I use black sesame seeds.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 12, 2017

      Zainab,
      not sure how it tastes, may be bitter.
      But I know of a method to reduce the bitter ness in balck sesame seeds.
      Wash them with lot of water. Rub and wash well. You will see a lot of skin going off. Drain and dry on a cloth. Dry roast when it is slightly dry.

      Reply
  22. Divya vyas says

    September 16, 2016

    5 stars
    My husband prefers this over MTR idly chutney powder, it is that good! Kudos! Will make more of your powders. Thanks.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 18, 2016

      Welcome Divya
      So glad to know your hubby likes this idli podi. Thanks for the feedback

      Reply
  23. hercules thakkar says

    March 13, 2016

    5 stars
    what is uses of this? sorry don’t know

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 13, 2016

      Hi
      It is a spice powder to accompany Indian breakfast idli. You can find the recipe of idli here

      Reply
  24. Sukanya says

    July 5, 2015

    5 stars
    When I made this podi, my house was filled with very good smell. Liked it very much. Thanks

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 5, 2015

      welcome sukanya, iam so glad you liked it

      Reply
  25. Kalai vani says

    June 14, 2015

    5 stars
    Very nice smell and yummy thank you

    Reply

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