Healthy Idiyappam Recipe for Kids and Families: Step-by-Step Guide

In India, some dishes feel like home, and Idiyappam is one of those. Among them is south indian family. From generation to generation, it has been served on the breakfast table. It is very delicate; lacy noodles and spirals look very delicious and beautiful. It is one of the most loved foods for children. 

Parents genuinely prefer and like this dish at home for their children; it takes less time to cook. But have you ever thought that Idiyappam can be beneficial and nourishing for your family? In this recipe, it turns into an amazing dish for toddlers and elders. This guide will provide you with everything that you need.

This article will guide you through the recipe step by step. So get ready to make a fulfilling, comforting, healthy Idiyappam for your family

What Makes Idiyappam a Healthy Breakfast Choice?

Idiyappam is considered the lightest breakfast, which is very healthy and digestible. Mostly in South Indian families, it is served in the morning. 

• It is a comfort food that is never fried, only steamed with naturally low fats, which is very healthy. It is prepared from rice flour, which provides easily digestible carbohydrates for steady energy. 
  
• It is best for the stomachs of toddlers and teenagers. 
  
• It also works beautifully for the elderly with a gentle stomach and digestion because it is gluten-free when it is cooked with pure rice. 
  
• Idiyappam is easily cooked with protein-rich food such as egg curry, coconut milk, or kadala curry. Adding this combination to your food is very healthy for you and for your kids, too.

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Ingredients You Will Need

Here is everything you need to make healthy Idiyappam at home from scratch.

For the Idiyappam Dough:

Equipment Needed

Before you begin cooking, make sure you have these tools ready:

• For making Idiyappam, you need an Idiyappam press or murukku maker with a fine noodle plate with it.
  
• A steamer or idli cooker with steaming plates and a banana leaf is required.
  
• You need a bowl to mix the dough properly. 
  
• A mixing spatula or wooden spoon is needed.
  
• A small greased plate or idiyappam plate for pressing onto.
  If you don't have an Idiyappam press or murukku maker, then a clean cloth or banana leaf works perfectly as the base for pressing.

Step-by-Step Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Flour

When preparing rice flour, use the best quality of flour. It can be store-bought rice flour for ease and convenience.  If you are using homemade flour, then before using, dry roast it in a pan on low heat until it starts smelling nutty and feels dry after touching.
Leave it for 20 minutes to be cool completely before using it in the dough. Roasted flour will add texture and flavour, and prevent it from becoming sticky. Now your dough is well prepared to use. You can get idiyappam flour in local stores in South India, which can save you time without compromising the taste and quality at all.

Step 2: Boil the Water

After preparing the dough, pour 1 .5 to 2 cups of water into the pot and then bring it to a full boil. Now add a teaspoon of salt and coconut oil into the water. This will add a lovely flavour to your dough to make it smooth. 

Step 3: Mix the Dough

After boiling the water, place the roasted rice flour in a wide bowl and mix it well. Little by little, add water to the flour and mix it with the help of a wooden spoon or spatula, and add water gently until the dough becomes smoother. Remember that the dough should be soft and pliable so that it can be easily pressed without cracking. Be careful while making the dough too sticky or too dry at this stage. Leave the dough for a while to cool until it becomes comfortable to handle with your hands. At last, for a smooth finish, knead it gently for one or two minutes.

Step 4: Add the Healthy Mix-ins (Optional)

If you want, you can add ragi flour as well, so mix it into the rice flour before adding water to it. Make sure the amount of ragi and rice flour is equally added to make a dough. Also, you can add vegetables such as spinach and grated carrots. You can add them to the water to boil. The heat from the water will cook the vegetables slightly, and then blend the vegetables well. Naturally, all these additions will give a perfect colour to the idlis. Green spinach idlis are very popular among adventurous and curious kids. Whereas orange-tinted idlis from carrots look beautiful and are a perfect breakfast for the South Indian family.

ALSO SEE: Nutritious Health Mix Powder

Step 5: Fill the Idiyappam Press

Now you have to grease the inside of the idiyappam press with a little amount of coconut oil. Now roll a little portion of the warm dough into a smooth log shape and gently press the dough log inside the idiyappam press firmly and close it securely for a while. Have a proper check that the noodles are perfectly fitted into the press before you start cooking. Always remember that the dough should be warm when pressing for the best and smoothest result, and if your dough is cool, then it will be difficult to press through the disc holes.

Step 6: Press the Idiyappam

Hold the press over a greased steaming plate or banana leaf base. Gently press in a slow or circular motion to make a classic noodle pattern. Only one circular motion in the press makes one idiyappam. It is advised to press them in a small portion so that they can be steamed easily and quickly. After steaming, sprinkle a small amount of grated coconut over each idiyappam to add texture and enhance the flavour naturally. Kids really enjoy eating this with sweetness.

Step 7: Steam the Idiyappam

The last stage is to steam the Idiyappam. Place the filled steaming plates inside your cooker or idli maker carefully. Make sure that you add enough water for boiling. After adding the water, cover the steamer properly with a tight-fitting lid to trap the steam inside the steamer. At medium flame, steam it for 7 to 10 minutes only. Don't oversteam it a lot; if you do so, then it will be rubbery and tasteless. The idiyappam is ready only when it looks set and firm. When it is completely made, remove it with the help of a spatula and serve it immediately. If you eat it warm, it will give you the taste and wonderful flavours of idiyappam. Avoid eating cold idlis.

Final Thoughts

Idiyappam is considered the most loved and healthy breakfast in South India.
Children as well as youngsters enjoy eating it. It is healthy, naturally gluten-free, and endlessly versatile. It is very easy to make at home for family and kids, but other people think that it is very tough to make Idiyappam at home. If you want to make idiyappam at home, then prepare all the steps very carefully and get ready to make it for your family and serve it on the breakfast table. It is very healthy and provides nourishment to your kids. You can make it by adding spinach or grated carrot. It adds colour and makes it beautiful. You must make it on the weekends and enjoy eating it with your family and friends.