This easy recipe for a quick Masala Dosa works surprisingly well, and there's no soaking or blending involved. Serve it with a savory stuffing of potatoes and colorful bell peppers for breakfast or any meal.
As much as I wish I could spend all day in the kitchen cooking a slow and leisurely meal, there are times -- most times in my case-- when time is just not on my side. That’s when I start sniffing around for ideas for new meals, or very often reworking something old into something new, in 30 minutes or less.
One of my favorite recipes to make over is the delicious dosa. I love these crispy, flaky, healthy circles of lentil-and-rice goodness with a passion. Perhaps it's because I am an honorary Tamilian (believe me, I know more ingredient names in Tamil than Desi does, and Tamil’s his mother tongue. Ha!). Or maybe it’s just that dosas are a perfect combination of healthy meets delicious, which makes it the perfect food for a foodie health nut. And they are perfect for a tasty Indian breakfast or lunch.
So when I came upon a quick masala dosa recipe by Jamie Oliver that needed me to do nothing more than mix two flours with a glug of water, I ran to my pantry without pausing to put my reader down.
To be completely honest, I was a tiny bit skeptical. There is a good reason why generations of south Indian cooks have soaked lentils and rice for hours, usually overnight,and then painstakingly ground them up into the perfect consistency -- and then fermented the batter for several hours more -- before ladling out the dosa batter on a sizzling griddle. All that soaking and grinding and fermenting is important to create coconut chutney that are light, airy, and perfectly textured and flavored. And I still believe that is the best kind of dosa to make, when you have the time.
But quick dosas, lifesaving additions to our busy lives, can be just as delicious. What I really loved about Jamie’s recipe was that it was even simpler than most quick dosa recipes I’ve tried my hand at in the past. There's just one caveat-- eat this dosa pretty fast after it cooks, for it tends to stiffen up on standing.
To stuff into my quick masala dosa, I made a traditional potato subzi with a slight variation: I added to it a rainbow of bell peppers, to add more nutrition and because I wanted those lovely colors to contrast with the golden dosa.
I can't think of an easier recipe for breakfast: it probably will take you just as much time as it would to whip up pancakes out of the box, and the potato subzi, also quite easy, can easily be made ahead of time.
If you feel like adding some traditional flavor to your non-traditional dosa, dunk it in some onion chutney or coriander chutney. In fact, do it anyway. You'll be ecstatic.
Enjoy the weekend, all! You've earned it.
More South Indian dosa recipes
Quick Masala Dosa Recipe
Quick Masala Dosa
Ingredients
For the dosa:
- 1 cup besan (chickpea flour)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- Salt to taste
For the potato sabzi:
- 6 medium potatoes (skins scrubbed clean)
- 1 medium onion (finely diced)
- 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 2 dry red chili peppers (broken into pieces)
- 2 bell peppers (Use any color or a mix of colors. I used red)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (grated)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup cilantro (finely chopped)
Serve with
Instructions
Make the potato sabzi:
- Boil the potatoes in their jackets until a fork inserted in the thickest portion goes cleanly through. Dice the potatoes into a fairly small dice. I leave the skins on because I love them, but you can peel your potatoes if you'd rather.
- Heat the oil in a wok or a large saucepan
- Add the mustard seeds and when they crackle, add the red chili peppers and onions.
- Saute, stirring frequently, until the onion just starts to turn color
- Add the ginger and saute a few more seconds. Add the diced bell peppers and ground black pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for about five minutes or until the peppers start to soften. Add the potatoes.
- Let the potatoes cook over medium-high heat until they start to form a crust at the bottom. Stir a few times so they don't stick. With a potato masher or a heavy ladle, mash the potatoes slightly.
- Season with salt and stir in the lemon juice.
- Sprinkle the cilantro and mix.
Make the masala dosa
- Mix the flours, baking soda and salt in a bowl with enough water to make a runny batter. You want something far runnier than a pancake batter because you want to spread it fairly thin.
- Heat a griddle over medium-high heat. Using a round-bottomed ladle, pour about half a cup of batter into the center of the griddle. Quickly, spread outward in a circular motion with the bottom of the ladle. You want your dosa to be fairly thin if you like it crispy.
