Idli Upma – South Indian Breakfast recipe with Leftover Idli

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Idli Upma is a famous dish made out of leftover Idli. This is an easy and great breakfast option. It’s vegan and gluten-free.

A bowl of Idli Upma and a spoon on side.
Vegan, Gluten free breakfast – Idli Upma

Idli Upma

Idli or Steamed rice cakes are one of the most famous and staple breakfasts of South India. When we make Idli in excess some days, the next day we turn it into this Idli upma for breakfast or as an evening snack. We don’t need any sides to have this upma unlike the Idli itself. Adding lots of chopped onions adds taste. You can also try Puli Idli made from leftover Idli.

Idli Upma in a bowl.
Pro tip – Store the leftover idli in an airtight box in the refrigerator. This helps in crumbling Idli easily.

How to make 

Crumble the leftover idli. Heat a pan and oil. Add mustard and chana dal. When the mustard seeds splutter, add chopped onions, green chili, and curry leaves. When onions turn golden, add crumbled idli, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix gently until everything is mixed. Serve warm.

Idli in a box.

A short video

Other breakfast recipes

Aloo Puri

Puttu

Aloo Paratha

Puri

Vermicelli upma

Rava Upma

Ven Pongal

Recipe to make Idli upma

Ingredients

Idli – 6

Onions – ½ cup finely chopped

Green chili – 2

Curry leaf – few

Turmeric powder – ½ Tsp

Oil – 2 Tsp

Salt – as required

Method

  • Crumble the idli finely or chop it into cubes.
  • Heat a pan. Add mustard seeds and chana dal.
  • When the mustard seeds splutter, add chopped onions, green chili, and curry leaves.
  • Once the onions turn golden, add the turmeric powder, salt, and crumbled idli.
  • Mix gently till all mixed.
  • Serve warm.
Stepwise instructions to make Idli Upma.

Notes

  1. Store the leftover Idli in the refrigerator. It makes crumbling easier.
  2. You can either crumble or chop it into cubes.
  3. Leftover Idli is perfect for this dish than fresh Idli as the fresh Idli will be moist for crumbling.
A bowl of Idli Upma and a spoon on side.
5 from 10 votes

Idli Upma

Author: Lathiya
Idli Upma is a famous dish made out of leftover Idli. This is easy and a great breakfast option. It’s Vegan and Gluten-free.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:15 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: How to make Idli Upma, Idli Upma, Leftover Idli recipe
Servings: 2 people
Calories:

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 Idli
  • 1/2 Cup Onions finely chopped
  • 2 Green chili Slit lengthwise
  • Curry leaf few
  • 1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder
  • 2 Tsp Oil
  • Salt as required

Instructions

  1. Crumble the idli finely or chop it in cubes.
  2. Heat a pan. Add mustard seeds and chana dal.
  3. When the mustard seeds splutter, add chopped onions, green chili, and curry leaves.
  4. Once the onions turn golden, add the turmeric powder, salt, and crumbled idli.
  5. Mix gently till all mixed.
  6. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

  • Store the leftover Idli in the refrigerator. It makes crumbling easier.
  • You can either crumble or chop it in cubes.
  • Leftover Idli is perfect for this dish than fresh Idli as the fresh Idli will be moist for crumbling.

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5 from 10 votes (1 rating without comment)

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24 Comments

  1. Perefct recipe to use all the leftover idli… Upma looks so tempting with simply just few ingredients. I Shall try it soon sometimes Lathiya 🙂

  2. Simplicity of this recipe is the best part…Brings back childhood memories when amma used to make upma from leftover idlis the next day…Looks deliicious…..Yummy share!!

  3. I have only tried masala idli bites with idlis but never the upma. It looks and sounds super inviting.

  4. my biggest withdrawal from idli upma when I was a kid was that it was white in colour. I could see that my daughter feels the same too. Thank you for making this different, so now I hope it will solve the white look for us and make this more attractive. I will surely try your way.

  5. Every south Indian will make this recipe using leftover idlis 🙂 We always prefer idli upma when there are leftover idlis. Such an easy and comfort food!

  6. Such a delicious breakfast Lathiya, I think next time I must make more idlis so that I have some leftover to make this upma. I’ve not tasted idli upma but definitely would love to try out this recipe.

  7. I am a big fan of South Indian food so will definitely try this one. It sounds so delicious. Now I also know what to do with my leftover idlis.

  8. Few ingredients, easy to make and makes it ideal for every generation. I have never tasted this type of Upma yet, but loved the used of leftover idlis into Upma version. Will try it out!