Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft, fluffy gram flour cakes steamed to perfection and topped with a fragrant mustard seed and curry leaf tempering, a signature Gujarati snack. This indian-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes turns gram flour (besan), water, lemon juice 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 180 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup gram flour, 3/4 cup water, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Whisk until smooth with no lumps.
  2. Step 2: Just before steaming, gently fold in 1 tsp baking soda to the batter and immediately pour into a greased 8-inch round steaming pan.
  3. Step 3: Steam the batter over boiling water for 15 minutes covered with a lid, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the surface feels firm and springy.
  4. Step 4: While steaming, heat 2 tbsp oil in a small pan over medium heat and add 1 tsp mustard seeds. When they start to pop, add 8 curry leaves and 1 finely chopped green chili. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add 1/4 cup water to the tempering pan and bring it to a simmer, then pour the entire tempering mixture evenly over the steamed khaman.
  6. Step 6: Garnish the top with 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves and 2 tbsp grated coconut if using, then cut the khaman into squares and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering 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 Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering?

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 Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering?

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 Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering 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 Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering 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.

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