- Sprinkle or spray some oil around the edges. Cook until the top is dry and the edges are browned. Remove to a plate.
- Place the stuffing inside the dosa, fold over, and serve with chutney.
Sam
Is it possible to use wheat flour instead of whole wheat flour?
Vaishali
Yes, I assume you mean all purpose flour? That's fine.
Sam
Hi,
Do I need to use both chickpea and besan to make this recipe dosa or do I use either one?
Vaishali
Just one — they are the same thing.
Kay
Wow, this recipe is fantastic! I made a filling of potatoes and broccoli roasted in curry powder and turmeric. First my two teenage boys and husband each wolfed one down, then they slowed down for seconds so they could really enjoy them. I tripled the dosa recipe, thank goodness, and I had trouble getting the batter thin enough. But even the ones that were too think we're absolutely delicious. Today, I will be heating up the leftovers for my breakfast! These dosa are going to be a staple at my house. Thank you!
Becki
Is it necessary that the flour be whole wheat? I have so much all-purpose at home, I don't want to run out and grab another bag that I'll rarely use.
Vaishali
All purpose will work just as well!
Rachel
I made this recipe, potatoes and all, tonight for dinner. My best friend’s mother used to make us dosas growing up, and I’ve always been too intimidated by the process to attempt them myself. This recipe was a perfect stepping stone for me! The dosas were perfectly crispy and the potatoes were wonderfully flavorful. I can’t wait to have the leftover filling for my lunch. Thank you so much for this simple, accessible recipe. It really hit the spot in terms of taste and nostalgia for me. 🙂
Vaishali
So happy to hear that, Rachel!
Ruhina
Hi 🙂 Thanks for this recipe.. I tried it out. Do have a look.
Wafa Sopariwala
HI
For whole wheat flour - can we use roti flour (normal atta) or white flour (all-purpose flour)?
Mark
Can gluten-free floor be used?
Vaishali
Yes, see link to a gluten-free version of this dosa in the post above -- under "more south Indian dishes".
Alexa
Made these last night and they were delicious! Dosas seemed like they'd be too intimidating to make at home but these were simple. I used 3 large potatoes and 2 tsp red chili flakes as I didn't have any whole red chilies. Thanks for the yummy recipe!
Melissa
Anyone know of a gluten-free substitute for the wheat flour that works well?
Chhaya
This is a High protein dosa. To add some fibre, substitute in part some oat flour. Nice.
Aneesha
Hi, Is it possible to substitute whole wheat flour with amaranth flour? Would It work ok?
Thx
Vaishali Honawar
I don't see why not! If you try, I'd be interested in hearing how it turned out.
sarah
A local restaurant makes "vegan omlette" which is basically a dosa. It's delicious and I've taken to them for breakfast.
East Meets West Veg
Yum!
Vaishali
🙂
Lana
I just made the dosa and potato sabzi for dinner. Delicious.
I didn't have whole wheat flour handy, so I used spelt flour instead...not a good idea. The dosas remained cream colored and did not brown. Nevertheless, it was very tasty.
Thanks
Anjali
these turned out so good. I had my doubts if they would crisp up, but they did-and beautifully so 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing these. I plan to make them frequently once school starts. These are quick enough for the school-morning chaos.
Anjali
Making these for breakfast tomorrow with potato bhaji and mint chutney. Can't wait for it to be morning 🙂
Vaishali
Anjali, that's great. Let me know if you like 'em! 🙂
Kelsey M
I've never tried making dosas before- I think I'll have to after reading this! I'm liking the idea of starting with something simpler 🙂
radha
what a beautiful blog!! amazing clicks and so honest cooking and descriptions, wow!! am glad I came by, do share your gorgeous creations in my fb food page Your Everyday cook where I showcase stunning creations from other bloggers and a few of mine..cheers
Vaishali
Thank you Radha, I will try and share.
Pallavi Kulkarni
Baking soda in a dosa, who'd have thunk? But what a gorgeous looking dosa! I'm making this.