Lava Idli (Sambar filled idlis)

Lava idli; idli batter served with sambar stuffed in it on a green platter with dry chutney on top.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Lava Idli (Sambar filled idlis)

Savory steamed cake; sambar filled Lava Idli is super delicious for breakfast or dinner.

Super easy to make, this lava idli recipe will be a great variation from regular idli sambar!

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: Indian, South Indian

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 154kcal

Author: Smruti

Ingredients

2 cups idli batter
1 cup sambar
8 pani puri puris
3 tablespoon ghee
3 teaspoon dry chutney

Instructions

Prepare the idli batter a day ahead. This instant pot idli batter recipe is my favorite.
2 cups idli batter
Plus, make the sambar and cool it down.
1 cup sambar
Place a big pan on the stove and place a trivet in it. Add 1 cup water and set a steamer plate on the trivet. Cover and let the water come to a boil. Place silicone cups in a steel strainer.
Grease silicone cups with non-stick spray or oil. Then add a tablespoon of idli batter to each of the cups.
Make tiny holes in the puris but do not break them trough. Place a puri lightly on each of the batter filled cups.
8 pani puri puris
Then carefully fill the puris with a tablespoon of sambar.
Add another tablespoon of idli batter on it. Then cover immediately.
Let the idlis steam for 15-17 minutes. Once the top looks cooked, turn off the heat and let the idlis cool for a minute or two.
Remove the idlis on a plate and let them cool for a minute.
Top them with ½ tablespoon ghee and ½ teaspoon dry chutney. Cut the idli and enjoy with some coconut or tomato chutney on the side.
3 tablespoon ghee

Video

Notes

Make sure the batter is well risen when you start. That is the only way we get fluffy idlis without adding any fruit salt.
The sambar should be thick so that it does not oozes out from the idlis.
Do not let the idlis stand very long after steaming. Slowly, the sambar will start to get absorbed into the steamed idlis.
The same recipe can be made with tomato chutney, coconut chutney or even potato masala for stuffed idlis.
Use deep silicone molds to keep the sambar in there as making these in the idli stand will not work too well.
However, the same recipe is easy to make with any other idli batter too.

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates using an automated calculator. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition