Idli Fry recipe a lipsmacking finger food snack to have during anytime of the day. Its usually deep fried but you could also shallow fry them. Usually this recipe is made with left over idlis which I purposely keep some aside to eat this. Anything fried at home is sinful and loved at our place 🙂

In a lot of udipi restaurants in Mumbai idli fries are served. It’s made in various styles and variations. But mainly pav bhaji masala, some herbs, chat masala are sprinkled. But you could add paprika powder, chili flakes, crushed pepper, oregano etc and make as per your choice.

We usually add podi powder or pav bhaji powder or sometimes just eat with tomato or chili sauce. Even kids would love this snack when served with their choice of dip or sauces along with tea. I just had a bowlful of these during tea time and as usual hogged more as just love them. This is crunchy from outside and soft from within.

If you have left over idlis lying at your place then don’t wait make these delicious snack. Some people also make idli upma, idli chili fry and different styles of idli fry so make your own creation.

There used to be a good South Indian joint near our place which used to serve idly fry with gun or powder or podi powder. However its shut down long back so we make our own south indian snacks. I vividly remember as a child me and my sis used to always eat idlis, dosas, neer dosa, medu vada always during our weekends. Hence the love for south indian food is just there within us and the trend still continues 😉 of making them during weekends.

Let’s make idli fry recipe stepwise below:



1. You could use refrigerated idlis, fresh idlis or left over idlis. Now slice lengthwise just like a french fry but keeping a larger width.

2. Now sprinkle some corn flour over them.

3. Heat a pan with oil, once heated fry 3-4 sliced idlis. Don’t cluster with too many at a time. Once they are golden brown from both sides remove with a slotted spoon.

4. Place them over absorbent napkins. Just ensure the heat is low to medium as the idlis have to fry evenly and cooked properly. Ensure you don’t fry them too much else the idlis would become crisp. So if you would like a crunchy exterior and soft from within just keep an eye and remove the fried ones soon.

5. Sprinkle spices of your choice and herbs. Serve idli fry with your favorite sauce and dips.

Check more breakfast recipes on blog like mung bean idli, oats uttapam, oats dosa, cheese dosa , plain dosa, ragi dosa, moong dal chilla and paniyaram.

Idli fry recipe and printable version below: