Degchi
A steamed, spongy savoury cake made from a fermented gram-flour batter, tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chilli. Gujarat's lightest, most popular tea-time snack, both tangy and slightly sweet.
Quick answer: 40 min in total · serves 6 · main ingredients: Gram flour, Yogurt, Sugar, Turmeric · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 250 g 9 oz Gram flour
- 100 g 0.4 cup Yogurt
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Sugar
- 0.25 tsp 0.25 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Baking powder, or fruit salt
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Salt, to taste
- 2 pc 2 pc Green chilli, slit (Optional)
- 10 pc 10 pc Curry leaves (Optional)
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Coriander, chopped, for garnish (Optional)
Steps
Timers run only while this tab is open. The Degchi app keeps them running on a locked phone.
- Whisk gram flour with yogurt, sugar, turmeric, salt and water into a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Let the batter rest for 20 minutes so it loosens slightly.⏱ Resting batter · 20 min
- Grease a shallow steaming tray. Stir baking powder into the batter and pour in immediately — it will froth.
- Steam for 15 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.⏱ Steaming dhokla · 15 min
- Let it cool slightly, then cut into squares.
- Temper mustard seeds, green chilli and curry leaves in hot oil, and pour evenly over the dhokla.⏱ Tempering · 1 min
- Garnish with coriander and serve at room temperature with green chutney.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Dhokla take?
40 minutes in total: about 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking.
Is Dhokla hard to make?
Degchi rates it easy. The method has 7 steps, and 3 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Dhokla serve?
This recipe serves 6. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Dhokla halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Dhokla?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: turmeric, cooking oil, salt. Spice-box items: mustard seeds. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: yogurt. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: gram flour, sugar, baking powder.
Any tips for making Dhokla?
Pour the batter into the steamer immediately after adding baking powder — waiting too long loses the rise.
Notes and questions
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This recipe in other languages
Used in these posts
Dhokla vs Khaman: What Is the Difference?
Same yellow squares, different batters and a lot of regional naming. A plain guide to dhokla vs khaman and how to get a soft crumb without a long ferment.
Steaming Without a Steamer: Idli, Dhokla, Pitha in a Pot
You do not need a special steamer for idli, dhokla or Bengali bhapa pitha. A deep pot, something to lift the tray above the water and a tea towel is enough.
Cooking terms in this recipe: Besan (gram flour)
