Sweet and Savory Gujarati Dal Pakwan Breakfast

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Gujarati breakfast featuring crispy fried flatbreads paired with a sweet and spicy chana dal stew seasoned with cardamom and jaggery. This indian-inspired breakfast (vegetarian) ready in about 90 minutes combines all-purpose flour, semolina (rava), plus for deep frying oil into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. 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: 60 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp semolina, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp oil in a bowl. Gradually add water and knead into a firm dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Rinse 3/4 cup chana dal and soak for 1 hour. Drain and pressure cook with 3 cups water, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp ginger-green chili paste, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, and 2 crushed green cardamom pods for 3 whistles until soft.
  3. Step 3: Mash the cooked dal slightly, add 2 tbsp grated jaggery, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until the dal thickens slightly and flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Divide the dough into small balls and roll each into thin circles about 5 inches in diameter.
  5. Step 5: Heat oil for deep frying in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Fry each rolled dough piece until puffed and golden on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  6. Step 6: Serve the hot dal pakwan by placing the crisp fried flatbreads alongside a bowl of the sweet and spiced chana dal. Garnish the dal with 2 tbsp chopped coriander and offer lemon wedges for squeezing.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet and Savory Gujarati Dal Pakwan Breakfast take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (60 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Sweet and Savory Gujarati Dal Pakwan Breakfast?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet and Savory Gujarati Dal Pakwan Breakfast?

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 Sweet and Savory Gujarati Dal Pakwan Breakfast 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 Sweet and Savory Gujarati Dal Pakwan Breakfast 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.

Related recipes