Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (2024)

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By

Petrina Verma Sarkar

Petrina Verma Sarkar

Food writer Petrina Verma Sarkar is a native of India with extensive knowledge of the country's regional cuisines.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 08/9/21

Tested by

Diana Rattray

Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (1)

Tested byDiana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 72 mins

Soak and Ferment: 20 hrs

Total: 21 hrs 22 mins

Servings: 24 servings

Yield: 24 dosas

248 ratings

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Dosas are crispy, savory pancakes that are a staple food in South India. Dosas are hugely popular in the rest of the country as well, and Udipi restaurants serve them along with other South Indian foods in almost every suburb.

Dosas are made from soaked and drained rice, fenugreek seeds, and urad daal, also known as black lentils. Blended in a food processor and combined with water, the mixture makes a thin batter that ferments until flavorful. The fermentation adds a lightly sour flavor to dosas similar to sourdough. The batter is spread out on a hot pan and cooked similar to a crepe until crisp and delicious.

Dosas are typically eaten with your hands and can be dipped in curries and chutneys—or stuffed with a filling of mashed potato and peas with spices.

"I made the dosa with idli rice, urad daal, fenugreek seeds, and ghee. If you don't have an Indian food market nearby, they can all be found online. Fenugreek seeds supposedly add viscosity and aid fermentation, but the dosa may be made without them. The drizzled ghee makes the edges crispy. They were excellent!" —Diana Rattray

Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (3)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 3 cups white rice

  • 1 cup split, skinless black gram urad daal

  • 3/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

  • 2 3/4 cups water, plus more for soaking

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Ghee, or vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (4)

  2. Wash the rice and urad daal well and drain. Add the fenugreek seeds to the mix and add enough water to the bowl to cover the mixture by about 2 inches. Soak overnight.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (5)

  3. The next morning, drain all the water from the rice mixture. Add to a high-speed blender and process—adding 1 3/4 cups ice-cold water—until a smooth yet slightly grainy paste has formed.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (6)

  4. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and gradually add another cup of water to make a batter. The consistency of the batter should be such that it thinly coats a spoon dipped in it.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (7)

  5. Add salt (or salt to taste) and keep the dosa batter aside in a warm, dark spot, covered, for 12 to 24 hours. After this fermentation, stir the batter well. It will have thickened to coat a spoon thickly. It is now ready to make dosas.

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  6. Put some ghee or oil in a small bowl and keep ready. You will also need a small bowl of ice-cold water, a large, flat nonstick pan, paper towels, a ladle, a spatula, and a basting brush.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (9)

  7. Fold 1 sheet of paper towel into a thick rectangle and dip lightly into the bowl of ghee or oil. Squeeze out any excess and then rub the paper towel all over the surface of the pan to lightly grease. The ghee or oil should barely be visible in the pan. Turn on the heat to medium-high.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (10)

  8. Add a scant ladleful of batter to the center of the pan, much like you would for a pancake.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (11)

  9. Begin to spread the batter in sweeping circular motions to form a pancake of roughly 8-inchdiameter. Do not be alarmed if the dosa develops tiny holes as you spread the batter. This is normal.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (12)

  10. As soon as you have finished spreading the batter out on the pan, dip the bastingbrush in ghee and drizzle all over the surface of the dosa and around its edges. Hold the pan by its handle, lift it up, and swirl it so that the drizzled ghee spreads all over the dosa.​

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (13)

  11. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes, or until the upper surface begins to look cooked (it will no longer look soft or runny).

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (14)

  12. Then, flip the dosa. By this time, the surface that was underneath should be light golden in color. Cook for 1 minute after flipping.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (15)

  13. The dosa is almost done. Fold it in thirds like a parcel and allow to cook for 30 seconds more.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (16)

  14. Before you start making the next dosa, fold another sheet of paper towel into a wad and dip it in ice-cold water. Squeeze to remove excess water and then rub it all over the surface of the pan to cool it slightly. This ensures your next dosa will spread evenly and not break because the pan is too hot.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (17)

  15. Repeat until you've used all of the batter.

    Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (18)

Storage

  • Any leftover batter can be refrigerated, tightly covered, for up to three days.

Tips

  • We like to make and serve dosas immediately while we cook so they are crisp and fresh when eaten. If that's not possible, you can also make, stack, and serve the dosas later. Just ensure you keep them warm until serving time by placing them in a closed dish. They will lose much of their crispness but will still taste delicious.
  • If your room temperature is cool, fermentation will take longer. If the batter has made little or no progress after 12 hours at room temperature—it will be frothy and should have nearly doubled in volume—place the covered bowl in the oven with the light on (or proofing cycle) for another 4 to 6 hours.
  • The batter may be fermented in the Instant Pot on the yogurt cycle for about 12 to 14 hours.
  • While a wet grinder needs only a small amount of cold water to grind the rice and daal, a high-speed blender or food processor needs more, about 1 1/2 to 2 cups.
  • A high-speed blender will produce a smoother batter than a food processor.
  • Make sure the water is very cold to prevent overheating the rice mixture and the appliance. If the blender becomes hot, turn it off and let it cool for 30 to 45 minutes.
  • If the dosa batter has been refrigerated, let it stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Use a bowl large enough to allow the batter to double in volume. If there is a danger of the batter overflowing, place the bowl on a rimmed baking sheet.

Are Dosas Healthy?

