Oats Dosa Recipe

Dosa is a popular South Indian dish that’s enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Traditionally made with rice and urad dal, dosa batter requires a bit of planning and preparation. But have you ever tried making dosa with oats? Oats dosa is a healthy and easy-to-make alternative that’s perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

In this recipe article, I’ll show you how to make Oats Dosa that’s not only nutritious but also flavorful. With a simple batter made from oats and a couple of lentils (dals), you can have nutritious, crispy, and delicious dosas in no time.

So, let’s get started and learn how to make this healthy and delicious twist on a classic South Indian dish.

How I found this Oats Dosa recipe?

We are huge fans of a good South Indian meal and dosa is a family favorite. I make homemade dosa batter if not every week, at least every other week. Traditional dosa batter is made with white rice and urad dal. I started to think of healthier options to make dosa batter and replace white rice with more nutritious complex carbohydrates. I tried to replace rice with quinoa and the dosas came out crispy, but it burnt very easily and the dosa had a slightly bitter taste. The family did not approve of the quinoa swap, unfortunately. 

Oats dosa on the other hand was a very successful experiment. The batter fermented nicely and the color upon cooking was very close to the traditional dosa. When the family approved it, I knew I had a keeper.  I love it when I find a healthier option without compromising on taste. Oats dosa batter has become a regular in our house and you must try this recipe soon too!

What are the health benefits of Oats?

Oats are a type of whole-grain cereal that is packed with nutrients and offers a variety of health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of oats:

1. Lowering cholesterol levels: Oats are rich in a soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
2. Improving digestion: The fiber in oats helps to promote healthy digestion by keeping the digestive system regular and preventing constipation.
3. Reducing the risk of heart disease: The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds found in oats may help to reduce the risk of heart disease by protecting the heart from damage and inflammation.
4. Managing blood sugar levels: The complex carbohydrates in oats are digested slowly, which helps to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels and may be beneficial for people with diabetes.
5. Supporting weight loss: Oats are low in calories and high in fiber, which can help to promote feelings of fullness and reduce overall calorie intake.
6. Providing energy: Oats are a good source of carbohydrates and protein, which can help to provide sustained energy throughout the day.

Overall, incorporating oats into your diet can provide a range of health benefits and is a great way to support your overall health and well-being.

Ingredients used to make Oats Dosa Recipe

• 2 cups Rolled Oats
• 2/3 cup white split Urad Daal
• 1/3 cup Chana Dal
• Water for grinding
• Salt
• Cooking oil or Ghee (as required for spreading the dosa)

What type of Oats to use for the batter?

For this recipe, I have used rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats.  Some other types of oats that are available in the market are quick-cooking oats and Steel-cut oats.  Rolled oats are whole oats that have been steamed and then flattened with large rollers. Quick-cooking oats, on the other hand, are also made from whole oats but they are cut into smaller pieces before being steamed and flattened. Steel-cut oats are less processed by steel blades, making them chunkier and take longer to cook as compared to old-fashioned oats.

Although I have not tried it myself, I believe that all 3 types of oats would work for this recipe. 

Step-by-step guide to making this healthy Oats Dosa recipe

Follow these steps to make this healthy oats dosa recipe:

1. In a large bowl add rolled oats, urad dal, and chana dal. Pour water and wash/drain the oats/dal mix. 
2. Do it 3-4 times till the water almost runs clear. Soak them in water for at least 6 hours or overnight.
3. Reserve the soaking liquid and add the soaked oats-dal to a grinder. Add enough of the soaking liquid to help grind the batter to a smooth paste.
4. Remove the ground batter in a large glass or steel container. Mix it with your clean hands. Add more of the reserved soaking liquid if needed to make a thick but flowing batter. 
5. Cover the bowl with a lid and place it in a warm spot in your kitchen to ferment for 10-12 hours or overnight. I like to keep my bowl in the oven with the lights turned on. The batter should rise and become slightly sour.
6. Once the batter is fermented, add salt and mix it gently with a spoon. If the batter is too thick, add some water to thin it out.
7. Heat a non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Grease the pan with some oil or ghee using a piece of cloth or paper towel.
8. Pour a ladleful of batter into the center of the pan and spread it in a circular motion using the back of the ladle. Make the dosa as thin as possible.
9. Drizzle some oil or ghee around the edges of the dosa and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the bottom side turns golden brown.
10. Serve with your choice of sambar, chutney, and potato filling if desired. 

What you see in the image above:

1. Oats dosa batter left to ferment in a warm spot (turned off oven).
2. Fermented oats dosa batter

What you see in the image above:

1. oats dosa immediately after spreading on a hot griddle.
2. oats dosa golden brown and ready to be taken off the griddle.

Recipe tips to make the perfect crispy Oats dosa

• I like to use a well-seasoned cast iron pan to make all types of dosas. It helps make the crispiest dosas with minimal oil.  If you do not own a cast iron pan, a nonstick pan will work. 
• Once fermented, oats dosa batter should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator till ready to use. 
• Refrigerated oats dosa batter may thicken over time and may need to be thinned out with water. 
• Fermented and refrigerated dosa batter will last for 5-6 days.

How to ferment Oats Dosa batter in the Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is a very popular kitchen gadget these days. It is multi-functional and its “Yogurt” mode can also be used to ferment dosa batter.  This is especially useful in colder climates when fermentation can be unpredictable. The Instant Pot maintains a constant low heat that helps fermentation. 

Here are the steps to ferment dosa batter in the Instant Pot:

1. Transfer the blended batter to the Instant Pot insert.
2. Press the “Yogurt” button and adjust the temperature to “Normal”.
3. Set the time to 12-14 hours, depending on how warm your kitchen is.
4. Cover the Instant Pot with a lid or a plate and let it ferment.
5. After the fermentation process is complete, you will notice that the batter has risen and has a slightly sour smell.
6. Add salt to taste and mix well and the dosa batter is ready to use. 

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