Masala Dosa, Mysore Dosa, Rava Dosa, Neer Dosa & Cheese Dosa Recipes

Top 5 Types of Dosa & Their Detailed Recipes

a plate of food
a plate of food

Top 5 Types of Dosa & Their Detailed Recipes

Dosa is one of the most popular South Indian dishes, loved across India and even internationally. This thin, crispy, and savory pancake is made from a fermented rice and urad dal batter. Traditionally served with sambar and coconut chutney, dosa is a versatile dish with several delicious variations.

Here, we will explore 5 different types of dosa and learn how to make them at home with detailed recipes.

1. Masala Dosa (मसाला डोसा)

Masala Dosa is the most famous dosa variety, featuring a crispy dosa stuffed with spiced potato filling. It originated in Karnataka and is a must-try for all dosa lovers.

Ingredients for Masala Dosa

For Dosa Batter:

Rice – 2 cups

Urad dal (split black gram) – ½ cup

Fenugreek seeds (methi dana) – 1 tsp

Poha (flattened rice) – 2 tbsp

Salt – to taste

Water – as needed

For Potato Masala Filling:

Boiled potatoes – 3 (mashed)

Onion (sliced) – 1 large

Green chilies (chopped) – 2

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Curry leaves – 6-8

Turmeric powder – ½ tsp

Salt – to taste

Oil – 1 tbsp

How to Make Masala Dosa

Step 1: Prepare the Dosa Batter

1️⃣ Soak rice, urad dal, fenugreek seeds, and poha in water for 6 hours.

2️⃣ Grind into a smooth batter, adding water gradually.

3️⃣ Add salt and let it ferment for 8-10 hours or overnight.

Step 2: Prepare the Potato Filling

1️⃣ Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, and let them crackle.

2️⃣ Add curry leaves, green chilies, and onions. Sauté until onions turn soft.

3️⃣ Add turmeric powder and mashed potatoes. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 3: Make the Masala Dosa

1️⃣ Heat a tava (griddle) and spread a ladleful of batter in a circular motion.

2️⃣ Drizzle some oil and cook until golden brown.

3️⃣ Place potato masala in the center and fold the dosa.

4️⃣ Serve hot with coconut chutney and sambar.

2. Mysore Dosa (मैसूर डोसा)

Mysore Dosa is similar to Masala Dosa but with a spicy red chutney spread on the dosa before adding the potato filling.

Ingredients for Mysore Dosa

Dosa batter – as prepared above

Potato masala filling – same as Masala Dosa

Oil or ghee – for roasting

For Red Chutney:

Red chilies – 4-5 (soaked)

Garlic cloves – 3

Roasted chana dal – 1 tbsp

Tamarind pulp – 1 tsp

Salt – to taste

How to Make Mysore Dosa

1️⃣ Blend all chutney ingredients into a smooth paste.

2️⃣ Spread a ladleful of dosa batter on a hot tava.

3️⃣ Spread red chutney over the dosa.

4️⃣ Add potato masala, fold, and serve.

3. Rava Dosa (रवा डोसा)

Rava Dosa is an instant dosa made with semolina (rava), rice flour, and spices. It is thin, crispy, and does not require fermentation.

Ingredients for Rava Dosa

Semolina (rava/sooji) – 1 cup

Rice flour – ½ cup

All-purpose flour (maida) – ¼ cup

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Green chilies (chopped) – 2

Coriander leaves (chopped) – 2 tbsp

Salt – to taste

Water – 2 cups

Oil – for roasting

How to Make Rava Dosa

1️⃣ Mix rava, rice flour, maida, cumin seeds, green chilies, coriander, and salt in a bowl.

2️⃣ Add water to make a thin, watery batter.

3️⃣ Heat a tava and pour the batter from a height to create a lace-like pattern.

4️⃣ Drizzle some oil and cook until crispy.

5️⃣ Serve hot with coconut chutney.

4. Neer Dosa (नीर डोसा)

Neer Dosa is a soft, thin, and delicate dosa from Karnataka made only with rice and water. It is gluten-free and light on the stomach.

Ingredients for Neer Dosa

Rice – 2 cups (soaked for 4 hours)

Water – as needed

Salt – to taste

Oil – for cooking

How to Make Neer Dosa

1️⃣ Grind the soaked rice into a smooth, watery batter.

2️⃣ Add salt and let the batter rest for 30 minutes.

3️⃣ Heat a tava, pour the batter, and swirl it around.

4️⃣ Cook on low heat without flipping.

5️⃣ Serve with coconut chutney or jaggery-coconut mix.

5. Cheese Dosa (चीज़ डोसा)

Cheese Dosa is a fusion dosa, loved by kids and cheese lovers. It has a generous amount of grated cheese along with spicy chutney and vegetables.

Ingredients for Cheese Dosa

Dosa batter – as prepared above

Grated cheese – ½ cup

Chopped onions – ¼ cup

Chopped capsicum – ¼ cup

Red chutney – 2 tbsp (same as Mysore dosa)

Oil or butter – for roasting

How to Make Cheese Dosa

1️⃣ Spread a ladleful of dosa batter on a hot tava.

2️⃣ Apply red chutney and sprinkle onions and capsicum.

3️⃣ Add grated cheese and let it melt.

4️⃣ Fold and serve hot with ketchup or chutney.

Final Thoughts

Dosa is an incredibly versatile dish, and these 5 dosa varieties prove how adaptable it can be. Whether you prefer the classic Masala Dosa, the spicy Mysore Dosa, the instant Rava Dosa, the delicate Neer Dosa, or the cheesy indulgence of Cheese Dosa, there’s something for everyone!

😋 Which dosa is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!