How to Make Crispy Dosa Using Sesame Oil Spray | Simple Home Method

There’s no single correct way to get a crispy dosa. The result usually depends on pan temperature, how thin you spread the batter, and how much oil actually touches the edges.

One common mistake many Indian home cooks make is adding oil too early or too generously, which often softens the dosa instead of crisping it.

If you’re experimenting with a sesame oil spray (including cold-pressed options from brands like Pure Nutrition), the technique matters more than the product itself.

Below is a practical, experience-based breakdown.

Why sesame oil spray changes dosa texture (and when it doesn’t)

Sesame oil spray may help with browning, but crispiness still depends mostly on heat and batter spread.

Sesame oil behaves differently from regular refined oil:

• It has a lower smoke tolerance
• It carries a strong aroma
• A spray applies very small, uneven amounts

This means:

• On a properly hot tawa, a light spray around the edges may support browning
• On a lukewarm pan, the same spray often just soaks in

A spray works best when you already have:

• Thin batter
• Even heat
• A clean, seasoned pan

Without these, changing oil alone rarely fixes soft dosa.

Step-by-step: making crispy dosa with sesame oil spray

Heat first, spread thin, spray lightly at the edges timing matters more than quantity.

A simple method many home cooks find workable:

1. Preheat the tawa properly
   Sprinkle water it should sizzle and evaporate in seconds.
2. Pour batter and spread thin
   Start from the centre and move outward in circles. Thick centres = soft dosa.
3. Wait 20–30 seconds before oil
   Let the surface set slightly.
4. Lightly spray sesame oil only around edges
   Not in the middle. This is where crisping usually starts.
5. Cook uncovered on medium heat
   Avoid flipping. Let the base brown naturally.
6. Lift once edges release on their own
   Forced lifting often tears soft dosa.

If the dosa bends instead of lifting cleanly, the pan is usually not hot enough.

How much sesame oil spray is “enough”?

Most people overuse oil; one light edge spray is often sufficient.

With sprays, less is usually more.

Common observation in home kitchens:

• 2–3 short sprays around the rim is often enough
• Spraying the centre may trap steam
• Re-spraying mid-cook rarely improves crispiness

If your dosa feels oily but not crunchy, that’s a technique issue not an oil problem.

Batter consistency matters more than oil choice

Even premium oil cannot compensate for thick or fermented batter.

For crisp dosa:

• Batter should flow easily off the ladle
• Fermentation should feel mild, not sour
• Cold batter straight from fridge often spreads poorly

Let refrigerated batter sit 10–15 minutes before cooking.

Some cooks add a spoon of rice flour for extra crunch results vary.

Safety & cooking notes (especially for daily use)

This is general kitchen information, not health advice.

• Sesame oil has a strong flavour not everyone enjoys it on plain dosa
• People with sesame sensitivity should avoid it
• High heat can degrade unrefined oils faster
• Sprays still count as oil portion awareness matters if you’re monitoring fat intake

Products like Pure Nutrition sesame oil spray are typically cold-pressed, which may suit low-heat cooking better, but individual tolerance and taste differ.

FAQs

Q. Can I use sesame oil spray for dosa every day?

A. It depends on taste preference and overall diet. Sesame oil has a strong flavour and may not suit everyone daily.

Q. Why is my dosa crispy on one side but soft in the centre?

A. Usually due to uneven batter spread or lower heat in the middle of the pan.

Q. Does sesame oil make dosa crispier than regular oil?

A. Sometimes around the edges, but heat control and batter thickness matter more.

Q. How many sprays of sesame oil should I use?

A. Commonly 2–3 light sprays around the rim. More doesn’t always improve texture.

Q. Can I make crispy dosa without any oil spray?

A. Yes on well-seasoned cast iron, some people get crisp dosa using heat alone.

Q. Is sesame oil suitable for kids or elderly?

A. Taste and digestion vary. Small amounts are usually used, but sensitivity differs.

Q. Why does my dosa stick even after spraying oil?

A. Most often the pan isn’t hot enough or the surface isn’t seasoned properly.

A quiet note before you experiment

Crispy dosa is rarely about one ingredient. Pan type, batter age, room temperature, and even stove flame all play a role. Sesame oil spray whether from Pure Nutrition or any other brand is just one small variable.

What works in one kitchen may behave differently in another. Observing your own pan, batter, and timing usually teaches more than changing oils.

That’s where most consistency comes from not from chasing a single “right” method.