Here's a collection of 7 of my favorite Dosa recipes I make at home. One batter and seven recipes!
Sounds good?
Read on...
Dosa is a popular South Indian breakfast that can be (almost!) matched with savory pancakes or crepes. Made with rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds, the batter is fermented for hours before usage.
Tips to Make Restaurant Style Crispy Dosa at Home
First comes the utensil or pan in which you prepare a Dosa. The best bet is to opt for a cast iron pan. If you are a South Indian, you'd know that your mum would have that black cast iron pan dedicated just to making dosas.
While this could be expensive and if you are someone who runs away because of the maintenance it needs, then here's my pick.
This Tawa is a non-stick pan, is about 30cm in diameter (you also have a 33cm variant), and is perfect for crispy dosas at home. You get a decent-sized dosa as well.
Make sure that the pan is hot before pouring the batter.
If you are using a cast-iron pan, make sure that you season it well. Sprinkle some ghee or gingelly oil and spread on the pan. Alternatively, you may also use a half-cut onion dipped in oil to rub onto the pan. This is to prevent the dosa from sticking to the pan. This step has to be done everytime before you make or spread the batter for a dosa.
I use the non-stick pan and I have never had to spread oil before making a dosa.
| Here's a detailed method of making Dosa Batter
Use a round bottom ladle, preferably, a sauce ladle to spread the batter in a circular motion, from inside out, until it fills the pan. It is the perfect tool to make ridges and also to make thin dosas.
Do not worry if you do not get it right the first time. It comes with practice.
The one tip I can give you to make crispy dosas is to add a smidgen of ghee or gingelly oil around and at the center of the dosa.
Let the dosa cook for a couple of minutes until you find the bottom turning to a nice golden brown.
Flip over the dosa and allow it cook for another two minutes.
Fold it into half and serve with accompaniments. That's it!
Let's get on with some easy Dosa recipes now.
| How to Make White Coconut Chutney
7 Easy Dosa Recipes You Can Try At Home
1. Simple Dosa or Plain Dosa
The first Dosa is the regular, plain Dosa. There is no rocket science for making this variant, except mastering how to spread the dosa batter evenly to get a round, crispy, elegant dosa, as mentioned above.
2. Ghee Roast Dosa
Ghee Roast is my absolute favorite Dosa of all time. They are these super crispy, thin dosas and the best part is that you can make however big you want it to be. In restaurants, you may find these served in the shape of a cone or like a huge paper roll. It's fun!
Instead of gingelly oil, ghee is used to sprinkle the sides and center of the dosa. You may choose to use how much ever ghee you want to.
You may or may not flip the dosa to the other side. But instead, fold over and serve. This is because the Ghee Dosa is thin as paper and it doesn't take much time to cook through.
| How to Make Kerala Style Sambar
3. Masala Dosa
Next up is another popular Dosa variety from the South - Masala Dosa where a filling of potato masala is stuffed in the dosa before serving.
Did you know that our humble Masala Dosa was featured in the list of Top Ten Foods to Try Before you Die by Huffington Post in 2012? It is featured among the Peking duck from China, Green Papaya Salad from Thailand, Seafood Laksa curry from Malaysia and BBQ ribs from the US.
| Step By Step Recipe for Masala Dosa
4. Set Dosa
Set Dosa are these small, thick, spongy dosas, usually served in a set of three.
To make Set Dosa, add a ladleful of dosa batter on a heated pan. Spread only lightly so that the dosa is still thicker in size than a regular plain dosa. Once you find small air bubbles forming on top, sprinkle oil. When the base turns golden brown, flip, and cook for a few more minutes.
Lift with a spatula and serve.
5. Podi Dosa
What is Podi Dosa?
Before I get into that, let me explain what 'Podi" is.
Podi (meaning powder) is a spicy coarse spice powder. It is served by mixing a spoonful of oil, along with Idli or Dosa as an accompaniment (below picture for reference). It is mostly made with ground chickpeas, black gram, dry red chilies, sesame seeds, and salt.
The podi can be made at home or store-bought and is popularly known as Idli podi, Dosa podi, gun powder, mulaku podi, chutney podi.
Podi Dosa Recipe:
To prepare Podi Dosa, we'll first begin by making a set dosa. Add a ladleful of dosa batter on a heated pan. Spread only lightly so that the dosa is still thicker in size than a regular plain dosa. Once you find small air bubbles forming on top, sprinkle oil.
Wait for the dosa to be cooked until ¾ done. Sprinkle Dosa Podi over the dosa. You may choose to add more or less, according to your taste and requirements. Drizzle another teaspoon of oil over the podi and flip the dosa. Cook for about a minute and serve hot!
6. Uthappam
Let's now make some Uthappam, alright?
Uthappams are slightly more bigger than Set Dosa, but thicker, all the same. There are different varieties of Uthappams. mainly Plain, Onion, and Tomato-Onion Uthappams. I'll be making the Tomato-Onion Uthappam for now.
To make Tomato Onion Uthappam, spread about 1.5 ladlefuls of dosa batter on a heated pan. Sprinkle chopped onions and tomato over the dosa. You may also add some finely chopped green chilies and coriander leaves.
LIghtly press the tomato-onion mixture to the batter so that it sticks to the dosa. Sprinkle oil on the centre and sides and cook for a couple of minutes on medium flame, until the base turns golden brown.
Flip carefully and cook till the onions caramelize. You may gently press with the spatula too. Flip again and serve.
7. Egg Dosa
Egg Dosa is another easy-to-make Dosa. It is filling and one of the best ways to get in that protein, early on in the day.
To make egg dosa, we'll begin by making an Uthappam sized dosa. Spread about 1.5 ladlefuls of dosa batter on a heated pan. Pour beaten egg on the dosa and lightly spread to cover the dosa evenly. You may make a mixture of beaten eggs, onion, green chilies, and coriander leaves too.
Drizzle oil on the center and sides of the dosa. Once the base is golden brown, flip and press with a spatula. Let the egg gets cooked. Flip again and remove from the pan to serve hot.
That's it! I hope you try out these different Dosa recipes soonest!
Don't forget to serve Dosa with Dosa Podi, White Coconut Chutney, and Medu Vada Or Uzhunnu Vada.
Pin it for later!
Did you like these easy and quick-to-make Dosa recipes? Let me know in the comment section.
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Deepti Menon says
What a wonderful post along with mouthwatering pictures! Kudos, Shalini!
CurrentlyReadin says
Craving dosas now!
Amritha Srinath says
Loved your post on dosas! Indeed some of the best varities are listed here. Personally, I love ghee dosa, podi dosa and set dosa!
Shipra Trivedi says
My 6 year old is a huge disa idly lover. Whenever asked he asks fir Dosa when we order outside food. Though in corona time I have been making Cosas for him. Glad to read this post.Will try Podi dosa now.
Kinshoo Agrawal says
My mouth just watered at all the dosa pics. My favorite is ghee roast and podi dosa.
Sitharaam Jayakumar says
I am a south Indian and I have sampled all the Dosas that you have mentioned because we make them at home often. Out of all the Dosas, Podi Dosa and Egg Dosa are my favorite. But at home mostly we make Msasala Dosa or Plaine Dosa.
Jayanthi says
Love all the dosa types...still have to try the egg dosa though...hopefully soon...
Shweta Suresh says
The ghee roast is my favourite too! And this post is mouth-wateringly delicious.
Harshita Nanda says
I can spend the whole day surfing your website, you have such interesting recipes!! I had no idea about egg dosa, I think I will try it after navratri now
Aditya says
You made my day with these recipes and tips for my fav food!!!
Manisha Garg says
Everyone in my family loves dosa, have tried most of the dosa options you have shared, this lockdown period gave us ample time to experiment with our food and I am glad we did.
Roma says
I always love your food posts
Trablogger says
You made me crave for a dosa now!!
I didn't know that Masala Dosa was featured in the list of Top Ten Foods to Try Before you Die by Huffington Post ! That is a new information. Thank you for sharing.
Shamik says
This is a cool post Shalini. My personal favorites are Masala dosa, Egg Dosa and Ghee Roast dosa from your list. And the other one that I like is onion dosa.
Thanks for sharing this.
arti pandey says
I love this post, so many ideas and that too super easy 🙂
Gunjan Upadhyay says
The Dosa, uttapam looks so yummy, We are dosa loving family and surely gonna try your recipes for toher dosas
Upasna says
How much I try I am never able to make thin dosas. I hope someday I would. I never tried Podi Dosa though.
Audrey Puri says
Hi Upasna
Try placing a cold tava on the stove and then ladle the dosa batter in a thin layer. Light your burner and pour some ghee/oil/butter on to the dosa. When brown, you can remove the dosa. You don't need to flip the dosa.
Sayali says
Egg dosa was a revelation for me. My daughter loves eggs so I'll be trying it for sure.
Charu says
I only make two types of Dosa. This is interesting. Will try the rest too
Dipika Singh says
Okay, so I am reading this post just before having my breakfast and eggs - bread look so pale now. I want one of these, cripy right!
I am a huge dosa fan, and my favorite is neer dosa, plain dosa, utappam and ghee roast. Lovely pictures, Shalini.
Dr.Amrita Basu says
I like Dosa a lot.A well made dosa is delicious. Will try the egg variant and your masala dosa
Ranjini Sankar says
I came to see if there's something new I can try. But the Malayali in me is proud that they're all done and dusted Recently I made cheese wheat dosa. Kidu!
Aesha Shah says
All the dosa recipes are delicious. Why am I reading this post after dinner, now I craving dosas. And I love Podi dosa recipe, I am going to try it soon.
Srikanth says
Dosa is a regular breakfast item in southindian houses and you can relish it with some yummy chutneys. Onion / Paneer / Masala, you name the dosa and you would just enjoy it. Thanks for sharing the post and writing on Dosa 🙂
Ginia says
This covid pandemic has taught me many things, and among them one important thing I have mastered is : how to make idli dosa batter from scratch. I always wanted to try homemade batter but somehow the fermentation process always scared me till now. And then I come across this post. Will be trying the podi and set dosa with the batter which is in my fridge. Also I love the fresh look of your blog.
Ruchi Verma says
Wow !! I am big fan of south Indian food and set dosa even Egg dosa are my fav !! Masala Dosa can go anytime !!
MeenalSonal Mathur says
After reading your post I was recollecting how many kind of Dosa I can prepare. Need to try hands on Podi Dosa and Egg Dosa.
Deepa Gandhi says
Your post made me hungry! Staying in Bangalore fo rso many years, I have tried all the dosas you mentioned except the egg dosa. I have to try it soon.
Paresh Godhwani says
This post bring water in my mouth. There are so many types of Dosa and I simply love south indian cuisine. Thank you for sharing these recipes. They are so easy even i can try them.
Varsh says
I'm a HUGE dosa fan and can have it anytime of the day! Ghee roast is my favourite too. I've had idli with podi but not dosa. Will try next time.
Manas Mukul says
Good post covering so many types of Dosa. My personal fav is Uthappam and have tried all of these. Nice of you to give those initial instructions about how imp it is to get the tawa hot n all. Keep the delicious work going.
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Chinmayee Gayatree sahu says
Wow, the post is like answer to the first question in the morning. What's for breakfast? I love all kind of Dosas though Masala Dosa & Ghee Roast Dosa are my favourites. Simply loved your post.
Sivaranjini. A says
Wow, dosa is truly beauty and heaven on earth for me thanks for this delicious and delightful dosa post.
Nazish Kondkari says
I love simple dosas... Crispy ones.
These days there are so many varieties if dosas especially in chinese. Once I read noodle dosa and i was like who has noodle with dosas? It made me feel idk what to say .. some people just love to ruin some recipes ..
'no offence if you happen to like noodle dosas'
Amazing recipes, thanks for sharing.
Richa Mina says
you have made it sound so easy when i know it's very difficult to make the perfect dosa & I've totally given up on ragi dosa
PS i always spoil my first dosa.
Payel says
Dosa is one of my favourites.. and I love making them at home.
Felicia Nazareth says
This looks so delicious. Yummy. I had tried Chinese dosa once. A really different experience.
Madhu Bindra says
Wow, The pictures are mouthwatering. I have never tried an egg dosa. I am going to try out your recipes. Thank you for sharing them.
