Dhokla (Steamed Chickpea Flour Cake)
Light, fluffy, and tangy steamed cakes made from chickpea flour with a mustard seed tempering. The most iconic Gujarati snack, ready in 30 minutes.
ढोकला
Dhokla is the dish that changes how people think about Indian food. There is no heavy gravy, no deep frying, and no marathon cooking session. Instead, you get a light, spongy, savory cake that is steamed in minutes, tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves, and finished with a squeeze of lemon. It is the pride of Gujarat and one of the healthiest snacks in all of Indian cuisine.
Ingredients
Click to check off as you go
Ingredients
Method
Mix the batter
Sift besan into a bowl. Whisk in yogurt, water, sugar, salt, turmeric, and citric acid until smooth. The batter should be like thick pancake batter.
Set up the steamer
Set up a steamer with boiling water. Grease a 20 cm (8-inch) round pan with oil.
Add baking soda
Add baking soda to the batter, stir quickly, and pour into the greased pan immediately. The batter will become frothy.
Steam
Steam on medium-high heat for 12 to 15 minutes with a tight lid. Do not open during the first 10 minutes. Test with a toothpick for doneness.
Cool and cut
Cool for 5 minutes, unmold, and cut into squares or diamonds.
Make the tempering
For tempering: heat oil, pop mustard seeds, add sesame seeds, green chilies, and curry leaves. Add water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a quick boil.
Finish and serve
Pour the tempering evenly over the cut dhokla. Garnish with cilantro and grated coconut.
Tips for Success
Batter consistency
Too thick and the dhokla will be dense. Too thin and it will not hold. Aim for thick milkshake consistency.
Steam vigorously
The water must be at a rolling boil. Weak steam results in flat, undercooked dhokla.
Do not skip the soak
The sweetened, lemony tempering liquid is what transforms good dhokla into exceptional dhokla.
Cut after cooling
Wait 5 minutes before slicing. Too hot and it crumbles.
Nutrition
Per serving (approximate)
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Dhokla (Steamed Chickpea Flour Cake)
Light, fluffy, and tangy steamed cakes made from chickpea flour with a mustard seed tempering. The most iconic Gujarati snack, ready in 30 minutes.
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Serve This With
Rate This Recipe
Loved this recipe? Get one like it every week.
Join our newsletter for authentic Indian recipes, cooking tips, and cultural stories.