Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Khaman dhokla is a steamed breakfast/snack item originating from Gujarat (a state in the west of India). Dhokla is originally made with a batter of rice and lentils, but this quick version became extremely popular due to its ease. Khaman dhokla is made with Bengal gram flour/chickpea flour and an evening agent. It is quick to whip up, healthy and oh so delicious!

Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (1)

How to steam Khaman Dhokla?

I used an electrical steamer but here are other ways you can steam the Khaman:

1) Steaming in a pan/pot

  • Place a small steaming platform/trivet in a large cook-pot that has a lid and also enough room to hold a round pan/cake mould. Pour enough water to cover the legs of the trivet and bring it to a boil.
  • Place the mould/pan with batter in the cook-pot as soon you mix in the baking soda. Cover with the lid (preferably with a tiny hole in it to let out excess steam).
  • Steam for up to 15 minutes on medium-high heat. The closer the pan to the boiling water, the faster the steaming.

2) Steaming in an Instant Pot

  • Pour enough water in the steel insert of the IP. Place an iron tripod/trivet and set to sauté function. Bring the water to a simmer.
  • Carefully place the pan with the khaman batter on the trivet but do not cover the pan with a lid.
  • Cover and IP with its lid and keep the vent position to steam release. Hit the steam button and steam on high pressure for up to 15 minutes.
  • Keep a track of the time using a timer to prevent the IP from steaming even after the time is elapsed. Let the pressure release until the valve falls down. Then open the lid carefully and serve.

3) Steaming in a pressure cooker

  • Place the tripod/trivet in a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the leg of the tripod. Bring the water to a boil. Carefully place the pan with batter with the help of tongs on to the trivet.
  • Remove the whistle (weight) from the lid and seal the lid tightly. Steam for up to 15 minutes on medium to medium-high heat.
  • Once it’s done, remove the side an carefully take out the pan/mould with the help of tongs.
Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (2)

Let me know if you try this easy Khaman Dhokla recipe and I would love to see what you paired it up with. Tag @beextravegant onInstagram.

Try other breakfast/snack items from the blog:

  • Paniyaram recipe- shallow fried, spiced rice and lentil balls
  • Vegan Yoghurt Toast – Spicy
  • Tofu masala sandwich
  • Baked Aloo Tikki – Crispy and Healthy

Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (3)

Khaman Dhokla

Thiskhaman dhokla recipegives you a light, soft and fluffy, sweet and savory cake that’s perfect to enjoy for breakfast or any other time of the day. It’s comes together quickly and is easily steamed in a steamer or on the stovetop.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

Batter

  • 1.5 cups gram flour besan, 180 grams
  • 1 tbsp semolina optional
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • A pinch of turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • ¾ tsp baking soda or 1.5 to 2 tsp fruit salt
  • 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup water or as per requirement

Tempering

  • 2 tbsp neutral oil
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 sprig curry leaves – about 10 leaves
  • 1 tsp chopped or 2-3 whole green chilies optional
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup water

Garnishes

  • Freshly grated coconut
  • Chopped coriander

Instructions

Khaman Dhokla:

  • Grease a deep steamer pan or a cake mould with 2 to 3 tsp of oil.

  • In a mixing bowl, sift besan/gram flour/chickpea flour.

  • Add turmeric powder, lemon juice, sugar, and salt.

  • Add 1 cup water or as per requirement to get a thick but flowing batter consistency (water requirement depends on the quality of flour).

  • Mix well and add the semolina, if using.

  • If the batter is too thin, add 1 to 2 tbsp gram flour.

  • Bring to a boil 2 to 3 cups (or as required) of water in a steamer or a stove-top cook-pot.

  • Now add the baking soda or fruit salt to the batter.

  • Stir quickly until evenly mixed into the batter (to prevent uneven levening).

  • Pour the batter in the greased pan.

  • Place the pan in a steamer cook-top and cover with the lid.

  • Let it steam for 15 to 20 minutes in an electric cooker on a medium to high heat.

  • Once steamed, do the toothpick test check doneness. If the toothpick comes out with uncooked batter on it, then steam a bit more.