PRB says
I've never had an egg dosa, but the others are absolute favourite. And well, I'm lazy, so I make way with readymade dosa powder to make an instant batter. It still turns out to be good though!
Thanks for the recipes, Shalini.
Ninu Nair says
Dosa is like my go-to breakfast item these days so really loved reading this post. And, didn't know about egg dosa so taking this recipe...hopefully it will work out as yummy as you showed in the picture!
Mandavi Jaiswal says
Egg dosa, bu God thats something I cant resist now. All look so gooooood. Cnat make my mind up on what to try first
Ruchi Nasa says
I love dosas. Would definitely try the egg dosa because that one is new for me.
Pooja Priyamvada says
Such a sumptuous post
Ritu Bindra says
You blog is a foodie's delignt, Shalini. Definitey bookmarking this. Going to try out the ghee roast dosa. Have been hearing so much about it.
Chandresh Jain says
Delicious , Going to try few of them over weekend 🙂
Sindhu Vinod Narayan says
I'm a dosa lover, these recipes come.in handy for me. One batter many dishes and meal ready in minutes. Thank you for sharing. #tmmreads
Sonia Dogra says
What variety Shalini. So glad you chose to put it all together for us. Definitely coming back to this again.
Gurjeet Chhabra says
Egg dosa ,never heard of it. I love to Ghee roast.
PraGun says
I always was a dosa lover but since i stepped in tamilnadu I learned the art of rolling and making it too. I'm glad I learnt it in time as my family is now fan of my dosa's. Good tips and I was happy to see I have made all of the listed dosas except for the podi dosa. I just am aware of gunpowder chutney, thanks now I know podi too. Lovely pics, all are tempting. Yummy post.
Modern Gyspy says
We experimented with making dosas at home for the first time during lockdown, and were surprised at how easy it can be! Bookmarking this for when our next dosa craving hits.
Swati Mathur says
Dosa is all time favorite food in my house. I tried most of it but would love to try egg dosa as egg is the second favorite thing in my house. Thanks for the recipe.
Harjeet Kaur says
I love dosas and i make all tnhose you have shared. Great post with all dosas in one article, Shalini 🙂
Afreen Ansari says
Now these are really tempting and interesting dosa recipe. What got my attention is the podi dosa recipe. Will definitely try them soon
Dipali Bhasin says
I am such a dosa fan and your post has got me totally excited. Saving it up to try the podi and egg dosa next time. Well explained post too.
Rashi Roy says
You won't believe I had dosa today and now am reading about the varieties! Need to try the other recipes soon.
Pratibha says
Shalllllllllll, I am plonking myself at your home to gain a few kilos! <3
Swiddle D'Cunha says
My favourite is podi dosa.I am going to try ghee roat one next.Thanks for the wonderful post.
Anahita Irani says
Dosas was something I could never get right at home. However during these pandemic times I tried a few variants and getting it right. Your post was definitely very helpful.
Sonam Sahid Khan says
I’m amazed to know so many types of Dosa . But al look so tempting to try . I generally make the plain dosa at home .. from next time , I will try making some other types too.
Leha says
Who cannot love dosas! All of these types are my favourite and the classsic bucket sambar we get down south. Yum yum. The pictures look so appetizing, Shalini.
Jyoti Jha says
Dosa is the all-time-favorite of my family. You have presented such delectable varieties. Those handy tips are very helpful. Am definitely trying all of these!
Mayura Amarkant says
Fantastic post! I shared this with my friends and family. You have solved a "aaj breakfast mein kya banau" question for many of us.
Yogita Joshi says
I m surely gonna try these recipes. My family loves dosas. And these variaties will surely sort out a few meals. Will try every recipe
Roshan Radhakrishnan says
Pinning it, of course. Always nice to have these recipes on hand for a change from the routine breakfast options
Tomichan Matheikal says
Nice to know that there are so many varieties. I'm familiar with a few, of course, especially those which my wife prepares at home.
Jhilmil Bhansali says
Oh wow Shalini, those are some amazing recipes, I would love to try Podi dosa:)
Shalini says
Thank you, Jhilmil. I hope you'd try it out soonest 🙂