Rava Idli | Instant Oats Rava Idli – Cookilicious

Rava – Also known as sooji/suji, or semolina, it is one of the key ingredients in this instant idli recipe. The coarse or fine variety can be used. I have used a fine variety of rava here. Chirot rava is finer than that and can also be used. Bombay rava also works great here.

You can easily find swamp (unroasted and roasted) in Indian grocery stores or on Amazon. I have not yet tried making it with the Semolina flour that is available in non-Indian grocery stores. I also use it to make Onion Rava Dosa. Since it’s made from wheat, rava is not gluten-free.

Also, please note, don’t get mixed up between rava and idli rava. They are not the same. Idli Rava is made with whole rice that’s soaked, dried and ground. It is only used to make idli. Regular rava or semolina (also known as Upma rava or Bombay rava) is made from Durum Wheat and is used in many different recipes like Instant Idli, Rava dosa, Upma, and other snacks. Rava or suji ki idli also has a distinct yellowish color due to the color of semolina and has a grainier texture than regular idli.

Oats Powder – I have used rolled oats here. You can also use steel-cut oats, quick oats, old-fashioned oats, or instant oats in this idli recipe. Rolled oats have a better texture and give a nice nutty flavor to the idlis. To make oats powder, coarsely powder 1 cup of quick-cooking oats. You can make this in small batches and store it in the pantry.

Oats powder can be added to doughs, batters, dals, porridge, etc. Oats are high in fiber and low in fat, which makes them diabetic and weight-loss-friendly. This sooji idli recipe is a great way to include oats in the diet. You can also use readymade oat flour if it has no other additives added to it. If you want to incorporate oats into Indian recipes, then try Carrot Oats Dosa or Oats Upma. I feel oats work wonderfully in Indian recipes.

Curd or yogurt – Any kind of fresh or sour curd/yogurt can be used – full-fat, low-fat, Greek yogurt, or homemade curd/dahi. If using yogurt, please ensure it’s plain and unsweetened. You can also use Indian buttermilk. If doing so, add additional water only as needed.

Eno or fruit salt – It acts as a Leavening Agent and aids digestion. It’s baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid mixed together. It’s added to air the rava idlis and make them light and fluffy. However, be careful not to add too much cooking soda as it can make the idlis taste bitter. If you want to make it without Eno, then add half a teaspoon of baking soda instead. You can find plain Eno fruit salt in Indian grocery stores or on Amazon. Just ensure that it is fresh/active and within its shelf period.

Tadka ingredients – mustard seeds, urad dal (can also add chana dal with it), curry leaves and cilantro are the essential ingredients that you will need in this instant suji idli batter recipe. They provide crunch, aroma, and flavor to the otherwise plain idli. A tablespoon of grated/crushed ginger can also be added to the tadka.

Veggies – I have only added green peas this time. But I also add whatever veggies I have at hand like grated carrots, chopped green beans, chopped spinach, and even grated beets to this instant oats rava idli batter recipe.