Jun 06, 2025

Beyond Idli Dosa, 8 Quick South Indian Breakfasts To Power Your Weekdays

Times Now Digital, TN Lifestyle Desk

​​Upma​

A savoury semolina porridge cooked with vegetables, curry leaves, and mustard seeds. Ready in 15 minutes, this protein-rich breakfast keeps you satisfied throughout the morning whilst providing essential nutrients and fibre.

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​​Adai​

Multi-lentil pancakes combining toor, chana, and urad dal with rice, creating a protein-packed Tamil breakfast. Enhanced with ginger, green chillies, and curry leaves, these thick crepes cook quickly and pair excellently with avial or jaggery.

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​​Pesarattu​

Green moong dal pancakes packed with protein and served with ginger chutney. This Andhra
Pradesh speciality cooks quickly on a hot griddle and offers a nutritious alternative that's both gluten-free and incredibly satisfying.

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​​Paniyaram​

Bite-sized spherical dumplings made from fermented idli batter, cooked in special curved pans. These Tamil Nadu treats can be sweet or savoury, require minimal oil, and provide a delightful textural contrast with their crispy exterior.

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​​Akki Rotti​

Karnataka's beloved rice flour flatbread mixed with vegetables and herbs. Cooked directly on
the griddle, this wholesome breakfast provides complex carbohydrates and can be customised
with your favourite seasonal vegetables and spices.

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​​Puttu​

Steamed rice flour cylinders layered with fresh coconut, traditionally prepared in bamboo tubes. This Kerala breakfast staple is naturally vegan, easily digestible, and pairs wonderfully with banana or chickpea curry for added protein.

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​​Appam​

Fermented rice pancakes with soft centres and crispy edges, these bowl-shaped delights from
Kerala cook quickly in special pans. Naturally gluten-free and mildly sweet, they complement
both savoury curries and sweet coconut milk perfectly.

Credit: Canva

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​​Medu Vada​

Crispy lentil doughnuts made from urad dal batter, deep-fried until golden and served piping hot. Though slightly indulgent, these protein-rich fritters paired with sambar and chutney create an authentic South Indian breakfast experience.

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