Dosas are low in calories and fat, and the fermented dough may benefit your health. However, the potential benefits can be overshadowed by serving dosas with less-than-healthy dishes, so keep fillings and accompaniments in mind.

What Kind of Rice Is Best for Dosas?

Short-grain parboiled rice, such as idli, is most often recommended for dosas, but any short- or medium-grain rice will work.

How Much Batter Is Used for Each Dosa?

Use about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of fermented batter for each 8- to 10-inch dosa.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
45Calories
1g Fat
7g Carbs
1g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories45
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g4%
Cholesterol 3mg1%
Sodium 32mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 7g3%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg2%
Calcium 5mg0%
Iron 1mg3%
Potassium 38mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • Vegetarian Side
  • dosa
  • appetizer
  • indian

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Savory Dosa Recipe (South Indian Pancakes) (2024)

FAQs

Are pancakes and dosa same? ›

Dosa is fermented food made with urad dal,rice,poha,chana dal and methi seeds. Crepe is non fermented food made using different flours. Dosa is a type of pancake from the Indian subcontinent, made from a fermented batter.

Which South Indian pancake now made all over India? ›

A classic Indian dish, dosas are thin, crisp savory pancakes from southern India that are made with a fermented rice and lentil batter. The batter is made by soaking raw rice and lentils before blending them into a paste and fermenting it.

What is Indian pancake made of? ›

Uttapam is made from fermented flours and dal, or dried and split legumes, such as lentils, peas, and beans. It is generally filled with different toppings, like onion, chillies, tomatoes, and even coconut. Uttapam is served with flavorful chutneys.

Which famous breakfast in the Indian subcontinent is a kind of pancake made by using fermented batter? ›

Appam, also known as rice hoppers, are soft, bowl-shaped pancakes prepared with fermented rice batter and coconut. They're quite popular in South India, especially in the state of Kerala.

Is dosa a crepe or a pancake? ›

A dosa is a thin, savoury crepe in South Indian cuisine made from a fermented batter of ground white gram and rice. Dosas are served hot, often with chutney and sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew). Dosas are popular in South Asia as well as around the world.

What is dosa called in America? ›

Paper Crepe for Paper Dosa, Smashed Potato Crepe for Masala Dosa, but Naked Crepe? Turns out it is Plain Dosa. An Indian restaurant in the US, Indian Crepe Co. is causing some buzz on Twitter after people noticed on social media the Western names it has given to south Indian dishes like dosa and idli.

Which country has the best pancakes in the world? ›

France – Crêpes

You can't possibly make a list of the world's best pancakes and not include France. Crêpes are unavoidable throughout the country. There are two main types of French crêpes – sweet ones (crêpes sucrées) and savoury ones (crêpes salées). Savoury crêpes are commonly known as 'galettes'.

Why is South Indian breakfast famous? ›

In recent years, South Indian breakfasts have gained popularity not only in India but also across the world. This is due to several factors, including the rise of vegetarianism, the trend towards healthy eating and the growing interest in ethnic cuisine.

What does dosa mean in Indian? ›

A dosa is a thin, flat, fermented gram flour pancake cooked on a griddle, skillet or tawa. This Indian food is common in the South of India but also popular in Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and beyond. You'll all find various types of dosa at most good (authentic) Indian restaurants.

Is pancake made of Atta or maida? ›

While typical pancakes are made of plain flour or maida, it is time you ditch them for a more healthy version with atta or whole wheat flour pancakes. Pancakes make for a sumptuous and filling breakfast dish that can help break monotonous routines.

What country invented pancakes? ›

The Ancient Greeks made pancakes called τηγανίτης (tēganitēs), ταγηνίτης (tagēnitēs) or ταγηνίας (tagēnias), all words deriving from τάγηνον (tagēnon), "frying pan". The earliest attested references to tagenias are in the works of the 5th-century BC poets Cratinus and Magnes.

What ethnicity are scallion pancakes? ›

Scallion pancakes have long been part of the culture in China and Taiwan, where the flatbreads are commonly eaten as a street food snack.

Do Indians eat naan for breakfast? ›

traditionally baked at high heat in a hot tandoor (clay oven) with charcoal or wood fire, naan was served as breakfast to mughal nobles, from where it evolved to being served at many indian restaurants.

What is typically consumed for breakfast in India? ›

Traditional Indian breakfast - Pongal, vadai and sambhar. Dosa is a crepe made from rice and lentil batter. Rice and lentil are soaked in water for 6 hours and then it's blended into a smooth batter and fermented over night at room temperature. Once the batter is fermented salt is added to the batter.

Is dosa called pancake? ›

Dosas are a thin, savory crepe-like Indian pancake traditionally eaten for breakfast, but I like them anytime. These may not be very authentic, but they are a tasty alternative that appeals to the typical American pancake.

What is similar to dosa? ›

Adai is a South Indian Breakfast which is made just like a Dosa and is eaten along with a chutney.

What is dosa called in English? ›

Meaning of dosa in English

a type of thin pancake made with crushed lentils and rice, originally from southern India: Dosas are served hot, often with chutney and sambar. My favourite dish is dosa, a big Indian pancake, with all sorts of fillings such as paneer or potato.

What is the other name of dosa? ›

What is another word for dosa?
pancakeflapjack
griddle cakepita bread
drop sconegriddlecake
battercakeflapcake
hot cakebuckwheat cake
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