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Steaming Idlis in Instant Pot

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Learn how to cook Soft and fluffy Idli or savory rice cakes steamed in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Soft and fluffy Idli or savory rice cakes steamed in an Instant Pot.
Steaming Idlis in Instant Pot

Idli, a round-shaped steamed rice-lentil cake, is one of the healthiest breakfast items of Indian Cuisine and the staple food of South Indians. This recipe makes steamed Idli in the Instant Pot. Idli is mostly eaten with coconut chutney and sambar.

The cakes are made by steaming a batter consisting of fermented black lentils (urad dal) and rice. You can also buy idli batter in Indian grocery stores too.

Today, in this recipe, I have used Rava Idli Instant Dry Mix (MTR Brand), which is available in Indian stores and on Amazon. You can use any brand.

You may like other idli recipes from the blog: Vegetable fried idli, podi idli, spicy tawa idli, lemon idli, and spinach idli.

How to Steam Idlis in Instant Pot

  • Add 1.5 cups of water to the Instant Pot and turn on SAUTE (high), so the water comes up to a boil. Meanwhile, grease your idly plates with oil or ghee, Pour idly batter into the idly plates/molds. Do not overdo it.
  • Once the water starts to boil, place the idli stand into the Instant pot. Close the lid and keep it in the VENTING position and turn on the 'STEAM' mode.
  • Steam the idli trays in the IP for 10-12 mins. Note: The timer on the instant pot does not work in the venting position, so you have to monitor time with a separate timer.
  • Once done, check the idlis by piercing a toothpick in it. If the toothpick comes out clean, the idlis are done.
  • Remove idli's from the molds. Serve hot with coconut chutney and sambhar.

Serving Suggestion for Idli

You can enjoy Idli for breakfast, brunch, or a snack. We have it with coconut chutney, peanut chutney powder, and sambar in our house.

Tips & Variations

  1. You can follow the same procedure to steam different idli varieties like rice idli, rava idli, oats idli, etc.
  2. If your idlis are still uncooked, then do not worry, steam for another 2 minutes.

Other Instant Pot Rice Recipes

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how to steam idli in instant pot

Steaming Idlis in Instant Pot

Bhavana Patil
Soft and fluffy Idli or savory rice cakes steamed in an Instant Pot.
4.43 from 14 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 2
Calories : 916
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
Prep Time : 5 minutes
Cook Time : 12 minutes
Total Time : 17 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups rice idli OR rava idli batter
  • 1.5 cups water
  • oil for greasing

Instructions
 

  • Add 1.5 cups of water to the Instant pot and turn on SAUTE (high), so that the water comes up to a boil. Meanwhile grease your idly plates with oil or ghee, Pour idly batter into the idly plates/moulds. Do not over do.
  • Once the water starts to boil, place the idli stand in to the Instant pot. Close lid and keep in VENTING position and turn on 'STEAM' mode.
  • Steam the idli trays in the IP for 10-12 mins. Note:Timer on the instant pot does not work in the venting position, so you have to monitor time with a separate timer.
  • Once done, check the idlis by piercing a toothpick in it. If the tooth pick comes out clean, the idlis are done.
  • Remove idli's from the moulds. Serve hot, with coconut chutney and sambhar.

Notes

  1. You can follow the same procedure to steam different varieties of idli like rice idli, rava idli, oats idli, etc.
  2. If your idlis are still uncooked then do not worry, steam for another 2 minutes.
  3. I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT

Nutrition

Calories: 916kcalCarbohydrates: 193gProtein: 19gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 70mgPotassium: 686mgFiber: 10gSugar: 2gCalcium: 31mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Steaming Idlis in Instant Pot
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    4.43 from 14 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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  1. james

    my instant pot does not have a steam setting. what setting should i use?

    Reply

    • Bhavana Patil

      Hi James,
      Another option to steam food in your Instant Pot is to use the "Sauté" setting, which doesn't use pressure.

      1. Start by adding 1 to 2 cups of water to the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
      2. Position the trivet or a steamer basket. Place the veggies to steam in the basket. Next, securely close the Instant Pot using a clear glass lid.
      3. Press SAUTE function and set the TIMER to your desired duration. That's it! You're now ready to steam your food in the Instant Pot.

      Reply

  2. Mithuna Valsan

    Hi Kavya, i do not have the steam option on my Instant pot. Is there any alternate setting to make idlis. Thanks

    Reply

    • Bhavana Patil

      Can you tell me the version of your instant pot so that I can look for it. Generally most of the instant pots have steam option.

      Reply

      • Anonymous

        Thanks for your reply. I have DUO plus

  3. Kaavya

    From where do I get a idly stand, did not get one with my instant pot duo

    Reply

    • bhavana

      Hi Kavya,I have a idli stand which i had got from India long back,so that fits in correctly.It doesnot come with instant pot.

      Reply

      • Madhumita

        Hi, can you please share the details of the Idli stand you got from India (if it is available on Amazon IN)? There are so many models, I am not sure which one will fit the instant pot 6pt size.

  4. Ramya

    5 stars
    Tried it, it came out well

    Reply