  • When the khaman cools down a bit, then slide in a spatula gently sliding along the edges and invert the pan to slowly drop the khaman dhokla on a plate.

Tempering:

  • Heat oil in a small pan.

  • Add mustard seeds and when they crackle, add the curry leaves and green chilies (if using).

  • Saute until slightly browned and then add water. (Be careful here as the mixture can sizzle aggressively. Alternatively, you can switch off the heat and then add water)

  • Now add sugar, and mix well so that it's well dissolved and let the mix come to a boil again.

  • Then pour this mixture evenly on to the steamed and sliced khaman dhokla.

  • Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and grated coconut.

Serving and Storage:

  • Serve khaman dhokla fresh with a spicy or sweet chutney. You can also store in an air tight container. These can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

  • If serving khaman after a long time, do not garnish with coconut and coriander leaves before storing. Do it right before serving.

Notes

Steaming instructions:

1) Steaming in a pan/pot

  • Place a small steaming platform/trivet in a large cook-pot that has a lid and also enough room to hold a round pan/cake mould. Pour enough water to cover the legs of the trivet and bring it to a boil.
  • Place the mould/pan with batter in the cook-pot as soon you mix in the baking soda. Cover with the lid (preferably with a tiny hole in it to let out excess steam).
  • Steam for up to 15 minutes on medium-high heat. The closer the pan to the boiling water, the faster the steaming.

2) Steaming in an Instant Pot

  • Pour enough water in the steel insert of the IP. Place an iron tripod/trivet and set to sauté function. Bring the water to a simmer.
  • Carefully place the pan with the khaman batter on the trivet but do not cover the pan with a lid.
  • Cover and IP with its lid and keep the vent position to steam release. Hit the steam button and steam on high pressure for up to 15 minutes.
  • Keep a track of the time using a timer to prevent the IP from steaming even after the time is elapsed. Let the pressure release until the valve falls down. Then open the lid carefully and serve.

3) Steaming in a pressure cooker

  • Place the tripod/trivet in a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the leg of the tripod. Bring the water to a boil. Carefully place the pan with batter with the help of tongs on to the trivet.
  • Remove the whistle (weight) from the lid and seal the lid tightly. Steam for up to 15 minutes on medium to medium-high heat.
  • Once it’s done, remove the side an carefully take out the pan/mould with the help of tongs.

Keyword dhokla, indian breaksfast, Khaman dhokla

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Related

Reader Interactions

you may also like

Indian Plantain Fritters – Pazham Pori
Beetroot Chickpea Fritters with Whipped Feta – Baked or Pan Fried
Vegan Chai Banana Bread
Easy to make Creamy Kidney Bean Dip

Comments

  1. Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (8)Jackie says

    Any advice on how to make this in my instant pot? X

    Reply

    • Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (9)Beextravegant says

      Hi Jackie! Thank you for the question. Instructions for instant pot have been updated on the post now. Good luck!

      Reply

  2. Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (10)Orla says

    Hey! Do you think I could make this in a rice cooker?
    Thanks!

    Reply

  3. Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (11)VB says

    Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (12)
    This came out amazingly and was very easy to follow! The flavours were really delicious together and I can’t wait to try it once I can get fresher ingredients. I’ll definitely make this again!

    Reply

    • Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (13)Beextravegant says

      Yay! This is great news!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (2024)

FAQs

Why is my khaman dhokla not spongy? ›

Why is my dhokla not spongy? Here are some of the reasons for dhokla not being spongy – batter is not of the right consistency, keeping the batter for long time without steaming after adding eno or interrupting the steaming process midway. Why is my dhokla bitter? Too much of leavening agent can make the dhokla bitter.

What is the difference between dhokla and khaman dhokla? ›

Khaman and dhokla are both Gujarati dishes made from chickpeas. However, there are some critical differences between the two. Khaman is a soft, fluffy cake, while dhokla is like spongy steamed bread. Khaman is typically served with chutney or green chili pepper, while dhokla can be eaten plain or with a pickle.

