Paper Dosa

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Paper dosa recipe with step by step photos. This recipe gives you light, crisp papery dosa similar to the one we get in restaurants. The addition of chana dal and rava (sooji) helps in creating a deliciously crisp texture that will have you coming back for more. A vegan recipe.

paper dosa recipe

This restaurant style paper dosa can be served with coconut chutney and sambar. If you have time then you can also make the potato bhaji and make Paper masala dosa.

This paper dosa recipe is similar to the Ghee Roast Dosa I had shared earlier. To make regular crispy dosas you can check this recipe – Masala Dosa.

The best part of this recipe is that you don’t need to use parboiled rice or idli rice. You can easily use any rice varieties like sona masuri, gobindbhog, kolam, surti kolam, parmal etc.

Serve paper dosa hot as soon as they are made. You can have them for breakfast, brunch or lunch. At times we even make them for dinner.

A few suggestions for making paper dosa

  • While making paper dosa, one important tip is to maintain the temperature of the tawa. If the tawa is even slightly hot, you won’t be able to spread the batter. If the tawa is not hot, the dosa will not become crisp. Thus while cooking, you need to maintain a medium temperature in the tawa. So do regulate the heat while cooking dosa.
  • Do use a well seasoned tawa. by seasoned, I mean a tawa which is only used for making dosas. You can use either non stick tawa or cast iron tawa.
  • Paper dosas can be served folded or made into a cone dosa or Topi dosa. If using a cast iron pan, then you can make the cone dosas, as you need to cut the dosa and then fold in a cone. If using a non stick pan, then avoid doing this. Serve them hot as they are prepared for best taste.
Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Paper Dosa

Soaking rice and lentils

1. Firstly take 1.5 cups regular rice (325 grams).

making paper dosa recipe

2. Rinse a couple of times in fresh water and then soak them in 1 cup of water.

making paper dosa recipe

3. Take ½ cup urad dal (125 grams), 1 tablespoon chana dal and ¼ teaspoon methi seeds in another bowl.

making paper dosa recipe

4. Rinse a couple of times and then soak in 1 cup water for 4 to 5 hours.

making paper dosa recipe

5. Take ¼ cup thick poha (20 grams) in a small bowl.

making paper dosa recipe

6. Rinse poha once or twice with water.

making paper dosa recipe

7. Then add the rinsed poha in the rice bowl. Mix. Then cover and soak for 4 to 5 hours.

making paper dosa recipe

Making paper dosa batter

8. After 4 to 5 hours, add the lentils along with the soaked water in the grinder jar. Also add ¼ cup of fresh water.

making paper dosa recipe

9. Grind the urad dal, chana dal and methi seeds till you get a batter which is light and fluffy. The urad dal has to be ground really well, so that the batter ferments well.

making paper dosa recipe

10. Remove the batter in a large bowl or pan.

making paper dosa recipe

11. Strain the rice well and drain the water. Then in the same grinder, add the soaked rice and ½ cup fresh water.

You can grind rice in one batch or in two batches. This will depend on the size of the grinder jar. I ground in one batch and added ½ cup water for grinding.

making paper dosa recipe

12. Grind rice to a fine grainy consistency like that of idli rava.

making paper dosa recipe

13. Now pour the rice+poha batter in the same pan or bowl containing the urad dal batter.

making paper dosa recipe

14. Add 3 tablespoons of rava (suji or semolina).

making paper dosa recipe

15. Then add 1 teaspoon of rock salt or sea salt or regular salt.

making paper dosa recipe

16. Mix the salt very well with the batter. Also mix both the batters very well. Cover and keep aside to ferment for 8 to 9 hours.

You can keep for less or more time and this will depend on the temperature conditions in your city.

making paper dosa recipe

17. The batter the next day. I kept it for about 15 hours as it is cold during monsoons here.

making paper dosa recipe

18. Now lightly stir the batter, before you begin to make dosa. you will also see tiny air pockets in the batter.

making paper dosa recipe

Cooking paper dosa

19. Now heat a thick bottomed cast iron griddle or non stick pan. The pan should be medium hot. You can keep the heat to a low or medium while making paper dosas. If using an iron pan, then spread ¼ to ½ teaspoon oil or ghee all over the pan. Use a silicon brush or spoon or kitchen towel or onion halve to spread the oil/ghee.

