🌾πŸ”₯πŸ₯ž Adai

(Protein-Rich Mixed Dal Dosa)

A hearty, crisp South Indian lentil dosa packed with flavor & nourishment

Spice Level: 🌢️🌢️
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Soaking Time: 2–3 hrs | Serves: 4
Calories (approx): ~210 kcal per adai

πŸ”” Tiffin & Temple Bells

🌿 Introduction

Adai is South India’s most satisfying lentil crepeβ€”crisp, hearty, and naturally packed with protein.
Made from a blend of dals, rice, red chilies, and spices, it’s a wholesome,
earthy breakfast that needs no fermentation and fills the home with comforting aromas.
Traditionally paired with avial or butter, adai is rustic simplicity at its best.

β€œA warm, golden griddle-crisp that tastes of earth, comfort, and old kitchen magic.”

Adai

(Protein-Rich Mixed Dal Dosa)

Photo by Stirred By Spice

πŸ“ Ingredients

For the Adai Batter

  • 1 cup rice (raw rice or idli rice)

  • Β½ cup toor dal

  • Β½ cup chana dal

  • ΒΌ cup urad dal

  • 2 tbsp moong dal (optional)

  • 4–6 dried red chilies

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds

  • 1 tsp fennel seeds (optional, adds aroma)

  • A small piece of ginger

  • Salt to taste

For mixing into the Batter

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1–2 green chilies, chopped

  • Fresh coriander

  • Curry leaves, chopped

  • A pinch of asafoetida

For Cooking

  • Oil or ghee

🍽️ Instructions

  • 1. Soak the Grains

    • Rinse rice and all dals together.

    • Soak with red chilies for 2–3 hours.

    2. Grind the Batter

    • Drain and grind coarsely with ginger, cumin, fennel, and salt.

    • The texture should be thick and slightly grainy.

    3. Add Aromatics

    • Mix in onions, chilies, coriander, curry leaves, and hing.

    4. Cook the Adai

    • Heat a tawa; spread batter thick like a pancake.

    • Drizzle oil or ghee around the edges.

    • Cook until golden and crisp; flip and cook other side.

    5. Serve Hot

    • Best enjoyed immediately with avial, coconut chutney, butter, or jaggery.

🍷 Optional Serving Notes

Serve adai with avial (the classic pairing), coconut chutney, tomato chutney, or a small side of jaggery and butter.

πŸ’¬ Soulful Note

Adai carries the warmth of old kitchens β€” the sound of ladles hitting tawas, the aroma of roasted lentils,

and the comforting sturdiness of a meal that nourishes body and spirit.

πŸ“š Cook’s Wisdom / FAQs

Cook's Wisdom

Tip: Grind coarse, not smooth β€” texture makes adai special.

  • Add a little more water for thinner, lace-like adai.

  • Great for busy mornings β€” no fermentation needed.

  • Add drumstick leaves (murungai keerai) for extra nutrition.

  • A small cube of butter on hot adai is a traditional treat.

πŸ“Š Nutrition (Per Serving β€” Approx.)

  • Calories 210

  • Protein 9g

  • Carbs 32g

  • Fat 5g

  • Fiber 4g

πŸƒπŸŒΆπŸƒ The Bottom Line

Hearty, crisp, protein-rich, and beautifully rustic β€” Adai is a nourishing South Indian classic perfect for any tiffin table.

🧑 Meet the Heart Behind the Spice

Maya Shetty – Stirred By Spice Author Photo

Hi, I’m Maya Shetty β€” cook, storyteller, and spice lover.

Through Stirred By Spice, I share recipes that warm both the kitchen and the heart β€” where simple ingredients and warm flavors turn everyday meals into moments of connection.

πŸ’¬ I’d Love to Hear From You!

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