Is steamed dhokla healthy? ›

Dhokla is quite nutritious and offers a mixture of carbohydrates, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. Being steamed and not fried, dhokla is very nutritious, beneficial for gut health, easily digestible, and increases energy levels.

Why does dhokla become hard? ›

Adding too much or too less water can ruin your batter and hamper the texture of the dhokla, making it hard and stiff. Always add a little water whisk and then repeat. Do not make the batter too watery.

Why is dhokla unhealthy? ›

The fermented nature of the food may release lactic acid upon digestion which may result in gastrointestinal side effects. If taken in moderation dhokla is rich in protein and since it is steam and (not oil) fried, it may add nutritive value.

Why cake and dhokla become light and spongy? ›

When this baking powder is added with water, then sodium hydrogencarbonate ( N a H C O 3 ) reacts with tartaric acid to evolve carbon dioxide gas. This C O 2 gas causes the cake to rise and become soft and spongy.

What do we call khaman in English? ›

Noun. khaman (uncountable) (India) An Indian food, visually similar to cake and compositionally similar to dhokla, made from a batter of gram flour (from chickpeas), cooked by steaming.

What can replace eno in dhokla? ›

(i.e for 1 tsp eno = 1/2 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp citric acid). Some people even suggest using just baking soda (for 1 tsp eno = 3/4 tsp upto 1 tsp baking soda) instead of using it along with citric acid.

What is the English word for khaman? ›

Gram flour, chana dal.

What are the disadvantages of eating dhokla? ›

While it is a healthy snack, overconsumption can lead to weight gain and digestive issues due to its high carbohydrate content. To avoid adverse effects, consuming 1-3 small pieces of dhokla is recommended.

Can I eat dhokla every day? ›

Basically, the market-bought dhokla has the potential to increase your daily calorie-intake and may lead to weight gain in the long run. So store-bought dhokla is good for weight loss may be a myth but dhokla benefits us. The dhokla recipe is made using a fermented batter of rice and split chickpeas.

Is dhokla good for your gut? ›

The fermentation process of dhokla yields probiotics, which support the immune system and gut health. Dhokla is a better snack option because it is steamed rather than fried, which lowers the intake of bad fats. People with sensitive stomachs might enjoy dhokla because of its light and fluffy texture.

Why my dhokla has red spots? ›

Why does my dhokla have red spots? Cause: Dhokla has turmeric which turns red when it interacts with a solution that is basic in PH. If the dhokla has red spots, it indicates that there are pockets of baking soda in the batter that weren't mixed together properly.

Why did my dhokla turn red? ›

Why did my dhokla turn orange or red? Turmeric powder reacts with baking soda or eno to give orange or red colored spots or patches in khaman dhokla. This makes your khaman turn orange or red. This can be avoided by adding less turmeric powder to the batter.

What to do with failed dhokla? ›

- Add in curry leaves, coriander leaves and green chillies and saute for a min. - Add in the dhokla chunks, sugar, salt if needed and mix it well. And you are ready to serve. This was done to make the dhoklas little moist.

Is dhokla supposed to be wet? ›

Water content helps the seasoned ingredients to adhere to the dhoklas. Water penetrates through the pores and softens the dhokla. Sugar and lemon juice gives a sweet and tangy flavour to the dish.

What is the difference between khaman and nylon khaman dhokla? ›

While the traditional one is made with rice and chickpea flour, the latter is made with just chickpea or besan flour. In addition, the traditional dhokla batter is prepared overnight and fermented, whereas nylon dhokla does not require any fermentation. Moreover, the colors of both these 2 are different.

Why Eno in dhokla? ›

The sponginess and light texture in the instant khaman dhokla recipe comes from reaction of eno with lemon juice or citric acid releasing carbon dioxide. This reaction creates a fizzy bubbly mixture that helps the batter to rise and leaven thereby making it fluffy and spongy when steamed.

Does khaman dhokla increase weight? ›

A: Overeating dhokla can hinder weight loss as it can increase overall calorie intake. While dhokla is a healthy food option for weight loss, consume it as part of a healthy and balanced diet and in moderation to maintain a calorie deficit.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 5398

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.