Podi Idli (Gunpowder Idli)
Steamed idlis tossed in hot ghee and a fiery, nutty 'gunpowder' blend of roasted lentils, sesame and dried red chilies. The perfect way to turn leftover idlis into something irresistible.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Toast the spice powder ingredients
In a dry 8-inch (20 cm) pan with no oil, over medium-low heat, toast the and for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until golden. Add the sesame seeds, dried chilies and curry leaves, and toast 2 more minutes until the sesame seeds start to pop.
- 3 tbsp
- 3 tbsp
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 8 dried red chilies
- 10 curry leaves
✅ Done when: lentils are golden and sesame seeds start to pop
Grind
Let the toasted mixture cool completely, about 10 minutes, then grind it with the and salt in a blender or spice grinder. Pulse in short bursts until you get a coarse powder, not a fine paste; it keeps for weeks in a sealed jar.
- all of it toasted mixture from step 1
- 1 tsp
- ½ tsp salt
✅ Done when: mixture is a coarse, gritty powder, not a paste
Toss the idlis
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Serve
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Toast the spice powder ingredients
In a dry 8-inch (20 cm) pan with no oil, over medium-low heat, toast the and for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until golden. Add the sesame seeds, dried chilies and curry leaves, and toast 2 more minutes until the sesame seeds start to pop.
- 3 tbsp
- 3 tbsp
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 8 dried red chilies
- 10 curry leaves
✅ Done when: lentils are golden and sesame seeds start to pop
Grind
Let the toasted mixture cool completely, about 10 minutes, then grind it with the and salt in a blender or spice grinder. Pulse in short bursts until you get a coarse powder, not a fine paste; it keeps for weeks in a sealed jar.
- all of it toasted mixture from step 1
- 1 tsp
- ½ tsp salt
✅ Done when: mixture is a coarse, gritty powder, not a paste
Toss the idlis
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Serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Podi means powder in Tamil, and South Indian homes keep jars of different podis — lentil, sesame, curry leaf — to mix with ghee or oil and eat with idli, dosa or rice.
The spicy lentil version earned the English nickname 'gunpowder'. Tossing idlis directly in podi and ghee is a modern café favourite.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Spicy, nutty and buttery, podi idli is the ultimate quick snack — and the best use for yesterday's idlis.
💡 Fun Fact
Train travellers in South India often carry podi-coated idlis because they stay moist and tasty for hours without refrigeration.
Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh
13.08°N, 80.27°E
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