Spiced Steamed Chickpea Flour Dhokla with Cumin and Coriander
A light, fluffy savory cake made from fermented chickpea flour batter, infused with cumin and fresh coriander for a delicate aroma and tender texture. This indian (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (120g) chickpea flour, (60g) rice flour, (60ml) warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 (120g) chickpea flour
- 1/2 cup (60g) rice flour
- 1/4 cup (60ml) warm water
- 1/4 cup (60g) plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (60g) grated ginger
- 1/4 cup (15g) fresh coriander
- 2, finely chopped green chilies
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup chickpea flour, 1/2 cup rice flour, 1/4 cup warm water, 1/4 cup yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds, 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix until smooth, adding 1/4 cup warm water if needed to achieve a thick, pourable batter.
- Step 2: Cover the bowl and let the batter ferment at room temperature for 8-12 hours until doubled in volume and bubbly.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup grated ginger, 1/4 cup fresh coriander, and 2 chopped green chilies until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
- Step 5: Place the pan in a steamer basket over simmering water. Cover and steam over medium heat for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let the dhokla rest in the steamer for 5 minutes before unmolding. Cut into squares and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Steamed Chickpea Flour Dhokla with Cumin and Coriander take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Spiced Steamed Chickpea Flour Dhokla with Cumin and Coriander?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (120g) chickpea flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Steamed Chickpea Flour Dhokla with Cumin and Coriander?
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 Spiced Steamed Chickpea Flour Dhokla with Cumin and Coriander for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Spiced Steamed Chickpea Flour Dhokla with Cumin and Coriander vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.