no rice soft Jowar idli | healthy jowar dosa recipe

Spongy idli is a delicious breakfast option from South India which is very popular. It is steamed and healthy. Yummy but also packed with essential nutrients. Jowar idli or white millet idli is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a healthy breakfast option but do not want the traditional rice and urad dal recipe. Rice idlis and dosai are great too but not suitable if you are diabetic or want to control your weight.

regular idli dosa batter is made by fermenting cup idli rice or sona masuri rice along with urad dal in 3:1 ratio.  Jowar idli helps you consume millets instead of rice wherever possible. It is gluten-free and rich in protein. Learn to make this easy recipe instead of making a summer salad with sorghum. If you want to learn more about millets, refer to our glossary on millets.

Equipment

• Mixing large bowl
• High speed blender/ wet grinder
• Idli mold & idli steamer/ idli maker / instant pot for idli
• Flat pan/iron pan & thin metal spatula for instant jowar dosa recipe

Ingredients:

In order to make jowar idli batter, here are the main ingredients that you will need. These include

• jowar/ sorghum/white millet
• urad dal (black lentils)
• salt
• fenugreek seeds / methi dana (optional)

Refer to the recipe card for details.

Instructions:

Here are the step by step recipe instructions:

1. Soak jowar, methi dana and urad dal in water

2. Drain the excess water once you soak. Make a batter by blending using a strong mixer grinder. So if you used 1 cup jowar, use 1 cup of water.

3. We need to achieve the ideal batter consistency to get the perfect idli. it is necessary to place the batter in a warm location and let it ferment overnight. Put a sweater over the vessel containing batter if you stay in a cold climate. You may also preheat your oven or air fryer and switch it off. Put the vessel inside and let it ferment.

4. Once the batter is fermented,its ready for use.

5. You can see fermentation when some bubbles are formed.

In order to achieve perfectly shaped idlis, fill the idli molds or plates at optimum level. If you over fill it, the batter will not form a perfect shape but will spill over.

Steam these idlis for 15 minutes or until done.

Serve fluffy idlis with chutney or idli podi.

Top tip: Always let idli cool on the plate before you remove it from the idli plate else it does not come out in perfect shape.

Variations : Healthy jowar dosa (sorghum dosa with urad dal)

You can make jowar dosai with the same batter in a dosa pan. I prefer to add little water to the batter before I use it for the dosas. Pour  a ladle of dosa batter in the center of the pan. Spread it in a large circle. Sprinkle some oil on top and cover it with a lid. Let it cook until you can gently remove with a flat spatula. Flip and cook evenly on both sides.

You may even serve it with potato masala , coconut chutney and sambar on the side.

Substitutions

• You can also use a wet grinder instead of mixer grinder.
• If you want to try out some instant jowar idli recipes, you can use an instant pot or baking soda to achieve quick and efficient results. If you want to introduce a unique texture to your idlis, you can consider using either jowar flour as a substitute for the traditional idli rice.
• In case you don’t have idli mold, you can steam them in plates with a thick rim or tiffin boxes.

Storage

Fermented batter can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. idlis come out best with fresh batter, with cold batter its better to make dosai. until you are ready to eat.

Health benefits of jowar

• Jowar has a cooling effect on your body. 
• it might lower the blood glucose levels.
• jowar flour benefits your skin and speeds up hair growth. 

Nutritional Information

Jowar, also known as sorghum, offers several nutritional benefits:

1. Rich in Fiber: Jowar is high in dietary fiber, which aids digestion, prevents constipation, and promotes a healthy digestive system.
2. Good Source of Protein: It contains a moderate amount of protein, making it a valuable addition to vegetarian and vegan diets.
3. Gluten-Free: Jowar is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
4. Packed with Essential Nutrients: It contains essential nutrients such as iron, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, which are important for overall health.
5. Low Glycemic Index: Jowar has a low glycemic index, which means it helps in maintaining stable blood sugar levels and is suitable for people with diabetes.
6. Heart Health: The presence of antioxidants and phenolic compounds in jowar may contribute to heart health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
7. Weight Management: Its high fiber content can help promote feelings of fullness, aiding in weight management and preventing overeating.
8. Versatile Cooking Ingredient: Jowar can be used in various forms such as flour, whole grain, or flakes, making it a versatile ingredient in cooking and baking.

Incorporating jowar into your diet can contribute to overall health and well-being. 

Related recipes

• Quinoa idli
• Ragi idli (finger millet idli)
• Kanjivaram idli / Semolina idli

Notes

• In order to achieve the fermentation process, it is necessary to place the batter in a warm location, particularly in colder climates, and let it ferment overnight. You can put a sweater over the vessel containing batter if you stay in a cold climate. This will enable early fermentation.
• You can also heat the oven/airfryer for few minutes, turn off the heat and place the batter to ferment for overnight or 6 hours minimum.
• Instant pot is also used for fermentation,you can try using the yogurt option, however I have not used the insta pot, only the above list options.

Conclusion

Fluffy jowar idli with your favorite choice of chutney is a delish meal. You will love to have it again, whether its a dollop of peanut chutney, coconut chutney or a spicy tomato chutney.