Gujarati Khichu Steamed Rice Flour Snack with Chili Oil
Light and fluffy steamed rice flour dough flavored with cumin and green chili, served with a spicy mustard oil drizzle for a classic Gujarati street snack. This indian-inspired snacks ready in about 30 minutes turns rice flour, water, green chili, finely chopped into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 3, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice flour
- 2 cups water
- 1 green chili, finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp mustard oil
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 finely chopped green chili, and 1 tsp salt. Stir and let it boil for 1 minute.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low and gradually add 1 cup rice flour to the boiling water, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon to avoid lumps. Stir vigorously until the mixture thickens into a smooth dough and starts to leave the sides of the pan, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer the hot dough immediately into a greased shallow bowl or plate and spread evenly to about 1/2-inch thickness.
- Step 4: Cover and steam the dough in a steamer or over boiling water for 10-12 minutes until cooked through and soft.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp mustard oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp sesame seeds and 1/2 tsp red chili powder, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 6: Remove the steamed dough from the steamer, cut into bite-sized pieces, and drizzle the spiced mustard oil over the top. Serve warm as a snack.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gujarati Khichu Steamed Rice Flour Snack with Chili Oil take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Gujarati Khichu Steamed Rice Flour Snack with Chili Oil?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Gujarati Khichu Steamed Rice Flour Snack with Chili Oil?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Gujarati Khichu Steamed Rice Flour Snack with Chili Oil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Gujarati Khichu Steamed Rice Flour Snack with Chili Oil?
Indian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