Do not spread oil or ghee on a non stick pan. Do keep the heat on low to low-medium, so that you are easily able to spread the batter. If the pan base is very thick, then keep the heat to medium. Pour a ladle of the batter in the center.

making paper dosa recipe

20. With the ladle gently begin to spread the batter in round circles. If the pan is very hot, you won’t be able to spread the batter in a round circle. So for a nonstick pan, just lift the pan from the flame and keep outside for some seconds or half a minute. Then again place it on the fire.

For a iron griddle, you can sprinkle some water on the pan. This reduces the temperature of the cast iron griddle. Please do not sprinkle water on non stick pan. The non stick coating can wear off.

making paper dosa recipe

21. Spread the batter to a neat, round shaped thin dosa.

making paper dosa recipe

22. On a low to medium heat, begin to cook.

making paper dosa recipe

23. Let the top side get cooked.

making paper dosa recipe

24. Then with a spoon drizzle and spread some oil on the dosa. you can add less or more oil as per your requirements.

making paper dosa recipe

25. Keep cooking till you see the base becoming golden. The more the base becomes golden, the paper dosa becomes more crisp.

paper dosa recipe

26. Now with a spatula fold the crisp paper dosa.

paper dosa recipe

27. Serve paper dosa hot with coconut chutney and sambar. Same way make paper dosa with the remaining batter and serve them hot for the best taste and texture.

Leftover batter can be refrigerated and stays good for 2 to 3 days.

crisp paper dosa recipe


More Tasty dosa varieties

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paper dosa

Paper Dosa

Tasty paper dosa served with coconut chutney and potato masala is a foodie's delight. This recipe gives you light, crisp papery dosa similar to the one we get in restaurants. 
4.95 from 17 votes
Prep Time 9 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 9 hours 20 minutes
Cuisine South Indian
Course Breakfast, Snacks
Diet Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 4
Units

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups regular rice, 325 grams
  • ½ cup urad dal, 125 grams
  • ¼ cup thick poha (flattened rice), 20 grams
  • 1 tablespoon chana dal (husked and split bengal gram)
  • ¼ teaspoon methi seeds (fenugreek seeds)
  • 1 cup water for soaking rice
  • 1 cup water for soaking urad dal
  • ¼ cup water for grinding urad dal
  • ½ cup water for grinding rice
  • 3 tablespoons fine rava (sooji or cream of wheat)
  • 1 teaspoon rock salt (edible and food grade) or sea salt or regular salt or add as required
  • oil as required for cooking dosa

Instructions
 

soaking lentils and rice

  • Firstly take 1.5 cups regular rice (325 grams).
  • Rinse a couple of times and then soak in 1 cup water.
  • Take ½ cup urad dal (125 grams), 1 tablespoon chana dal and ¼ teaspoon methi seeds in another bowl.
  • Rinse a couple of times and then soak in 1 cup water for 4 to 5 hours.
  • Take ¼ cup thick poha (20 grams) in a small bowl.
  • Rinse poha once or twice with water.
  • Then add the rinsed poha in the rice bowl. Mix. Then cover and soak for 4 to 5 hours.

making paper dosa batter

  • After 4 to 5 hours, add the lentils along with the soaked water in the grinder jar. Also add ¼ cup of fresh water.
  • Grind the urad dal, chana dal and methi seeds till you get a batter which is light and fluffy. The urad dal has to be ground really well, so that the batter ferments well.
  • Remove the batter in a large bowl or pan.
  • Strain the rice well and drain the water. Then in the same grinder, add the soaked rice and ½ cup fresh water. You can grind rice in one batch or in two batches. This will depend on the size of the grinder jar. I ground in one batch and added ½ cup water for grinding.
  • Grind rice to a fine grainy consistency like that of idli rava.
  • Now pour the rice+poha batter in the same pan or bowl containing the urad dal batter.
  • Add 3 tablespoons rava and 1 teaspoon rock salt or sea salt or regular salt.
  • Mix the salt very well with the batter. Also mix both the batters very well. Cover and keep aside to ferment for 8 to 9 hours. You can keep for less or more time and this will depend on the temperature conditions in your city.

