Arisi Kurunai Adai (Thavala Adai) Recipe – South Indian Rice and Coconut Pancake

Arisi Kurunai Adai | Thavala Adai | Idli Rava Adai – a simple, flavorful South Indian tiffin made with idli rava (broken rice). Below is a clear, SEO-friendly recipe with step-by-step instructions, images, and a video demonstration.

Arisi Kurunai Adai is a tasty breakfast or dinner option made using idli rava (broken rice). It’s similar to thavala adai but without lentils. This grilled version yields crispy edges and a soft interior, perfect with chutney.

Kozhukattai-style preparations have long been part of South Indian homes. Instead of steaming, this version is prepared on a tawa (griddle), which gives it a delightful texture and flavor. The recipe below is straightforward and adaptable—try using coarse rice rava if idli rava is not available.

Arisi Kurunai Adai

Arisi Kurunai Adai

Arisi Kurunai Adai

5 from 2 votes
Course: Adai
Cuisine: Indian
Author: Vidya Srinivasan

Ingredients

  • Idli rava – 1/2 cup
  • Scraped coconut – 2 tbsp
  • Salt – to taste
  • Water – 1 cup + 1/2 cup (adjust as needed)
  • Oil – for grilling (coconut oil recommended)
  • For tempering:
  • Coconut oil – 1/2 tbsp + extra to grease
  • Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Green chillies – 2 (adjust to taste)
  • Red chilli – 1
  • Urad dal – 1 tbsp
  • Channa dal – 1 tbsp
  • Curry leaves – 1 sprig
  • Asafoetida – a generous pinch

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add urad dal, channa dal, green chillies, red chilli, curry leaves, and a pinch of asafoetida; sauté briefly until the dals turn golden.
  2. Pour in water, add scraped coconut and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  3. When the water boils, add idli rava and mix well. Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rava absorbs all the water and is cooked through. Add a little water if needed to reach a soft, dough-like consistency.
  4. Turn off the heat and cover the pan with a damp cloth. Let it rest until the mixture is cool enough to handle.
  5. Divide the dough into small portions, roll into balls if desired, and flatten each ball gently. Heat a tawa and grease lightly with oil. Place the flattened adai on the tawa, cover with a lid, and cook on medium-low heat until golden and crisp on both sides. Serve warm with chutney.

Video

Notes

  1. If idli rava is unavailable, pulse raw rice or sona masoori rice into a coarse rava and use that.
  2. Make and serve the adai immediately for the best texture.

Preparation Time: 5 mins | Cooking Time: 25 mins | Serves: 3

Recipe Category: Breakfast

Quick method recap

  • Temper mustard seeds, urad dal, channa dal, chillies, curry leaves, and asafoetida in hot oil.
  • Add water, scraped coconut, and salt; bring to a boil.
  • Add idli rava and cook until all water is absorbed and the mixture becomes a soft dough. Cover and rest briefly.
  • Shape into small rounds, flatten, and grill on a greased tawa until golden on both sides. Serve hot with your favorite chutney.

Grilled Kurunai Adai