How to Use Idli Podi: 7 Easy Ways Beyond Idli and Dosa

Idli podi, also called milagai podi or "gunpowder", is the spicy powder that sits next to idli and dosa on almost every Tamil breakfast plate. But a good podi can do a lot more than that. Here are seven easy ways to use it, plus a few other podis worth trying.

What is idli podi?

Idli podi is a dry, spicy powder served with idli and dosa, usually mixed with sesame oil or ghee. Most idli podi recipes use roasted urad dal, chana dal, dried red chillies and salt, and some add sesame seeds, curry leaves, garlic or asafoetida.

Every family has its own recipe. Some like it coarse, some fine; some like it very hot. If you do not have time to roast and grind at home, a ready homemade-style idli podi does the job in seconds.

How do you eat idli podi with oil?

Put a spoon or two of podi on your plate, make a small well in the middle and pour in sesame oil or ghee. Mix it into a paste and dip your idli or dosa in it.

Add oil a little at a time until the dip is as thick or thin as you like. Sesame oil (nallennai) is the classic choice because its aroma goes so well with podi. Try Chettyz cold pressed sesame oil for that familiar taste.

What else can I make with idli podi? 7 easy ways

You can use idli podi in rice, on dosa, tossed with mini idlis, on vegetables and even in sandwiches. Here are seven simple ideas.

1. Podi rice. Mix a spoon of podi into hot rice with a spoon of sesame oil or ghee. Serve with appalam or curd. It is a five-minute lunch for busy days or lunch boxes.
2. Podi dosa. Spread the dosa batter thin, sprinkle podi all over while it cooks, drizzle oil or ghee around the edges and fold. This is the "podi roast" you see in hotels.
3. Podi idli. Cut leftover idlis into cubes (or use mini idlis). Heat a little oil or ghee in a pan, add the idlis, sprinkle podi and toss until coated. Great for tiffin boxes.
4. Podi uthappam. Pour a thick uthappam, add chopped onion, and sprinkle podi on top before flipping. The podi gets toasted and crisp.
5. Podi on vegetables. Sprinkle podi over potato fry, vendakkai (ladies finger) fry or raw banana fry in the last minute of cooking. It adds spice and a nice crunch.
6. Podi paniyaram. Toss hot kuzhi paniyaram with a little ghee and podi, just like podi idli.
7. Podi toast or chapati roll. Spread butter or ghee on bread or a hot chapati, sprinkle podi, add sliced onion or cucumber and roll or fold. Kids often like this.

How much idli podi should I use?

Start with a small amount, mix well and taste before adding more. Podi strength differs from pack to pack and family to family.

For podi rice, about one spoon of podi for a cup of rice is a good starting point. For a dip, one to two spoons with oil is usually enough for a plate of idlis. Adjust to suit your taste.

What other podis can I try?

Besides idli podi, Tamil and Andhra kitchens love garlic podi, moringa leaf podi and pirandai podi. Each can be used the same way: with rice, idli or dosa, mixed with oil or ghee.

• Andhra garlic rice podi: a bold blend with garlic, urad dal and red chilli. Best mixed into hot rice with ghee or sesame oil.
• Moringa podi: murungai keerai (moringa leaves) blended with dal and spices. A seasoned podi, not plain moringa powder.
• Pirandai podi: a tangy blend of pirandai, dal and spices, with sesame seeds.

Browse all of them in our podi collection.

Does idli podi need to be cooked?

No. Idli podi is usually made from dals and chillies that are roasted before grinding, so you can mix it with oil or ghee and eat it straight away. When you use it in podi dosa or podi idli, it only gets warmed through.

Just add it at the end of cooking so it does not burn on a hot pan.

How do I store idli podi so it stays fresh?

Keep idli podi in a tightly closed pack or airtight jar, away from moisture and cooking steam. Always use a clean, dry spoon.

A wet spoon or steam from the stove can make the powder lumpy. Chettyz podis are prepared fresh; check the best-before date on the pack.

Which oil goes best with podi?

Sesame oil (nallennai) is the traditional partner for podi, and ghee is the other favourite. Some homes also use groundnut oil for a milder taste.

To learn which oil suits which dish, read which oil for which Tamil dish.

Quick answers

Is idli podi the same as gunpowder?

Yes. "Gunpowder" is a popular English nickname for idli milagai podi because of its spice and powdery texture.

Can I eat idli podi with rice?

Yes. Mix a little podi into warm rice with sesame oil or ghee for a quick podi rice.

Which oil is best to mix with idli podi?

Sesame oil (nallennai) is the classic choice. Ghee is a popular alternative.

How do I make podi less spicy?

Use less podi and more oil or ghee, or mix it into more rice. You can also eat it with curd on the side.

Shop Chettyz homemade-style podis – free shipping on orders above ₹499.