making paper dosa

  • Now lightly stir the batter, before you begin to make dosa. You will also see tiny air pockets in the batter.
  • Now heat a thick bottomed cast iron griddle or non stick pan. The pan should be medium hot. You can keep the flame to a low or medium while making dosas. If using an iron pan, then spread ¼ to ½ tsp oil/ghee all over the pan. Use a silicon brush or spoon or kitchen towel or onion halve to spread the oil/ghee. Do not spread oil/ghee on a non stick pan. 
  • Do keep the flame on low to low-medium flame, so that you are easily able to spread the batter. If the pan base is very thick, then keep the flame to medium. Pour a ladle of the batter in the center.
  • With the ladle gently begin to spread the batter in round circles. If the pan is very hot, you won’t be able to spread the batter in a round circle. 
  • Spread the batter to a neat, round shaped thin dosa.
  • On a low to medium flame, begin to cook.
  • Let the top side get cooked.
  • Then with a spoon drizzle and spread some oil on the dosa. You can add less or more oil as per your requirements.
  • Keep cooking till you see the base becoming golden. The more the base becomes golden, the paper dosa becomes more crisp.
  • Now with a spatula fold the crisp paper dosa.
  • Serve with coconut chutney and sambar. Same way make paper dosas with the remaining batter. Leftover batter can be refrigerated and stays good for 2 to 3 days.

Notes

  • This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
  • I recommend using a well seasoned tawa that is only used for making dosas. You can use either a non-stick tawa or a cast-iron tawa.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Paper Dosa
Amount Per Serving
Calories 443 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 605mg26%
Potassium 105mg3%
Carbohydrates 85g28%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 2mg10%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Vitamin E 2mg13%
Calcium 98mg10%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 15µg4%
Iron 5mg28%
Magnesium 24mg6%
Phosphorus 112mg11%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Paper Dosa post from the blog archives first published on September 2017 has been updated and republished on December 2022.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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23 Comments

  1. I liked the nutrition facts that you have shared in this recipe. Its very useful for a dietician to plan diets.5 stars

  2. Thanks for this excellent dosa recipe. I have been trying to make crisp dosa at home for many years , but without success. Today i was able to achieve it , thanks to you5 stars

    1. Great to know and thanks for sharing your positive feedback Manisha. Most welcome.

  3. Thanks dear for this recipe…..
    It really worked… I love it….it’s really good and crispy…5 stars

    1. thanks afroz for the feedback and review on paper dosa. happy cooking.

  4. Hi dassana, I made this crispy paper dosa.. just awesome… this recipe is definitely for keeps .. thanks for sharing.. take care..

    .

    1. Welcome Marina. Nice to know that you liked this recipe of paper dosa.

  5. Is it not required to roast it on other side too? Also, how to clean non stick tawa in between two dosas?5 stars

    1. not required. but if you want you can cook. for a non-stick pan, just wipe it a clean cloth. do not add water as the water will ruin the non stick coating.

  6. Thanks for such great recipe.i want to know what will happen if we soak all the ingredients together n them grind them together?What will be the difference in texture of dosa?5 stars

    1. you can do this way. there is no difference if the batter is ground well. but i always prefer to grind urad dal separately. since a well ground fluffy urad dal batter helps in fermentation.

    2. You will not get the desired fineness if they are ground together. This is why traditionally they are ground separately.

    3. I tried Mysore masala dosa
      It came well
      Your recipes are good
      Give veg healthy snacks, sweets as well
      Good work..