Air-Fried Idli Chaat | Leftover Idli recipes

Idli chaat is a very healthy, zero oil recipe in which steamed and Air-fried Idli is wrapped up in various dips and condiments. It is a real makeover of leftover idlis!

It's a great fusion food and this time the fusion is not between countries but between 2 parts of my own country, India.

North is famous for its spicy-tangy chaat and South India is known for its Dosa and Idli. And in this recipe, we are combining Idli and chaat and thus our recipe Idli Chaat.

 

What is Idli Chaat?

As the name says, it is a chaat made up of Idli as the main ingredient. In this, the steamed Idli is fried and then served with various chutneys just like Papri Chaat.

Quarantine Days

Nowadays, we are seeing the most difficult times, something which we have neither seen nor ever thought of!  An invisible virus has forced all the humans on this earth to lockdown in their own houses. Social distancing is the mantra that is practiced nowadays. No office, no school/college, no outings, no shopping, nothing. All those who boasted of online food services are now having all the homecooked meals only. All the family members are confined to their respective houses only.

Everything is closed except ''Mummy ka Dhaba". Yes, everywhere the sales have dripped, the workload has minimized, but at that time, mothers' work is at a peak. With everyone at home, the kitchen is practically open all day. As mothers, we are also trying our best to ease the tension at least by serving interesting food to our darlings.

In between the 3 main meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, everybody gets hungry in the evening and wants to have some light but tasty, and importantly, something different! I am sure you all must be facing the same.

So, today I made Idli Chaat.

 

Idli Chaat At My Place

I have had this Chaat many times at Sagar Ratna, a very famous South Indian restaurant in my city. Whenever I had it, I swore that I would try it at home but somehow couldn't.

Today I made Dosa and Idli at lunchtime and obviously were left with some Idlis, as we prefer to have it at least in 2 meals. But Sambhar got all over and I was left with humble idlis. And this was the best time to try out my long yearned Idli Chaat.

As Idlis were ready, had Meethi chutney, green chutney, and curd in the refrigerator, so Idli chaat got ready in just a few minutes. I had the basic idea as have eaten it innumerable times at Sagar Ratna, gave it my touch, and voila a healthy snack got ready which everybody relished.

 

My Special Idli Chaat

If you are wondering what did I do special to make it my way then there are 2 things I did.

• Firstly, the idli I used was not the normal rice idli. In fact, it was Millet idli made without rice using only millets and lentils. However, any Idli can be used, be it rice idli or even semolina idli.
• Other than this, my other change was from deep frying to air frying. And this was the major change. Imagine idlis being deep-fried. How much oil would they absorb?

Must read: Palak Patta Chaat

Best Use Of Leftover Idli 

This is one of the best leftover Idli recipes!

Trust me, once you make this you will not only be tempted to make extra idlis but may even make idlis especially for making Idli Chaat.  Leftovers are bound to happen even though not intended. But wisdom lies in giving a makeover to the leftover so that they are enjoyed fully.

Some other recipes made with leftovers are:

• Roti Noodles, Roti Crumbs,  Roti Quesadillas using leftover chapatis.
• Cake Pops with leftover cake
•  Little Wonders with leftover biscuits

 

How To Make Idli Chaat?

The very step to make Idli chaat is to have Idlis. Now, these can be leftovers or made especially for making Idli Chaat. Again, these can be made with usual rice and lentils or millet or the instant Idlis made with semolina. Here, the choice is yours. Use whatever Idlis you want to use.

Once you have the Idlis, then cut these into small pieces. While you are cutting these, preheat your air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes at the highest degree in it. Now, toss the chopped idlis in very little oil. When I say very little, I really mean very little and therefore I said it even can be avoided. For 8 Idlis, I used just half a teaspoon of oil. After tossing, put these idlis in the air fryer basket. Yes, directly into the basket only. Air fry these for 15 minutes, tossing once or twice in between.

While the idlis are getting crisp in the air fryer, you do other preparations. Either prepare the chutneys or take out from the refrigerator as I did. I didn't have to make any of these as these were already stocked up in my refrigerator. Take out the curd and smoothen it with a whisk. Add water or milk to bring it to a pourable consistency. Similarly, adjust the consistency of green chutney and Meethi chutney.

And when the white idlis are turned into golden brown then arrange these on a plate. Put curd, green chutney, Meethi chutney. Top it with roasted peanuts or nylon sev or pomegranate pearls. And a healthy, delectable snack is ready!

 

A Healthy Substitute Of Dahi Vada

Dahi Vada is a delicacy on its own and is relished by people of all ages. Soft vadas with curd and chutneys is indeed addictive. But making these a lengthy process and then again deep frying the Vadas is there. So, for all those who want to avoid the labor in making these fried Dahi vadas or who otherwise avoid fried foods, this Idli chaat is a good option. Also, I have already shared a recipe of No-cook, No-fry Dahi Vada, you can check even that recipe.

 

Step By Step Recipe

• Cut round idlis into small pieces, any shape you prefer.

• Start preheating air fryer at 180 degrees. Preheat it for at least 3 minutes.
• Toss in 1/2 teaspoon oil.

• Put these idlis in the preheated air fryer basket.

• Air fry these idlis for 15 to 20 minutes or till golden brown.

• Till the idlis are getting air fried, you do other preparations.
• Take out curd and chutneys from the refrigerator.
• Smoothen the curd with a whisk. Add water or milk if the curd is too thick.
• Add salt, roasted cumin powder and chaat masala to this curd.
• Arrange air-fried idlis in a plate.

• Top these with whisked curd, meethi chutney, and green chutney.
• Garnish with nylon sev, green coriander leaves, and pomegranate pearls.
• Serve with love.

 

FAQs

Q) Can I fry idlis in an air fryer? If yes, how?

Idlis, cut and fried in the air fryer is the BEST! They are so crunchy, that I doubt even deep-fried ones would be that much crunchy. These tasted superb, even without any chutneys too. Though I tossed the cut idlis in half a teaspoon of oil but I guess even that could have been avoided. After that just 15 to 20 minutes in the air fryer and that's it. I air-fried for 20 minutes as we love crunchy bites. If interested in knowing more air fryer recipes then click here.

 

Q) I do not have an air fryer. Then, how to make these?

Instead of air frying, you can deep fry these idlis or toast these in the oven too. What we require is crispy idlis, so use whichever method suits you.

Let's Connect!

I hope you have liked this healthy recipe for making Idli Chaat and will surely try it out for your loved ones.

Thank you for reading this post. If you have liked this recipe then do let me know by leaving a comment below. Your feedback fuels my enthusiasm. You may share this post with your dear ones by clicking on the little buttons below. You may follow me on  Facebook   Pinterest   Instagram (#samirasrecipediary) too. for latest recipe updates. Thank you!

 

 

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